Appalachian Trail

#1
Grey_pilgrim

Grey_pilgrim

Volnations resident crotch flea
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#1
Anyone on here ever hiked it? I've always wanted to and since I don't have anything thing me down, I'm planning on hiking it next spring. Looking for any tips or advice from people that have hiked before. Or even just general survival tips that anyone might have.
 
#4
#4
When you start in Georgia yell real loud and I'll cheer you on.
 
#5
#5
volfan_89 said:
Anyone on here ever hiked it? I've always wanted to and since I don't have anything thing me down, I'm planning on hiking it next spring. Looking for any tips or advice from people that have hiked before. Or even just general survival tips that anyone might have.
Click to expand...

Ive hiked a few hundred miles of the PCT. I would suggest doing a leg of the AT this year so you know what to expect. Lots of people go in with the expectation of hiking through; few actually accomplish it. If you are serious about doing it then invest in your gear. Boots are your biggest investment. From there it can get a little expensive, especially if you are going ultralight or for high quality. There's lots of good ultralight gear on the market. I used Gossamer Gear. If you want a good mix of durability without all the weight Osprey, Granite Gear, Hyperlite, Arc Teryx, Deuter or REI are safe bets. When it comes to shelter tarps are becoming increasingly popular for through hikers, they are very affordable too, however there are some definite drawbacks if you are inexperienced with a tarp or prefer enclosed sleeping spaces. Heck some of the hardcore ultralight guys are using ponchos that double as shelter, so you have your rain gear and your shelter in one. The gear can get a little crazy but keep is simple and focus of reducing as much weight as possible. You should also be aware of the $ involved in hiking the AT. With all the food, gear, travel, drops and money for town, it can get expensive.

When it comes to food drops and things like that you need to consult an AT guide. There are several on the internet and some in print. Doing the research is essential. Good luck if you do decide to do it! I am planning on hiking some legs of it next June!
 
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#6
#6
Roommate's boyfriend tried it by himself this year and gave up in the north of NC. It was just too much for him.
 
#7
#7
Go for it! I've only done a couple of hundred miles but enjoyed every step. Check out the ULA line of packs (ULA - Ultralight Adventure Equipment) for good light weight and durable packs.

I would read AWOL on the Applacian Trail for a good feel for how it will go. You'll also want to have the A.T Guide Northbound or the Thru Hikers Companion 2016 for the latest on hostels and other support along the way. A tip though, you don't need to carry the entire book, just the pages you'll need for a few weeks at a time and mail the rest ahead (or have someone mail to you).

A couple of other tips:

5-7 miles/day for the first month will help save your legs for the 2nd half of the trail.
Water is the biggest challenge, especially once summer hits. Invest in a steri-pen or quality filter so you can fill as you go and not carry as much.
REI guarantees their boots, so I would buy from them. I know a guy who swapped a pair out after already doing 600 miles.
Plan on one pair of boots for Pennsylvania alone (we call it Rocksylvania) as they put the trail over some of the worst walking spots in the state.
You only need a tent when the shelters are full or if you just don't like people. You can get away with minimal tentage unlike some really primative hiking.
You don't need much extra gear at all. Depending on when you start, you'll only need a pair of hiking pants with zip off legs, a t-shirt, a town shirt and 3 pairs of socks until you get into the White Mountains. If you start early spring then you might need a base layer of silk weight long johns and a thermal shirt/jacket. You will need a rain suit of course. But, you really, really want to keep your pack at 30 lbs, with food and water, so you can enjoy the walk.

Take a camera, not just your cell phone.
The one luxury item I would take would be a small solar cell to charge my phone.

Ok, all I can think of for now. Good luck!
 
#8
#8
I've hiked a couple sections. Would love to thru hike it, but don't have the time or money
 
#10
#10
Volunteer_Kirby said:
Ive hiked a few hundred miles of the PCT. I would suggest doing a leg of the AT this year so you know what to expect. Lots of people go in with the expectation of hiking through; few actually accomplish it. If you are serious about doing it then invest in your gear. Boots are your biggest investment. From there it can get a little expensive, especially if you are going ultralight or for high quality. There's lots of good ultralight gear on the market. I used Gossamer Gear. If you want a good mix of durability without all the weight Osprey, Granite Gear, Hyperlite, Arc Teryx, Deuter or REI are safe bets. When it comes to shelter tarps are becoming increasingly popular for through hikers, they are very affordable too, however there are some definite drawbacks if you are inexperienced with a tarp or prefer enclosed sleeping spaces. Heck some of the hardcore ultralight guys are using ponchos that double as shelter, so you have your rain gear and your shelter in one. The gear can get a little crazy but keep is simple and focus of reducing as much weight as possible. You should also be aware of the $ involved in hiking the AT. With all the food, gear, travel, drops and money for town, it can get expensive.

When it comes to food drops and things like that you need to consult an AT guide. There are several on the internet and some in print. Doing the research is essential. Good luck if you do decide to do it! I am planning on hiking some legs of it next June!
Click to expand...

This is great advice....

My dad and I talked about doing when I was in my twenties but the logistics of time off, money, and trying to survive was too much. I seriously envy anyone who could even hike half through.
 
#11
#11
mdrew27 said:
This is great advice....

My dad and I talked about doing when I was in my twenties but the logistics of time off, money, and trying to survive was too much. I seriously envy anyone who could even hike half through.
Click to expand...

its not bad by Jeep
 
#15
#15
Thanks for all the responses and advice! There's so much available online it's a little overwhelming trying to sort through it all.
 
