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Appalachian Trail

The Appalachian Trail

I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2018 and I took longer than most people do. It wasn’t a highlight reel. It wasn’t always beautiful. It also wasn’t extreme in the way the internet likes.

It was a rollercoaster (literally and figuratively).

This page is where I share what it was actually like: the gear that held up, the mental shifts that mattered, and the things that changed how I move through the world to this day.

Gear: What I Actually Used

I don’t believe in “perfect” gear. I believe in gear that works for your body, your pace, and your budget.

These are the items I carried, tested for months, and would (or wouldn’t) use again — with honest trade-offs.

Here’s the gear I carried. Not because it’s the only way — just because it’s what worked for me.

Appalachian Trail Tips for Thruhikers

The hardest parts of the Appalachian Trail weren’t usually physical. Here are the things I wish more people talked more about.

Trail Journals

I documented the trail as I went. The views, the breakthroughs, the doubts, the slow days, the people, the emotional breakdowns, the breakthroughs, and every in-between moment.

If you’re curious what a long trail actually feels like, start here.

Explore More on the Blog

The Appalachian Trail shaped how I think about the outdoors — but it’s just one part of the story.

If you’re interested in section hiking, weekend trips, vanlife reflections, or long-term gear testing, you’ll find more here.

About Me

If you’re new here, I’m Rachel.

I’ve thru-hiked, lived in a van, navigated chronic illness, and built a career around ethical outdoor storytelling and marketing.

You can read more about how all of that fits together here.