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 that every hiker…
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 glorified trash lady/…
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 hiker was…
After my first day of hiking in Georgia, I arrived at Hawk Mountain shelter to find the whole area packed. I claimed my tent spot among the thirty-some other tents, then I headed toward the stream. On my way through camp, I witnessed two guys who were starting a fire in the fire pit. There…
Here is something that’s often asked from one outdoorsy chick to another outdoorsy chick, but which isn’t often addressed openly: What the heck do you do when you’re out in the backcountry and you have your period? It’s not fun, let’s just be clear. It’s hard enough to float through 3-7 days of cramping and…
I returned to the trail recently to do a 40 mile section in Georgia. It was beautiful weather, and Georgia was in full bloom. Now that I’m not a thru-hiker, I just relaxed and hiked easy 7 mile days. I camped on top of a mountain several miles north of Neels Gap, where I met…