Virginia: Another State Down and More to Love

Virginia is an incredible state on the Appalachian Trail. Wild ponies, wildflowers, swimming holes, and microbreweries await your arrival! It’s not flat though, no matter what anyone may tell you!

11 Photos That Will Make You Want to Thru-Hike the Appalachian Trail

In 2018, I quit my job in Washington, D.C., gave up my apartment, said goodbye to all my friends, and hopped onto the Appalachian Trail (AT) in Georgia, heading north. The next six months, scrambling up and over mountains with a heavy pack on my back, were rewarding beyond words. I’m here to say that if you’re considering visiting the AT, whether it’s for a few days or a few months, you should do it. These photos will explain why.

Six Lessons I Learned By Thru-Hiking the Appalachian Trail

In 2018, after seven years of living and working on a public relations career in Washington, D.C., I quit my dream job to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail (AT). The next six months went by in a flash. Day in and day out, I trudged up and over mountains, in extreme cold and sweltering heat, through swarms of mosquitos, in sickness and in health, through 14 states from Georgia to Maine. These are the lessons I learned from doing so.

How to Take Your First Backpacking Trip

Want to try out backpacking but don’t know where to start? Then this post is for you! I go through the nitty gritty – where to start, how to choose a trail, how to plan your trip, and what to bring to get you out hiking and camping for an overnight or more.

10 Ways to Save for Your Next Adventure

Want to go on a great adventure? Whether that means thru-hiking a long trail (like me – I’m gunning for the Pacific Crest Trail next!), backpacking through Europe, or living in Bali for six months, you better save that money, honey! I’ve spent a lot of time in the past year and a half reading

Why You Shouldn’t Fear the Virginia Blues on the Appalachian Trail

This post first appeared on TheTrek.co on February 1, 2019.  Appalachian Trail thru-hiker hopefuls, strap in. You’re headed for a wild, beautiful, life-altering, incredibly meaningful, and downright magical ride. I remember the beginning of the trail vividly. You’re nervous, you’re excited, you’re meeting people, so many people, every single day. At the welcome center at

How to Hike West Virginia’s Cranberry Wilderness

This post first appeared on TheTrek.co on November 21, 2018. I’ve been going through trail withdrawal hard since finishing my AT thru-hike in September. With winter quickly approaching and hiking season winding down, I decided to peel myself off my couch and do something about it. I finally checked off a bucket list item and

The Comedown from Katahdin: Recovering From the Appalachian Trail and the Post-Trail Blues

This post first appeared on TheTrek.co on October 12, 2018.  It’s been about a month since I finished my thru-hike. I’ve been wanting to write—wanting to put into words what it all meant to me, but I’ve struggled to pick up the pen (or, you know, keyboard). The Post-Trail Blues I’ve struggled with a lot

Maine: I’ve Reached the Promised Land of the Appalachian Trail

This post first appeared on TheTrek.co on September 25, 2018.  Maine. The way a thru-hike should be. The reward for hiking almost 2,000 miles prior to arrival. The promised land. There’s a good reason we got to Maine and proceeded to stay for almost an entire month. Sure, Southern Maine’s terrain is difficult, and almost

A Tale of a Muddy Trail, and Muddier Relationships

This post first appeared on TheTrek.co on August 10, 2018.  I have a lot of feelings about Vermont. Or rather, I had a lot of feelings in Vermont. Some were good, some were bad. Either way, I don’t think I could write honestly about my experience there without sharing them. So, I’ll start with the