Backpacking

Things that coffee is good for: 

Pooping
Peeling your sorry body out of your sleeping bag in the morning
Washing dishes really quickly
Calligraphy ink 
Getting “artistic” stains on your pants
Telling stories with lots of animated hand gestures
Filling out a spreadsheet to plan your next thru-hike

I was halfway through a large, strong mug of joe as I filled in cell after cell of a spreadsheet titled “MST ‘21”. When I told my boyfriend that I would be hiking the Mid State Trail this May, ...

The post Mid State Trail Vs. Appalachian Trail: 6 Ways Planning Has Been Different appeared first on The Trek.

An important post from Backpacker: DO be friendly, but not aggressive. If a woman doesn’t seem interested in having a conversation with you, back off. DON’T ask solo women where they’re headed or where they’re camping. DON’T suggest that a woman hiking alone is unsafe. DON’T use sexual innuendo. DO give solo women space. Keep distance between your tents if …

Continue reading "Respecting Female Hikers"

Yes, but the do’s and don’ts of waterproofing breathable Gore-Tex boots and footwear might surprise you. I learned a thing or two I didn’t know while researching this article. Gore-Tex boots and shoes have a waterproof/breathable liner that vents water vapor into the leather or fabric exterior of your boots and shoes, where it can …

The post Should You Waterproof Gore-Tex Boots? appeared first on SectionHiker.com.

Here. We. Gooooooo.
After months of pouring over spreadsheets, receiving incredulous looks from friends and family, occasional stress eating, and intermittent freak-out moments, we have less than three weeks before we begin two life-changing adventures: getting married and beginning our thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail.
Hi, I’m Kara.
A few things about me: my name is Kara Booms, I am 28 years old, and I currently live in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I’m a nurse, an aunt to the three cutest kids you’ll ever see, ...

The post The final countdown appeared first on The Trek.

Not going to lie, the first 100 miles from Campo to Warner Springs really sucked.

Waking up in rain in Campo and Lake Moreno, and camping in 5 inches of snow were not the idyllic first few nights I had envisioned. They were also incredible, but starting off in a winter storm was not how I had imagined beginning the PCT.

Our campsite near Mt Laguna

Pie makes all things better

The hike down from Mt Laguna had incredible views, ...

The post First week on trail ✔ appeared first on The Trek.

Widow Makers, Poop & Fire OH MY! A few lessons I learned before hitting the trail.

The post Three Lessons Learned Before Getting On Trail appeared first on The Trek.

This weekend I spent two days on the Appalachian Trail to test out some new gear. I had been out that way just two weeks ago and it was brutally cold, but this weekend I began to see some hopeful signs of spring—wildlife, budding plants, and ample amounts of bear poop. 
On Sunday I did an out-and-back from Hightop Mountain to Compton Gap—one of my favorite stretches—and I ran into a lovely section hiker named Disciple. ...

The post One Last Shakedown in the Shenandoahs: Pre-hike Prep and Reflections appeared first on The Trek.

The following is a sponsored post brought to you by REI.
REI is a co-op in the truest sense of the word. The outfitter traces its roots to the 1930s, when founders Lloyd and Mary Anderson pooled cash with fellow Seattle-based mountaineers to secure better prices on imported ice axes. Eighty-three years later, members still look to REI Co-op as a stalwart of the outdoor community and, yes, a way to save on expensive outdoor equipment. ...

The post Is REI Membership Worth It? 10 Reasons to Join the Co-op appeared first on The Trek.

Boiling time vs fuel efficiency, which is more important to a backpacker? If you’re a long-distance backpacker hiking a remote route without access to easy resupplies, you probably care more about making your stove fuel last as long as possible, and not whether you can shave another 30 or seconds off the time it takes …

The post Flat Cat Gear Ocelot Canister Stove Windscreen Review appeared first on SectionHiker.com.