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Message
re: Hiking the Appalachian Trail ....
Posted on 9/11/24 at 5:18 pm to scrooster
Posted on 9/11/24 at 5:18 pm to scrooster
I have hiked, camped, fished, ridden horses and even caught rides on the occasional Park Service jeep on all of it in Swain/Graham counties in North Carolina over the last 40 years. Beautiful country. 
0
Posted on 9/11/24 at 6:43 pm to TimeOutdoors
quote:Don't zip your pack. None, leave them all unzipped. That pretty much stopped holes for me.
you tucked away as a snack and you will end up with a mouse chewing a hole in your pack.
Liked seeing all the packs they look like mine. These days it's all zpacks and 30 lbs is too heavy.
OP: the dog offer is gold - maybe a service dog but I've always heard they're a no go in the Park. Me, I'm more about leaving late, walking a happy eight miles, and getting supper started early, than going from daylight to dark. I think you see more going slow. Your feet will change sizes so I caution about buying multiple pairs of the exact same shoe.... but that's pretty much general info you'll get everywhere.
Good luck
Posted on 9/12/24 at 2:34 pm to scrooster
quote:
Anyone ever done it? Even a piece of it?
I've section hiked ~50 miles at a time from the southern terminus to Fontana Dam in North Carolina
quote:
Water .... how many access points to streams, faucets, waterever?
From my understanding this depends entirely on the section. In the southern sections I've hiked, I started out carrying 2, 1 liter smart water bottles (the sawyer filter will screw right onto the top). After about a day I realized that water was so plentiful I started just carrying one full. I would drink a lot at the stream, and just pack one out.
quote:
I'm looking for input about rations. Been told quite a bit about resupply points
This depends on your hiking pace and how much you want to spend. For us, we had access to more food about every 3 days in the southern section. That was eating breakfast, snacking throughout the day, and eating supper.
quote:
Already been schooled on there being no kindling or fire making along the way.
This has changed then, there were fires at nearly every camp site we stopped at
quote:
Already have plans for land nav
It's really hard to get lost on the trail. The blazes are well maintained
quote:
Planning on using a small gas stove and have already been humping some with a titanium pot and utensils kit.
A good choice. My first section I didn't carry one. That hot food is nice after a day of hiking though. I use a jetboil
quote:
Would really like to read about rations in terms of rice and beans and spices.
For a through hike you are going to want to mix up your meals. I might not start out carrying things like that and just sort of feel it out along the way. When you get your "trail legs" you'll be better suited to carrying luxury items. At the end of the day you are going to need calorie dense foods
quote:
Shelter is a big question ... when trail huts are taken, tarps?
To each their own here, but I prefer my own space. Smoky mountain national park is the only section on the trail that requires you to stay in a shelter if there is room. With you taking your dog, a tent is going to be the best options for you. There are a lot of good lightweight options, but this is something you are going to need to test out at home first before hitting the trail. I personally slept in a hammock with a rain fly pitched over it. It's warmer, it's more comfortable, and it's a smaller footprint. With the shelters, mice are a problem, and you're sleeping in a wooden lean-to with a bunch of other sweaty, farting, snoring strangers. Sleep is important out there, and I think it would be harder to come by in the shelters.
quote:
Encountering assholes?
Few and far between. It's a pretty hippy community.
quote:
Someone mentioned issues with homeless and hippies and dysentery, etc., these days?
You're hiking a 2200 mile trail so yea, hippies are drawn to that. Norovirus is also a thing on the trail, and another good reason to avoid sleeping in shelters which is how it can easily spread
quote:
Worst, toughest stretches? I'll be leaving from North Georgia headed north.
The first 100 miles is tough. Not necessarily from a technical point but from a standpoint of "getting your trail legs". There's a reason that most of the people with intentions to through hike that drop out, they usually do it before they make it to Tennessee. Pennsylvania section is tough because of the terrain, it's hiking over a lot of rocks. The white mountains in New Hampshire are pretty much universally accepted as the "toughest" section. Maine is probably the most wild and bugs seem to be an issue up there.
quote:
How did you get home from your off ramp?
The towns along the AT use it as an economy boost. There are shuttle services, ride share, etc. You're probably looking at having to fly home though when you get finished
quote:
Heard there are people along the AT handing out apples, protein bars and such.
Trail angels. They exist and they're awesome
quote:
Anything else you might offer as advice, those of you who have done it ... any input would be greatly appreciated.
