Professional Writing

The Best Time of Year to Hike These 23 Popular Long Trails

Choosing when to start a trail can make or break your thru-hike. Luckily, we’ve done the research for you on the best time to start a hike on 23 popular long-distance trails around the world.

Keep Your Feet on the Gas: How to Resupply (And Eat) Like a Champ on a Thru Hike, part 3

Not surprisingly, food plays a dominant role in any adventure! Depending on where you’re going, it may not always be a straightforward process to make sure you can consume it. Food is one of the most challenging things to plan, especially if you’re particular about what you eat. What works for one person will not work for another. Luckily there’s a variety of different strategies that will make sure you don’t go hungry. In Part Three of Eloise’s Resupply Series, she explains how to make sure all the hard work you’ve done on the front end shows up where you need it to on trail.

Keep Your Feet on the Gas: How to Resupply (And Eat) Like a Champ on a Thru Hike, part 2

There is an overwhelming number of food options for backcountry adventures. From dehydrated meals to gourmet eggs and bacon, there’s something for everyone. How do you know what will work for you? Your strategy will vary depending on the type of trip you’re on.

Six Triple Crown Spots to Visit If You Can’t Thru-hike This Year

Hopefully, this article will either help you choose a section, or will spark some daydreams about when it’s finally time to thru-hike. You should be able to visit all of these spots without needing to resupply in town. There are also suggestions on how to shuttle or out and back, so you can avoid hitchhiking.

Keep Your Feet on the Gas: How to Resupply Like a Champ on a Thru Hike, part 1

Tell anyone you hike long distances, and one of the first questions they’ll ask you is about food. What do you eat? How do you carry all of your food for five months? (Spoiler alert, you don’t.) Luckily there’s a variety of different strategies that will make sure you don’t go hungry.

A Quick Pitch for Safety on the Continental Divide Trail

I was halfway through the hike when that storm struck. I’d already tried to quit a few times, but the trail had drawn me back. Even on town days, safe and warm in a hostel, I felt its pull. I’d have to walk all the way to Canada to leave the trail. I just had to hope that I’d survive it.

Dirtbag Diaries Podcast

The canoe wasn’t much to look at. She used to be a rental. Her hull was covered in scratches, some poorly disguised with white paint. Her yoke was rotting, water seeping under the old varnish so it bubbled up and flaked. The seats creaked and flexed alarmingly. But she was beautiful to me.

12 Time-Saving Tips So You Can Hike More Miles

There comes a time in every thru-hike where you have to hike a high mileage day. These tips will help you find more time in your day to hike.

Is an AT Winter Thru-Hike Right For You?

Are you planning an AT thru-hike for next year and wondering if you should start early? A winter start is hard, cold, and not right for everyone. But it’s also incredibly rewarding, and allows you to hike NOBO and still miss the crowds.

Five Things I Wish I’d Known Before Hiking the Triple Crown

I hiked the Triple Crown in two years and two months, starting with the PCT, CDT and then the AT. Here’s what I wish I’d known before I started.

Which Triple Crown Trail is Right For You?

At almost 8,000 miles, the Triple Crown trails of the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail and Continental Divide Trail are some of the best hiking in the world. No matter which trail you choose to hike, it will change your life.

Top 10 Ways to Save Money in Town

Is your budget already feeling a little tight on your thru-hike? Wondering how to stretch your cash a little further? Town stops are one of the most expensive parts of a long-distance hike. Here are ten tips to be thrifty so you can afford to hike further.

Is your budget already feeling a little tight on your thru-hike? Wondering how to stretch your cash a little further? Town stops are one of the most expensive parts of a long-distance hike. Here are ten tips to be thrifty so you can afford to hike further.

Zpacks Duplex Review

The Zpacks Duplex is one of the most popular two person thru-hiker tents in production. Is it worth parting with your hard earned cash for one of the best tents available?

The Zpacks Duplex is one of the most popular two person thru-hiker tents in production. Is it worth parting with your hard earned cash for one of the best tents available?

