Category: Hiking culture
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Campfire Community
Curls of thin grey smoke twisted upward from the exuberant flames, carrying a hint of the fire’s warm glow as they spread out and dissipated into the darkness. When the wind shifted, the aroma of burning hardwood stirred primal memories of campfires past. For a moment, I wondered how far back in time those remembrances…
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What Defines a Thru-hike?
March marks the beginning of the Appalachian Trail (AT) thru-hiking season, attracting many hikers aiming to complete the journey from Georgia to Maine. Despite challenges and potential breaks, such as family obligations or weather, the hiking community embraces diverse definitions of “thru-hiking,” emphasizing personal experiences over rigid guidelines.
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Podcast Interview with Mighty Blue
One of the highlights of the 2025 Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association (ALDHA) Gathering was witnessing an onstage recording of the Mighty Blue Podcast with Steve (Mighty Blue) Adams as the Keynote Speaker. He interviewed Mills Kelly, Vegas, Pinkie, and Dennis Newton. Later, I had a chance to chat with Steve and introduced myself as…
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Trail Magic: The Homebrew Recipe
How many thru-hikers does it take to brew a batch of beer? Trail magic is broadly defined as any unexpected act of generosity, hospitality, or serendipitous good fortune that can lift the spirits of thru-hikers. It could be a ride, a water cache, and, quite often, food provided by “trail angels” who enjoy supporting hikers…