Hike your own hike. It's a marathon not a sprint. Don't overdo it at the beginning and injure yourself, this happens a lot. Don't be afraid to take a "zero day" if your body just isn't up for it. Make sure you're always aware of where the next water source and campsite are. You don't want to push through a campsite late afternoon to knock out a few more miles when the next site may be 8-9 miles away. We like to start each day with a general plan of what campsite we would be stopping at. I realize that isn't for everyone, some people like to wing it.
Make sure you pay attention to the needs of your dog. Check him/her (and yourself) thoroughly for ticks every morning and night. They have to get their trail legs too, if they're looking sluggish they might need a rest day as well.
Most of all, enjoy it, it's a beautiful walk through the woods. Check out all of the scenic views off trail. The AT guide will have them clearly marked and there will be blazes on trail marking them.
One more thing, you may want to look into your timing a little more. Most northbound through hikes are started in March. You are looking at some bitter cold night nights and snowfall if you start in October 2026
ETA: footwear is personal preference but I can’t stress its importance enough. I’d highly urge you to opt for trail runners over boots. It’s going to rain. A lot. Trail runners dry out a lot faster than boots. Nothing worse than waking up in the morning to hike and your leather boots are still soaking wet from the day before.
This post was edited on 9/12/24 at 3:15 pm
Posted on 9/12/24 at 10:01 pm to DownSouthJukin
Whoa! Some great info men, thank y'all!
So I start officially training on the 15th of this month, Sunday.
70-ish.
Supposedly I can take my dog because she's a registered service dog awarded to me ... my third in 4 decades.
This thread has a lot of questions ... I'll answer them all starting tomorrow. This thread has me asking more questions. I had no idea, no expectations, that this many of y'all would have this much knowledge on the subject. This is awesome.
I'm up to five miles three times a week. I need to get to 10, with a 50 pd ruck. I used to could jump and hump a 100 pd ruck all day ... not anymore. But it still feels good having a 10 pd ruck on now, mostly water and a brick.
I'm thinking more of starting in Maine and coming South rather than vice versa.
My very elderly Mom's been in the hospital all week, which has given me a lot of time to read a bunch of trail diaries, columns and articles about thru hiking. Read the reddit AT board. Have ordered a couple of AT books.
Thank you for the offer to watch Gertie through the Fed stretches.
I have to get some sleep tonight. Amazing how much input when I opened this thread.
Thanks guys.
Yeah, provided the training doesn't kill me .... I'm doing it.
So I start officially training on the 15th of this month, Sunday.
70-ish.
Supposedly I can take my dog because she's a registered service dog awarded to me ... my third in 4 decades.
This thread has a lot of questions ... I'll answer them all starting tomorrow. This thread has me asking more questions. I had no idea, no expectations, that this many of y'all would have this much knowledge on the subject. This is awesome.
I'm up to five miles three times a week. I need to get to 10, with a 50 pd ruck. I used to could jump and hump a 100 pd ruck all day ... not anymore. But it still feels good having a 10 pd ruck on now, mostly water and a brick.
I'm thinking more of starting in Maine and coming South rather than vice versa.
My very elderly Mom's been in the hospital all week, which has given me a lot of time to read a bunch of trail diaries, columns and articles about thru hiking. Read the reddit AT board. Have ordered a couple of AT books.
Thank you for the offer to watch Gertie through the Fed stretches.
I have to get some sleep tonight. Amazing how much input when I opened this thread.
Thanks guys.
Yeah, provided the training doesn't kill me .... I'm doing it.
Posted on 9/13/24 at 9:01 am to scrooster
I'm planning an AT thru-hike in March of 2026. I'll be mid 50's then. I've section hiked a few parts in the White Mountains in New Hampshire. I backpack two 30+ mile loops every years, plus some smaller trips.
I've researched the AT for several years and have all my equipment pretty well dialed in.
I also have a Harvest Right freeze dryer. Make all my backpacking meals and have been working on meals for my dog (blue heeler). She hikes with me most trips and will likely on the AT.
I'm considering doing a "flip-flop" (half southbound, half NB). Might do the whole thing southbound, mainly to avoid the glut of people northbound, though I would miss out on the social experience. *sort of OK with it, but it is a big part of the experience...
Like most big things in life, its 99% mental. If you are strong willed, you'll complete the trail. If you allow it, you'll quit at some point when the "suck" is bad, using some injury or event at your excuse.
