Diane Duffard

Hi! I'm Diane, but I also answer to Firefly. I discovered backpacking in college and thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2016, followed by the Pacific Crest Trail in 2018. If I'm not hiking, I can usually be found writing, gardening, or hanging out with my dog, Theo.

Posts

10 Awesome Winter Day Hikes

10 Awesome Winter Day Hikes

When winter arrives, it doesn't have to mean hiking season's over. Snow and ice can transform trails into new adventures with different kinds of

Dec 20, 2023 : Diane Duffard
11 AT and PCT Thru-Hikers Share Their Favorite Gear

11 AT and PCT Thru-Hikers Share Their Favorite Gear

As the 2023 thru-hiking season draws to a close, we’ve asked our Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail finishers to share which gear items became

Dec 11, 2023 : Diane Duffard
10 Awesome Snow-Free Winter Thru-Hikes

10 Awesome Snow-Free Winter Thru-Hikes

Snow really isn't my thing. Does it turn trails into absolutely breathtaking wonderlands? Definitely. Do I enjoy hiking through it? Nope. If you're

Dec 5, 2023 : Diane Duffard
7 Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hikers Share Their Favorite and Most Challenging Sections

7 Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hikers Share Their Favorite and Most Challenging Sections

As the 2023 thru-hiking season draws to a close, we’ve asked our Pacific Crest Trail finishers to share their thoughts on which parts of the trail

Dec 4, 2023 : Diane Duffard
8 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers Share Their Favorite and Most Challenging Sections

8 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers Share Their Favorite and Most Challenging Sections

As the 2023 thru-hiking season draws to a close, we’ve asked our Appalachian Trail finishers to share their thoughts on which parts of the trail were

Nov 27, 2023 : Diane Duffard
Wildfires Close Sections of the Appalachian Trail

Wildfires Close Sections of the Appalachian Trail

Last week, wildfires closed sections of the Appalachian Trail and the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina and Virginia, and containment is still in

Nov 25, 2023 : Diane Duffard
7 Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hikers Share Their Top Advice

7 Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hikers Share Their Top Advice

As the 2023 thru-hiking season draws to a close, we’ve asked our Pacific Crest Trail finishers to share what they’ve learned throughout their

Nov 20, 2023 : Diane Duffard
Appalachian Trail Landmark, Overmountain Shelter, to be Removed

Appalachian Trail Landmark, Overmountain Shelter, to be Removed

Overmountain Shelter, a popular stop for thru-hikers on the Appalachian Trail near Roan Mountain, Tennessee, was closed four years ago due to

Nov 16, 2023 : Diane Duffard
8 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers Share Their Top Advice

8 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers Share Their Top Advice

As the 2023 thru-hiking season draws to a close, we’ve asked our Appalachian Trail finishers to share what they’ve learned throughout their journeys.

Nov 13, 2023 : Diane Duffard
How to Layer for Cold Weather Hiking and Backpacking

How to Layer for Cold Weather Hiking and Backpacking

In the desert, I was a sweaty mess during the day and a human ice cube at night. When walking in the mountains, I hiked under clear blue skies, only

Oct 31, 2023 : Diane Duffard