Wildwood Hiking Co.

25/02/2025

😍😍😍!! I commissioned Heidi Nisbett of Sketching Summits Studios to make some artwork for me to put on merch this year, and look how BEAUTIFUL these turned out!! I am absolutely in love! Thanks, Heidi! These are amazing! Be on the lookout for some stickers, t-shirts, and bandanas coming out soon.

25/02/2025

As I'm prepping for this year's backpacking season, I've been busy checking out new gear, reading reviews, and hunting for some of the best deals online. One thing I've been interested in checking out are the new Alpha Direct fleece hoodies. They're supposed to be super lightweight, warm, and breathable. A few companies are making them, but the price tag is steep at over $100! So I've decided to break out my sewing machine and make my own for much less...lol! Wish me luck! 😆

23/02/2025

I had a great time teaching my AT Thru-Hiker Prep and Beginner Backpacking online classes last week! I love sharing all of my experience and knowledge with others, and these online classes are a great way to get connected with people from across the country. Check out what some of my class members had to say afterwards!

22/02/2025

I'm so looking forward to spring! I just saw my first daffodil of the season, so it must be close, right?? March will be a busy month for me as I start prepping for my guided backpacking trips. I'll be testing some new recipes, doing inventory on gear, and hosting virtual orientations with my new backpackers.

And I'm very excited that my spring backpacking trips are almost sold out! I've still got a few spots left on the May 22 co-ed trip on the Appalachian Trail near Hot Springs, NC. Secure your spot soon before they're all gone!

- April 26-28: Women's Beginner Backpacking - SOLD OUT
- May 3-5: Women's Beginner Backpacking - SOLD OUT
- May 22-24: Co-Ed Beginner Backpacking - AVAILABLE
- May 30 - June 1: Women's Beginner Backpacking - SOLD OUT

Find info and sign up at https://www.wildwoodhiking.com/products/co-ed-appalachian-trail-beginner-backpacking-trip-max-patch-nc-2025

18/02/2025

The 2025 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker tags are in!

2025 Appalachian Trail hiker hangtags are here! Designed for aspiring thru-hikers and section hikers whose goal is to hike the entire A.T., hangtags promote Leave No Trace principles and are a tangible way to commemorate your hiking year. This year, hangtags are a special centennial edition for the ATC's 100th birthday! 🎂

Those who register their hikes on ATCamp.org and participate in a Start Smart orientation are eligible to pick up a 2025 hangtag at the following locations:

🌱 Amicalola Falls State Park, Dawsonville, Georgia (available now)
🌱 Damascus Trail Center, Damascus, Virginia (available now)
🌱 ATC Headquarters & Visitor Center, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia (available now)
🌱 A.T. Visitor Center, Monson, Maine (available in June)

Learn more about A.T. hangtags at appalachiantrail.org/hangtags

11/02/2025

Help rebuild the town of Hot Springs, NC by making a donation and entering to win the 2025 Badger Sponsorship with tons of backpacking gear giveaways!

Hot Springs, NC is a special waypoint along the Appalachian Trail, where tens of thousands of thru-hikers, day-trippers, and section-hikers have walked down Bridge St, following the iconic white blazes. The trail runs right through the heart of town, guiding adventurers across the French Broad River bridge and up Lover’s Leap, where breathtaking views of the valley await.

Our town is slowly recovering from the devastation of Helene, but there’s still a long way to go. Many businesses remain closed, and we’re working hard to bring back the food, lodging, and entertainment that make Hot Springs a favorite stop for hikers and visitors alike. Your support helps us rebuild so that future generations of AT hikers will continue to find a warm welcome here.
co's Badger Sponsorship features top outdoor brands that hikers know and love. For just $1 per ticket, you’ll be entered to win high-quality gear, and every dollar goes directly to the Rebuild Hot Springs Area (RHSA) initiative.

A huge thank you to , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .biz, , .co, , , , .gear, .wilderness.designs, , , , , and for their support!

Enter to win here: https://rhsa.betterworld.org/giveaways/2025-badger-sponsorship?_gl=1%2A8vjan%2A_gcl_au%2ANTgyNDA2NTA3LjE3MzYyNTQzNTQuMTM3MDM2ODIyMS4xNzM2NDM1MzkyLjE3MzY0MzU3MzM.

11/02/2025

Hilarious! And so true 😄

On a scale of 1-10, how accurate is this? 🤔😂

07/02/2025

Thank you to all the National Forest workers and volunteers that are getting our trails reopened!

04/02/2025

I only have 1 spot left on my June 12-14 Women's Beginner Backpacking trip in the Roan Highlands of East Tennessee! This section of the Appalachian Trail is a must see in June, when the Catawba rhododendrons and flame azaleas are in bloom!