Trail Work – The Most Fun You Can Have If You’re Not Thru-Hiking

Go bushwhack through trailless subalpine forests underneath one of the most stunning rock walls in the world, getting scratched up by branches and potentially a little lost? It sounded like a thru-hiker’s dream. Helping choose where future thru-hikers would walk would just be a bonus.

Go bushwhack through trailless subalpine forests underneath one of the most stunning rock walls in the world, getting scratched up by branches and potentially a little lost? It sounded like a thru-hiker’s dream. Helping choose where future thru-hikers would walk would just be a bonus.

Outdoor Research Aspire Super Stretch Jacket Review

Are you looking for a rain jacket that can handle some serious storms? How about a jacket that handles all adventures, not just thru-hiking? Or do you wish your current shell provided a bit more mobility?

Are you looking for a rain jacket that can handle some serious storms? How about a jacket that handles all adventures, not just thru-hiking? Or do you wish your current shell provided a bit more mobility?

10 Reasons Why the AT Is Better Than the PCT

Do you already know why the AT is superior to the PCT? Are you trying to figure out if you want to hike an east coast trail? Or just want to read something controversial? Take a look at this mostly tongue-in-cheek article and learn why the AT is so much better than the PCT.

Do you already know why the AT is superior to the PCT? Are you trying to figure out if you want to hike an east coast trail? Or just want to read something controversial? Take a look at this mostly tongue-in-cheek article and learn why the AT is so much better than the PCT.

10 Reasons the PCT Is Better Than the AT

Are you already a PCT lover and an AT hater? Considering a thru-hike and not sure if you should hit the AT or the PCT? Or just want to read something controversial? Take a look at this mostly tongue-in-cheek article and learn why the PCT is so much better than the AT.

Are you already a PCT lover and an AT hater? Considering a thru-hike and not sure if you should hit the AT or the PCT? Or just want to read something controversial? Take a look at this mostly tongue-in-cheek article and learn why the PCT is so much better than the AT.

The Ultimate Guide to Cowboy Camping

It’s that magical time of the year again: cowboy camping season. The desert is cooling off and hikers are heading out on the Arizona Trail or finishing off Continental Divide or Pacific Crest Trail SoBo hikes. One of the best parts of desert camping has to be leaving your tent at the bottom of your backpack and sleeping with nothing between you and the stars.

It’s that magical time of the year again: cowboy camping season. The desert is cooling off and hikers are heading out on the Arizona Trail or finishing off Continental Divide or Pacific Crest Trail SoBo hikes. One of the best parts of desert camping has to be leaving your tent at the bottom of your backpack and sleeping with nothing between you and the stars.

How to Pick the Perfect Sun Hoodie For Your Next Hike

If you’ve been on any long trail lately, you’ve seen hikers wearing trendy sun hoodies. These long-sleeved garments are replacing Hawaiin shirts and collared button-ups as the thru-hiker’s shirt of choice. Are you ready to make the switch and try out a sun hoodie? Here’s what you need to know.

If you’ve been on any long trail lately, you’ve seen hikers wearing trendy sun hoodies. These long-sleeved garments are replacing Hawaiin shirts and collared button-ups as the thru-hiker’s shirt of choice. Are you ready to make the switch and try out a sun hoodie? Here’s what you need to know.

How Much Should You Really Plan Your Thru-Hike?

Are you about to start a thru-hike? Let’s talk about just how much you should really plan out your hike.

Are you about to start a thru-hike? Let’s talk about just how much you should really plan out your hike.

Trail Maintenance Magic

So, on behalf of all thru-hikers past, present, and future, thank you. Thank you if you joined a trail crew this summer. Thank you if you’ve cut a log or flagged a route in the past. Thank you if you’re watching the GDTA website intently, waiting for opportunities to volunteer next summer. Thank you if you donated money so others could get out there and clear a path. Thank you if you volunteer behind the scenes, raising money or doing admin work. We said it out loud to your work on the trail this summer, but now I want to say it to your face. Thank you.

