I’ve hiked trails around the world. Here’s how to pack light and prepare.

I’ve hiked with the mantra “I’m not scared because I am prepared,” which is why I’m here to tell you about it.

The first time I tried hiking the Appalachian Trail, I realized within 10 minutes that I was unprepared and needed to get some practice. A little more than a year later, I had hiked all 2,190-plus miles of the trail.

How I figured it out is the story I want to share here. Since that first failed attempt, I’ve learned a lot about planning, packing light and adapting to the elements on my hikes. I’ve encountered grizzly bears, coped with unexpected changes in the weather and once waited a day to be rescued by helicopter after falling into an ice gully on the Continental Divide Trail. But I’ve hiked with the mantra “I’m not scared because I am prepared,” which is why I’m here to tell you about it.

I wrote my book, Pack Light: A Journey to Find Myself,” because nature belongs to all of us. I would like everyone to have access to hiking and be able to find joy — especially Black joy — and healing in nature. I’ve put together a list of tips for learning and planning to hike. My trail name is Dragonsky, and I hope to see you on the trail.

Find the full article written by Shilletha Curtis.

MSN: The Washington Post: I’ve hiked trails around the world. Here’s how to pack light and prepare. Copy

Backpacker with trekking poles standing in a grassy mountain meadow under clear sky.
Backpacker with trekking poles standing in a grassy mountain meadow under clear sky.

I’ve hiked trails around the world. Here’s how to pack light and prepare.

I’ve hiked with the mantra “I’m not scared because I am prepared,” which is why I’m here to tell you about it.

The first time I tried hiking the Appalachian Trail, I realized within 10 minutes that I was unprepared and needed to get some practice. A little more than a year later, I had hiked all 2,190-plus miles of the trail.

How I figured it out is the story I want to share here. Since that first failed attempt, I’ve learned a lot about planning, packing light and adapting to the elements on my hikes. I’ve encountered grizzly bears, coped with unexpected changes in the weather and once waited a day to be rescued by helicopter after falling into an ice gully on the Continental Divide Trail. But I’ve hiked with the mantra “I’m not scared because I am prepared,” which is why I’m here to tell you about it.

I wrote my book, Pack Light: A Journey to Find Myself,” because nature belongs to all of us. I would like everyone to have access to hiking and be able to find joy — especially Black joy — and healing in nature. I’ve put together a list of tips for learning and planning to hike. My trail name is Dragonsky, and I hope to see you on the trail.

Find the full article written by Shilletha Curtis.

Photo thumbnail Blog Author
Author
Shilletha Curtis
After losing her job during the coronavirus pandemic, Shilletha Curtis was depressed, riddled with self-doubt, and yearning for something bigger when she met a hiker who introduced her to the Appalachian Trail.
Media Mentions

MSN: The Washington Post: I’ve hiked trails around the world. Here’s how to pack light and prepare. Copy

Backpacker with trekking poles standing in a grassy mountain meadow under clear sky.
Backpacker with trekking poles standing in a grassy mountain meadow under clear sky.

I’ve hiked trails around the world. Here’s how to pack light and prepare.

I’ve hiked with the mantra “I’m not scared because I am prepared,” which is why I’m here to tell you about it.

The first time I tried hiking the Appalachian Trail, I realized within 10 minutes that I was unprepared and needed to get some practice. A little more than a year later, I had hiked all 2,190-plus miles of the trail.

How I figured it out is the story I want to share here. Since that first failed attempt, I’ve learned a lot about planning, packing light and adapting to the elements on my hikes. I’ve encountered grizzly bears, coped with unexpected changes in the weather and once waited a day to be rescued by helicopter after falling into an ice gully on the Continental Divide Trail. But I’ve hiked with the mantra “I’m not scared because I am prepared,” which is why I’m here to tell you about it.

I wrote my book, Pack Light: A Journey to Find Myself,” because nature belongs to all of us. I would like everyone to have access to hiking and be able to find joy — especially Black joy — and healing in nature. I’ve put together a list of tips for learning and planning to hike. My trail name is Dragonsky, and I hope to see you on the trail.

Find the full article written by Shilletha Curtis.

Photo thumbnail Blog Author
Author
Shilletha Curtis
After losing her job during the coronavirus pandemic, Shilletha Curtis was depressed, riddled with self-doubt, and yearning for something bigger when she met a hiker who introduced her to the Appalachian Trail.
Media Mentions
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