Stories by the Author
Media Mentions
The Trek: You’ll Kick Yourself if You Make Any of These Common Thru-Hiker Mistakes
The 2025 thru-hiking season is around the corner, now’s the time to begin thinking seriously about your fitness, gear, and the logistics of your hike.
Read the Story
Media Mentions
The Trek: The Backpacker and Hiker Gift Guide: Under $50
If you’re looking for the perfect budget-friendly gift for the hiker in your life, never fear — we’re here to help.
Read the Story
Media Mentions
The Trek: Jennifer Pharr Davis: Hurricane Helene, The Aftermath
Jennifer Pharr Davis describes life after Hurricane Helene swept through Asheville.
Read the Story
Media Mentions
The Trek: Guide to Hurricane Helene Resources and Needs for Rural Communities
A guide for resources and needs for rural communities damaged during Hurricane Helene.
Read the Story
Media Mentions
The Trek: Want To Help AT Communities Recover From Hurricane Helene? Here’s How
The Appalachian Trail hiking community has long drawn support from these small towns, and now it’s time for hikers to return the favor.
Read the Story
Media Mentions
The Trek-Appalachian Trail: Everything I’m (Not) Carrying on the CDT
You can check out my gear list to see exactly what I’m carrying.
Read the Story
Tips & Guides
The Trek: Continental Divide Trail Gear List: The Essentials & More
When considering all non-essential pieces of gear, I weigh the joy it will bring me against the inconvenience and discomfort of the added bulk and weight
Read the Story
Media Mentions
The Trek: The Thru-Hiker Gift Guide: Under $50
It’s that time of year again. If you’re looking for the perfect budget-friendly gift for the thru-hiker in your life, never fear: we’re here to help.
Read the Story
Media Mentions
The Trek Best Backpacking Gear Deals from the REI Labor Day Sale
It’s that wonderful time of the year again. The peak of the summer heat has passed, the crispness of autumn creeps into the mornings, the kids are back..
Read the Story
Media Mentions
The Trek: The Thru-Hiker Gift Guide: Under $50
It’s that time of year again. If you’re looking for the perfect budget-friendly gift for the thru-hiker in your life, never fear: we’re here to help.
Read the Story
Media Mentions
The Trek: Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hiker Gear List
Based off Liz Thomas’s wonderful gear chapter in Pacific Crest Trials, here’s a non-exhaustive list of suggested gear items for a Pacific Crest Trail...
Read the Story
Media Mentions
The Trek: It’s Here, It’s Gear!
Hey everybody, it’s time to talk about everybody’s favorite subject: gear! This is my first thru-hike, I had lots of research...
Read the Story
Media Mentions
The Trek: The Ultimate Ultralight Backpacking Gear List
While some high-end ultralight gear is very expensive (think of all the ounces you could save by getting rid of your extra Benjamins!), it is still ...
Read the Story
Media Mentions
The Trek: 15 All-Too Common Beginner Backpacking Mistakes 1195.8K shares
Not all beginners make these missteps, and the mistakes listed are far from the only ones I’ve seen on the trail.
Read the Story
Media Mentions
The Trek: Badger’s Tahoe Rim Trail Gear List
The purpose of this post is to share with you, the very smart and attractive reader, the contents of my gear.
Read the Story
Media Mentions
The Trek: The Cult of Gear
Backpacking may be one of the most gear dependent activities a person can undertake.
Read the Story
Life Outdoors
The Trek: Gear List
With a little over a month left until I head to Baxter State Park, I’ve spent a lot of time honing in on my gear list. Here it is.
