Leaving a Corporate Career in NYC to Thru-Hike the PCT
Jen Mastrianni left a seven‑year corporate social responsibility role in New York finance to thru‑hike the Pacific Crest Trail. A semester at the National Outdoor Leadership School reshaped her career outlook, prompting a shift from law ambitions to outdoor adventure. After quitting her Brooklyn job, ending her lease and securing a long‑distance permit, she embarked on the months‑long trek. The move reflects a broader desire for purpose‑driven work beyond traditional corporate paths.
First Official Day on Trail (Day 1)
Sarah J’s first official day on the trail covered 8 miles of the Appalachian Trail, marking the start of a 2,188‑mile thru‑hike. She departed the Springer Mountain Trailhead, received free snacks from a trail angel, and noted easier terrain compared...
The Ultimate Thru-Hike Training Plan: Strength, Cardio, Protocols, and Common Injury Prevention with Dr. Freeborn Mondello
In this episode of Backpacker Radio, physical therapist and endurance athlete Dr. Freeborn Mondello outlines a comprehensive training plan for thru‑hikers, detailing how to balance cardio and strength work, the most effective cardio modalities, and specific strength protocols. He also...
All Downhill – Fox’s AT Thru Hike – Day 33
Grey Fox logged 438 miles on the Appalachian Trail by day 33, leaving about 1,766 miles to the northern terminus. After a scenic stretch through Dennis Cove and Laurel Falls, a worsening shin injury forced him to rely on ice, tape, and medication...
My Why for Thru-Hiking the PCT
Nikki W, a seasoned regional hiker, announced her decision to thru‑hike the 2,650‑mile Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in 2026. She frames the trek as a purposeful escape from comfort, seeking personal growth, grief processing, and community connection rather than fleeing a...
The Dirtbag’s Guide to Surviving Post-Trail Depression
The author describes the crushing sense of post‑trail depression (PTD) that follows months of long‑distance hiking, likening it to a dark pit that pulls you into inactivity and anxiety. After summiting Katahdin, they attempted to stave off PTD by driving...
Working Art Into a Thru-Hike: Inside the ATC and CDTC Artist Residencies with Mallory Weston & Leslie Boyd (BPR #350)
In this episode of Backpacker Radio, artists and metalsmiths Mallory Weston and Leslie Boyd discuss their unique roles as the inaugural artists‑in‑residence for the Continental Divide Trail Conservancy (CDTC) and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC). They share how they integrate...
I Was Halfway Through a Poop When I Got My Trail Name… Now I’m Hiking the Arizona Trail
Traveling nurse Jeffry Leonard, known on the trail as "Fullmoon," earned his nickname after a public bathroom mishap on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2021. He is now gearing up for a rapid, 300‑mile northbound thru‑hike of the Arizona Trail,...
The Dawn of Duckets — Part 4: The Trail Provides
In "The Dawn of Duckets — Part 4: The Trail Provides," long‑distance hiker Duckets D recounts a near‑disaster when a missing headlamp threatened a night trek. He encounters a local shop owner who, despite closing, drives him home, supplies the headlamp,...
To P or Not To P…
The Trek article warns hikers about tick‑borne Lyme disease and promotes permethrin‑treated clothing as a primary defense. It cites 476,000 annual U.S. Lyme cases and a 9 % infection rate among Appalachian Trail thru‑hikers, emphasizing the 24‑48 hour attachment window for transmission....
Flip-Flopping the International Appalachian Trail
The International Appalachian Trail (IAT) extends the classic Appalachian Trail by over 1,000 miles, weaving through Maine, New Brunswick, Quebec, and beyond to the Atlantic coast. By connecting the Benton Mackaye and Pinhoti trails, the route adds roughly 360 miles,...
Bama to Baxter, Day 18: More Trail Magic on a Glorious Day of Hiking
On day 18 of the Bama‑to‑Baxter thru‑hike, Jeff Langrehr logged another 20‑mile stretch, reaching a creek‑side campsite near the 20‑mile mark. He crossed a 20‑25‑yard waterway, met a veteran trail‑maintenance volunteer, and spent lunch on an overlook platform where Southern States 200...
Hot Springs – Fox’s AT Thru Hike – Day 23
On day 23 of Grey Fox’s Appalachian Trail thru‑hike, the crew reached Hot Springs, Arkansas, marking 283 total miles hiked with 1,921 miles remaining. The post highlights practical resources: The Trail’er hostel, Hillbilly Market and Dollar General for groceries, Bluff Mountain Outfitters for gear,...
