Category:

Thru Hike

close up photography of woman carrying gray backpack

How I’m training to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail

by Daleen Cowgar June 20, 2022

written by Daleen Cowgar

In less than a year, I’m going to be trekking up to the summit of Springer Mountain and hiking north through the Appalachian mountain range for over 2,000 miles. If that sounds like a big undertaking, it’s because it is! Many people have different ways of training to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail—and some don’t train at all. However, I know that for my success, I want to be as prepared as I can be.

Working a full-time job plus a side-gig or two doesn’t leave a lot of time left over for training. But with some research and creativity, I’ve created a system that’s building my muscles for the AT without taking too much time.

Hiking

What better way to train for backpacking than by getting on my feet and walking? Hiking nearby parks allows me to build stamina, strengthen the muscles I’ll be using while I’m backpacking, and mentally prepare for days spent walking.

I have a schedule: Tuesday and Thursday I do a short hike (4.5 miles round trip) at the park near my house, and Saturday or Sunday I do a long hike (8+ miles).

These hikes are not gentle meanders through the woods: instead, I use each hike as an opportunity to push myself harder and harder. If I haven’t lost my breath or come back without any tired muscles, it’s defeating the purpose. I use my short hikes as an opportunity to walk fast and hard. Each morning, I try to come back with a quicker speed. For my longer hikes, I focus on endurance and adding more distance to my hikes. I know on the AT, I’ll want to be traveling around 12-15 miles a day, and so I’m building towards being comfortable hiking that mileage.

With these hikes is also the opportunity to carry pack weight. I started hiking without any pack weight, but since then, as I get up-to-speed or comfortable with a certain pack weight, it gets bumped up by five pounds. This helps my body build the muscles it needs to carry a pack, but also allows my body to get used to carrying a pack and the associated weight. By the time I get to the AT, I want my pack to feel like an extension of myself, that I’m so comfortable with I can take anywhere!

Krav Maga

Krav Maga is a self-defense fighting system that comes from Israel. Translated as “contact combat,” it is about being fierce, strong, and in control. Not only do I recommend some form of self-defense for any woman, it’s a great way to get moving and strength your body. At the school where I’m take it twice a week, we start off with strength training and aerobic exercise before we get into the specific Krav Maga techniques of our belts. After working on perfecting the techniques, we put them to use at the end of each session in a highly active, sometimes chaotic way.

Backpacking trips

While I can’t go on many long backpacking trips, taking a couple weekends (like when I tested the UL Granite 2P) to go to hiking are perfect ways to test out my gear, build some tougher trail legs, and get comfortable with my set up for the AT. Plus, it gives me additional experience with backpacking, which in turn only makes me better prepared for my hike.

These small backpacking trips are perfect opportunities to “shakedown” gear and make sure that what I’m taking on my thru-hike is actually gear that works well for my hiking style and needs. By the time I get to the Appalachian Trail, my pack should already have gone through a couple of “shedding pounds” stages, making it as light as it can be while thru-hiking.

(Still looking for gear? Check out our complete gear list here!)

Zero days and resting

This is not often talked about. After hard exercise, your body needs a chance to rest and recuperate. It’s during your sleep and your downtime that your body rebuilds muscles, replenishes, and protects against injury. Experts suggest a rest day every 7-10 days. To keep it easy for myself, I take one day a week as a “zero day.” Use this day to spend time with friends or family, read a book, catch up on a TV show, or do something else to relax both your mind and your body.

Other ideas for training to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail

Stairs
Kickboxing
Running (or trail running)
Strength training at a gym
Biking or stationary biking
Swimming

How are you training for your long hikes?

June 20, 2022 6 comments

Adventure Appalachian Trail Backpacking Gear List Thru Hike

Shanty’s SoBo Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike Gear List

by Andrew Baldwin August 8, 2020

written by Andrew Baldwin

For 5 months in 2019, I walked (or thru-hiked) the entire length of the Appalachian Trail (or “AT”), a 2,192-mile north-to-south footpath that crosses the Appalachian Mountains of the eastern United States. The massive trail winds its way through forests, bogs, pastures, mountains, and almost every other imaginable terrain.

As of 2019, about 21,000 people have successfully thru-hiked the entire length of the Appalachian Trail, with the current yearly average being over 1,000 new finishers each year.

The vast majority of them do the trail northbound, starting at the southern end (Springer Mountain in northern Georgia) and hiking to the northern end (Mount Katahdin in northern Maine). However, there are some people (roughly about 10-15% of all thru-hikers) who choose to go the opposite way. They start in Maine in early summer, when the trails on Katahdin, including the AT, are have finally thawed out, and finish in Georgia in late fall or early winter depending on their pace. This is called a southbound (or SOBO) thru-hike.

The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man

A SOBO thru-hike is considered to be more difficult than a northbound (or NOBO) thru-hike for two reasons:

The northernmost section of the trail (specifically the sections in Maine and New Hampshire) is the rockiest, steepest, most physically demanding, and most dangerous section of trail. A NOBO hiker has had months to prepare and get in shape before reaching this section, but a SOBO hiker is getting this section right at the start when they’re still inexperienced and have yet to get their “trail legs”.
SOBO hikers have a narrower window of mild weather than NOBOs do. NOBOs typically start their hikes in early spring, but SOBOs can’t start their hikes until early summer. While NOBOs can expect some wintry conditions at the start of their thru-hike due to the high elevations of the south in the early spring, it’s unlikely they’ll see any wintry weather after that, even in Maine in the early fall. A SOBO, meanwhile, typically spends at least their final full month hiking in wintry conditions due to them reaching the highlands of the south well after fall has started and with winter close behind.

Nevertheless, if it’s SOBO or NOBO, completing a thru-hike of the AT is incredibly difficult due to the terrain, weather, physical demands, logistical challenges, the harshness of living outdoors for months on end, and just about everything else you can think of. Only about 25% of people who have attempted a thru-hike of the AT actually succeed, but in early December of 2019, I was able to join the club of AT thru-hikers when I reached Springer Mountain in northern Georgia, completing my thru-hike!

Now, I’d like to share my gear list with you from my SOBO AT thru-hike. I hope it comes to good use for you if you ever decide on a backpacking trip. I believe that this gear list can work not just for a thru-hike, but for ANY backpacking trip!

Read on to see my full southbound AT thru-hike gear list – or click here to read my wife’s northbound thru-hike gear list for women!

My Southbound Appalachian Trail Thru-hike Gear List

Backpack

Osprey Kestrel 48
- It was super durable, but I didn’t like how heavy it was because of the stiff frame and the mesh pockets on the outside kept ripping.
Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60
- I switched from the Osprey to this pack in Vermont since it was a lot lighter, had no stiff frame, and its pockets didn’t rip. I liked this one much better even though it was a little less durable and I had to patch it a few times with Tenacious Tape.

Pack Cover

Osprey Ultralight Pack Raincover—Medium
- It easily fit over and cinched tightly on both my packs, keeping them nice and dry on all but the worst of rainy days.