Read the Story
Life Outdoors
The Trek: Horns Hooves and Coats: A 2022 AT Gear List
Horns Hooves and Coats: A 2022 AT Gear List
Read the Story
Tips & Guides
The Trek: The Colorado Trail Guide: Gear List
A gear list and guide to the Colorado trail
Read the Story
Tips & Guides
The Trek: Another AT Gear List
Another complete AT gear list by Jake Markland
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Life Outdoors
The Trek: 2022 Badger Sponsorship Winners
Announcement of the 2022 Badger sponsorship winners
Read the Story
Media Mentions
The Trek: The Inevitable Gear Lists! Part 4: Hydration and Cook Systems
Hydration and cook systems gear list
Read the Story
Life Outdoors
The Trek: PCT Gear List: Enjoying the Classics
Big 3 for the PCT gear list enjoying the classics
Read the Story
Life Outdoors
The Trek: TLDR: Summarizing the 2021 Appalachian Trail Thru Hiker Survey
A summary of the 2021 Appalachian trail thru hiker survey
Read the Story
Life Outdoors
The Trek: 2022 Badger Sponsorship
The Badger sponsorship of 2022 and how to enter
Read the Story
Life Outdoors
The Trek: Stoves, Diet and Water Filtration on the Appalachian Trail: 2021 Thru-Hiker Survey
A 2021 thru-hiker survey about stoves, diet and water filtration on the Appalachian trail
Read the Story
Life Outdoors
The Trek: A Tale of Two Trails: AT vs PCT Gear List
The personal gear list and story and comparison of two trails: AT vs PCT
Read the Story
Tips & Guides
The Trek: 13 of The Trek’s Top Posts from 2021
The Trek's top 13 posts from 2021
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Life Outdoors
The Trek: I’ve Been a Thru-Hiker Since 2013: Here’s How Gear Has Changed
A young Haiku on his first overnighter in 2009: daunted by the prospect of how many Snickers bars he would be eating over the next 12 years
Read the Story
Reviews
The Trek: Comprehensive Post-AT Gear Review
A comprehensive gear review post an AT hike
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Tips & Guides
The Trek: The Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike Checklist
27 Things to do before starting the AT trail a thru-hike checklist
Read the Story
Reviews
The Trek: The Best and Worst Gear from My 2021 AT Thru-Hike (Non-Ultralight and Petite-Friendly)
The best and worst gear from a 2021 AT thru-hike
Read the Story
Tips & Guides
The Trek: The PCT Thru-Hike Checklist: 29 Things To Do Before You Start
A PCT thru-hike checklist with 29 Things To Do Before You Start
Read the Story
Media Mentions
The Trek: The Thru-Hiker Gift Guide: Under $50
Thru-hiker gift guide for under $50
Read the Story
Tips & Guides
The Trek: Why You Need to Learn Gear First Aid Before Your Thru-Hike
Learn gear first aid before your thru-hike
Read the Story
Life Outdoors
The Trek: The Time and Money Needed for a Thru-hike
Time and money needed for a thru-hike
Read the Story
Tips & Guides
The Trek: Have We All Been Filtering Our Water Wrong the Whole Time?
An evaluation on if we have been filtering our water wrong this whole time
Read the Story
Media Mentions
Thru-Hiker’s Gift Guide 2019: Under $50
Thru-Hiker’s Gift Guide 2019: Under $50
Read the Story
Reviews
The Trek: Sawyer Micro Squeeze vs. Original Sawyer Squeeze [Video]
Two women holding sawyer squeeze filters with text sawyer micro squeeze vs sawyer squeeze
Read the Story
Media Mentions
The Trek: REI Backpacker’s Holiday Gift Guide
The Trek: REI Backpacker’s Holiday Gift Guide
Read the Story
Media Mentions
The Trek: Not Your Average Pacific Crest Trail Gear List
Not Your Average Pacific Crest Trail Gear List
Read the Story
Media Mentions
The Trek: Is Packing Your Bikini Ultralight? I’d Say So!
The Trek: Is Packing Your Bikini Ultralight? I’d Say So!
Read the Story
Media Mentions
The Trek: Emily Ford Completes Historic Winter Thru-Hike of Ice Age Trail
Emily Ford Completes Historic Winter Thru-Hike of Ice Age Trail
Read the Story
Media Mentions
The Trek: Beginner Backpacking Mistakes to Avoid
Beginner Backpacking Mistakes to Avoid
Read the Story
Media Mentions
The Trek: 8 Things East Coast Hikers Must Know Before Hiking Out West
8 Things East Coast Hikers Must Know Before Hiking Out West
Read the Story
Media Mentions
The Trek: 2021 PCT Ultra-Awesome Gear List
2021 PCT Ultra-Awesome Gear List
Read the Story
Media Mentions
How Graphene Will Revolutionize Thru-Hiking from The Trek
How Graphene Will Revolutionize Thru-Hiking from The Trek
Read the Story
Life Outdoors
The Trek: Things I Actually ADDED to my Pack Once I Started LASHing the AT
Things I Actually ADDED to my Pack Once I Started LASHing the AT
Read the Story
Here at Sawyer
The Trek: Q&A with Joe “Stringbean” McConaughey: Smashing the Arizona Trail FKT
Q&A with Joe “Stringbean” McConaughey: Smashing the Arizona Trail FKT
Read the Story
Here at Sawyer
The Trek: Announcing the 2021 Badger Sponsorship: A +$20,000 Gear Giveaway to Benefit the National Scenic Trails
Calling all hikers, backpackers, day adventurers: we need you!