I Don’t Really Like Hiking—So Why Am I Hiking the PCT?
Katy Eldred, a CrossFit‑trained professional, is embarking on a six‑month Pacific Crest Trail thru‑hike despite not being an avid hiker. She cites financial security, her father's participation, and mounting scientific evidence that nature boosts mental clarity and problem‑solving. The decision...
When the “Why?” Is Too Personal to Share
The author reveals that their decision to thru‑hike the Appalachian Trail stems from a deeply personal, often painful place rather than the publicly praised goals of adventure or fitness. While outwardly surrounded by family blessings, they grapple with homesickness, spiritual...
Team Bender 2.0
Jill Lapham announces “Team Bender 2.0,” a new Appalachian Trail thru‑hike beginning at the iconic Amicalola Arch in Springer, Georgia. After a northbound attempt that stopped in Rutland, Vermont, she will partner again with Zuko for the southern leg, aiming to...
Top Wairoa Hut to Hunters Hut AKA Te Araroa LASH Day 13
Sean Berenson recounts a challenging day on the Te Araroa trail between Top Wairoa Hut and Hunters Hut, where unexpected summer rain dropped temperatures to near freezing. Despite the harsh conditions, the well‑maintained hut provided essential shelter, heat, and a social hub...
Carrying My Dad Across the PCT
Alayne, a former military medic, decides to hike the Pacific Crest Trail after her father’s sudden death, using the trek as a way to process grief. An unexpected permit cancellation opens a March 30 start, aligning with her academic schedule. She...
Franklin Nearo – Fox’s AT Thru Hike – Day 11
On day 11 of his Appalachian Trail thru‑hike, Franklin Nearo reports reaching 118 miles total with 2,086 miles remaining. He highlights local services in Franklin, noting Outdoor 76’s extensive gear selection and the Nearo lounge, while warning about silnylon dry bag...
Bama to Baxter, Day Three: Is It Quittin’ Time?
On day three of Jeff’s Appalachian Trail thru‑hike, he logged 56 miles, bringing the total to 56 of the 2,557 miles remaining. A water cache at Bull’s Gap offered relief, but steep climbs caused recurring dizziness and mental fatigue, prompting...
Peg Leg’s Calendar Year Triple Crown Gear List
In 2025 the author completed a Calendar Year Triple Crown, hiking roughly 8,500 miles across the United States while using a largely unchanged gear set from the previous year. The core kit featured a Pa’lante Ultraweave Desert Pack, Zpacks Plex...
The Noise Before the Silence
Katy Eldred reflects on a hectic start to 2026, juggling a new jiu‑jitsu routine, a demanding work schedule, and preparation for the Pacific Crest Trail. Late‑night training and irregular meals have cut her sleep to under seven hours, leaving her...
Things I Hope to Learn From the AT – Part 2
In this personal essay, Lena B reflects on her upcoming Appalachian Trail thru‑hike, focusing on cultivating presence, embracing minimalism, and committing to practice. She describes a vivid contrast between a summer moment and a winter one, highlighting how much of...
Mitigating the Damage: My Strategy for Intake on the CDT (TRAILS Series, Part 4)
The author outlines a detailed intake strategy for the 2026 Continental Divide Trail, emphasizing the need to sustain 5,000‑7,000 daily calories over five months. He explains how chronic calorie deficits trigger muscle catabolism, immune suppression, and injury risk. Because remote...
Actually No, the Trail Won’t Always Be There: Why You Should Thru-Hike Now
The article warns that iconic long‑distance trails such as the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail and Continental Divide Trail are increasingly vulnerable to wildfires, floods, pandemic fallout and political land‑use decisions. Recent events—including record‑breaking fires in the West, a 2024...
No Rain, No Maine – Fox’s AT Thru Hike – Day 9
On Day 9 of Grey Fox’s Appalachian Trail thru‑hike, he logged his 102nd mile, leaving roughly 2,102 miles to the southern terminus. A relentless rainstorm forced him to start early despite forecasts predicting showers until mid‑afternoon. Wool base layers proved effective at...
Day Two on the Bama to Baxter Hike
Jeff completed the second day of his Bama‑to‑Baxter thru‑hike, adding 18 miles to bring his total distance to 41 miles. After an early start, he reunited with fellow hiker Scurvy, who helped with a water‑carry and shared trail knowledge. A...