Chris Kummer

Hey y'all - Cool Dad here. Ever since I was a little kid, I wanted to thru-hike the AT. It remained a nagging thought for nearly a decade - then it got loud enough to warrant my attention. So I quit my unfulfilling job(s) in Seattle and commenced hiking north from Springer in the spring of 2016. And I'm exceedingly thankful I did. The people I met, the things I saw, the gross foods I ate - not a day goes by without fondly remembering life on the trail. If you've already thru-hiked a long trail, you know exactly what I'm talking about. If you're thinking about tackling a long-distance hike, do it. Do it now. I'm probably gonna do it again...

Posts

Five Things I Wish I Left at Home Before Starting My Thru-Hike

Five Things I Wish I Left at Home Before Starting My Thru-Hike

I’m stubborn – and I generally pride myself on this quality. Stubbornness breeds persistence, for example – itself a key trait necessary to

Feb 9, 2017 : Chris Kummer
How to Answer the “Bear Question” or: Planning for the (Eventually) Inevitable

How to Answer the “Bear Question” or: Planning for the (Eventually) Inevitable

In the months leading up to my 2016 AT thru-hike, the number one question asked by friends and family was simple and straight-forward – “But what

Jan 27, 2017 : Chris Kummer
Eight (Overlooked) Essentials Every Thru-Hiker Should Carry

Eight (Overlooked) Essentials Every Thru-Hiker Should Carry

Throughout my 2016 AT thru-hike, I consistently carried one of the heavier packs on the trail. I knew this was gonna be the case when I started – and

Jan 7, 2017 : Chris Kummer
How to Eat (Well) on the Trail

How to Eat (Well) on the Trail

Almonds. You know, I was sure I'd be sick of these things by the time I finished my thru-hike. I generally remember the exact day I said no more to

Dec 26, 2016 : Chris Kummer