Trekking Poles

Black Diamond Trail Pro Trekking Poles
- Super durable, lightweight, and strong. They saved me at least 30 times a day from tripping and falling on my face (the AT is SUPER rocky and unsteady in a lot of places), and they helped me hike faster while giving my arms at least some form of a workout over the course of 5 months.
Duct tape wound around trekking poles
- There’s nothing you can’t do when you have duct tape. Really helped me avoid blisters whenever I felt a hot spot forming!

Water Supplies

Clean and filtered water storage
- (2) 1-liter Nalgene bottles for clean water
  - I really liked having durable and reliable water bottles for peace of mind, so I used these my whole hike (even if they were a little heavier).
“Dirty” water storage
- (2) Sawyer 1-liter bladders
  - I got them with my Sawyer Squeeze filter, but they were annoying to fill up and weren’t very good quality. Ditched them in Pennsylvania (amazed I made it that far with them).
- 1-liter Smart water bottle
  - Switched to this in Pennsylvania from the Sawyer bladders. It was more durable, easier to squeeze water through it into my Nalgene bottle when I was filtering, and easier to fill up from water sources.
Water filter
- Platypus Gravity Works 2-Liter Water Filter Kit
  - Decided to start the trail with the Platypus because I had heard bad things about Sawyer (too heavy, breaks easily, etc.). Less than 100 miles into my hike, though, the Platypus busted and I was forced to hike a couple of days while drinking unfiltered water. That sucked, but I luckily didn’t get sick.
- Sawyer Squeeze Filter
  - Switched to this and ditched the Platypus after 100 miles. The bad things I heard about Sawyer turned out to be #FakeNews. My Sawyer wasn’t heavy at all and it was very reliable in filtering from any source you could think of. I had to backflush a lot towards the end of my hike, but otherwise, the filter held nicely.
Water accessories
- Sawyer plunger (comes with the Sawyer Squeeze Filter)
  - Simple and universal plunger. Did hundreds of reliable backflushes of my Sawyer filter with it.
- Replacement O-ring for Sawyer filter
  - The O-ring can break or fall out easily on the Sawyer, so I made sure to keep a couple extras with me. They weigh nothing and you can get them from any gear shop near the trail.
- Bottom 1/3 of Smart water bottle to use as a scoop
  - From Kent, CT all the way to Pearisburg, VA, water sources were scarce and the few places I could get water from mostly consisted of small puddles. Cutting up a Smart water bottle to make a scoop served me very well.
- Mesh bag for carrying all my accessories/filter together
  - Made it easy to keep my filter, scoop, o-rings, and plunger all together so that it was super easy to access what I needed every time I needed water.

The White Mountains on a southbound appalachian trail thru hike

Tent

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 1-person tent
- I believe with tents, you can only have 3 of the following 4 categories with any one tent…
  - comfortable
  - lightweight
  - durable
  - reasonably priced

I think, though, that this tent is probably the closest to being able to meet all 4 categories. It stood up to all the abuse I gave it and only leaked once (during a massive storm in New Hampshire), it was pretty dang comfortable, it wasn’t TOO heavy, and it was a pretty reasonable price. The vestibule was great, too, for nights at the end of the trail when it was freezing, windy, and snowy and I had to cook dinner inside my tent to avoid turning into a popsicle.

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 1-person tent footprint
- You need a footprint to make sure the floor of the tent isn’t directly in contact with the ground, helping to keep the floor of the tent dryer and cleaner. Sold separately from the tent itself.
NRS Tuft Sack Dry Bag (5L) for storage
- I always used a dry sack for my tent so that when it rained overnight, I could pack my wet tent into a dry sack the next morning. That way, the water wouldn’t leak out from the tent and get other important things in my bag (such as my sleeping bag and clothes) all wet.

Cooking Supplies

Snow Peak Trek 900 Titanium Cookset with lid
- This cookset was the perfect size for the meals that I had in the evening and it heated up really fast. On top of that, it was big enough to store all my cooking supplies in while hiking. My only issue with it was that the lid, which has a small metal handle on it so the lid could double as a mini frying pan (which I never used it for), didn’t hook onto the top of the container, so I had to use a makeshift strap to hold the lid on.
E-cloth wash & wipe microfiber dishcloth
- A simple little cloth that weighed next to nothing and I was able to wipe my pot dry with it every evening after cooking and cleaning.
Small sponge (1/4 of a regular sponge)
- For scrubbing the last stubborn bits of mac ‘n cheese off my pot after dinner. I would buy a sponge, then cut it into 4 smaller sponges, keeping one and while mailing the other ones down the trail to pick up later. Each quarter-sponge lasted me about 2 weeks before it got too nasty and had to be replaced with one of the ones I sent down trail.
Snow Peak Titanium Spork
- It was a great and lightweight tool to use. Also, it was super durable and super lightweight, but I just didn’t need it for anything that my Silicone Spatula couldn’t do (see below). I sent it home in Pennsylvania.
Snow Peak Silicone Spatula with detachable head
- This thing doubled as both my spoon and my scraper for my pot whenever I was done eating. The silicone was nice because unlike a titanium spork, it wouldn’t scratch the sides of my pot when I was scraping every last bite of food out of it.
Gerber Evo Jr pocket knife
- Honestly didn’t really need it for anything, but it was always nice to have a knife if I wanted to cut slices of meat/cheese or do things like cut a rope. Also, it gave me a tool for self-defense (which I never had to use it for, fortunately).
MSR Pocket Rocket 2
- Worked super well in all conditions and by the time I finished the trail, it was still in great shape! Cooking every night was a quick and easy process with this thing.
MSR IsoPro Canister Fuel (3.9 oz net weight; 7.4 oz gross weight)
- Always super easy to find while on trail (every trail town and most gas stations had them). I always carried two with me just in case I unexpectedly ran out of fuel in one.
(2) BIC lighters
- What good is a stove if you can’t light it? Again, I always carried 2 lighters so I could have a backup to light my stove in case one failed.
AntiGravityGear Pot Cozy
- AntiGravityGear is a really cool company that will custom make cozies to fit any-sized pot. My awesome wife and parents sent this to me as a gift a couple hundred miles into my hike, and it did a great job of keeping my pot warm after I boiled water, thus saving me precious canister fuel. I could just throw my dinner in my pot with a bunch of water, bring the water to boil, then kill the pocket rocket and stick my pot in the cozy and it would keep the water super warm so it could continue to cook my food.

