Notes From The Trail

Happy Summer from American Backcountry! As we approach Independence Day, it's the perfect time to venture into the great outdoors and make the most of the beautiful trails, including the iconic Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Whether you're planning a local hike or embarking on a through-hike of the PCT, American Backcountry has the perfect destination tee to commemorate your journey
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Springtime is a reawakening. Flowers stretch up toward the sky, black bears crawl out from their hibernation and the Appalachian Trail becomes alive with hikers who are just beginning their 2,000 mile trek to or from Mt. Katahdin. Along the way they’ll eat, sleep and live under the open sky and carry everything they need on their backs. Knowing what to take and what to leave behind can make all the difference. As Earl Shaffer put it, “Carry as little as possible but choose that little with care.”


If you’ve already made the decision to hike the Appalachian Trail, the prospect of shopping for your new adventure can be exciting! Take the time to research the best items to suit your personal needs and ensure your success in completing a thru hike. In this blog we‘ll cover the ten most important things you need to take to make it the trek across 14 states.

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The year is 1993. With the back of his car loaded full of hopes, dreams, and American Backcountry’s first tee shirt designs, Frank Hintz set out on his journey to the Appalachian Trail Conference’s Headquarters. He was in search of someone who would give American Backcountry the shot it deserved and he found Brian King. Brian not only agreed to try some of the designs, but also suggested setting up a booth at the annual Appalachian Trail Days festival in Damascus, VA. Frank may not have known it at the time, but that day was just the first step in a long journey to come.
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Our favorite lakes may be frozen over, and favorite trails fallen with layers of powder, but that won’t stop us from gearing up for clear weather adventures. With the holiday season in full swing, there’s no better time to hook up the adventurers in our lives (including yourself) with the best gear to make the most of any outdoor expedition. Check out some of our favorite picks for this year’s hiker’s gift guide. 

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