Read the Story
Media Mentions
Top Stoves and Filters: The 2019 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Survey from The Trek
Top Stoves and Filters: The 2019 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Survey from The Trek
Read the Story
Tips & Guides
The Trek: Yeah, but How Much Does It Weigh?
Yeah, but How Much Does It Weigh?
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Tips & Guides
The Trek: White Mountains Direttissima FKT Gear List
White Mountains Direttissima FKT Gear List
Read the Story
Tips & Guides
The Trek: What We’re Spending Our REI Dividends on This Year
What We’re Spending Our REI Dividends on This Year
Read the Story
Tips & Guides
The Trek: The Best Backpacking Stoves of 2021
Best Backpacking Stoves: Quick Navigation
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Media Mentions
Superior Hiking Trail Gear List
As of June 1, the SHT Association recommends that SHT users #RecreateResponsibly.
Read the Story
Tips & Guides
The Trek: Our Colorado Trail Gear Lists: The Comforts and Details
Our Colorado Trail Gear Lists: The Comforts and Details
Read the Story
Tips & Guides
The Trek: One Week Out – Colorado Trail Gear List
One Week Out – Colorado Trail Gear List
Read the Story
Tips & Guides
The Trek: Nine Pieces of Thru-Hiking Gear to Splurge on, and Nine to Save On
So what gear should you buy on the cheap and where should you splurge for the best? Let this list be your guide to getting the best bang for your buck.
Read the Story
Tips & Guides
The Trek: My GDT Gear List – Living in Luxury
My GDT Gear List – Living in Luxury
Read the Story
Tips & Guides
The Trek: Gear List for a Self-Supported Hike
Here is my gear list for my self-supported thru-hike of the San Luis Loop.
Read the Story
Tips & Guides
The Trek: Everything I’ll Admit to Bringing on my AT Thru-Hike
Here’s everything I’ll admit to bringing for my 2021 thru-hike of the AT
Read the Story
Media Mentions
The Trek-Appalachian Trail: Ten Main Items for a Northbound Thru-hike in 2021
Ten Main Items for a Northbound Thru-hike in 2021
Read the Story
Tips & Guides
The Trek: Appalachian Trail Gear List for Older Hikers (Beginner-Friendly)
Appalachian Trail Gear List for Older Hikers (Beginner-Friendly)
Read the Story
Tips & Guides
The Trek: A Trip Down Memory Trail: My NOBO Route in Maine by Vehicle 2019 vs. on Foot in 2021
A Trip Down Memory Trail: My NOBO Route in Maine by Vehicle 2019 vs. on Foot in 2021
Read the Story
Tips & Guides
The Trek: 9 Devilishly Simple Backpacking Hacks to Help You Win at Hiking
9 Devilishly Simple Backpacking Hacks to Help You Win at Hiking
Read the Story
Tips & Guides
The Trek: 19 Things 2021 Appalachian Trail Hikers Need to Know
19 Things 2021 Appalachian Trail Hikers Need to Know
Read the Story
Media Mentions
The Essential Day Hiking Gear List from The Trek
The Essential Day Hiking Gear List from The Trek
Read the StoryMedia Mentions
The Trek: You’ll Kick Yourself if You Make Any of These Common Thru-Hiker Mistakes
The 2025 thru-hiking season is around the corner, now’s the time to begin thinking seriously about your fitness, gear, and the logistics of your hike.
Media Mentions
The Trek: The Backpacker and Hiker Gift Guide: Under $50
If you’re looking for the perfect budget-friendly gift for the hiker in your life, never fear — we’re here to help.
Media Mentions
The Trek: Jennifer Pharr Davis: Hurricane Helene, The Aftermath
Jennifer Pharr Davis describes life after Hurricane Helene swept through Asheville.
Media Mentions
The Trek: Guide to Hurricane Helene Resources and Needs for Rural Communities
A guide for resources and needs for rural communities damaged during Hurricane Helene.
Media Mentions
The Trek: Want To Help AT Communities Recover From Hurricane Helene? Here’s How
The Appalachian Trail hiking community has long drawn support from these small towns, and now it’s time for hikers to return the favor.
Media Mentions
The Trek-Appalachian Trail: Everything I’m (Not) Carrying on the CDT
You can check out my gear list to see exactly what I’m carrying.