I suggest hiking a few loops like the Eagle Rock Loop in Arkansas or the Cheaha Loop in Alabama for practice and equipment checks. Both are about 30 miles, generally ample water, well marked trails and good AT "vibes".
Feel free to reach out to me for advice, questions and suggestions.
I've researched the AT for several years and have all my equipment pretty well dialed in.
I also have a Harvest Right freeze dryer. Make all my backpacking meals and have been working on meals for my dog (blue heeler). She hikes with me most trips and will likely on the AT.
I'm considering doing a "flip-flop" (half southbound, half NB). Might do the whole thing southbound, mainly to avoid the glut of people northbound, though I would miss out on the social experience. *sort of OK with it, but it is a big part of the experience...
Like most big things in life, its 99% mental. If you are strong willed, you'll complete the trail. If you allow it, you'll quit at some point when the "suck" is bad, using some injury or event at your excuse.
I suggest hiking a few loops like the Eagle Rock Loop in Arkansas or the Cheaha Loop in Alabama for practice and equipment checks. Both are about 30 miles, generally ample water, well marked trails and good AT "vibes".
Feel free to reach out to me for advice, questions and suggestions.
Posted on 9/13/24 at 9:26 am to eatpie
A few other thoughts:
You'll work out the meals/food on the trail. I tend to carry less food, mainly due to bulk. I always keep a few compact "trail-bars" as a backup. If I run out of food on the trail (rare), a re-supply in town is usually within a day. I'd rather risk slight hunger for a day than constantly carrying extra food - personal preference.
You don't want or need an axe or hatchet or saw.
I canny a fire arm every day in life, but never on trail. Ever. Might as well carry a brick... If I hike somewhere I am not at the top of the food chain (Alaska), I'll likely carry something.
Stretching and flexibility are as important as exercising. Your hips will be screaming at you if they're not flexible.
You'll work out the meals/food on the trail. I tend to carry less food, mainly due to bulk. I always keep a few compact "trail-bars" as a backup. If I run out of food on the trail (rare), a re-supply in town is usually within a day. I'd rather risk slight hunger for a day than constantly carrying extra food - personal preference.
You don't want or need an axe or hatchet or saw.
I canny a fire arm every day in life, but never on trail. Ever. Might as well carry a brick... If I hike somewhere I am not at the top of the food chain (Alaska), I'll likely carry something.
Stretching and flexibility are as important as exercising. Your hips will be screaming at you if they're not flexible.
Posted on 9/13/24 at 2:28 pm to eatpie
quote:this…a loaded Glock 43 weighs about 24oz. After a week it will feel like it weighs 240oz
I canny a fire arm every day in life, but never on trail. Ever. Might as well carry a brick...
bring a knife
Posted on 9/22/24 at 12:09 am to scrooster
I am section hiking the trail so not up on the resupply issue. I have hiked 470ish miles over the last 4 years, heading back the end of this month for a couple of weeks. The best advice I can give you is to get the FarOut app for your phone. It shows the points of interest including shelters, tentsites, and most importantly, water sources. Best of all it has a comments section for each POI that hikers can add up to date conditions, such as water flow or bear activity. I've not met many assholes on trail, probably because I tend to be one. Not hiking to make new friends, just trying to get away from people. I'm not unfriendly, just not trying to make it a social activity like some people do. Generally not an issue as a section hiker since I don't spend as much time around the same people.
Posted on 9/22/24 at 7:15 am to scrooster
quote:
I'm thinking more of starting in Maine and coming South rather than vice versa.
Why? Puts you starting later in the year and starting in GA allows you to get your hiking legs before hitting more rugged mountains.
Posted on 9/22/24 at 9:06 am to eatpie
quote:
I canny a fire arm every day in life, but never on trail. Ever. Might as well carry a brick
To each his own and not wise advice. It was on a trail part of Lake Catherine State Park in Arkansas 2 years ago that I crossed paths with a mental case who was standing behind several large rocks along the trail with a damn knife…if I had not seen the top of his bright red hoodie, he would have gotten the drop on me as I passed the rocks.
Instead, after seeing someone was obviously trying to hide (while doing a poor job if it), I placed my hand on my handgun in my chest pack that I ALWAYS have on when hiking and then began up a hill off the trail so I could get a better view and see what the person was doing.
He was looking towards the trail and I could clearly see the knife in his hand. I yelled at him to drop the MF’n knife at which time he ran back down the trail - with the knife - that I came in on.
