The Trek

2 days ago | thetrek.co | Kelly Floro

I know this is a controversial opinion, but someone needs to speak up. The thru-hiking experience just isn’t what it used to be, and there’s one group to blame: trail angels. These so-called philanthropists were once the darlings of the hiker trash community. They fueled our adventures with free hot dogs, rides to town, and all manner of support — not for money, not for prestige, but only for the selfless joy of brightening a stranger’s day with a helping hand.

2 days ago | thetrek.co | Kelly Floro

Esther Keiderling, a 28-year-old hiker from Ulster Park, NY, was found dead on the slopes of Maine’s highest peak Wednesday afternoon, roughly 24 hours after her father’s remains were discovered nearby. Tim Keiderling, 58, also of Ulster Park, had set out with his daughter Esther to summit Katahdin early on Sunday morning, but family members reportedly alerted authorities when they did not hear from the pair that evening.

3 days ago | thetrek.co | Kelly Floro

A New York man was found dead yesterday near the summit of Katahdin, Maine’s highest peak, while his daughter remains missing. Tim Keiderling, 58, and his daughter Esther Keiderling, 28, both of Ulster Park, NY, had set out from Abol Campground on Sunday, June 1 to day hike to the summit of Katahdin, but they never returned to their vehicle. They were reportedly last seen on the Tablelands at around 10:15 that morning.

5 days ago | thetrek.co | Anna Smith

*these posts are coming straight from trail, I apologize in advance for typos!*Location: The DesertStart: Vincent Gap – 374.0End: Little Jimmy Campground – 383.9Miles: 9.9Ascent: 3256 | Descent: 2355Sleep: TentIt feels good to be back on trail! After several days in town I was ready to be back in the simple routine of hiking. Town is great, but I honestly always feel a little anxious sitting around because I feel like I should be doing something.

5 days ago | thetrek.co | Kelly Floro

A 31-year-old woman was found dead about 600 feet off a hiking trail near Scottsdale, Arizona late last month. The deceased was identified as social media influencer Hannah Moody, whose hiking and faith-centric Instagram had about 45,000 followers. Moody had been reported missing on May 21, sparking an extensive search that ended with the discovery of her remains the following day near the Gateway Loop Trail in Arizona’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve.