The Appalachian Trail

Self | 11/26/2011 | An American In Turkiye

[An American in Turkiye]

My brother and I are taking our first steps on the Appalachian Trail in 2015. We will start in Georgia and complete the trail in Maine. Any Freepers ever done a thru-hike? Would like any advice/stories anyone may have.

[JerseyHighlander]

Seeing as you are both military, you might find this guy especially interesting... he pulled off some epic DIY biveys before switching over to the hammock tents.

Trail Journals : About : SGT Rock - Ernest Engman
http://www.trailjournals.com/SGTRock/
and his personal website on hiking related info:
http://hikinghq.net/bio.html

I highly suggest going with an ultra light hammock tent.

Go read as much as you can on DIY ultra light backpacking forums. Even if you don’t convert to the religion, you will find ways to cut ounces and pounds.

Here is a commercial product based on the DIY poncho/tarp/pack theme. http://www.tenpoundbackpack.com/poncho-tarp-tents/

[eyedigress]

The survival kids from Michigan learned that in 1993. 28in of snow damn near got them near Clingman’s Dome.

[eyedigress]

Talk with this wild bunch. BTW, that closed sign should be visible again by March. This is in TN.

http://www.highonleconte.com/daily-posts.html

[Enchante]

I have not thru-hiked (though I’ve thought about it much), but have hiked many many 1-2 week and weekend AT trips over 20+ years in the northeast.

My strong impressions from reading and talking with a number of thru-hikers over the years include:

1) it can be an incredible though grueling experience

2) very very few people can accommodate each other’s tastes, pace, and daily preferences enough to stay together over months, i.e., almost everyone who completes a thru-hike has to do it essentially ‘solo’ although they may share parts of the journey with others

3) Bryson’s book is fictionalized and, although entertaining, does NOT give you accurate ideas about how to plan and complete a thru-hike

4) the best prior info is from successful thru-hikers ONLY, i.e., not from wannabes or almost dids or people who heard something, you’ve got to get on the websites and find what real thru-hikers have to say (of course people did the AT before the web even existed but it helps to know enough about what you’re getting into)

[Joe Boucher]

Take a truck load of Monkey Butt powder.
Have hiked about half and it is about as beautiful as you can imagine.

[Enchante]

the stats used to be that only about 1/4 of people starting out actually finished a thru-hike, and that extremely few people ended up finishing with any person(s) they started with

the latter has to do with the fact that even small differences in pace, preferences (for stops or continuing etc.) tend to be greatly magnified over weeks and months, so that it is relatively rare that people find they want to hike long days with the same person for months on end

maybe that will be different for you and your bro, but I’m simply emphasizing it b/c many people have no idea what it will really be like to be out there for months on end

[Joe Boucher]

” There are a number of nuts who frequent “.
That could be said about walking in any city town or suburb. And if you are up on the shopoping world also could be said about any shopping center.

[count-your-change]

Just a bit of advice: Strap a fifty pound pack on and start getting the legs in shape, maybe lots of stair climbing. You don’t want to be limping along for miles.

[buck61]

There are a number of nuts who frequent the trail and probably aren’t completely sane.

I live with-in a mile of the trail and it goes without saying, “there are plenty of nuts who live at or near the trail”. Almost every week in our local news paper hikers cars or stolen or robed of any valuables.

[Jumper]

You may want to start with two day treks every month in preparation with your backpacks; then see what dried foods and gear is indespensable to you.

Consider using one or two post office "PO Boxes" to ship something of value you might be able to pick up along the way.

Squaw Wood are twigs and branches that hang in the canapy/limbs of living trees and are always dry enough to burn in during rainny periods - learn to shave wood for fire builing - and don't forget the trail mix.

[buck61]

When you come or near the Tn. part of the trail, you will think you are a part of the movie, Deliverance. Several years back some locals (in prison now)raped two girls who were walking the trail.
Though America is the land of the free, I wouldn’t advise any of the female gender walking the trail with-out packing heat. Tough this story made national news, there are plenty of others that do not.

[trebb]

I want to take my handgun but am afraid of the extra weight. I have an XD .40 cal. Would stop any hippie in their tracks!

If you're not in decent shape, get there before taking it on. If you are in decent shape, the 2-3 pounds won't be noticed, especially after the first week, which will either make you much stronger and staminous, or send you home.

[SamAdams76]

What a dumb statement. You are far likelier to run into killers and perverts just walking the downtown streets of any American city. Remember that criminals feel safer operating in the cities because they have more protection from the law. Out in the woods, their potential victims are not only more likely to be armed, but tend to be in much better physical condition. Also, most criminals are cowards at heart. Being in the deep woods, with all those strange noises, would scare them. I've been hiking in the woods (often solo) for years, including sections of the AT, and have NEVER had a bad experience with another hiker. Even the threat from wildlife is overstated, wildlife tends to shy away from humans travelling through the woods. If you stay on main trails, the danger factor is very low.

Walking the entire AT has always been a dream of mine but I simply cannot afford to take that much time off from work and it does not look like I'm going to retire at a young enough age to take it on. So I'll have to content myself with day trips and the occasional weekend hikes where I can take a longer journey and camp a night or two.

[Rebelbase]

Do it in 47 days like this lady:

http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/20110731/NEWS/110739980

[dirtboy]

I have only day-hiked or overnight backpacked the trail.

Regarding weight, everything I have read indicates you will be working to pare down every last ounce along the way.

BTW, the Pennsylvania section of the trail is the ugliest until you get over to the Delaware Water Gap. PA even sends you through a Superfund site over by Lehigh Gap.

And the PA section is notorious for its rocks.

[randita]

Agree re PA and rocks. I’ve hiked some of the worst of the rocks. You have to crawl in some spots. Notorious for twisting ankles, so I recommend supportive boots while in that section.

Plan on purchasing an extra pair of boots or two to get you through PA.

Hiking poles are very helpful. Know how to use them to the best advantage.

There’s a huge Cabela’s store along the trail near Hamburg, PA. That’s a good place to replace equipment, if needed.

[Daffynition]

Finishing the AT, has been on my Bucket List for years; I've had the pleasure and pain of completing CT, MA, VT, NH, and ME [except the Katahdin leg] ...approx only one-third of the trek. The only advice I would have is to train. Train. Train. No matter how physically fit you think you are, there's always the threat of an injury [twisted ankle] or blister to slow you and debilitate you mentally. A good headlamp is a consideration, for mornings and evenings when you may want to stretch your goals, in and out of a camp. We've never ever had a problem with people on the trail; they've always been fun, quirky and great to interact with. Carry? Most certainly. When you reach NH, be prepared for some outlandish weather to come up unexpectedly, no matter the month; [freezing cold, ice, snow] ...I don't have any stats but I think the Whites in NH are a very busy leg and you are apt to find lots of *traffic* and poorly prepared day-hikers.

You've set a wonderful, mighty goal. I wish you well. And most of all have fun!

In addition: The A.T. Companion

[Gatún(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)]

What a beautiful, beautiful family.

[Gatún(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)]

When and where do you plan to bathe and change underwear/clothes?

yeck!!!!