An Appalachian trail marker seen on Shanty's southbound appalachian trail thru hike

Sleeping Supplies

Therm-A-Rest NeoAir Venture Sleeping Pad
- Probably the most annoying part of my thru-hike was having to blow this mofo up every single night, but it was nice and comfy to sleep on. It was a little noisy when I rolled over during the night, but I got used to it really quickly.
REI Men’s Flash Sleeping Bag (Long)—29-degree rating
- This sleeping bag did a really good job. It kept me the right temperature at night, was relatively lightweight and was super cozy. It was also really durable and I’ll be able to keep using it after cleaning it and re-fluffing the down in it.
Enlightened Equipment Enigma Top Quilt—10-degree rating
- I sent home the REI Men’s Flash and switched to a warmer quilt for the final month of my hike because it started getting really cold and the Flash wasn’t going to cut it. I had a couple of nights where temperatures were in single digits and wind chills were well below zero, but this, combined with my liner, did pretty well at keeping me warm. On top of that, It was much lighter than a 10-degree sleeping bag would be, and it strapped pretty securely to my sleeping pad. That being said, I think the 10-degree rating it’s given is a little generous (probably more like 15-18 degrees), and it was a little annoying to have to re-tuck it under me every time I rolled on my side.
Sea-To-Summit Thermolite Reactor Liner
- My liner took my bag/quilt down another 10 degrees. It was FANTASTIC on the super cold nights because I could cinch myself really tightly into it and form a warm blanket of air around me. To save on space, I just stuffed it into my sleeping bag or quilt rather than carry it separately in its own pouch.
Cocoon Ultralight Air-Core Hood and Camp Pillow
- Super lightweight and packed down super small. It was great when I had my sleeping bag because it would tuck right into the hood, but it was annoying when I had my quilt because it would slide around whenever I turned my head. If you prefer a quilt, I would recommend you look for something that sticks to the ground better.
Sea-To-Summit eVent Compression Dry Sack (Large) for storage
- It’s essential that your sleeping bag/quilt stays dry because cold weather can make a wet sleeping bag a dangerous situation. This dry sack did a great job of keeping everything dry and it packed down really tightly, so it didn’t take up much pack space.

An overcast day on Shanty's southbound appalachian trail thru hike

Clothing

Shoes and Socks

Salomon XA Pro 3d
- I had to ditch these shoes 100 miles into my hike. The hard plastic frame on the heel started to come apart and so every time I took a step, the sharp plastic bits would jab me in the back of my ankle. By the time I could get new shoes, my ankles were really messed up and it almost ended my thru-hike early.
Altra Olympus 3.5
- Poet at Shaw’s Hiker Hostel in Monson, Maine recommended I switch to these shoes, and he happened to have a pair in stock. It was a decision that saved my thru-hike. These shoes had zero drop, so it took a while for my calf muscles and Achilles to adjust to them, but once they did, they were probably the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever hiked in. The cushioning on the sole is amazing, the shoe is wide so that your foot can grow into it (because your feet will swell up over the course of a thru-hike), they’re very breathable, and the tread does pretty well on terrain like the AT. The only issue I had with these shoes was that they were expensive and they only lasted about 500 miles before I needed to switch them out, so they put an extra-large dent in my hiker budget.
Superfeet Trailblazer Comfort Insoles
- Just to give myself a little extra cushioning, I put these insoles in my Altras. They were very durable and comfortable as well.
(2) pairs—Fox River X-Static Liner Crew Socks
- I started having some issues with blisters in Vermont, so I decided to do two things…(1) put extra Gold-Bond on my feet; and (2) got some sock liners. These liners were very thin and I thought they’d rip easily, but they held up surprisingly well and helped my blister issues go away.
(2) pairs—Darn Tough Hiker Socks
- Darn Tough is the king of hiking socks. Super durable and well-cushioned. Plus with their unlimited lifetime warranty, I was able to do a free swap for a new pair at the Mohican Outdoor Center in New Jersey when one pair started ripping.

Warm Weather hiking gear

Prana Mojo Shorts
- Super lightweight and breathable. Wicked sweat pretty well.
Hanes Ultimate Sport Boxer Briefs
- Super lightweight and breathable. Wicked sweat pretty well.
Under Armour UA Tech Loose T-Shirt
- Super lightweight and breathable. Wicked sweat pretty well.
100% polyester baseball cap
- You’re under the shade of trees most of the time you’re on the AT, so you don’t really need sunglasses. But a nice hat helps to keep the sun and sweat out of your eyes.
Original Buff
- For REALLY hot days, having a buff around your head to act like a bandanna or sweatband takes at least some of the work away from your baseball cap. Also, on the really cold nights on the second half of my hike, the buff acted as a great insulator for my head, face, and neck.

Cold-weather hiking gear

REI lightweight base layer long-sleeve crew top
- Layers are essential when hiking in cold weather, so I always started out with a base layer. This one was pretty light and beat up from years of use, so I used it for the first couple of months of my hike (when it was still warm) just in case I had the occasional cool/windy day.
Ultimate Terrain Trailhead Hiking Quarter Zip Mid-Layer
- Added this mid-layer when it got colder in Virginia. Nice and breathable because I could partially zip it down if I was too warm, but also would keep me relatively warm on cold hiking days when I wouldn’t break a sweat even when going uphill.
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Men’s down jacket
- Super durable and lightweight. Only had to patch it with Tenacious Tape once. Stayed pretty puffy, too, despite it being stuffed in the front pocket of my pack every day.
Outdoor Designs running gloves
- For those cool and windy days where I needed something on my hands, but not enough that my hands would get too hot and start sweating. Did the job well.
Softshell ski gloves
- For those really cold days towards the end of the trail. Put them on right over my running gloves and after about 10 minutes, my hands would start to warm up.

Nighttime gear

Under Armour UA Tech Loose T-Shirt (100% polyester)
- Used it as my only top layer for most of New England (since it was still summer) and most of the mid-Atlantic (since it was early fall and still kind of warm). Was breathable and comfy.
Under Armour Base 4.0 Men’s Top
- Switched to this in Virginia when the weather turned colder. Much thicker and warmer, and I needed it the rest of the trail. I never really needed it during the day because this base layer was so warm, but I used it every night, and it was great.
Hanes Ultimate Sport Boxer Briefs
- Might as well sleep in the same brand of undies that you hike in. I had two pairs of undies…one for hiking in and one for sleeping in. Breathable and comfy.
SmartWool Merino150 Long Underwear Bottoms
- Wore them every night my entire hike. A great base layer. They kept me warm, they were breathable enough that I could still wear them in the summer in the North and not sweat while also protecting my legs from the many mosquitos.
Prana Stretch Zion Pants
- On really cold nights when my merino bottoms weren’t cutting it, I would also put on these durable and breathable pants.
Darn Tough Hiker Socks
- Same principle as my undies. I had two pairs of Darn Toughs that I used for hiking, and then another pair that I used strictly for sleeping so that my feet were always warm and dry.
Wal-Mart brand one-size winter hat
- Just wanted to have something to cover my head on the really cold nights, especially since I had a quilt in the South and needed to have some form of headcover as a result. A simple winter hat from Wal-Mart did the job nicely.

Wet hiking gear

North Face HyVent 2.5-liter Rain Jacket
- It held up wonderfully the entire thru-hike. I rarely wore it when I was hiking because every time I put it on, it would just make me really hot and sweaty, thus negating the purpose of keeping me dry in the first place. However, it was a great windbreaker, so I wore it all the time at shelters and campsites in the final month when it was getting real cold at night.
  - *North Face doesn’t make the HyVent anymore, but the Marmot Men’s Lightweight Waterproof Rain Jacket is a good substitute*
Military Surplus Gen 3 Level 6 pants with Gore-Tex
- The best thing I ever found in a hiker box. They fit me perfectly and were still waterproof. Perfect to wear on days where it was super cold and rainy. Also wore them on days where I was dealing with snow. Kept my legs dry and warm.
Prana Men’s Union Belt
- I have no idea why I thought bringing a belt with a heavy buckle was a good idea. They were meant for my Prana Zion pants, but those pants fit me fine even without the belt, so I sent this belt home after just a week of use.

