Thru-hiking advice
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My Experience Hiking the PCT in a Dress
Last year, I walked from Mexico to Canada wearing a dress. When I started my thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), I’d never hiked in a dress before. Now, 2,650 miles later, I’m fully convinced that a dress is… Continue reading
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Reflecting on the PCT High Sierra: entry date, resupply, gear, and more
Before I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, one section in particular gave me pause: the High Sierra. I was already an experienced backpacker, having completed the Appalachian Trail and Colorado Trail. Even so, the big mountains of the Pacific Crest… Continue reading
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Everywhere I resupplied on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2025
In 2025, I thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail. A big part of any thru-hike is eating – and all the logistics that go into resupplying food. In this post, I go over all the places I resupplied on my 2025… Continue reading
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5 reasons why YOU should hike the Colorado Trail this year
If you know me, then you likely know that the Colorado Trail holds a special place in my heart. The unmatched views, high elevations, (relatively) reasonable grade, and wonderful trail towns make the Colorado Trail unforgettable. This wonderful trail is… Continue reading
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Summary of my Appalachian Trail Thru Hike (Resupply strategy, gear, and reflections)
As you know, I’m gearing up to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail starting this May. Soon, I’ll be sharing posts about my preparations and planning process. But first, I’m taking time to reflect on my past thru-hikes and look over… Continue reading
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Summary of my Colorado Trail Thru Hike (Resupply strategy, gear, and reflections)
As I gear up to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail this upcoming May, I’ll post a lot about my planning process. As I prepare for my next adventure, I’m also taking time to reflect on my past thru-hikes and look… Continue reading
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Lessons Learned: 7 things I did differently on my second thru-hike
When it comes to thru-hiking, sometimes you must learn by doing. This was certainly the case for me. I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail solo during my gap year before college. Though I was already a fairly experienced backpacker for my… Continue reading
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Understanding Zeros and Neros on the Appalachian Trail
Recently I’ve started reading through my old Appalachian Trail journals from my 2014 thru-hike, in preparation for upcoming adventures. I’m learning a lot from this walk down memory lane. There were many surprising things that I’d forgotten about my thru-hike.… Continue reading
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Reflecting on taking a “gap year” to thru-hike before college: 10 pros and 5 cons
Are you (or your family member) taking a gap year to thru-hike a long trail such as the Appalachian Trail or Pacific Crest Trail? There are many great reasons to take a gap year to thru-hike before starting college. I… Continue reading
Adventures with Val 