Rachael (Outlaw)

Setting out on a hike I promised myself I'd do 10 years ago, I'm a neophyte backpacker with grand dreams of making it to Katahdin in one piece and in one go. Biological anthropologist, (visiting assistant) professor, marathon runner, and avid reader, I'm looking forward to leaving the Ivory Tower behind to explore the trail and meet some great people.

Posts

Surveying the Surveys: Bias in our Online Questionnaires?

Surveying the Surveys: Bias in our Online Questionnaires?

Let’s start off on the right foot. I like surveys about hikers. I like surveys about gear. I like surveys about food. I like surveys about tents and

Jun 13, 2017 : Rachael (Outlaw)
No Questions: The Real-World (Lack of) Curiosity About My Hike

No Questions: The Real-World (Lack of) Curiosity About My Hike

I was surprised and hurt by how few questions I got about my thru-hike once I was off trail. But now, I'm putting the emotional pack down permanently and focusing instead on getting my tried and true Baby Deuter back out on the trail for our next adventure.

Jun 5, 2017 : Rachael (Outlaw)
Journey’s End

Journey’s End

I had to take a break. Everything that can be said about the end of a thru-hike, I feel, has been said. And I was sad; post-hike sadness is

Nov 1, 2016 : Rachael (Outlaw)
White Mountain Adventures

White Mountain Adventures

The White Mountains are . . . different. As a thru hiker, you're warned. You're told it's going to be a whole new game. But there's really no way to

Aug 27, 2016 : Rachael (Outlaw)
We go to the mountains to conquer ourselves

We go to the mountains to conquer ourselves

Restarting, it turns out, is almost as hard as starting. Some days, it seemed even harder.  Sometime around June 1, I called my white knight of

Aug 16, 2016 : Rachael (Outlaw)
AT and KonMari

AT and KonMari

I looked at leaving the trail like a prison sentence. I'm far away from my trail family and they're further from me everyday. I'm losing ground on summer and I've fallen out of the hiking groove. However, by tackling the initial part of my "list" and focusing relentlessly on PT and rehab, my trail exile has actually flown by rather quickly.

Jul 6, 2016 : Rachael (Outlaw)
Temporarily Benched

Temporarily Benched

To everyone out there still spouting, "No pain, no rain, no Maine," just remember that the person next to you might not need to hear that again. The person next to you might need to be reminded that the trail isn't going anywhere and that their trail family will still be with them, in spirit if not in body, when they get back.

Jun 8, 2016 : Rachael (Outlaw)
Things I’ve Learned

Things I’ve Learned

Wandering the AT for the last 2 months and crossing the 1000 mile mark yesterday, I realized I've learned a few things and changed a little bit here

May 17, 2016 : Rachael (Outlaw)
(Partial) Gear Review 

(Partial) Gear Review 

All right kids. I've hiked 861 miles of the AT and have developed some strong feelings about some of my gear. Now, bear in mind I'm typing out this

May 6, 2016 : Rachael (Outlaw)
MacArthur Inn: A hidden AT gem

MacArthur Inn: A hidden AT gem

This will be a short post, but one I'm very happy to write. Very close to Woods Hole Hostel (of which I have also heard good things!), there lies a

Apr 19, 2016 : Rachael (Outlaw)