So, on behalf of all thru-hikers past, present, and future, thank you. Thank you if you joined a trail crew this summer. Thank you if you’ve cut a log or flagged a route in the past. Thank you if you’re watching the GDTA website intently, waiting for opportunities to volunteer next summer. Thank you if you donated money so others could get out there and clear a path. Thank you if you volunteer behind the scenes, raising money or doing admin work. We said it out loud to your work on the trail this summer, but now I want to say it to your face. Thank you.

10 Ways to Deal with the Cold if You Start the AT in February

Starting your AT thru-hike in February is a unique, incredible experience. However, you are likely to encounter plenty of winter weather, which can be intimidating at best and life-threatening at worst. After starting my thru-hike at the beginning of February a few years ago, I have plenty of tips to share to help you stay warm.

Starting your AT thru-hike in February is a unique, incredible experience. However, you are likely to encounter plenty of winter weather, which can be intimidating at best and life-threatening at worst. After starting my thru-hike at the beginning of February a few years ago, I have plenty of tips to share to help you stay warm.

Great Divide Trail Association Permit Webinar

A webinar about how the GDT compares to other trails, breaking down each section, and then sharing some tips and tricks for navigating the reservation system.

A webinar about how the GDT compares to other trails, breaking down each section, and then sharing some tips and tricks for navigating the reservation system.

REUNITED WITH RIBBONS–BACK INTO THE REAL WORLD ON CANADA'S GREAT DIVIDE TRAIL

If any trail could heal my soul, it would be this one. Wild and remote, the Great Divide Trail follows the squiggly line on the border between British Columbia and Alberta for over a thousand kilometers. It showcases some of the best scenery in the Canadian Rockies, maybe in the entire world.

If any trail could heal my soul, it would be this one. Wild and remote, the Great Divide Trail follows the squiggly line on the border between British Columbia and Alberta for over a thousand kilometers. It showcases some of the best scenery in the Canadian Rockies, maybe in the entire world.

Why You Need to Learn Gear First Aid Before Your Thru-Hike

Every hopeful thru-hiker learns how to pop blisters and deal with basic medical emergencies before a thru-hike. But what do you do when it’s your gear that breaks?

Every hopeful thru-hiker learns how to pop blisters and deal with basic medical emergencies before a thru-hike. But what do you do when it’s your gear that breaks?

A Ferociuous Fear of Finishing Famished

Do you know how much twelve days of food weighs? I don’t. I stubbornly refused to find out, my pack bulging at the seams with every last calorie I could cram into it. I figured if I didn’t know how heavy it was, it would feel lighter. But now, staring at my towering pack in a Jasper, Alberta, Canada hostel room, I wasn’t even sure if I could lift it, never mind hike over 350 kilometers with it on my back.

5 Things You Should Know Before Hiking the Great Divide Trail

Is the Great Divide Trail on your thru-hike bucket list yet? If not, it’s time to add this stunning, 680-mile Canadian hike.

Last Minute Gift Ideas for the Hiker who Already Has Everything

This article has plenty of gift suggestions that don’t weigh an ounce, can be bought last minute, and will be appreciated by any hiker.

Gear Suggestions for an Appalachian Trail Winter Thru HIke

If you have your sights set on a thru-hike, section hike, or even just an overnight on the AT this winter, this article will help you figure out what to bring.

Five Tips to Help You Choose a Perfect Campsite Every Time

These tips will help you choose the perfect camp spot, no matter what type of shelter you use or what the weather is doing.

How to Lose Base Weight Without Replacing Your Big Three

If you’re not ready to replace your tent, sleeping bag and backpack don’t worry! There’s still plenty you can do to reduce your base weight.

Why $20 Frogg Toggs Are the Ideal Rain Gear for a Thru-Hike

Outside of your tent and sleep system, rain gear can be one of the most expensive items to purchase for a thru-hike. Prices range from $100 to over $400 for a jacket alone, with most ultralight options finding a sweet spot between $150 and $200. So, can a $20 rain jacket really measure up to pricier options?