Howdy! I'm Katie, a thru-hiker and ultrarunner based in Colorado, who loves long walks, tall mountains, and steaming hot chai lattes. After hiking the Colorado Trail in 2022 and the John Muir Trail in 2023, I leave soon on a 2024 thru-hike of the Continental Divide Trail. Follow along on my journey with the articles below, or through my photography on Instagram (@k80.trail).
Posts
10 Reasons to Not Hike the Continental Divide Trail
It feels impossible to write an introductory paragraph about a life event as monumental as this one. I've been planning my thru-hike of the
Continental Divide Trail Gear List: The Essentials & More
What gear should I bring on the Continental Divide Trail? A brief look into my packing list, and a comparison between the gear for the this trail and for my previous thru-hikes.
Enlightened Equipment Revelation Review
There are few things I hate more than being cold in the backcountry. When I first started backpacking, I prioritized price over everything else and
Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 Review
I am on a quest to find the perfect backpack. "But wait," you say. "That's such a subjective title to give a highly variable piece of
Down vs. Synthetic Insulation in Backpacking Gear: Which Is Better?
Thru-hikers everywhere obsess way too much over the most minute of gear decisions. This is a fact. It is also understandable, as hikers gamble their
My 4 Biggest Regrets From My John Muir Trail Thru-Hike
One week into my thru-hike of the John Muir Trail, I found myself crying in my tent, terrified and in pain, searching my map for a route off the
Nature Calls: How To Poop Outside on Your Next Thru-Hike
Pooping. We all do it. We all hate it. And, boy, do we hikers all love to talk about it. From the most comfortable outdoor pooping positions to
My 5 Biggest Regrets From My Colorado Trail Thru-Hike
I did a lot of things right on my Colorado Trail thru-hike. I finished the 486-mile trail with no major gear failures or lasting injuries and came
Backpacking Safety for Solo Women: Understanding and Managing Risk in the Backcountry
When sharing news of an upcoming thru-hike, one of the most common questions I get — right up there with “Where do you poop?” and “Where do you
Ranking the Colorado Trail Segments: 100% Subjective, Completely True
The 486 miles between Denver and Durango on the Colorado Trail (CT) weave through six wilderness areas, eight mountain ranges, and five major river