My name is Megan “Hashbrown” Maxwell. In 2012, I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine.
My first section hike was a solo trip in 2010. I had no idea what I was doing, but I’ve been addicted to the trail ever since. I created this blog with the hopes that I can inspire other women to hit the trail and have confidence in their hiking and camping abilities.
In 2011 I graduated from the Ohio State University with a BA in English. I’m originally from Coshocton, Ohio, but I currently reside in Denver, Colorado. When I’m not going on ridiculously long backpacking trips, I enjoy writing, reading, cooking, snowboarding, and yoga.
If you have any suggestions or comments, let me know. I can be reached at meganmaxwell234@gmail.com
Appalachian Trail Girl 
Megan, I think this is a great idea! As a woman planning to begin a thru-hike in the Spring, I can say it’s hard to come by a site that speaks specifically to the concerns of female hikers. I look forward to following along.
Oh, and congratulations on such a great accomplishment!
Thank you, Jordana. I’m just getting this site up and running, but I plan on writing lots more content, so keep checking back!
Will do. FYI, it would be easier for people to opt to “follow” your blog if you added the “Follow Blog” widget to your sidebar (under Appearances on your Dashboard). I managed to follow, but I did it in a round about way.
I think your accomplishment is amazing, and I wanted to give some of my followers the chance to see as well. I nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. You can check it out at http://mymeanderingtrail.com/2012/11/02/now-its-my-turn-to-pay-it-forward-who-moi/.
No need to do anything. Just wanted to let you know that I find you blog truly inspirational.
Hi Megan! I’m thru hiking this year and your blog has been super helpful so far. Thank you so much for posting all this. It’s awesome. I’m sorry if you’ve already answered this elsewhere, but I couldn’t find it – what dates did you start and finish your hike? Thanks a bunch!
Hi Allison! I’m glad you like my blog, and good luck with planning for your hike. I started my hike on March 14th and ended on October 3rd. I just wrote a post about the length of a thru-hike because it was such a good question. Let me know if you’re wondering about anything else!
That post was perfect!!! I’m starting March 12th so now I know this blog is EVEN MORE relevant for me, haha! I appreciate it so much. If you have the time, it would be awesome to read a post about the physical reality of the trail – the level of fitness required to handle the trail, things you can do to physically train yourself for a thru hike, if the trail was harder or easier than you were expecting, dealing with injuries/soreness/pain, stuff like that. A female perspective on that would be really wonderful.
Moonlight here!,,, had a great time with you and Daff.
Hey Moonlight! Daffy and I made it to Denver. I hope all is well with you.
How am I just now finding this blog? I’ve been actively planning a thru hike of the AT for about a year now and have been searching for female-specific information. Every time I read the title of your blogs I think, “Oooo! Just what I need!” Thanks for the info!
Would you mind posting a pre-hike and post-hike gear list? I’ve seen lots of videos and lists people put on the web before a thru hike, but I rarely see what they end up with at the end. It would be super helpful!
Hey, Stacey! Thanks for following. I’ll be sure to write up a list when I get a chance.
Great blog! Thank you for sharing your stories. My daughter, 12, and I backpacked the MD AT section. We plan to do more this year. Here are two stories from it:
http://blog.hikingalong.com/2013/06/mother-daughter-adventures-on-the-appalachian-trail.html
http://blog.hikingalong.com/2013/06/backpacking-is-it-just-a-male-sport.html
Greetings from another 2012 AT thru-hiker! (I think that I must have always been a bit behind you; I started on April 15 and summited on October 11. My trail name is Rainbow Dash.) I’ve been enjoying browsing your posts and am looking forward to following your blog. Happy Thanksgiving, and happy trails!