The Continental Divide Trail has been growing in popularity over the past decade. An increasingly diverse group of people from around the world now braves this thru-hike each year. The trail crosses the states of New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana (with a brief dip into Idaho near the
Discrimination on the Pacific Crest Trail (Class of 2021)
The Pacific Crest Trail is hiked by thousands of people each year - from all over the United States and the globe. The trail has (slowly) become a more diverse and less exclusive space over the years as it has become more accessible. better documented, and more well-known. One thing that needs to
Advice for Hiking the Continental Divide Trail (CDT Survey 2021)
The Continental Divide Trail is a thru-hike that will rarely go as planned. Rarely will two people even hike the same trail thanks to all the alternates, reroutes, and flip-flops that occur every year. That said, there's still room for some former CDT thru-hiker wisdom to inspire your thru-hike (or
Continental Divide Trail Horror Stories (Class of 2021)
In the yearly Continental Divide Trail Hiker Survey, hikers share both their lowest moments on the trail (physically, mentally, emotionally - the literal lowest point of the CDT is Waterton Canyon, Montana at 2,972 ft / 906 m), as well as when, if ever, they found themselves in a situation where
How to Get Your Thru-Hiking Triple Crown Award
This post was originally published on April 1 in the spirit of April Fools' Day, i.e. the entirety of the below post is a work of fiction. The Triple Crown is thru-hiking's most coveted award. Only awarded to those bold enough to complete the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and
The Best Shelters for Couples on the Pacific Crest Trail (2021 Survey)
Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail as a couple can be a huge test of a relationship. Which tent or shelter to use as a couple can be an important consideration. Will you sleep together? Separate? Who will carry what part of the tent? Will you use a two or three-person tent? Will you bring no shelter
Advice for Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT Survey 2021)
Chances are that things won't go to plan on a Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike. One of the best things you can do to prepare for a PCT thru-hike? Talk to PCT thru-hikers and see what they would do again, do differently, and suggest that others (i.e. you) do. Questions like what gear do I get? Where do
Off Trail Podcast – Who Is Mac (Halfway Anywhere)?
The Off Trail Podcast hosted by Ryan "Constantine" Bunting focuses on"the who and the how, not necessarily the what" in the world of trails and long-distance hiking. I recently had the opportunity to chat with him for an episode of his podcast where we discuss my recent Grand Canyon river trip,