We'll hike 15 miles over the course of 3 days and 2 nights through a beautiful section of the AT, filled with wildflowers and fantastic mountain-top views. All backpacking gear and meals are included, so this is perfect for first time backpackers.

- 3 days / 2 nights backpacking on the Appalachian Trail
- Includes gear, meals, and transport
- $850 per person

Sign up at www.wildwoodhiking.com

03/02/2025

Had these falls all to myself yesterday in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I couldn't believe it was so warm and sunny on the 2nd of February! Does this mean winter is over??

This was a moderate trail with some rocks and roots, steady incline, and a couple of narrow spots. It's less than a mile to get to the falls, so this would be a nice trail for a short scenic hike.

- Spruce Flats Falls via the Buckeye Trail
- 1.9 miles out and back
- 420 ft. elevation gain

01/02/2025

I got to hold a corn snake at Wilderness Wildlife Week. Her name was Phoebe 😍

30/01/2025

Looking for a custom backpacking experience? Whether it’s for a romantic getaway, a girl's weekend, or a section hike on the Appalachian Trail, our Private Backpacking Trips are tailored just for you.

✅ Personalized itinerary and dates
✅ Expert guide, gear, meals, and transportation
✅ Stunning mountain views
✅ Memories that last a lifetime

Let us design your dream adventure today!

Send an inquiry at https://www.wildwoodhiking.com/pages/private-backpacking-trips

29/01/2025

Did you know we offer co-ed trips, too? These backpacking trips are open to everyone, and are perfect for couples, friends, and solo travelers. Grab a buddy and hit the trails with one of our all inclusive adventures this year!

- May 22-24: Max Patch Beginner Backpacking ($850 per person)
- June 5-6: Smoky Mountains Synchronous Fireflies ($525 per person)
- August 22-24: Roan Highlands Beginner Backpacking ($850 per person)

The best guided backpacking trips in East Tennessee, the Appalachian Trail, and the Smoky Mountains by Wildwood Hiking Co.

28/01/2025

All set up at the Wilderness Wildlife week in Pigeon Forge!

26/01/2025

Here's a fun tip for pooping in the woods 😆

The Deuce #2 ultralight trowel is a favorite among backpackers because it's lightweight and strong, and the serrated edges make it easier to dig a cat hole. But did you know that the HANDLE is actually a better DIGGER?

Flip the trowel upside-down to get more force while you dig. Use the handle to dig an outline of a circle in the dirt, and then flip it back over and use the wider part to scoop out the dirt. Keep digging and scooping til you get a 6" deep hole to make your deposit. When you're done, kick the dirt back into the hole to cover everything up. Easy peasy!

Also... how fun is this color?? 😍 I don't need another trowel... but I may have to add this one to my gear stash this year.

25/01/2025

Doe, a deer, a female deer. Ray, a drop of golden sun!

I absolutely love the balds of Roan Mountain! Every time I hike here, I feel like I'm in the Sound of Music! Strolling through the wildflower covered fields of the blue ridge mountains just makes me wanna sing...

Come tap into your inner Julie Andrews with me this spring! I've got 1 spot left on my May 30 Women's Backpacking Trip in the Roan Highlands. This trip is a favorite for first time backpackers!

Sign up at www.wildwoodhiking.com

24/01/2025

Some more thru-hiker (or backpacking) tips for cold weather ❄❄:

Make sure your sleep system is rated for the coldest temperatures you expect during your hike. Northbound thru-hikers starting in March and April are likely to encounter below freezing temperatures at some point, especially in the high elevations of the Smokies where temperatures can easily dip into the 20s or teens at night!

Sleeping pads are rated with a "R-Value", ranging from 0-7, where the high number provides more insulation. An R-Value of 4 or 5 works for most people in these conditions, but if you get cold easily, you may want a higher number. If you get hot at night (like me), you can probably get away with a lower number.

Sleeping bags and quilts aren't rated with an R-Value, but are given temperature ratings instead. Most bags list a "Comfort" rating as well as a "Survival" rating. A 20 degree comfort rating works well for most people, but you may want something warmer or cooler depending on how you sleep. Don't make the mistake of relying on the survival rating! At that temperature, you'll be alive, but you probably won't get any sleep.

And if you get really cold when you sleep, you might consider adding some down booties for your feet or a down hood for your head. I like to toss some instant hand warmers into my quilt before bed to help warm it up, or you can even add hot water to a Nalgene bottle and tuck it in by your feet.

Bonus tips: Sleep with your electronics while they charge for a little extra warmth, and keep your water filter inside your bag so it doesn't freeze! Your water filter can break if it freezes.