Trip journals, gear reviews, and guides to life and business.
Whether you're here to read about my Appalachian Trail thru-hike, deep-dive a gear list, or catch up on my latest post-hike pivots, you're in the right place.
This is my digital trail log: a mix of old journals, new adventures, personal updates, and behind-the-scenes life as a writer carving her own path.
Gear & Resources
What I packed, what I wish I packed, and what I ditched after mile 100. Plus updated reviews and tools I use for writing, hiking, and freelancing.
Beyond the AT
Adventures since the trail — from local hikes to big life leaps. My thoughts on reentry, resilience, and redefining “home.”
Personal Newsletters
A monthly-ish dispatch with life updates and honest reflections on the creative life. Subscribe below or browse the archives right here.
Adventure Logs
Rachel is an outdoor industry professional with over 15 years of experience — she started as a ski instructor in 2009 and hasn't really stopped moving since. She's completed a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, spent a year living and traveling full-time out of a van, and has logged years of sport climbing, bouldering, skiing, and backpacking across the U.S..
She writes about all of it here: gear that actually works, lessons that took miles to learn, and the kind of practical trail knowledge that doesn't talk down to you. This blog is built on the belief that getting outside is for everyone — not just the people who go hardest, fastest, or have the most expensive kit. You'll find AT journals, gear reviews, trip logs, and honest advice across all of it. No gatekeeping.