Clothing storage

Sea-to-Summit 8-liter dry sack
- Super important that you keep your sleeping clothes dry, so I made sure to use a dry sack for these as well.

Toiletries

Outdoor Research Dry Ditty Sack (medium) for storage
- If you can’t fit all your toiletries in this bag, you have too many toiletries.
Collapsible Toothbrush
- Some hikers saw most of the handle off their toothbrush to save weight, but I was happy with a collapsible toothbrush.
Travel-size Toothpaste
- Lasted me about a week at a time. Got a new one at each resupply.
Chap Stick
- Good for keeping my lips from getting chapped from the sun and wind.
Contact Lens Case and Travel-size Contact Lens Solution
- Lasted me about a month at a time. I would change the solution in my case every 2 days, so I was able to make it each bottle last a little longer.
3 pairs of contacts
- Always liked to have a couple spares in case of emergency.
Retainer
- It’s annoying that I have a crooked tooth from my rowdy college days and that I have to wear a retainer every night because of it, but it is what it is.
Travel container of Dr. Bronner’s
- To give my hands a quick disinfectant and for emergency shampoo/soap use.
Nail Clippers
- Nothing is worse than having to ask a fellow hiker for nail clippers, so I made sure to have a small pair of my own.
Floss
- Just because I’m a thru-hiker doesn’t mean I have to have bad gums.
Beard Comb
- Just because I’m a thru-hiker doesn’t mean my hair and beard have to be a TOTAL mess.
Ziplock bag full of Allergy pills
- For those days on the trail when the pollen FINALLY gets to you.
Ear Plugs
- If you don’t have these, and you’re within ear-shot of a fellow hiker at night…you will NOT sleep well that night. Trust me, bring them. If you run out, pretty much every hiker hostel on the trail has them in stock.

Southbound appalachian trail thru hike balds in winter

Electronics

Outdoor Research Dry Ditty Sack (small) for storage
- If you can’t fit all your electronics in this bag, you have too many electronics.
Goal Zero Flip 10 Portable Charger
- I always kept my cell phone in airplane mode and used it sparingly so I could go at least a few days without needing to recharge it. Still, there were a few pretty remote stretches of trail where I would go up to a week without being somewhere I could charge my phone. This tiny portable charger gave me a whole extra charge to my phone to give me peace of mind.
Short USB Cable
- For plugging in my phone and charger whenever I found an outlet.
Black Diamond Spot Headlamp
- Super bright and super effective, but I was really annoyed by how quickly the battery drained on this thing. I had to use it a few hours a day every day for most of my final month on trail (since the days were getting so short) and after about a week of use, the headlamp would already be dimming.
AAA batteries for headlamp
- Always had two complete resupplies for my headlamp (8 batteries total). AAA’s are really tiny, so it wasn’t a big deal to carry this many.
Apple 5W USB Power Adapter
- For plugging in my phone and charger whenever I found an outlet.
Soundcore Spirit Sports Earbuds (Bluetooth headphones)
- When you’re stuck in the green tunnel for days on end, you need some form of entertainment, so I took solace in music, audiobooks, and podcasts. These headphones were great because they were durable, lasted about 10 hours on one charge, and could fully charge within an hour.

Food

NRS Tuff Sack Dry Bag—15-liter
- Daddy needs to have his food well protected.
A dozen gallon and quart ziplock bags for trash and holding dinner foods
- Ziplock bags are currency on the AT. You need them for holding things like your dinner, your trail mix, and many other foods. You also need them for storing your trash.
3 days worth of meals
- Here was what I ate in a typical day…
  - Breakfast
    - Pop-tarts
    - Candy bars
    - Protein bars
  - Lunch
    - Block of Cheese
    - Summer Sausage
    - Candy bars
  - Snacks
    - Protein bars
    - Candy bars
  - Dinner
    - Dehydrated Meal
    - Candy Bars
    - Spam Singles
Miscellaneous food items
- Propel powder packs
- Small container of olive oil
- Mini spice bullet
  - While it was nice to sprinkle some salt, pepper, and garlic powder on my food…it was annoying to open and was bulky. I sent this item home when I was in New York.
- Miscellaneous mini-condiments (mustard, mayonnaise, hot sauce, etc.)
  - I found these to be lighter and easier to use than a spice bullet. Started hoarding condiments at resupplies and they really spiced up my dinners (especially hot sauce!)

Miscellaneous

Outdoor Research Dry Ditty Sack (large) for storage
- Used this to store all my miscellaneous items listed below.
Bear Hanging Rope—100 ft. 3 mm utility cord
- Super strong and durable. Every bear bag hang was successful with this rope, and I never lost or ripped it at any point!
Carabiner with 10-lb. weight capacity
- Used this along with my bear hanging rope for hanging my food bag.
Toilet paper (in a ziplock bag)
- Is an explanation really necessary?
Tenacious Tape
- Used this to patch inevitable rips in my down jacket and my pack.
Hand warmers
- Essential for the final month on trail. Just like ziplock bags, hand warmers are currency on the AT.
Glasses
- In case my contacts started bothering me or I ran out of contacts.
Gold-Bond Friction Stick
- To stop the chaffing.
KT Performance Blister Kits
- To stop the blisters.
Ziplock bag of ibuprofen tablets
- Aches and pains are inevitable when you’re hiking every day for 5 months. Was always nice to have some ibuprofen close by.
First Aid Kit
- Band aids
- Antibiotic Ointment
- Tweezers
  - For removing ticks…surprisingly, I didn’t really have issues with ticks during my thru-hike. I only had to use my tweezers twice.

Appalachian trail thru hiker at newfound gap

Loose Items

Cell phone (iPhone 8)
Mophie charger compatible with iPhone 8
- A portable charger that would provide an additional charge to my phone with the push of a button.
Gaia GPS downloaded to iPhone
- Awesome app that prevented me from ever getting lost, helped me find things like water sources and landmarks, and used the GPS on my phone (even while in airplane mode) so I would know exactly where I was. I used the NatGeo AT maps.
AWOL (A.T. Guide)
- A great written guide that I would use from time to time because unlike a cell phone, a written guide doesn’t require batteries and will still work if you accidentally drop it in a stream.
Mini notebook for journaling (and a pen)
- I kept a journal of my thru-hike so I could remember it all when I came home. Every night, I would journal for about a half hour about everything I saw and experienced. The best decision I made on my thru-hike because it helps me remember so much about it.
Chums Surfshorts Wallet
- Super durable, waterproof, and lightweight. Used it to carry the essentials…
  - Driver’s License
  - (1) Debit Card
  - (1) Credit Card
  - Cash…good to carry about $50 at a time
  - Health Insurance Card
  - A written list of emergency contacts

Conclusion

I hope this list helps you be prepared on future hikes, and if you decide to do a thru-hike of the AT one day, I hope this list serves as a great guide for you.

Shanty poses at the southern terminus of the appalachian trail after finishing his southbound appalachian trail thru hike

Happy Hiking!

