Jul 27, 2021

Christine discovered long-distance backpacking while surfing the internet at work. She decided that day to attempt to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. One adventure led to another, and a few years later she set out on the Wonderland Trail in Mt Rainier National Park.

Her Rugged Outdoors Woman persona started as a joke,...

Jul 20, 2021

Lauralee Bliss, trail name "Blissful," is a two-time Appalachian Trail long-distance hiker north and south including a thru hike with her teen son, and is currently section hiking the trail for a third time.

She has completed other long distance trails in multiple states including the Florida Trail, the Colorado Trail,...

Jul 13, 2021

Tanya Bowers-Dean is an enthusiastic if extremely slow hiker and backpacker whose trail name is Caboose. She started hiking and backpacking about 6 years ago and is taking on small sections of the Appalachian Trail in hopes of completing it before she turns 100. She loves gear and talking about gear, but tries not to...

Jul 6, 2021

Growing up in the northwest in a family that camped every summer, Colleen Drake, also known as Teacup, has been hiking for more than 60 years, since she was old enough to walk.

Her hiking accomplishments include the Wonderland Trail around Mt. Rainier, the Washington section of the PCT, most of the Washington section...