
Onward: An Ongoing Hiking Story
by Melanie Wood
Onward: An Ongoing Hiking Story follows the journey of Melanie Wood, a business owner and podcaster from New York State's Southern Tier, training to thru hike the Appalachian Trail in June 2024.
Come along, as Melanie explores the woodlands and mountains throughout the region and beyond, conditioning her body and mind for an epic adventure that may just inspire you to embark on your own!
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
Onward VIDEO Podcasts:
356 Days to go until Melanie embarks on her SOBO thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, and this video finds Melanie and friend, Jeff, setting off into the night to Cascade and Porter for technical terrain training with rock scrambles that lead to a 360-degree panoramic view. Remember to subscribe to Melanie's YouTube channel to stay up to date on her progress.
Only 371 Days to go until Melanie embarks on her SOBO thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, and this video podcast finds Melanie and her friend, Jason, setting off into the night to climb Mount Marcy in the Adirondacks and catch some inspiring views.
"Only" 381 days left to go as Melanie seeks out inspiration and motivation through conversation with fellow hikers, and from the Appalachian Trail itself as she trains to thru-hike SOBO in 2024! ! This video also features greenery and glacial lake scenery found in the Worthington Forest area of New Jersey.
480 Days until hiker Melanie Wood leaves civilization AND her business for six months to hike the Appalachian Trail. This latest video follows her breathtaking (literally and figuratively) THREE summit hike in subzero temperatures. Check it out and subscribe to Onward's YouTube Channel.
525 Days until Elmira's Melanie Wood hits the Appalachian Trail, and her latest video finds her actually hiking a NY portion of the AT that pushes her comfort to the limits. Join Melanie on this latest journey and remember to subscribe to the Onward YouTube channel.
540 Days until Elmira's Melanie Wood hits the Appalachian Trail for a six-month solo journey, and this latest video finds her hiking on a cold, wet Wednesday. It's an eerily beautiful (and informative) hike. Remember to subscribe to the Onward YouTube channel.
570 Days until Elmira's Melanie Wood begins a 6-month journey to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail in June 2024. This video includes rough, rocky terrain, foot bridges, night hiking and breathtaking sights.
601 Days before Melanie Wood, from the Southern Tier, begins her thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, finds her chasing waterfalls at the gorgeous and challenging Watkins Glen State Park. Check out her latest video, and don't forget to subscribe to her channel!
Only 649 days until Elmira's Melanie Wood hits the Appalachian Trail. This video finds her hiking Lyon, Lake Loon and Azure Mountains in the Adirondacks.
Hiking "The Gunks" and more in the Catskills. 677 Days and counting.
Elmira's Melanie Wood introduces a video podcast that chronicles her training to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail in 2024.
Subscribe to her Youtube channel here.
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Onward Q&A
Melanie Wood, of Elmira, NY, is training to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail in June 2024, which will take approximately 6 months. Here, she answers the questions YOU have about her epic journey.
In Onward's third Q&A, hiker Melanie Wood shares how she preps to tackle the mountain trails during the winter as she trains to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail in June 2024.
In her latest Q&A, avid hiker Melanie Wood shares her top 5 fears as she trains to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail in 2024.
* If you've got a question for Melanie related to her hiking experiences, please email them to info.southerntierlife@gmail.com. We welcome video questions, too!
More media:
The Viewsroom on Zoom with Pfif & AWAC: An interview with Southern Tier hiker Melanie Wood, June 2023. Humor columnist and podcaster Jim "Pfif" Pfiffer and Cat "AWAC" White interview Southern Tier hiking enthusiast Melanie Wood, who plans to SOBO thru-hike the Appalachian Trail in June 2024.

Minding Your Business: Soul Ease Medical Massage and Mind-Body Therapy. Southern Tier hiking enthusiast Melanie Wood is the owner of a Corning spa that aims to balance and improve your body, mind and spirit with a variety of services.


Three hiking hot spots in the Southern Tier: Spencer Crest Nature Center and Steege Hill Nature Preserve, both in Corning, NY; and Tanglewood Nature Center & Museum in Elmira, NY.
Remember to subscribe to Melanie's Onward: An Ongoing Hiking Story YouTube channel for updates on her hiking adventures and lots of other great content.