Tips & Guides
The Trek: Continental Divide Trail Gear List: The Essentials & More
When considering all non-essential pieces of gear, I weigh the joy it will bring me against the inconvenience and discomfort of the added bulk and weight
Media Mentions
The Trek: The Thru-Hiker Gift Guide: Under $50
It’s that time of year again. If you’re looking for the perfect budget-friendly gift for the thru-hiker in your life, never fear: we’re here to help.
Media Mentions
The Trek Best Backpacking Gear Deals from the REI Labor Day Sale
It’s that wonderful time of the year again. The peak of the summer heat has passed, the crispness of autumn creeps into the mornings, the kids are back..
Media Mentions
The Trek: The Thru-Hiker Gift Guide: Under $50
It’s that time of year again. If you’re looking for the perfect budget-friendly gift for the thru-hiker in your life, never fear: we’re here to help.
Media Mentions
The Trek: Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hiker Gear List
Based off Liz Thomas’s wonderful gear chapter in Pacific Crest Trials, here’s a non-exhaustive list of suggested gear items for a Pacific Crest Trail...
Media Mentions
The Trek: It’s Here, It’s Gear!
Hey everybody, it’s time to talk about everybody’s favorite subject: gear! This is my first thru-hike, I had lots of research...
Media Mentions
The Trek: The Ultimate Ultralight Backpacking Gear List
While some high-end ultralight gear is very expensive (think of all the ounces you could save by getting rid of your extra Benjamins!), it is still ...
Media Mentions
The Trek: 15 All-Too Common Beginner Backpacking Mistakes 1195.8K shares
Not all beginners make these missteps, and the mistakes listed are far from the only ones I’ve seen on the trail.
Media Mentions
The Trek: Badger’s Tahoe Rim Trail Gear List
The purpose of this post is to share with you, the very smart and attractive reader, the contents of my gear.
Media Mentions
The Trek: The Cult of Gear
Backpacking may be one of the most gear dependent activities a person can undertake.
Life Outdoors
The Trek: Gear List
With a little over a month left until I head to Baxter State Park, I’ve spent a lot of time honing in on my gear list. Here it is.
Life Outdoors
The Trek: Horns Hooves and Coats: A 2022 AT Gear List
Horns Hooves and Coats: A 2022 AT Gear List
Tips & Guides
The Trek: The Colorado Trail Guide: Gear List
A gear list and guide to the Colorado trail
Life Outdoors
The Trek: 2022 Badger Sponsorship Winners
Announcement of the 2022 Badger sponsorship winners
Media Mentions
The Trek: The Inevitable Gear Lists! Part 4: Hydration and Cook Systems
Hydration and cook systems gear list
Life Outdoors
The Trek: PCT Gear List: Enjoying the Classics
Big 3 for the PCT gear list enjoying the classics
Life Outdoors
The Trek: TLDR: Summarizing the 2021 Appalachian Trail Thru Hiker Survey
A summary of the 2021 Appalachian trail thru hiker survey
Life Outdoors
The Trek: Stoves, Diet and Water Filtration on the Appalachian Trail: 2021 Thru-Hiker Survey
A 2021 thru-hiker survey about stoves, diet and water filtration on the Appalachian trail
Life Outdoors
The Trek: A Tale of Two Trails: AT vs PCT Gear List
The personal gear list and story and comparison of two trails: AT vs PCT
Life Outdoors
The Trek: I’ve Been a Thru-Hiker Since 2013: Here’s How Gear Has Changed
A young Haiku on his first overnighter in 2009: daunted by the prospect of how many Snickers bars he would be eating over the next 12 years
Tips & Guides
The Trek: The Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike Checklist
27 Things to do before starting the AT trail a thru-hike checklist
Reviews
The Trek: The Best and Worst Gear from My 2021 AT Thru-Hike (Non-Ultralight and Petite-Friendly)
The best and worst gear from a 2021 AT thru-hike
Tips & Guides
The Trek: The PCT Thru-Hike Checklist: 29 Things To Do Before You Start
A PCT thru-hike checklist with 29 Things To Do Before You Start
Tips & Guides
The Trek: Why You Need to Learn Gear First Aid Before Your Thru-Hike
Learn gear first aid before your thru-hike
Life Outdoors
The Trek: The Time and Money Needed for a Thru-hike
Time and money needed for a thru-hike
Tips & Guides
The Trek: Have We All Been Filtering Our Water Wrong the Whole Time?
