Hiking Trails in America Pathways to Prosperity

Fifty years ago President Johnson set in motion the establishment of a national system of trails for America. Since LBJ’s famous speech outlining his vision, America has accomplished much . . .

Investigating the Thru-hiker Experience: A Study on the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail

The phenomena of thru-hiking has been on a dramatic rise, spurring hikers to venture onto increasingly remote and challenging trails over extended periods of time. Despite the recent popularity of thru-hiking, the field remains relatively unstudied. In recreation, the expectations held beforehand have been linked to perceptions after an activity, but this has not been explored in thru-hiking.

Effects of Pack Weight on Endurance of Long-distance Hikers

This study evaluated pack weight to understand the limits of long-term load carriage. Participants were Appalachian Trail hikers who attempted to complete the entire trail in the 2012 season.

Benefits of Hiking: A Means-End Approach on the Appalachian Trail

The purpose of this research was to examine the outcomes prompting hiking along the Appalachian Trail (AT).