Over the course of two trips to Nepal and 1200 miles hiked across the Himalaya, I’ve ended up walking the Annapurna Circuit twice and Annapurna Base Camp once. I truly believe the Annapurna Circuit is one of the best hikes for beginner trekkers, especially beginners who don’t...
This past spring, I ordered a Hennessy Hammock Hyperlite Asym Zip. My job as a ridge runner in Connecticut and Massachusetts has me camping on the trail more nights that not. I previously used an ENO hammock, but I wanted to upgrade to a better backpacking setup. Update: I’ve now...
A few weeks ago, my nephews and mom came to join me on the trail for a week of hiking. My mom already had a hundred or so miles of hiking experience, but this was the first time for the boys (ages 8 and 12). There were times where I could have never imagined a worse situation, like when...
Leave No Trace is a huge part of life in the backcountry. Following Leave No Trace (or LNT) principles is how we ensure that the wilderness stays wild, not only so the next hikers can enjoy it, but so we don’t negatively impact the flora and fauna of the region. It’s vital...
I have been on a quest this summer to find a way to eat healthier while on the trail. During my thru-hike, I ate Pasta Sides pretty much everyday and carried mostly sugary snacks. Looking back, my poor diet made me feel sluggish and tired. Sure, I consumed enough calories, but they...
This past week I was hiking in Connecticut, and it rained for three days straight. It wasn’t even heavy rain; it was the sort of light rain that keeps everything damp and doesn’t let the sun come out. On top of that, the temperatures were dropping into the 40s at night...
I just finished my ridge runner training week in Connecticut, and I will be spending the summer working along the Appalachian Trail. I’m excited for the opportunity to give back to the trail. The most asked question we get is… What is a ridge runner? The short answer is I am a...
It seems like I’m constantly hearing talk about how the outdoor industry doesn’t do a good enough job producing women’s gear, such as in this Appalachian Trials article. Or more particularly, the women’s gear they do produce primarily comes in colors like bright...
Most beginner backpackers are grossed out by the idea of packing out their toilet paper, and that’s OK. But it’s an important thing to do in order to preserve our wilderness. Occasionally, you might see bits of toilet paper off to the side of the trail. How gross would it be if every...
This past fall, I was going into the Great Sand Dunes National Park to work for two months. Temperatures were expected to be very cold at night. My crew leaders recommended a 0 degree sleeping bag. The warmest bag I had was 20 degrees, and I wasn’t about to go buy a new one for a job that...