Appalachian Trail Archives | REI Co-op Journal

A trail crew celebrates the end of a hard day's work surrounded by leafy green trees

The SWEAT Crew is the Toughest Crew on the Appalachian Trail

Graham Averill//August 9, 2019

Each year, millions of backpackers and day hikers set out to tackle all or part of the Appalachian Trail. This is the team tasked with stewarding the 71-mile section that winds through Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Read More...

A view of blue skies and mountains in the distance from Rich Mountain Lookout Tower

Put a Hike to This North Carolina Lookout Tower on Your List

Graham Averill//March 1, 2019

Fire lookout towers like the one at Rich Mountain were once the primary source of fire detection in North Carolina. Now, the Forest Fire Lookout Association, in collaboration with local nonprofits, has begun restoring them. Read More...

Community Stories: Akuna Hikes

REI Staff//November 12, 2018

The new short film, “Akuna Hikes,” produced by Stept Studios and presented by Merrell, follows veteran Will Robinson’s journey to healing through hiking. Read More...

Karel Sabbe embraces the northern terminus of the AT.

Karel Sabbe Sets New Fastest Known Time on the Appalachian Trail

Jonathan Olivier//

Moving at an astonishing pace, the Belgian ultrarunner smashed the previous Fastest Known Time on the AT by more than four days. Read More...

Appalachian Trail (AT)

REI Staff//

One of America’s most iconic footpaths, the Appalachian Trail travels nearly 2,200 miles between Georgia and Maine. Each year thousands of people head north from the trail’s southern terminus in an attempt to hike the whole trail in one year, but only one-fourth of them finish the journey. Read More...

There’s No Such Thing As a Perfect Hike

Matt Crossman//

We all have great expectations when we set out on a hike. We go in with preconceived notions and come out disappointed when they aren’t met. But I’ve noticed a strange trend in my hiking life: Some hikes have a way of becoming retroactively better than I had ever hoped. Read More...

The Joys of Section Hiking

Shawnté Salabert//

Many backpackers dream of spending weeks—or even months—on trail. But most folks can’t swing the time commitment required to thru-hike classics like the Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail and Continental Divide Trail. The solution? Learn to embrace the joys of section hiking. Read More...

What Does It Take to Set a Fastest Known Time?

Liz Thomas//April 27, 2018

Record-setting distance runner Jennifer Pharr Davis reveals the science and psychology of endurance running in her new book. Read More...

Quiz: Should You Hike the Appalachian Trail or the Pacific Crest Trail?

Aer Parris//

Appalachian Trail versus Pacific Crest Trail is a serious question. But it doesn't have to be. Before you begin your next thru-hike, take this fun quiz. Read More...

The Appalachian Trail vs. Pacific Crest Trail: Which Hike Is Right for You?

Zach Davis//

Whether you’re deciding which footpath to tackle for a first thru-hike, you’ve hiked one trail and want to know how it stacks up to the other, or you just have a general curiosity, a fascination with comparing the Appalachian Trail (AT) and Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is common. Read More...

How a Runner Named Stringbean Broke Every Appalachian Trail Speed Record

Jonathan Olivier//September 14, 2017

He packed light, pushed through pain, followed Fastest Known Time protocol to a T, and even stopped to enjoy the view. Ultrarunner Joe “... Read More...

REI Presents: Trail Angel

REI Staff//

Many people look to the outdoors to find peace of mind. For Paul Stiffler, better known as Ponytail Paul, the Appalachian Trail and its thru... Read More...