If you have questions or comments about hiking the Appalachian Trail, this is the place to do it. I've got several pages and dozens of photos dedicated to my 2001 thru-hike at this link.
Navigating This Page
Friday, July 20, 2007
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
17 comments:
Hi Bruce, I came across your AT site while doing a search for lightweight hiking gear. After reading a few pages I discovered that you mentioned your friend Metro. I thought this was cool because I'm reading a book right now by Leslie “Gotta Hike” Mass, and she mentions Metro too! Small world.
Thanks for your gear recommendations,
Anon
Hi, I'm glad you found the list recommendations to be useful. How is that book? I'm glad Metro has become famous. It is a small world, isn't it?
I'm only half finished, but I am enjoying it. Most of the AT books I've found are written by men, so it's nice to read one from a women's perspective.
How does everybody get their trail name, and what does it approximately cost to hike the trail including gear and food?
Some people get their trail names given to them. Some chose there own. Some use a combination of the two methods, by choosing among several proposed given names.
My philosophy was to choose my own name. I thought it was more fun, and why let other people define me?
Here is a great link where the cost of a thruhike is discussed.
Buck,
How long in advance did you start planning for your trip? Where you already in fairly good shape or did you train for the trail? How safe is the trail to go alone as a 23 year old woman?
Hi cae07290,
I started seriously planning about 3 months before the trip although I had decided to do the trip about seven months before I left. Some people plan for years, others only for a couple of weeks.
I was in good shape when I left, but many people train on the trail. The latter is very possible if you allow enough time, pace yourself and listen to your body. I'd recommend doing some training to test out your equipment and your skills, and to toughen your feet and muscles, however.
The trail is fairly safe as long as you use common sense and pay attention to your instincts. Be selective on your rides when hitching into town, avoid camping at shelters near roads when possible, etc.
Check out www.whiteblaze.net for a great forum with lots of talk about the A.T.
Good luck!
Buck aka Colter
Thanks Buck!
Buck--
Thanks for posting on your AT experience. The amount of detail is helpful, especially with respect to your gear. As a middle-aged desk jockey with bad knees who doesn't get outdoors enough, I'll probably never hike the whole AT, but it seems like a section might be manageable. You are an inspiration to folks like me! Thanks again for sharing your knowledge.
Hi Slim,
Thanks! Enjoy your hikes. You might have more life left in you knees than you think.
Buck
Hey! I am a student at Clemson University in South Carolina. I am planning a 4 day backpacking trip along the Appalachian Trail. I would love some advice as to the best place to start on the trail in Georgia or Tennessee?
Thanks!
This type of question is an excellent one to ask at whiteblaze. There are many people who spend a lot more time on the AT in that section than I have. The search function at whiteblaze may also help you find posts already addressing your questions.
Good luck on your hike!
Buck
Hi, I have been wanting to hike the AT for some time now but choosing the right gear is just overwhelming. I have read your gear advice page and liked it. I know you said you really didn't have to bring that much food but you did say you would for like four or five days at a time. If so what was it and how much. Thanks John
There is a wide variety of food that will work, nevertheless there are some thru-hiker standards such as Pop-tarts, oatmeal and granola bars; energy bars, nuts, jerky, tuna fish in foil packs, bagels and cheese; rice, Liptons/Knorrs "Sides" pouches (rice, pasta) etc. Whatever you carry should be almost all "dry" food, no canned goods or the like. Your food should add up to about 2 lbs per day until you have a feel for how much to carry. I highly recommend a few evenings visiting www.whiteblaze.net. Good luck!
Hi! I've always dreamed of hiking the AT, it looks really exciting and chalanging!
What was your favorite part of the trail? and which part was the hardest and most tiring?
Right now I'm only 13 yrs old but I hope I hike it some day!
one more question: Is there any thing you would have done differently on the trail?
Bt the way: I hiked katadin last summer!
What time of year is it best to start the whole AT?
The AT IS exciting and challenging and it can be just plain difficult. New Hampshire and Maine were probably my favorite stretches of trail, but there were nice sections the whole way. New Hampshire is likely the hardest part because of the steepness and sometimes severe weather.
That's great that you hiked Katahdin, and I hope you get to hike the whole trail someday!
For northbounders, April 1 or so is a good starting date. Some people start as early as February but the weather is much colder then, and most people who have the ability to finish the trail can do it in less than six months, so an April 1 start date makes sense to many.
I was pretty happy with the way my hike went. If it were to do the trail this year I'd use a tent like the Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo, or possibly a shelter-hammock. For the warmest months I'd likely switch from a sleeping bag to a quilt, too.
Post a Comment