About Trails Unpacked COmpany
Trails Unpacked
Trails Unpacked was dreamt while finishing our thru hike of the Pacific Crest Trail in 2024. Maggie, trail name Riveter, had thought of the idea as we were entering Canada marking the end of our thru hike. She reminisced to her sister, Erin or Speedgoat, on all the things we had learned now completing our second thru hike. We laughed at the mistakes we had made on both treks- from carrying WAY too much gear to stressing over resupply boxes. Our long-distance hiking journey had started on the Appalachian Trail in 2022 where we successfully hiked over 2000 miles from Georgia to Maine in a span of 5 months. Even though we entered the PCT as “experienced” thru hikers, we were met with new challenges daily. As we exchanged memories of our thru hiking faux pas, we started listing things we would tell new or even second-time thru hikers. It was in Canada where we decided to start Trails Unpacked.
The sisters
We would not have described ourselves as ‘outdoorsy’ growing up. Our parents would bribe us with ice cream to go on hikes and sleeping in a tent was an exotic activity. Our enjoyment for the outdoors started in early adulthood. Backpacking became a new form of travel for Riveter and a new form of physical activity for Speedgoat.
We were both familiar with thru hiking as we grew up in North Carolina and frequented the mountains the AT crosses through. We never considered being a thru hiker ourselves until May of 2021. Stuck in the rhythm of a 9-5 job and looking to explore more of the world, Speedgoat initiated a conversation to her oldest sister about thru hiking the AT. At first, Riveter declined the invitation to backpack >2000 miles. After a month of consideration, Riveter had a change of heart and promptly started buying gear, watching youtube videos, and dehydrating meals.
Both sisters quit their jobs to thru hike the AT in 2022. Their enjoyment for the outdoors and thru-hiking blossomed here. Less than two years later, they were back on trail to thru hike the PCT.
Hi! I’m Riveter, an adventurous soul who thrives on the trails and the open road. I first developed my love of nature and exploration through van life. I began by traveling extensively throughout the western USA, discovering hidden gems and breathtaking landscapes along the way. My wanderlust doesn’t stop at the borders—I've also ventured internationally and hiked in Sweden, Ireland, Spain, Peru, and Chile.
My day job prior to thru-hiking was in the non-profit fundraising sector, mainly in higher education. Outside of work and hiking my hobbies are sewing/embroidery, puzzles, and running.
The loves of my life are Trader Joe’s, coffee, and ice cream.
Hello! My name is Speedgoat, or Speedy for short. I live a more ‘traditional’ lifestyle outside of thru hiking filled with an apartment in a metropolitan city and enjoy the comforts of everyday life- shower, bed, coffee maker, etc.
The first time I went backpacking was likely the worst trip I have been on, involving rain and a bear encounter. For some reason this did not scare me away for backpacking. I found that I enjoyed stepping outside of a rigid schedule and the simplicity of trail!
When I am not hiking, I work as a registered dietitian in long term care. When I am not working, you can find me trail running, at the gym, or watching Netflix with a big bowl of popcorn.
Contact us.
Trailsunpacked@gmail.com