Anyone hiked the entire Appalachian Trail?

There is a guy on here or at least the outdoor board who has done it. I’m in north ga and am on that section quite often Actually did 10 miles yesterday.

Whiteblaze is the website you want to check out though if you really want to get into it. A bit late in the season to plan for this year though, as the bubble has already started. Some people will start as late as May but they either don’t finish or are pretty fast.

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Assuming weather is the problem,

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As far as timing, yeah, if you want to straight through north bound. They shut down the end based on weather anywhere from end of September to end of October. You can flip flop and spend more time.

Gear is really important because you are going 2k+. Most people start early feb to mid March. I’d start with a gear list/weight list and see if you are prepped.

Embracing the suck is a term on the trail, maybe a lash hike to prep. Long arse section hike. Like I said whiteblaze is pretty much the go to resource on the web.

Are you near the trail?

I have an uncle who retired a few years ago. He set out to do it and made it maybe a third of the way before hurting his ankle and having to stop. It was interesting keeping up with his daily blog.

I personally don’t have anywhere near enough time to do the AP even if I wanted to. But if I did have a bunch of time for long distance hikes I would go out west where the scenery is a helluva lot better.

I hiked it in 09. One of the best things I’ve ever done. Started the first of March. You thinking of doing it this year? Have all your gear? White blaze.net is a good place for information. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

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Out of curiosity, how are y'all able to do this?

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Really just timing. I am a Civil Engineer, and had money saved. I mainly did new resort masterplanned communities, and with the housing market the way things were I was going to end up doing mainly municipality/utility projects for the next couple of years. My dad was starting to have knee issues, and I started to realize I might not be able to do it after I retired. My fiance has passed away a few years before and this was something she wanted to do as well. Was just one of those "gut feeling" type things that this was something I needed to do.

For me it really was life changing. I don't think I would have the job I have now if I didn't have it on my resume. While I hiked all 2178.3 miles, I tell people you don't really have to in order to get the effect of it. If you can get away for a month, two, or three and just do what you can it is worth it. It really taught me that the simpler life is a more enjoyable life. You get everything together that you want to take and it won't fit in your backpack, and even if it did it would be too heavy. You narrow it down to the things you think you "must have" and start the hike. About 3 hours in you start to realize that maybe you don't really need all these "must have" items and you start getting rid of stuff. You do this for 6 months and then when you get home and you look around at all the things you have that you never use. For the next couple of months you are selling and donating items, you are eating out less, etc.

Great Song and Vid of 2009 Hike
While this isn't my vid, it was the year I did it. Great song and kind of shows life on the trail.

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Out of curiosity, how are y'all able to do this?

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Right now I am only doing contract accounting work so I can do it.

Looks like it will be next year, I am on a three month contract right now, just gathering info right now because I know there is a lot that goes into it.

Inspiring thread.

I have always wanted to do the AT, but the older I get the less likely it seems.

Knocking off Kilimanjaro this year, but maybe 2021 is the year of the AT.

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I am not near it, not a novice either. Weighed my gear, and a little less than 30 lbs, money to resupply on the trail. The challenge is the point though.

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30 lb pack is a lot. I've done 30 mile weekend hikes with 50 lbs which was stupid I had a gun, ammo (25 shots and never fired one), beer, etc. But you want to get down closer to 18-20 lbs for something like the app trail. Those extra 10 lbs get old very very fast.

You don't need BS gear. Get a high end tent or hammock, and most people trade books or do photography or whatever. There's places to do laundry, buy food, etc. so you should be able to only carry your minimums. You can always buy or have more stuff shipped to you.

So been doing some research with the info provided here (thank all of you!), I plan on leaving ~Feb 1st of next year if things work out, doing south to north full trail. It seems that about 800 to 1000 per month is needed, the initial gear is/will be had.

One question I have a hammock and a one person tent, how doesn't one handle weather when hammock hiking for that long?

I really wish I had done it this year, and wish I didn't have the contract I have, but I am already excited for next year.

Please feel free to correct me on anything and offer any advice since this will be my first LONG distance hike.