~Andrew “Shanty” Baldwin (AT SOBO 2019)

August 8, 2020 0 comment

Adventure Backpacking Gear Gear List Gear Review Thru Hike

Complete Women’s Hiking and Backpacking Gear List

by Ashli May 3, 2019

written by Ashli

Lightweight and comfortable — a lighter pack will help you enjoy your backpacking trips even more and your body will thank you. This backpacking gear list doesn’t skimp on comfort items but scales back on clothing and non-essentials. Stick around to learn how you can lower your pack weight and not miss a thing.

Aside from a few personal items that you choose, this list should give you everything you need to go backpacking for anywhere from a few days to a few months. This list is also practical, meaning most products are the best overall value, rather than the best price or the best weight.

If you follow this guide for packing your hiking gear, you’ll end up with a base weight of just under 15 pounds. That means everything you’re carrying minus food and water. When fully loaded with a liter of water and a few days worth of food, you can easily keep your pack weight well under 25 pounds.

This gear list is best used for temperatures ranging from 45 to 75 degrees. If you plan on hiking in cooler or warmer temps, please adjust your clothing and sleeping bag/pad accordingly.

Interested in reading about my before and after Appalachian Trail thru-hike gear list? Click here.

Backpacking Gear List

Tent, Backpack, Sleeping Bag, and Accessories
Item	Recommended	Weight	Notes
Tent	Big Agnes – Copper Spur UL 1 Person Tent	2lbs 3oz	Weight includes tent body, rain cover, stakes, poles, stuff sack. This is my all-time favorite tent. It’s watertight and doesn’t require trekking poles to set up. For an even lighter option, check out the Big Agnes Fly Creek Ul 1
Tent Footprint	Big Agnes Footprint Copper Spur UL 1 Footprint	4.5oz	A tent footprint is the ground cover and gives you extra water and rip protection. They are typically sold separately.
Sleeping Bag	REI Magma	2lbs 4oz	Women’s specific temperature rating of 15 degrees making it a great 3-season sleeping bag. Alternative: REI Women’s Flash
Compression Sack	Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Compression Dry Sack	3.2oz	A waterproof compression sack is the best choice for storing your sleeping bag. It allows you to pack your sleeping bag very small and waterproof material keeps it safe from rain and accidental tears.
Sleeping Pad	Therm-a-rest NeoAir XLite Women’s Regular	12oz	The women’s version has more warmth than the unisex version of this sleeping pad. The women’s version only goes up to 5’6″, so if you’re taller than that (like me) go for the Therm-a-rest NeoAir XLite Regular, unisex instead.
Pillow	Cocoon Ultralite AirCore Pillow	6.7oz	Some Folks use a stuff sack with extra clothing in it as a pillow — I like the inflatable pillow.
Backpack	REI Women’s Flash 45	2lbs 12oz	45 liters might sound small at first, but trust me it is plenty of space.
Pack Cover	Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil Pack Cover	4oz	Some backpacks come with one. Also, some folks prefer to simply line their pack with a garbage compactor bag.
Trekking Poles	Black Diamond Trail Pro Shock Trekking Pole	1lb 1oz – (carried)	I haven’t used these personally, but I’m looking for a new pair! The Black Diamond Trail Pro made the top 5 on womenstrekkingpoles.com
Pack Weight: 9lbs 6.1oz

Clothing
Item Type	Item Name	Weight	Comments
Rain Jacket	Marmot Women’s Precip Eco Jacket	9.2oz	The Marmot Precip has become a bit of a standard as far as price vs weight vs waterproofness.
Insulation	Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Jacket	6oz	This jacket is so light that you might not believe it at first. It’s also very comfortable.
Hiking Top	REI Women’s Sahara T-Shirt	5oz (Worn)	Quick-dry and breathable are the most important factors when picking a hiking shirt. In the heat, sweat can cause chaffing and discomfort. In the cold, it can be deadly.
Hiking Bottom	Nike Women’s Dry Tempo Short	5oz (Worn)	Pretty much any pair of quick-dry running shorts will do. I prefer the built-in liner (although it took some getting used to).
Sports Bra	Champion Women’s Freedom Seamless Racerback Sports Bra	8oz (Worn)	I like a loose and comfortable fit. Whichever hiking bra you pick, just make sure it dries fast!
Base Layer Top	Smartwool Women’s NTS Mid 250 Crew	6.6oz	Smartwool base layers are great for a lot of reasons. They are quick-drying and breathable, warm, and comfy, but also wool is odor resistant!
Base Layer Bottom	Smartwool Women’s NTS Mid 250 Bottom	6.4oz	In warm temperatures where it gets cooler at night, these are my pajamas.
Hat	Smartwool Merino 150 Pattern Beanie	0.5oz	Keep yer noggin warm on cold nights and brisk mornings.
Underwear (x2)	Patagonia Women’s Active Brief	1.3oz each	Quick-dry and breathable.
Hiking Socks (x2)	Darn Tough Vermont Women’s Merino Wool Micro Crew Cushion Socks	2.25oz each (1 worn)	Darn Tough has a fantastic return policy and the socks are crazy comfortable. The right socks are essential for any backpacking gear list.
Sleeping Socks	Smartwool Women’s Hiking Medium Crew	2.8oz	These are a bit thicker than the Darn Tough socks, and help keep toes warm at night.
Shoes	Salomon Women’s X-Mission 3 CS Trail Running Shoes	1lb (worn)	I prefer hiking in sneakers and tend to stay away from waterproof ones for better breathability.
Pack Weight: 2lbs 2.35oz

Cooking and Hydration
Item Type	Item Name	Weight	Comments
Cooking Pot	Snow Peak Trek 900 Titanium Cookset	6.2oz	The lid doubles as a small fry pan. The set is super durable. Save space in your pack by storing small cooking essentials inside.
Heating element	MSR PocketRocket Stove	3oz	While a homemade alcohol stove might be lighter, a cooking stove like the pocket rocket is easier to control and more convenient to use.
Fuel	MSR IsoPro Fuel	8oz	Isobutane canisters are mostly interchangeable.
Utensil	Snow Peak Titanium Spork	.1oz	The best argument I ever heard for a titanium spork is that it’s easier to eat ice cream with. Sold.
Lighter x2	Bic Mini	0.4oz each	Bring two small lighters instead of one big one. Then you’ll have a backup without the added weight.
Pack Towel	REI Mini MicroTowel Lite	.8oz	A super absorbent towel has a lot of great uses. I like to use mine for cleaning out my cook pot.
Water Filtration	Sawyer Mini Water Filter	2oz	The price and weight make the Sawyer Mini a no brainer. I prefer a filter over iodine or chlorine pills because it cleans the water and filters out gross little floaties.
Water Bottle x2	Smartwater, 1 Liter	.5oz each (empty)	Lightweight, cheap to replace, the perfect size (tall and thin) for fitting in a pack, durable plastic, and the screw top fits perfectly with the Sawyer Mini water filter. What more is there to say?
Total Weight: 21.9oz

