About

Hi, my name is Ellie. I’ve hiked and backpacked for over 30 years, and I know planning the first hiking or backpacking trip can be a little daunting. The goal of my site is to try and make planning a little easier for you, so you can enjoy the adventure, having made an informed decision on trails, gear, logistics, food, etc.

I chose “AverageHiker” because I’ve settled somewhere in the middle as far as my backpacking style. I’ve been a pack mule with an 80 pound pack, and an ultra light gram counter with a sub 5 ounce shelter. Both extremes had their advantages and disadvantages.

There is no “right or wrong” when deciding what you need for backpacking and hiking, and all styles have their places. My style has changed and evolved based on environment, age, and ultimately the goal of every trip. Ultimately though, there are always a few basic requirements that have remained the same…

• Shelter
• Nutrition
• Water
• Logistics
• Safety

As I have matured into my 50’s, going lighter has become more important, as have a few creature comforts. While daily mileage has not necessarily decreased, how I hike those miles has changed. I’m more focused on physical preparation, safety, and general health and wellness around food and rest.

The information on this site comes from my experiences on the trails listed here. I offer insights into what has worked for me over the years – and what has not. There are journals and stories, planning to help you prepare, reviews of gear and food, and even some news on trails here in the US. Enjoy the site, and feel free to engage in the comments and reach out with feedback or questions. Unless I’m out hiking, I’ll get back to you as quickly as I can. Thanks!

Contact/Communication

All feedback and inquiries are welcome, so don’t hesitate to reach out here to contact me. There are also comment sections at the bottom of each post, and I love engagement and conversation! Collaboration often provides the best ideas, and no question is a dumb question, so don’t hesitate to ask!

Affiliate Partners

I use affiliate links on this site. One of these is Amazon. As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This results in no additional expense to you. A list of affiliate partners can be located here.

Contributions

This website is a labor of love. I’ll donate a percentage of all all net profits annually to trail organizations here in the United States. I continue to enjoy the trail systems in this country, and through this site I hope to continue to support the organizations that maintain them.

Each year that this site makes money, I’ll list those organizations to which I donate. Determining how much to donate will be based on trail miles, and allocated accordingly. If users determine a better way to donate, I’m open to suggestions.

Store/Reviews

All equipment and apparel in the store is pre-owned, in good condition, and lightly used. In some instances, this equipment and apparel has been reviewed by me. I have purchased those items that I have reviewed. They have not been provided to me by manufacturers or dealers.