Thru hiking

I remember asking my brother, a fellow thru-hiker, what gear to buy. His advice was “you have to experiment for yourself”. That was NOT the answer I wanted to hear.

Whether you’re planning for your first thru-hike or any thru-hike after, there are a few pieces of thru-hiking gear that you need to buy months in advance. It can be frustrating to plan farther ahead, but if you do, you’ll be happy when you start your thru-hike. After 17 thru-hikes, I’ve run the gambit of planning from nothing but getting off the couch to massive spreadsheets. I compiled this list for you, so you don’t get screwed before your hike. Read on to yourself a lot of frustration.

Can't take 5-7 months to thru-hike the AT, PCT, or other mega-trails? Here are some more manageable thru-hikes that can be completed in under a month.

You don’t have to be a planner to start a thru-hike, but you’ll turn into one if you want to finish. Such is the wisdom of Amanda “Zuul” Jameson, who has thru-hiked the Pacific Crest, Continental Divide, and Grand Enchantment Trails and now helps fellow trekkers dial in their gear.

Thru hiking versus backpacking: both involve multi-day hiking and nights under the stars, but how do they compare in terms of logistics and culture? Thru hiking is a long-distance subset of backpacking and this fun overview explains what makes through hiking a unique activity in its own right. Maybe it'll inspire you to try your own thru hike!

Advice for thru-hiking the Continental Divide Trail from thru-hikers. CDT advice on gear, resupply, culture, hiking strategy, and quitting.

Considering a hike on New Zealand's long trail? This trail guide for Te Araroa will get you started on the right foot.

This does include a Dolly Parton quote.

The Pacific Crest Trail is majestically beautiful. It roams through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country. I get to live in this scenery everyday. It’s a dream. Right? Well not always. There is a lot more that goes into thru hiking than it may seem. Social media (my blog included) does a really good job at showing the positive, idealistic parts of thru hiking. Let me just tell you, it’s hard work. Just like you don’t always want to get out of bed and drive to work in the…

Many hikers hope their treks will make them better at other sports. Instead, mine kept me from distance running for a year—a common side effect we don't discuss enough.