One month on the Appalachian Trail

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Planning for a trip this summer spending up to a month on the AT, possibly solo. I'd start at the Southern Terminus, and maybe approach trail. I've been told to expect to reach Erwin, TN after one month. Is this reasonable at 10-15 mile a day pace?

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What's that about Mile 250 or so? 4 weeks, 6 days on 1 zero day is about 10-11 a day. Should be doable for anyone, but give yourself a cushion in case you have issues and need some extra off days.

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Also since I haven't thru-hiked this long before, would there be options to resupply food stocks and other supplies when staying at hostels (at least receive a ride to town)? And what accommodations are needed ahead of time for the hostels?

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Yes and mail drops. Get on Whiteblaze.com, get the guthook app, buy the trail guide. plan your days, mail drops and resupplies. You can usually call day of or a few days before on the hostels to set a reservation or they accept walk ups, unless they are full.

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I already have a tent, pack, and clothes,

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Do you have stuff that you can pack for 250 miles? like weight wise and toughness? Whats is your base pack weight?

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what is a rough estimate of price for one month on the trail?

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You can do your own food. But really sans everything else(equipment), you are food, fuel, and zero days for on the trail cost


ETA Since your end point is after the smokeys you might need to reserve shelter space

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Yes and mail drops. Get on Whiteblaze.com, get the guthook app, buy the trail guide. plan your days, mail drops and resupplies. You can usually call day of or a few days before on the hostels to set a reservation or they accept walk ups, unless they are full.

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Got it. But are the mail drops sent to a local post office that you go pick up at the end of a segment?

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Do you have stuff that you can pack for 250 miles? like weight wise and toughness? Whats is your base pack weight?

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I have an osprey atmos 65L pack. The tent is a 2 person kelty, a little heavy, so I'm trying to buy a used z-packs tent, cause it'd be cheaper. Do you know any other light weight tents you'd recommend?

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ETA Since your end point is after the smokeys you might need to reserve shelter space

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Can you not just stealth camp in the smokeys? Are reservation included in a permit (I didn't think thru hikers needed one)?

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I have hiked between 7 miles and 18 miles depending on the terrain (Colorado). I schedule for ten and usually am strongest early on and weaken over time because I'm really creaky now. If I could get 12.7, that's better than 11.1, you know what I mean? I get the miles any time I can early so I can coast later. Stretching legs and back regularly is my key, every hour and one 20 minute stretch at mid-day. Also blister care. That will wreck you and end your hike if you aren't prepared. Never count on "hostels" or beds when any trail is crowded.

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One of the times I hiked for a week, my knees were shot, so I have bought some Leki poles to help out. I'm young and in shape, but after 15 miles, I start to get anxious if I have to go farther. How many pairs of shoes do you bring when hiking?

I bring two and a lightweight waterproof boot only for emergencies. I also bring ( don’t laugh ) a roll of electrical tape for emergencies. A friend taught me that years ago. But I pack for 3/4 day hikes , not 30 day hikes. I’ll do some stuff this Summer in Italy and sleep in a bed every night.

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I also bring ( don’t laugh ) a roll of electrical tape for emergencies.

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Duct tape is better.

To save space don't carry a roll. Put it on your trekking poles, nalgene, somewhere.

LINK /

A great resource. Lots of lightweight packing tips found there.

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If you carry more than 30 you are either taking too much stuff or don't have good quality gear.

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For the at and 6 days of food plus water 40lbs it not uncommon.

It’s not any different just saying what I see quite routinely out there for through and section hikers. I’m out on the Georgia section every few weeks. I’d say most are in the 30-40 with the ultra lights and guys with high end gear under that. Then the novices looking like they are on some boot camp march with gear two feet over their heads.

My base weight is under 20 for anything other than sub 30 weather fwiw.

And yeah the resources, road crossings, and just general trail maintenance make it one of the more accessible trails for any level

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Do you live in GA now?

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No, but I lived in Gainesville (GA) not too long ago and am familiar with the region. I have family still within 2.5 hours of the start point.

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You need to downsize. I use an Osprey 60 for long trips where I can't add supplies. You'll be able to and having 4.5 lbs of empty weight is too much to dedicate to for a month. Grams=ounces Drill that in your head! Eta....your pack can handle 50 lbs. If you carry more than 30 you are either taking too much stuff or don't have good quality gear.

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Yeah, that's why I pour all food into zip lock bags and carry dried food like knorrs, mashed potato flakes, and oatmeal. Also snack on trail mix, and sometimes carrots. It felt like at least 35-40 lbs when I went on a 1 week hike last year at the start, albeit my tent is pretty heavy...does one take both tent and eno on thru hikes?

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A lot of people carry too much, plain and simple. If they make it, more power to them but it isn't ideal and you know that.

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I mean maybe some people, but I know better than that. Just got to have a couple changes of clothes, tent, food, water filter (sawyer squeeze), and backpaking stove. The other shite like lighters, notepad, and headlamp, barely take more than 2 lbs combined. Probably could get it down to 35 max if I get nicer tent, but I also need to find a power block for charging. Any suggestions?

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I'm very light, besides the pounders of beer and red bull

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Why wouldn't you just carry liquor?

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What's your stove?

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Just some no name brand mechanistic screw top fold out thing. Some dude showed me I can just rig a sheet of aluminum foil around it as a wind screen. The foil folds up small.

How do you keep your phone charged on the trail? You said you were using the guthooks app. I also carry a GPS watch so I need a way to keep those things juiced up

You will need a permit for the Smokies. You have to stay in shelters unless they are full.

How much backpacking have you done?

A long hike is just a series of shorter hikes put together. Don’t think of 250 miles, think 50 miles from town to town or however they space out.

Get Guthooks map for your phone. Awols guide also good reference.

Try stove less. I go stove less for most of my hiking and love it. I’m out there to hike not wait for food to rehydrate. Plus nothing tastes as good as a cheese burger or pizza and beer so I keep things simple.

Take less crap. It’s less to carry and not lose in the woods. It’s easy to get to 20 lbs baseweight. Just don’t take stuff. Lower than that cost money.

Don’t overthink things. It’s just walking in the woods. Your never far from civilization. But don’t take things lightly. One fall and you are miles from help with a blown out knee(I helped someone out that it happened to)