Toiletries and First Aid
Item Type	Item Name	Weight	Comments
Sunscreen	Sawyer SPF 30 Stay-Put System 1 Sunblock Lotion	2oz	Consider the amount of tree cover there will be to determine how much sunscreen to bring. With a lot of tree cover, you might not need any at all.
Bug Repellant	Repel 100-Percent Deet Insect Repellent, Pen Size Pump Spray	.45oz	You can spray this on your clothes to help ward off pests. I detest using bug spray because of how sticky it makes my skin feel. You can get creative when choosing the type of bug repellant you use. I once hiked with a bug repellant incense stick burning and sticking out of my pack.
Toothbrush	Liberty Mountain Compact Toothbrush	0.5oz	I like the small size, plus the cover to keep the germs away.
Toothpaste	Any brand	1oz	Hiking is no excuse for poor dental hygiene … feel free to stop showering though … 🙂
Soap/Cleanser	Dr. Bronner’s Travel Size	2oz	Purell works, too, and is easier to use — but Dr. Bronner’s can also be used as a shampoo in a pinch.
Chapstick	Any brand	0.5oz	Chapstick should be on the 10 essentials for every backpacking gear list. Never leave home without it.
Advil, Benadryl	Any brand	0.5oz	Get a small ziplock bag or another container for pills.
Gold Bond or Vaseline	Any Brand	2oz	For hot temps, use Gold Bond powder or stick to help with chaffing. Use vaseline to pre-empt blisters by applying it to hot spots.
Tampons	Any Brand	2oz	Yep. I said it. Don’t forget em. I always carry some, even if I’m not scheduled to get a visit from aunt flow, just in case I run into a fellow female hiker in need. An essential for every woman’s backpacking gear list.
Toilet Paper	Any brand	1oz	Grab some off a roll and throw it in a ziplock bag.
Tweezers	Any brand	0.5oz	For ticks! Also for grooming…if you’re into that…
Nail Clippers	Any brand	0.5oz	Don’t be the girl on the trail asking strangers to borrow nail clippers!
Total Weight: 12.95oz

Other Gear
Item Type	Item Name	Weight	Comments
Waterproof Stuff Sacks (dry sacks) – Various sizes – x3	Outdoor Research Dry Ditty Sacks	1oz each	Stuff sacks help you organize your gear. Go with the dry sacks for an extra layer of waterproofing.
Food Bag (dry sack)	Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil Nano Dry Sack	1oz	This is to organize your food, and also the bag that you’ll hang from a tree at night so bears can’t reach it, and also so squirrels don’t break into your tent at night. Waterproof is a must. Also, go for a larger size because you’ll also put your toiletries in here when you hang it.
Bear Cord (utility cord)	ThreeBulls 1.8mm Fluorescent Reflective Guyline Tent Rope Camping Cord Paracord	1.2oz	A reflective cord is a good idea so that you can easily spot it at night.
Knife	Gerber EVO Jr. Knife, Serrated Edge	1.8oz	Small and light. The serrated edge allows you to cut paracord if you need to. I used mine mostly for cutting cheese.
Headlamp	Petzl – TIKKINA Headlamp, 150 Lumens	3oz	150 lumens is incredibly bright.
Phone	Any brand	5oz	Can be used for camera, communication, and maps (navigation).
Phone Case	Mophie or Lifeproof battery case	5oz	Combine the phone case and extra battery into one by getting a phone case with an extra charge in it. You can also get waterproof battery cases.
Maps	Printed or Physical copies or a guide book	2oz	You can get maps on your phone, but it’s always good to have a backup hard copy. Never leave navigation off of your backpacking gear list.
Duct Tape	Any Brand	1oz	Wrap some around your trekking poles. It saves space and weight in your pack and provides easy access for quick fixes.
Total Weight: 23oz

If you stop here, your base weight will be 15 lbs 4.3 oz. With few days of food and a liter of water, your total pack weight should be well under 25 pounds.

Optional Add-ons
Item Type	Item Name	Weight	Comments
Personal Locator Beacon	SPOT 3 Satellite GPS Messenger	4oz	I prefer to simply let people know my travel plans and when I expect to return. I also typically travel with a hiking partner. If you travel alone and will be outside of cell phone signal, a personal locator beacon might make sense for you.
Rain Pants	Marmot Women’s Precip Pant	11.5oz	In warmer climates, I prefer to get rained on than wear sweaty sticky rain pants. A good pair is worth considering if you’ll be hiking in colder temps.
Sunglasses	Suncloud Zephyr Polarized Sunglasses	1oz	Like sunscreen, the necessity of sunglasses depends on how much tree cover/sun exposure you will get.
Sun Hat	ExOfficio Bugsaway Sol Cool Adventure Hat	3.2oz	For trips where you’ll have a decent amount of sun exposure, a wide brim hat with SPF protection is a great idea.
Bandana	Any Brand	.2oz	Can be used in lieu of a pack towel, great for sweat and snot. Can also be used as a pee rag.
Bathroom ‘aid’	Tinklebell	0.6oz	Peeing in the woods as a female could be easier. Check out the Tinklebell for a lightweight solution.
Gloves	Northface Women’s TKA 100 Fleece Glove	1.5oz	Don’t be like me getting caught in a cold snap and wearing socks on my hands. I looked silly.
Total Weight: 1lb 6oz

Get a FREE backpacking checklist

Don’t forget anything on your next backpacking trip! Join the mailing list and I’ll send you a checklist with all the items in this post!

May 3, 2019 11 comments

Adventure Gear Review Thru Hike

Book Review: A Walk for Sunshine | 20th Year Anniversary Edition

by Ashli October 17, 2017

written by Ashli

A Walk for Sunshine: A 2,160 Mile Expedition for Charity on the Appalachian Trail recounts Jeff Alt’s 1998 northbound thru hike of the Appalachian Trail.

Jeff (trail name ‘Wrongfoot‘) sets out to hike in honor of his brother Aaron, who has cerebral palsy. In preparation for his journey, he also plans to raise funds for Aaron’s home, Sunshine Communities.

Originally aiming to raise $10,000, Jeff ultimately raises $16,000 by the end of his hike. Eventually, his passion and enthusiasm inspired an annual Walk, Run, and Roll fundraiser, which has raised over $500,000 for Sunshine Communities to date.

Easy to read and entertaining, A Walk for Sunshine contains a day-to-day re-telling of Jeff’s adventures. We’re taken through Jeff’s entire journey, from his pre-hike preparation, to the start of his hike on Springer Mountain in Georgia, all the way to Mount Katahdin in Maine.

Along the way, Jeff endures ruthless cold weather, rain for days on end, and has more than one run-in with a skunk. He also meets kind strangers who help him along the way, and he experiences a simpler way of life in the process.

20th Anniversary Edition

Although 20 years have passed, Jeff’s memoirs of the AT are relatable to anyone with interest in long distance hiking.

More than anything, A Walk for Sunshine reminds us that these places and experiences are still out there and waiting for us, along with the unforgettable rolling hills and beautiful vistas that the Appalachian Trail has had in store for hikers since its creation.

The 20th Anniversary Special Edition of A Walk for Sunshine includes Jeff’s advice for planning a thru hike, steps to setup a fundraiser, a note from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Sunshine Communities, and Jeff’s life lessons learned on the trail.

