There are many ways to hike the Appalachian Trail, and it isn’t just about endurance – it’s about community. This guide explores the unspoken code of conduct that connects hikers, from Leave No Trace to the rituals of trail names and trail magic.
Category: Hiking
How to Remove Ticks Safely: A Step-by-Step Guide for Hikers
Ticks are an unwelcome part of outdoor adventures, but with the right know-how, they’re easy to handle. This guide walks you through safe tick removal, tools to use, what to avoid, and how to stay protected on and off the trail.
The Most Common Hiking Injuries (And How To Prevent Them)
Blisters? Sprains? Sunburn? Hiking doesn’t have to hurt. Whether you’re a weekend wanderer or thru-hiker in training, these tips will help you stay safe and injury-free on the trail. Learn how to hike smarter, not harder.
Hiking Alone with Bipolar 2: How to Stay Safe and Centered on the Trail
There’s something both thrilling and a little frightening about stepping onto a trail alone. No distractions, no audience, just you, your pack, and the path ahead. For some, solo hiking is a form of adventure. For others, it sounds like a mental health risk. When you live with Bipolar 2, it can feel like both….
Backpacking Then and Now: How Hiking Gear Has Evolved from 1950s to Today
From canvas rucksacks and canned food to ultralight gear and GPS apps, backpacking has come a long way since the 1950s. This article traces the history of hiking culture, honoring pioneers like Grandma Gatewood and exploring how gear—and the mindset behind it—has evolved along the Appalachian Trail.
5 Tips for Staying Hydrated on the Trail
Staying hydrated is essential—especially when you’re logging miles under the sun or climbing steep switchbacks. Dehydration can sneak up fast and hit hard, affecting everything from your mood to your muscle performance. Whether you’re heading out for a short loop or a multi-day trek, these five hydration tips will help keep your energy up and…
Hiking as Therapy: How Nature Heals the Mind and Spirit
I’ve spoken honestly with therapists, tracked moods, adjusted meds, and journaled through shadowy days. All of it has helped. But nothing has healed me quite like the trail. When I walk through a forest, I begin to feel whole again. Not cured—but whole. Not perfect—but present. Something about the rhythm of footsteps, the openness of…
Flip-Flop Hikes & Mental Flexibility: Rethinking the Route to Recovery
When I first heard about “flip-flopping” on the Appalachian Trail, I thought it sounded like cheating. Start in the middle? Skip around? Circle back later? It seemed like abandoning the purity of a northbound or southbound hike. But as I’ve learned through both trail life and Bipolar 2 recovery, there’s no gold medal for doing…
Hiking in the Heat: 9 Essential Tips for Staying Safe on Summer Trails
There’s something special about the summer trail—the hum of cicadas, sun filtering through green canopies, and long daylight hours that invite adventure. But with that beauty comes the reality of high heat, intense sun, and the kind of humidity that can sneak up on you. Hiking in summer is doable—and deeply rewarding—but it requires intention,…
Out of the Fog: Using the Outdoors to Navigate Depression
Depression doesn’t always look like falling apart. Sometimes it’s just the dullness—the inability to feel much of anything at all. Maybe that’s where you’ve found yourself lately. Numb. Tired. Heavy. Existing, not really living. Hiking can help you heal. It can help you get out—out of the house, out of your head, out of whatever…