We typically shy away from working with other companies, but this is our 2nd time working with KÜHL. Why? We simply love Kühl clothing and outdoor wear – their products are well made, last forever and just look – cool. So when they approached us recently and asked if we wanted to try out some of their jackets/pants, how could we say no? Chica is sporting the Spyfire Hoody (size M, color blackout): My Mom actually has had this puffy (with no hood) for over 7 years now and STILL loves it. She says it’s slimming and stylish – and I agree. I have tried many puffy’s over my lifetime as a thru-hik ..read more

Hello from Wisconsin! We are just days away from the beginning of our Ice Age Trail thru-hike. We wanted let everyone know of changes we’re making on our YouTube channel – moving away from distracting and annoying Adsense ads and into a viewer supported Patreon. For those of you who don’t know, Patreon is a monthly subscription used to support creators/artists of all kinds. Making daily videos is time consuming: it requires taking footage with specialized equipment and a labor-intensive editing process. If you find our videos entertaining and helpful, please consider a $5 monthly subscription ..read more

Every once in a while we are approached by outdoor companies to try their hiking gear. We usually don’t have time or an interest to do this, but when KÜHL reached out to us, we thought, well – COOL! Chica is sporting the Women’s Kontour Short 4” in Pavement: Here’s her thoughts: I wasn’t expecting to like these shorts as much as I do! I like how these look even though they are shorter than I usually wear (KÜHL does offer these in an 8″ length as well, and I would probably prefer that). They are quite comfortable when hiking shorter distances (5 miles or so). The fabric and waistband is quite ..read more

Planes, Trains, Automobiles … and Feet Chica and I just returned from an incredible adventure and I used a new piece of gear that I want to talk about: the ULA Photon Backpack. Our 50-day trip to Europe started on an Amtrak train that shuttled us from central Wisconsin to Chicago. We then flew to Paris where we spent a few days, then off to St. Jean Pied de Port, France by train to start our 500-mile walk of the Camino de Santiago (French Route). After 34 days of walking we terminated the pilgrimage in Santiago de Compestella, Spain and bused to Finisterre, Spain then back to Santiago where we ..read more

Below are two complete Camino de Santiago gear lists, one for the men and one for the women. While walking the Appalachian Trail Chica and I dreamed up the next adventure. We both agreed a trip to Spain to walk the 500 mile pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela would be the trip of a lifetime. Taking what learned from minimalist living backpacking through the AT we designed out Camino packing list to cover all our needs while at the same time allow us the freedom a lighter backpack affords. Here is our Camino de Santiago complete equipment list, along with a video explaining why we chose the g ..read more

Chica & Sunsets' Hostel 2020 Newsletter   Wow – what a year. In this newsletter we recap our first year of supporting hikers coming through Franklin, NC on the Appalachian Trail and Bartram Trail. We also discuss how Hostel Angels helped up get up and running and how you can help too. Finally, we discuss goals for next year.    Buy a Hiker a StayAmazon Wish List 2020 – Inaugural Year The Little Hostel That Could … then couldn’t … then did Feb 15th began our first year as a new hostel along the AT. Mid-March brought business to a screeching halt due to restrictions plac ..read more

UPDATE: This campaign is now closed. However, if you’d really like to help us, you can go here to donate any amount. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Hi, we are Chica & Sunsets, and we are on the adventurous path to operating a hiker hostel! We thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2017 and then walked Spain’s Camino de Santiago in 2018. We have a passion for the outdoors and for those who share similar aspirations. The Appalachian Trail (AT) will always have a special place in our hearts. It was the hardest and most challenging thing either of us have ever done, and also the expe ..read more

There are many reasons the Camino de Santiago finds its way onto the bucket-lists of many people. The trail is accessible to people in a wide range of ages and physical ability. Pilgrims experience walking through history and witness ancient architecture and art. Walkers feast daily on wonderful Spanish food and wine. Many walk for a religious or spiritual reasons and the Camino does not disappoint with communion with nature, your fellow humans, and daily access to churches, cathedrals, and monasteries. Although there are many routes that wind the pilgrim through the Spanish countryside to San ..read more

Have you always wanted to sleep in a cave? Do you like waterfalls and hiking? If you’re looking for a non-touristy hiking excursion, this will not disappoint!  Diamante Cave and Waterfall Hike is found in the Perez Zeledon (southern zone) area of Costa Rica.  The Diamante Falls are located on private property, so booking a guided hike is the only way to see it. For the overnight stay, you also have a rappelling option. And if you don’t want to sleep in the cave, there is a day-hike-only option. The guides are fluent in Spanish and English.  This hike is not for the weak o ..read more

My new book Chicas on the Appalachian Trail is available and has 18 Five-Star Amazon reviews already! A book written for women by a woman. This book is primarily for women wanting to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail but can also apply for any long distance hiking on any trail. It includes tons of women-specific tips, addresses fears and safety concerns, and (my favorite part) has 12 interviews with recent badass women hikers! This book was so interesting, I read it in one sitting! – Amazon review ★★★★★ Bestselling author Jen Beck Seymour thru-hiked the trail in ..read more