Mariposa

I was ten years old when my love for the Smoky Mountains first inspired my dream of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. Twelve years later, I made that dream a reality when I completed my NoBo 2014 thru-hike. I am now getting my PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), with an Interdisciplinary Statistics minor. In addition to hiking, I try to maintain some semblance of sanity through crafts, piano, fantasy/sci-fi books, beer, and bacon.

Posts

2020 Appalachian Trail Section Hiker Survey: Resources and Gear

2020 Appalachian Trail Section Hiker Survey: Resources and Gear

Long overlooked in our annual surveys, Appalachian Trail (AT) section hikers were the focus of the Trek's 2020 survey. We surveyed 448 people, 43 of

Sep 20, 2021 : Mariposa
2020 Appalachian Trail Section-Hiker Survey: Resupply and Transportation

2020 Appalachian Trail Section-Hiker Survey: Resupply and Transportation

Long overlooked in our annual surveys, Appalachian Trail (AT) section hikers were the focus of the Trek's 2020 survey. We surveyed 448 people, 43 of

Sep 14, 2021 : Mariposa
The 2020 AT Section Hiker Survey: Companions and Demographics

The 2020 AT Section Hiker Survey: Companions and Demographics

Long overlooked in our annual surveys, Appalachian Trail (AT) section hikers were the focus of this year’s survey. We surveyed 448 people, 43 of whom

Jan 26, 2021 : Mariposa
The 2020 AT Section Hiker Survey: Motives and Logistics

The 2020 AT Section Hiker Survey: Motives and Logistics

Long overlooked in our annual surveys, Appalachian Trail (AT) section hikers were the focus of this year's survey. We surveyed 448 people, 34 of whom

Jan 6, 2021 : Mariposa
Southbound Thru-Hikers: The Appalachian Trail Hiker Survey

Southbound Thru-Hikers: The Appalachian Trail Hiker Survey

Since I finished my Appalachian Trail (AT) thru-hike in 2014, I’ve been working with The Trek to survey thru-hikers each year. Most of the hikers who

Jul 15, 2020 : Mariposa
Top Stoves and Filters: The 2019 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Survey

Top Stoves and Filters: The 2019 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Survey

We surveyed 365 section or thru-hikers about their stove, food, and water preferences and their experience of illnesses on the Appalachian Trail in

Apr 5, 2020 : Mariposa
Top Backpacks: The 2019 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Survey

Top Backpacks: The 2019 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Survey

In this installment of The Trek’s 2019 Hiker Survey, we cover backpacks and base weight. We asked hikers about the frame type, capacity, brand, and

Mar 13, 2020 : Mariposa
Top Sleeping Bags and Pads: The 2019 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Survey

Top Sleeping Bags and Pads: The 2019 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Survey

In 2019, we surveyed 365 section and thru-hikers who were on the Appalachian Trail (AT) . We asked these hikers about the sleeping bags they used, as

Jan 9, 2020 : Mariposa
2019 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Survey: Top Tents and Shelters

2019 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Survey: Top Tents and Shelters

Each year, The Trek surveys long-distance hikers on the Appalachian Trail (AT) regarding the shelter systems they use, such as tents and hammocks. In

Dec 18, 2019 : Mariposa
The Top Footwear on the Appalachian Trail: 2019 AT Thru-Hiker Survey

The Top Footwear on the Appalachian Trail: 2019 AT Thru-Hiker Survey

Each year as part of The Trek’s annual thru-hiker survey, we ask hikers about the footwear they used, and this footwear data remains my favorite to

Dec 12, 2019 : Mariposa