An evaluation on if we have been filtering our water wrong this whole time
Reviews
The Trek: Sawyer Micro Squeeze vs. Original Sawyer Squeeze [Video]
Two women holding sawyer squeeze filters with text sawyer micro squeeze vs sawyer squeeze
Media Mentions
The Trek: REI Backpacker’s Holiday Gift Guide
The Trek: REI Backpacker’s Holiday Gift Guide
Media Mentions
The Trek: Not Your Average Pacific Crest Trail Gear List
Not Your Average Pacific Crest Trail Gear List
Media Mentions
The Trek: Is Packing Your Bikini Ultralight? I’d Say So!
The Trek: Is Packing Your Bikini Ultralight? I’d Say So!
Media Mentions
The Trek: Emily Ford Completes Historic Winter Thru-Hike of Ice Age Trail
Emily Ford Completes Historic Winter Thru-Hike of Ice Age Trail
Media Mentions
The Trek: Beginner Backpacking Mistakes to Avoid
Beginner Backpacking Mistakes to Avoid
Media Mentions
The Trek: 8 Things East Coast Hikers Must Know Before Hiking Out West
8 Things East Coast Hikers Must Know Before Hiking Out West
Media Mentions
How Graphene Will Revolutionize Thru-Hiking from The Trek
How Graphene Will Revolutionize Thru-Hiking from The Trek
Life Outdoors
The Trek: Things I Actually ADDED to my Pack Once I Started LASHing the AT
Things I Actually ADDED to my Pack Once I Started LASHing the AT
Here at Sawyer
The Trek: Q&A with Joe “Stringbean” McConaughey: Smashing the Arizona Trail FKT
Q&A with Joe “Stringbean” McConaughey: Smashing the Arizona Trail FKT
Here at Sawyer
The Trek: Announcing the 2021 Badger Sponsorship: A +$20,000 Gear Giveaway to Benefit the National Scenic Trails
Calling all hikers, backpackers, day adventurers: we need you!
Media Mentions
Top Stoves and Filters: The 2019 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Survey from The Trek
Top Stoves and Filters: The 2019 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Survey from The Trek
Tips & Guides
The Trek: White Mountains Direttissima FKT Gear List
White Mountains Direttissima FKT Gear List
Tips & Guides
The Trek: What We’re Spending Our REI Dividends on This Year
What We’re Spending Our REI Dividends on This Year
Media Mentions
Superior Hiking Trail Gear List
As of June 1, the SHT Association recommends that SHT users #RecreateResponsibly.
Tips & Guides
The Trek: Our Colorado Trail Gear Lists: The Comforts and Details
Our Colorado Trail Gear Lists: The Comforts and Details
Tips & Guides
The Trek: One Week Out – Colorado Trail Gear List
One Week Out – Colorado Trail Gear List
Tips & Guides
The Trek: Nine Pieces of Thru-Hiking Gear to Splurge on, and Nine to Save On
So what gear should you buy on the cheap and where should you splurge for the best? Let this list be your guide to getting the best bang for your buck.
Tips & Guides
The Trek: Gear List for a Self-Supported Hike
Here is my gear list for my self-supported thru-hike of the San Luis Loop.
Tips & Guides
The Trek: Everything I’ll Admit to Bringing on my AT Thru-Hike
Here’s everything I’ll admit to bringing for my 2021 thru-hike of the AT
Media Mentions
The Trek-Appalachian Trail: Ten Main Items for a Northbound Thru-hike in 2021
Ten Main Items for a Northbound Thru-hike in 2021
Tips & Guides
The Trek: Appalachian Trail Gear List for Older Hikers (Beginner-Friendly)
Appalachian Trail Gear List for Older Hikers (Beginner-Friendly)
Tips & Guides
The Trek: A Trip Down Memory Trail: My NOBO Route in Maine by Vehicle 2019 vs. on Foot in 2021
A Trip Down Memory Trail: My NOBO Route in Maine by Vehicle 2019 vs. on Foot in 2021
Tips & Guides
The Trek: 9 Devilishly Simple Backpacking Hacks to Help You Win at Hiking
9 Devilishly Simple Backpacking Hacks to Help You Win at Hiking
Tips & Guides
The Trek: 19 Things 2021 Appalachian Trail Hikers Need to Know
19 Things 2021 Appalachian Trail Hikers Need to Know
Media Mentions
The Essential Day Hiking Gear List from The Trek
The Essential Day Hiking Gear List from The Trek