I had no cell svc, so I hiked back down after him taking my time and when I got to my truck I called the info into local LEOs and park folks.
Moral of the story, stay strapped or get clapped.
This post was edited on 9/22/24 at 9:09 am
Posted on 9/22/24 at 5:11 pm to scrooster
It's an amazing adventure. There's too many details to put in this but I will try to give you some of the most important tips.
Every ounce counts. Find the lightest everything.
Do not bring a hatchet or an e-tool. Too heavy. If you want to bring something to cut wood, bring a folding saw. I have an 11" folding saw that is pretty light and works great.
With that being said, finding firewood near the shelters is hard because it's all been picked over.
If you are starting in Georgia, the start is going to be hectic. A ton of hikers and shelters will be crowded.
Lose some of the military mindset. I'm a 75th guy myself, and I started with a ruck that was way too heavy. Too much useless trash.
You won't get your hiking legs until after the first week or so. I would say start with 8-10 miles a day on that first week. After that, those 20 mile days will start being doable. The thing I hated about the 20 mile days though, was that my eyes were pretty focused on the ground, I missed a lot. Kind of defeats the purpose of hiking some.
If you start in Georgia, muggings are something you most likely will not have to worry about. Way too many people. With that being said, I still always carry when I hike.
There are some parts of the trail where I don't think dogs are allowed. I remember seeing a bunch of dogs in Maine and in NC/GA. I don't think they are allowed in the Smokies though, you'll have to check.
The experience is what you make of it. When I hike, I'm looking for a little bit of solitude and relaxing with my buds. I prefer hiking to camping spots and pitching a tent then being in the crowded shelters. There will be more firewood in the tenting locations too.
The trail is very well marked, you don't need to lean too heavily on your land nav, or not at all. I think I went off train 1 time, for a couple hundred meters and I had to double back.
Toughest Spots: Georgia is pretty tame. Not bad hiking, it'll be cold. NC starts off nice, but there is a section right before the Smokies that is really tough for a couple of days. After that you should be cruising pretty well. Lots of shale when you get into Pennsylvania. Maine probably has some of the best hiking on the trail. Lots of stream/river crossings. Shelters by lakes. Maine was definitely my favorite hiking of the AT, besides the Whites/Presidentials in NH.
Trail Magic - You'll be hiking for hours and you'll see something catch your eye from a distance. Something not quite found in nature, it could be a foreign color or a sharp 90 degree edge of something. Most of the time, it'll be a cooler filled with candy bars, soda, and even the occasional beer. These are magical moments.
You'll only need to pack roughly 4 days of food in your ruck at a time. Except for the 100 mile wilderness, then carry 7. But there is a resupply in the middle of it, at least there used to be, I brought 7 and bypassed it.
Every ounce counts. Find the lightest everything.
Do not bring a hatchet or an e-tool. Too heavy. If you want to bring something to cut wood, bring a folding saw. I have an 11" folding saw that is pretty light and works great.
With that being said, finding firewood near the shelters is hard because it's all been picked over.
If you are starting in Georgia, the start is going to be hectic. A ton of hikers and shelters will be crowded.
Lose some of the military mindset. I'm a 75th guy myself, and I started with a ruck that was way too heavy. Too much useless trash.
You won't get your hiking legs until after the first week or so. I would say start with 8-10 miles a day on that first week. After that, those 20 mile days will start being doable. The thing I hated about the 20 mile days though, was that my eyes were pretty focused on the ground, I missed a lot. Kind of defeats the purpose of hiking some.
If you start in Georgia, muggings are something you most likely will not have to worry about. Way too many people. With that being said, I still always carry when I hike.
There are some parts of the trail where I don't think dogs are allowed. I remember seeing a bunch of dogs in Maine and in NC/GA. I don't think they are allowed in the Smokies though, you'll have to check.
The experience is what you make of it. When I hike, I'm looking for a little bit of solitude and relaxing with my buds. I prefer hiking to camping spots and pitching a tent then being in the crowded shelters. There will be more firewood in the tenting locations too.
The trail is very well marked, you don't need to lean too heavily on your land nav, or not at all. I think I went off train 1 time, for a couple hundred meters and I had to double back.
Toughest Spots: Georgia is pretty tame. Not bad hiking, it'll be cold. NC starts off nice, but there is a section right before the Smokies that is really tough for a couple of days. After that you should be cruising pretty well. Lots of shale when you get into Pennsylvania. Maine probably has some of the best hiking on the trail. Lots of stream/river crossings. Shelters by lakes. Maine was definitely my favorite hiking of the AT, besides the Whites/Presidentials in NH.
