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Hiking the Appalachian Trail

Spot In The SkySpot In The Sky Posts: 1,175
edited 2009 07 in All Encompassing Trip
Anyone have experience with this?
A friend asked me to join him on a full thru-hike.
Any suggestions or comments?
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  • CHANGEinWAVESCHANGEinWAVES Posts: 10,169
    when my ex was in detox he was determined to do this.. he took a day to go for a short hike on a small trail before he planned for the long hike. He ended up texting me that he had bloody feet and wished he didn't do it. Once again I was right that he wasn't prepared... made him mad that I used logic. :roll:

    Good Luck on the hike, from the photos my ex took of just a small part.. it's beautiful scenery!
    "I'm not present, I'm a drug that makes you dream"
  • qcreteqcrete Posts: 135
    i did alot of hiking on the AT in central PA near where i live

    get a really good pair of shoes (water proof) and smart socks (wicks water away) -- the key is keeping your feet dry & healthy

    also don't overpack -- find multi-use clothing

    also also -- there is a great place for food (fresh cut french fries)in Port Clinton PA called the Port Clinton Hotel (near the Cabelas store -- Hamburg PA)

    http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... mburg.html
  • bigeye21bigeye21 Posts: 981
    Read Bill Bryson's A Walk in the Woods. A very entertaining read about one man's attempt at the AT.

    I've always thought it'd be cool to attempt someday myself. Be interested to know if you decide to do it. Keep us posted.
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  • mca47mca47 Posts: 13,301
    Spot In The Sky wrote:
    Anyone have experience with this?
    A friend asked me to join him on a full thru-hike.
    Any suggestions or comments?

    Do you really have the time to do the whole thing??!?
    I wish I did!


    There is some great info in Backpacker Magazine about that trail. I'm sure you can find that on their website.
  • jecicajecica Posts: 954
    Our friend Jay did the entire trail and took 6 months to finish. Took 3 months to adjust back to society. Then he moved to Alaska.

    Don't think you will be prepared for the isolation. That was one of his complaints. There are people that will help you along the way. Make sure you have enough money for a hotel every week or two (shower/solid shelter) and quarters for laundry.

    Do you take several day hikes a lot?
    Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.... (Voltaire)
  • mca47mca47 Posts: 13,301
    jecica wrote:
    Our friend Jay did the entire trail and took 6 months to finish. Took 3 months to adjust back to society. Then he moved to Alaska.

    Don't think you will be prepared for the isolation. That was one of his complaints. There are people that will help you along the way. Make sure you have enough money for a hotel every week or two (shower/solid shelter) and quarters for laundry.

    Do you take several day hikes a lot?

    Yeah, I've heard of that too.
    I've heard that it's best to go with a friend (if possible). Don't spend the entire time together though. 5 days together and 2 off, that way you will look forward to the company and not be at eachother's throats! hahahaha!
  • WhizbangWhizbang Posts: 1,314
    A friend of my ex husband's has hiked it twice that I know of. Took him 6 months each time. He was a loner to begin with so he loved the isolation. From what I understand from him, he noted homeowners near trail points leave supplies (trail mix, fruit, toiletries, etc) for hikers to take on the honor system. He had a schedule of post offices where he planned to stop so he could keep in contact with friends & family. We had sent post cards and some supplies to a couple of stops.

    Preparation was key. He was in shape for it; clothing; maps/gear, schedule and the support of friends. He set up his accounts to pay bills while he was gone. Pretty amazing.

    good luck! let us know if you do it!
    believe it or not, we don't "need" anything. that is only the spoiled brat in us trying to fill some temporary solution to an emptyness that does not exist.

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  • dasvidanadasvidana Grand Junction CO Posts: 1,349
    I second reading Bill Bryson's "A walk in the woods." It's such a funny version of his experience hiking the AT.
    It's nice to be nice to the nice.
  • gabersgabers Posts: 2,787
    dasvidana wrote:
    I second reading Bill Bryson's "A walk in the woods." It's such a funny version of his experience hiking the AT.

    Bryson is one of my very favorite writers. "A Walk in the Woods" was possibly the only book I read in college for fun, and I've read it again maybe two more times. He's got a wicked sense of humor with an insatiable thirst for knowledge. I've read most of his books. Back to the subject, this book was the first thing I thought of when reading the thread title.
  • qcreteqcrete Posts: 135
    most people start in late Feb or early March in GA -- about 15 to 20 miles a day and 6 or 7 months later your in Maine

    from working in a hiking store in Port Clinton PA along the trail (which went out of business due to Cabelas mega store opening 1 mile away)

    i would hear advice from thru hikers as they would be called -- the first thing always stated was i bought too much stuff to carry then sold it to a hiking store about 100 or 200 miles in to the trip (got very little for it in exchange) then ended up buy more light weight equipt at that store -- you should find the name of stores on the AT and ask them what the hikers are using

    another thing i've notice was a lot of hiker had dogs along for the hike -- good for company and good for protection from other animals
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