Explore Thru-Hiking With Outside’s David Gleisner

If you want to call it a thru-hike, you’ve got to go the whole way—start to finish—in one continuous push, which usually means a few solid months on the trail. We’re talking hundreds (sometimes thousands) of miles on routes like the Triple Crown trails: the Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail.

Only a small percentage of people who set out on a thru-hike actually make it to the finish. Take the Appalachian Trail: roughly 3,000 hikers attempt it each year, but only about one in four see it through. The list of things that can take you out is long: your body breaking down, bad weather, injury, running low on supplies, running out of money, and more.

If you’re taking a trip this year, you’re probably well into planning, but you may have questions as you gear up to go.

Meet David Gleisner

Here to answer those questions about completion hurdles, gear, and more, is RUN’s social media strategist and one of Backpacker’s PCT correspondents, David Gleisner. David’s covered relevant current events for Outside, and given thorough insight on what to expect when hiking trails like the PCT.

On Wednesday, March 25 at 10 A.M. Mountain time, he’ll be here to provide feedback on all of your thru-hiking curiosities in real time. So mark your calendars! We can’t wait to see you there.

How to Join the Live Q&A with David

• Bookmark this page and block one hour on your calendar for March 25 at 10 A.M. Mountain time.
• When you’re ready to ask your questions, click “Sign In” or “Join Now” at the top right of this page. (Don’t worry, you’ll be redirected right back to this page once you’re logged in.)
• Open the comments section, either by clicking the comment icon near the top of this article or tapping on the black comments box at the bottom.
• Leave your comment. Ask any and all of your thru-hiking questions, and learn from the other questions asked. (And if have any great tips, don’t hesitate to share them, too.)
• Check back in for a response. You’ll get email notifications when you receive a reply, so make sure they’re turned on.

Can’t make it? Or, want to drop your comment in early? Feel free to drop your questions below, and return to view the response.