Trail Magic - You'll be hiking for hours and you'll see something catch your eye from a distance. Something not quite found in nature, it could be a foreign color or a sharp 90 degree edge of something. Most of the time, it'll be a cooler filled with candy bars, soda, and even the occasional beer. These are magical moments.
You'll only need to pack roughly 4 days of food in your ruck at a time. Except for the 100 mile wilderness, then carry 7. But there is a resupply in the middle of it, at least there used to be, I brought 7 and bypassed it.
Posted on 9/23/24 at 3:09 am to scrooster
I've done over 400 miles from GA to the end of the Smokies...
for more specific answers to your questions I recommend the forum whiteblaze.net
Happy trails
for more specific answers to your questions I recommend the forum whiteblaze.net
Happy trails
Posted on 9/23/24 at 1:09 pm to scrooster
quote:
I'm up to five miles three times a week. I need to get to 10, with a 50 pd ruck. I used to could jump and hump a 100 pd ruck all day ... not anymore. But it still feels good having a 10 pd ruck on now, mostly water and a brick.
Go over gear lists and spend money on good light weight gear. Absolutely no reason to be over 30 lbs and that should give you plenty of room for extras even at that.
I would just go. Start, you don’t have to do the whole thing.
Day hikes are fine to train but you need to go on some multi day to really train. Cooking, sleeping, waking up, etc are some of the bigger obstacles. Most people especially first timers start off just doing 6-12 miles a day and then up closer to 20+ once in shape and on the trail a couple of weeks.
Posted on 9/23/24 at 2:34 pm to baldona
I started section hiking the AT in 2023 and doing 150 miles per year until I finish (~15 years).
Currently at mile 242, need to get another 60 in this year.
Learned a ton of things, shoot me a DM. Happy to share them.
Currently at mile 242, need to get another 60 in this year.
Learned a ton of things, shoot me a DM. Happy to share them.
This post was edited on 9/23/24 at 2:35 pm
Posted on 9/30/24 at 11:41 am to Lawyers_Guns_Money
For anyone following along, the AT has massive impacts from Hurricane Helene and is shut down indefinitely from Mile Marker 0.0 (Springer Mountain, GA) to Mile Marker 700 in VA.
I had a ~60 mile section planned out in late October, which has about a 99% chance of getting canceled. Will probably use this time to volunteer in East TN/Western NC.
Big picture, nobody knows the extent of the impacts, but a lot of people are concerned the 2025 Thru Hiking season may be largely impacted or even canceled.
I had a ~60 mile section planned out in late October, which has about a 99% chance of getting canceled. Will probably use this time to volunteer in East TN/Western NC.
Big picture, nobody knows the extent of the impacts, but a lot of people are concerned the 2025 Thru Hiking season may be largely impacted or even canceled.
Posted on 9/30/24 at 8:43 pm to FightinTigersDammit
You don’t get to choose your trail name
Posted on 9/30/24 at 9:42 pm to Old Sarge
Nice bump
Posted on 10/2/24 at 3:29 am to Lawyers_Guns_Money
quote:
I had a ~60 mile section planned out in late October, which has about a 99% chance of getting canceled. Will probably use this time to volunteer in East TN/Western NC.
I was leaving this weekend to pick up in Damascus, going to pick up on the Pinhoti trail instead. I thought about volunteering, but think I will wait until I know I won't be taking resources the people need, food, gas etc.
Posted on 10/2/24 at 7:55 am to PCHSDawg
Just an idea, if you can put it off a month you would be able to hike with the fall colors.
As far the original OP, it will be interesting to see what the damage assessments are on the A.T. I expect there will be some reroutes next spring while they wait on funding for repairs. Any interest in the Pacific Crest Trail?
As far the original OP, it will be interesting to see what the damage assessments are on the A.T. I expect there will be some reroutes next spring while they wait on funding for repairs. Any interest in the Pacific Crest Trail?
Posted on 10/2/24 at 9:06 am to scrooster
Getting your dogs paws conditioned for that much hiking might be the biggest prep you have. If your dog isn’t used to walking that much and on rocky terrain, it’ll be easy for her to rip up your paw pads and it’ll be real tough to have those heal on the trail. If your dog has any allergy issues now, they’ll be worse on the trail too. You’ll want booties for sure.
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