A Lesson for Future Hikers

Only about 25% of those who set out to hike the entire Appalachian Trail will actually complete their journey. From his first steps on the trail, Jeff proves his determination and mental fortitude to complete his hike.

His can-do spirit and his unwillingness to relent to injury, pouring rain, and frigid temperatures set an example that every potential thru hiker can learn from.

An Inspiring Story

By the time I finished A Walk for Sunshine, I was already at my computer, researching my next hike.

I recommend this read to anyone interested in thru hiking, past or present. Whether you’d like to learn more about what life on the trail is really like, or reminisce about your own trail experience, everyone will find something relatable and enjoyable about this book.

A Walk for Sunshine is available on Amazon.

Disclosure: A free copy of this book was made available for my review

October 17, 2017 0 comment

Appalachian Trail Thru Hike

My AT Thru-Hike, One year later

by Ashli October 5, 2015

written by Ashli

[dropcap]An[/dropcap] entire year has passed since I stood on top of Mount Katahdin in Maine surrounded by friends, celebrating the end of our 2,000 mile journey. Since that day, countless twists of fate have brought me on a new journey that I feel is far from over. I would say that I've had copious amounts of luck, but as Andrew likes to quote:

“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”
― Seneca

I am highly fortunate to have hiked with a close friend that lives nearby. We routinely get together and talk about the trail and the memories, and for a time, the struggles of re-integrating back into society. I also have an amazing husband who was immensely supportive of my hike and has been a pillar of love and understanding.

Kyle, Andrew and me

Coming home, I had to make some important decisions. Primarily, whether or not to return to my old job at a place that I enjoyed and where I had made innumerable friends, but also where I felt unappreciated and underpaid. Newly found confidence allowed me to set aside what was comfortable and seek out something more unique.

For a few months, all I did was write. With encouragement from friends and family, I became more confident in my writing abilities and began freelance writing. My hard work eventually led me to a full-time job for a hiking based company called Gaia GPS that centers around people who love to hike and where I feel appreciated.

During my time freelancing, I was also able to begin writing for AppalachianTrials.com where I have posted articles about some of the mental aspects of hiking and am now writing gear reviews.

October 5, 2015 0 comment

Adventure Appalachian Trail Thru Hike

Tattoos and Memories of the Appalachian Trail

by Ashli May 2, 2015

written by Ashli

April 1st marked my one year anniversary of flying down to Atlanta Georgia to begin my thru hike of the Appalachian Trail. Memories fade fast but I can still remember the intense emotions from that day. Kyle and I flew out of Trenton-Mercer airport, one of the smallest airports I had ever been to. There was a small bar area where we sat with my husband Andrew, and waited to board. When it was time to say goodbye, Andrew handed me a snickers bar and a letter. The snickers bar wouldn’t last very long, but I would carry that letter with me all the way to Maine.

Tiny Trenton Airport

When Kyle and I landed in Georgia, shuttle driver Ron Brown picked us up. We packed our things into the back of his car and I crammed into the backseat with two other hikers who were on their way to the trail. The drive consisted of Ron telling us stories of novice hikers who were underprepared and horror stories of people who called him for rescue before even leaving the parking lot. As experienced hikers we were enthralled, but the message was clear. This hike isn’t for everyone. We were dropped off in the parking lot at Amicalola Falls State Park. A shelter sat within viewing distance and I could see that there were already a handful of hikers there setting up their tents and hammocks. We didn’t know it then, but a few of these hikers wouldn’t make it, some would take off the next morning so fast that we would never see them again, and some we would play the worlds longest game of leap frog with for the next 6 months. My nerves were so high I could barely eat. I ended up throwing away most of my dinner in the trash can at the visitors center (a sin in the hiking world). But my worries were for nothing. The next day I would hike 9 miles uphill with my heavy pack, and stand on top of Springer Mountain, the official starting point of the Appalachian Trail, with tears in my eyes. I was astounded that I had the bravery to make it even this far. Just to get to this point I had to quit my job, pack my things, say goodbye to my husband and hike into the wilderness and the unknown. I was filled with doubt and worry but as I went to sleep that night, I knew that I could make it.

The first white blaze on top of Springer Mountain

A year after starting my hike I am a different person. In fact a have written a few blog posts about how different I feel. To commemorate the one year anniversary this month, I decided to get a tattoo, a simple depiction of the symbol for the Appalachian trail.

The entire hike took 6 months, but it went by so fast that sometimes it seems like it never happened. A lot of the time, I fail to realize how huge of an accomplishment I have made. I want this tattoo with serve as a reminder of my strength and perseverance and to always be looking for the next big adventure.

May 2, 2015 0 comment

Adventure Appalachian Trail Hiking Thru Hike Video

Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike Video

by Ashli February 24, 2015

written by Ashli

It took me a while to get it put together, but after 4 months I have finally put together a photo recap of my 2014 thru hike of the Appalachian Trail.

Follow me and my friends from Georgia to Maine as we complete our 2014 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike

Then, check out my Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike Before and After Gear List Here.

February 24, 2015 4 comments

Appalachian Trail Backpacking Camping Thru Hike

My Worst Day on the Appalachian Trail

by Ashli January 21, 2015

written by Ashli

Everyone tried to tell me.

Hiking in White Mountain National Park was hard. SO SUPER HARD. I would only be able to do, like, 8 miles a day.

“That’s ridiculous,” I thought, “I can walk 20+ miles a day; certainly 13-16 miles a day in the Whites would be cake.”

This is what I thought about as I hauled my way slowly and painfully up Mount Kinsman. It was my second day in the Whites. The previous day, I had pushed up and over Mount Moosilauke with an elevation gain of over 3000 feet. As we reached the bottom of the mountain, the sun was starting to set and I was completely exhausted. I had only hiked 10 miles.

I had been hiking with Mac. We decided to stick to our original plan and push another 3 miles that day. Looking at the elevation profile that night, I told myself the worst was over. Mount Kinsman lay ahead with a much smaller elevation gain. The plan was to get over the mountain and make our way into Lincoln, NH for the night. It would be another 13 miles, but if I could do today, certainly I could make it though tomorrow.

Mount Kinsman was more difficult than I could have possibly imagined.

My neck hurt from looking up at the trail that loomed above me. As I was in such great shape, I had a hard time believing that people could come out here for day hikes. I felt like I was rock climbing but without a rope. I grabbed each handhold above me and hauled myself up, my pack threatening to drag me backwards. My trekking poles were essentially useless. As I reached the top of the mountain, I spied Mac waiting for me.

I laid down, completely exhausted. I felt like crap. Maybe I was fighting a cold; maybe I was in an enormous calorie deficit. Maybe both. I didn’t know the reason, but I knew I definitely didn’t feel right. I pulled a Snickers bar out of my pack and solemnly ripped it apart. Mac talked excitedly about getting to town that night. For me, though, the thought of hiking another 6 miles and then having to hitch into town made me fight the urge to throw up.

As I readied myself for the descent, I again told myself that the worst was over.

Again, I was wrong.

