In Praise of the Humble Pop-Tart, the Ultimate Backpacking Breakfast
Our hiking columnist has spent more than a quarter of the past four years on trail. Every morning out there, without fail, he eats another perfect packet of Pop-Tarts.
Author
Grayson Haver Currin
Grayson Haver Currin is a longtime music journalist and former newspaper editor from North Carolina. He has written for Pitchfork, The New York Times, Rolling Stone, NPR, and The Washington Post. He and his little family are currently roaming the continent by Sprinter while climbing mountains, running marathons, visiting national parks and monuments, and eating pizza.
My Stories
What the Professor Learned by Trying to Hike the Most Miles Ever
Last January, Carl Stanfield set out to break the world record for the most miles ever hiked in a year. In failing, he found his temporary limit—and, he hopes, a renewed version of himself.
Does Thru-Hiking Have a Drinking Problem?
Long-distance hikers love to reach towns and binge. I temporarily gave up the cycle, and maybe it changed my life.
5 Hiker Gifts for Less than $20
Our hiking columnist knows firsthand that buying gifts for the hiker in your life can induce anxiety. These affordable finds from independent companies can’t miss.
This Man Mapped Every Bathroom Break on His Thru-Hike of the AT
The results, however hilarious, remind us how hikers destigmatize the body
The Gear It Took to Bag an FKT on the PCT
A complete list of everything the new record holder carried and wore
The Pacific Crest Trail Has a Stunning New FKT
On Sunday night, British hiker Josh Perry decimated the trail’s long-standing self-supported records after chasing Timothy Olson’s 2021 time
Are Winter Hikes of the Appalachian Trail the Next Thing?
Scott Benerofe finished a rare and daunting southbound winter thru-hike of the AT. His self-proclaimed normalcy about the endeavor suggests such treks might not stay so rare for long.
The Ethics of Thru-Hiking with Kids
Each year, more families seem to earn attention by taking to long trails with small children. What are their motivations, and is it bad for the kids?
Top 10 Pieces of Advice for Beginner Thru-Hikers
Water weighs a lot, audiobooks weigh nothing, and more semi-philosophical tips to guide rookie trekkers to a strong finish
What Did I Learn Trudging Through the Swamps of the Florida Trail? That I’m a Kink Hiker.
The pain I experience while thru-hiking draws me back to the present and makes me more aware of my privilege
I Counted Every Bit of My Trash for One Month on the PCT
I tallied the waste I created for a month of my thru-hike. It was embarrassing. Now I know how to begin fixing it.