Her Side of the Trail: Tory Mather

What’s the longest one-day hike you’ve ever completed?

For episode 3 of Her Side of the Trail, we chat with Tory Mather about her experience completing the Rachel Carson Trail Challenge, a 37-mile, one-day hike near Pittsburgh, PA. This challenge requires a lot of preparation and training, and is grueling, as it encompasses almost 9,000 feet of elevation gain!

A woman holds up her dog while hiking on the Rachel Carson Trail

Tory also shares about some of her favorite multi-day backpacking trails, like the Trans- Catalina Trail, where she saw some unexpected wildlife.

And if you’re planning a hiking trip to Europe, you’ll want to hear about some of her favorite trails overseas. One of them leads to a private beach.

I loved speaking with Tory. Her enthusiasm for hiking is contagious. And she understands that hiking means something different to everyone. Maybe you’re hardcore and only do trails that are over 10 miles. Or maybe you’re like me, and will hike any length of trail, as long as it leads to something fun to look at! She believes any kind of hike is a hike, and I love her for that. We need more people like Tory, recognizing that the outdoors is for everyone.

I hope listening to this episode brings you as much joy as it did for me to record it!

A woman hold her dog while standing next to the Youghiogheny River

Follow along with Tory on her many adventures through her social media accounts, including Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Or visit her website for trail guides and gear recommendations.

You can listen to the episode below or on your favorite podcast app (links are available here). Or watch the interview on YouTube! If you loved it, please take the time to leave a review or rating. Don’t forget to follow or subscribe!

Lauren
Lauren

Lauren is the visionary behind Trails That Rock. She is a hiking enthusiast who lives outside of Philadelphia. For more than a decade, she's been hitting the road, exploring the nooks and crannies of the United States alongside her family finding some of the best day hikes in the United States.

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