It hadn’t rained that day, or the day before for that matter, but in the Whites everything is always wet. As we traveled down the mountain, I realized that those wet, slick slabs of rock that some maniac deemed a trail were even more treacherous on the descent.

For reference, imagine a sheet of ice at a 45-degree downward angle. You have to go down it. You can’t go around it and you are carrying about 25 pounds on your back, about the weight of a small child. Now do that over and over again for MILES.

The fact that this trail could even be considered open to the public was beyond me. I grabbed trees for balance and gingerly lowered myself down over each slab of inexplicably wet rock. I fell once. I fell twice. I slipped hundreds of times, my heart beating in my chest. I was overwhelmed with frustration. I was tired, hungry, and hurt. All I wanted to do was hike faster so we could get to town, get a warm meal, and get a good night’s sleep. The faster I hiked, the more often I fell.

My third fall wasn’t so much a fall as a slip-n-slide gone awry. On a particularly large slab of rock, I decided to sit on my butt and slowly slide down. It was so steep and slippery that I still kept sliding. I landed hard at the bottom and added a fresh rip in my shorts, not to mention a few scrapes on my ass. I burst into tears. What the fuck was I doing out here? I could be at home with my husband watching Game of Thrones and eating Chipotle, but here I was, torturing myself.

I cried on and off the rest of the way down the mountain. I ran into a few day hikers who wanted to chat, but I pretty much completely ignored them because I was afraid of bursting into tears if I opened my mouth. I still feel bad about that. Sorry, day hiker guys.

Three miles short of town, I caught up with Mac who had very strategically stayed well ahead of me for the last few miles. He convinced me that the next 3 miles would be easy and that I could do it. If I could just stick it out, we would be in town that night eating Chinese food and sleeping in someone’s garage. Luxury.

Mac was right. We cruised to the highway and hitched/walked our way into town, eventually making our way to Chet’s hostel.

I wanted to quit.

I wanted to go home and never hike again. The thought of returning to those mountains nauseated me.

I ate. I rested. I slept. The next day, Mac and I took the whole day off and hung out at Chet’s place. We ate more. The weather was nice. We caught up with other hikers. I called my husband. I called my mom. I bitched and complained, and then ate some more. I felt better.

When I set out hiking again with Mac by my side, we made a deal to aim for only 10 miles a day. It seemed short, but in the end it was the best decision we could have made. The Whites became a much more enjoyable experience.

Over-hiking is a common mistake in the Whites and I found my limits pretty quickly. I will always remember that shitty day on Mount Kinsman as one of my most difficult and frustrating days on the trail.

Was I ever actually in danger of quitting? I don’t think so. I had a great support system and all I really needed was a break and a lot of food, but my resolve had never been tested so soundly.

January 21, 2015 3 comments

Adventure Appalachian Trail Backpacking Hiking Thru Hike

6 Lessons You Will Learn on the Appalachian Trail

by Ashli January 7, 2015

written by Ashli

No one comes back from a six-month trek through the wilderness unchanged. You meet new people, encounter challenges, and learn about yourself. Taking a step back from hectic day-to-day life helps to reorganize your priorities. On my 2014 Thru-Hike I learned a lot about life and about myself. Today I want to share with you six of those lessons.

1. Patience in decision making

I learned very quickly that making fast decisions on the trail wasn’t going to get me where I wanted to be. My first experience with this was at the airport, waiting for my flight to Georgia. The shuttle driver that was supposed to meet us at the airport in Georgia sent me a text saying that he might not make it because of car trouble. I was about to get on the plane and had two choices: scramble to call another shuttle driver or wait until the plane landed to figure things out. I decided to wait. The original shuttle driver ended up being able to make it. During my hike, the best decisions always ended up being the ones that took the longest to make. Now that I am home, I take much longer to make decisions, weigh my options, and I allow myself time to think.

2. A bad day can always become a good one if you let it

There wasn’t a single day on the trail that ended up being entirely bad. Just when things seemed their worst, the sun would come out or I would come upon unexpected trail magic. I remember one particular day that turned out to be rainy and miserable. I was hiking ahead of a group. With wet socks, we trudged through the miles trying to make it to a shelter. When we finally reached the shelter, there was a man saving the space for his friends who were on their way (don’t even get me started on everything that’s wrong with that).

Cue moment of despair.

To lump on the disappointment, there were no tent spots at this shelter, which meant that we had to keep hiking until we found a suitable spot to set up our tents. My hiking partner and I hiked on wondering where we would sleep that night. Eventually we stumbled on a very small site and began setting up. One by one, our friends started showing up. We ended up cramming seven people, four tents, and two hammocks into a tent site the size of a parking space. The rain slowed, we built a fire, and sat around it joking and sharing our best food and booze. Looking back, it is now one of my favorite days on the trail.

A happy ending to a rough day

3. Food on the trail is King

Feeling tired? Cold? Maybe you have decided that you want to quit. Okay, but first why don’t you have something to eat? Nine times out of ten, food will make you feel better. The longer I stayed on the trail, the more I realized that most of my problems can be solved by eating. I’m only slightly exaggerating. If I had a problem that I couldn’t solve, I would eat. Making decisions when you are hungry is hard. After eating, the solution was usually as clear as day.

4. Everything is better when you work for it

I will never in my everyday life drink a soda that tasted as good as it did on the trail. Hiking in 90-degree weather and stumbling on a cooler full of ice-cold soda is like finding buried treasure in your backyard. Everything just tasted better, whether my body just craved it or because I seriously deserved it. The same goes for other simple pleasures like a hot shower and a bed with a real pillow.

Donut ice cream anyone?

5. I love extended travel

Short-term travel can be stressful. You have a short time to cram in as much excitement as possible. Not so with long-term travel. I didn’t get to see everything the AT had to offer, but I was able to take my time and check out the things that were important to me. I also had the ability to change up my plans as it suited me. If I ran across an unexpected attraction, I could stay and enjoy myself without worrying that I was missing out. I didn’t have any crazy plan to stick to. This seriously changed the way I think about travel.

6. Living simply is the bees knees

It’s great! I had everything I needed. I felt free. There were no bills or doctor’s appointments. I carried everything that I needed right on my back. That feeling of self-sufficiency is something that everyone should be able to experience. In fact, this feeling is what leads many thru-hikers to clean out their belongings when they return home. I found myself digging through my closet, donating old shoes, dropping off kitchen appliances at Goodwill, and trying to sell my belongings on eBay. A simple life is a stress-free life.

A peaceful mountain in Maine

Putting it into practice

Its hard to remember some of these lessons when re-entering everyday life. I find my patience tested, and my priorities may start to wander. However, I try to put these lessons into practice everyday, and I can continually see the benefits of them as a result. They have helped me to have a better understanding of the person that I want to be, and a clear pathway on how to achieve it.

January 7, 2015 2 comments

Appalachian Trail Backpacking Gallery Hiking Thru Hike

My Favorite Pics from the AT

by Ashli December 31, 2014

written by Ashli

A nice little gallery of some of my favorites pictures from the Appalachian Trail. Photos courtesy of myself, Kyle Flood, AeLin Compton, and Tolin Hessell. Click on a picture to view a slideshow!