#17
#17
A friend hiked the whole trail, southbound no less, several years ago. Have you chosen which direction, North or South you will hike yet. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Know that hiking south requires an experienced hiker, as the very start, Mt. Katahdin, and the two most difficult states are at the very start. Northbound gives your body time to acclimate.
 
#20
#20
Orangedogsrule said:
A friend hiked the whole trail, southbound no less, several years ago. Have you chosen which direction, North or South you will hike yet. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Know that hiking south requires an experienced hiker, as the very start, Mt. Katahdin, and the two most difficult states are at the very start. Northbound gives your body time to acclimate.
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Most likely nobo since it's closer. I like the idea of doing a sobo hike.
 
#22
#22
volfan_89 said:
Most likely nobo since it's closer. I like the idea of doing a sobo hike.
Click to expand...

When I do it, I'll go southbound. The start is kind of iffy as the weather can delay access to Mt Katadin. Then you jump right into the Maine 100 mile wilderness, plus the other 100 miles of Maine. They say this is the toughest part of the trail. But it is soon followed by the White Mountains, which aren't much different than the Smokies, but the weather can change in a heartbeat and you could find yourself stuck in a late Spring, early Summer snow storm. After you get through New England, you can mail your snivel gear home. Unless you walk really slow, you should get through the Smokies before October.

Northbounders generally start between Feb-April. There is a Trail Days Celebration in Damascus Va that if I were young and single I would time my start to make there. They normally start the last week of April and go for the next 2 weeks. Plan on starting 45 days or so as it is about 475 miles from the start to Damascus (Appalachian Trail Distance Calculator) (add in the 8.5 miles from Amicalola Falls State Park). This year it started on April 23rd, which would have meant starting around March 8th +/- a few days depending on how fast you intend to walk.

Like I said, plan on taking it easy the first month unless you are in really good shape before you start. You'll probably train on flat terrain so you'll have a bit of a surprise when you hit Amicalola Falls State Park. That first day is 8.5 miles straight up hill--and that just gets you to the official start point at Springer Mountain.

Good thing is there is an outfitter about 40 miles after the start at a place called Mountain Crossing, where you can swap out all the heavy gear for some better, lighter gear and get food resupply.

Plan on a zero day every 6 days to resupply and rest. You'll need money for hotels in a lot of the towns as most won't have hiker hostels. There are hiker hostels along the way that give great deals. The one near Harper's Ferry gives you a bunk, Dejourno Pizza and quart of ice cream for $25 bucks. In some towns the hostels are free--there is one in Pennsylvania that is the old town jail but it has a shower. Regardless, I would put some money into your plan.

Have fun planning and preparing.
:good!:
 
#23
#23
YorkVol said:
When I do it, I'll go southbound. The start is kind of iffy as the weather can delay access to Mt Katadin. Then you jump right into the Maine 100 mile wilderness, plus the other 100 miles of Maine. They say this is the toughest part of the trail. But it is soon followed by the White Mountains, which aren't much different than the Smokies, but the weather can change in a heartbeat and you could find yourself stuck in a late Spring, early Summer snow storm. After you get through New England, you can mail your snivel gear home. Unless you walk really slow, you should get through the Smokies before October.

Northbounders generally start between Feb-April. There is a Trail Days Celebration in Damascus Va that if I were young and single I would time my start to make there. They normally start the last week of April and go for the next 2 weeks. Plan on starting 45 days or so as it is about 475 miles from the start to Damascus (Appalachian Trail Distance Calculator) (add in the 8.5 miles from Amicalola Falls State Park). This year it started on April 23rd, which would have meant starting around March 8th +/- a few days depending on how fast you intend to walk.

Like I said, plan on taking it easy the first month unless you are in really good shape before you start. You'll probably train on flat terrain so you'll have a bit of a surprise when you hit Amicalola Falls State Park. That first day is 8.5 miles straight up hill--and that just gets you to the official start point at Springer Mountain.

Good thing is there is an outfitter about 40 miles after the start at a place called Mountain Crossing, where you can swap out all the heavy gear for some better, lighter gear and get food resupply.

Plan on a zero day every 6 days to resupply and rest. You'll need money for hotels in a lot of the towns as most won't have hiker hostels. There are hiker hostels along the way that give great deals. The one near Harper's Ferry gives you a bunk, Dejourno Pizza and quart of ice cream for $25 bucks. In some towns the hostels are free--there is one in Pennsylvania that is the old town jail but it has a shower. Regardless, I would put some money into your plan.

Have fun planning and preparing.
:good!:
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info! I'm going to start hiking five miles or so a day and going up and down stairs at work with a full pack to help prepare.
 
#24
#24
volfan_89 said:
Thanks for the info! I'm going to start hiking five miles or so a day and going up and down stairs at work with a full pack to help prepare.
Click to expand...

Just curious whats the longest hike you've been on? Have you been on any multi-week hikes?
 
#25
#25
Volunteer_Kirby said:
Just curious whats the longest hike you've been on? Have you been on any multi-week hikes?
Click to expand...

I've done a couple of week long hike before. Short I know, but I've never had the chance to take a longer ones. I don't expect it to be easy. Which is why I'm starting to get ready for now. I'm probably going to a couple more week long hike over the summer/fall.
 
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