Months on trail have a way of teaching lessons that no guidebook can prepare you for. Our 2026 Trail Correspondents reflect on the moments, mistakes, surprises, and hard-earned wisdom that have changed how they see the AT, PCT, and CDT—and themselves. From things they got completely wrong to advice they wish they could have given themselves on day one, these are the lessons that only thousands of miles can teach.

Correspondent Roster

In this episode, we hear from:

Sponsor

Trail Correspondents is presented by Altra. Use code "TREK10" for 10% off at checkout at altrarunning.com

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Credits

Hosted, produced, and edited by Andrew "Shanty" Baldwin (Instagram). Trail Correspondents is a production of The Trek.

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