Bury it or go directly in a cathole
. This hole should be six to eight inches deep, away from the trail, and 200 feet away from water, campsites, and shelters. Always carry a shmoo shovel (trowel) on the trail, and treat it well.
Where do you sleep when you hike the Appalachian Trail?
Where do you sleep along the Appalachian Trail? There is an extensive system of
campsites and shelters
along the Appalachian Trail. Shelters are built and maintained by local volunteers and usually have a water source and additional campsites nearby.
How long does it take the average person to walk the Appalachian Trail?
Most thru-hikers take between five and seven months. The average is
a week or two shy of six months
. Weather conditions tend to limit the amount of time available.
How far can I hike in one day?
Taking this average pace and applying it to an 8-hour hiking day (not including rest breaks), it is possible for an average person to hike between
16 – 24 miles
per day. There are some people in the “super fit” category that are capable of hiking between 30 – 50 miles per day.
Can you carry a gun on the Appalachian Trail?
In general,
ATC discourages the carrying of firearms on the Trail
for the reasons noted below. On federal lands administered by the National Park Service (NPS) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), possession of a firearm must be in compliance with the law of the state in which the federal land is located.
Can you sleep anywhere on the Appalachian Trail?
Camping at or near day-use shelters is prohibited
. Huts are available to long-distance hikers (those spending at least three consecutive nights in SNP) as space is available. Tenting at huts is permitted in designated campsites; all huts within the park have campsites available.
How often can you resupply on the Appalachian Trail?
Long-distance hikers leave the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) periodically (
typically every 3-5 days
) to resupply in nearby towns. In remote areas, such as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee/North Carolina and the “100 Mile Wilderness” in Maine, hikers may carry food for 6-8 days or more.
Do you have to stay in shelters on the Appalachian Trail?
Do I Have to Stay at Shelter Areas?
No, you don't have to
. Sometimes there are marked campsites along the Appalachian Trail that don't have shelters but are still equipped with camping amenities. You could also set up your tent close to the shelter and not stay inside.
Are there bathrooms on the Appalachian Trail?
Some people choose to camp, break or stop at shelters simply to use the privy. Privies may not be glamorous but do help to control human waste in the ground.
Privies are the pit toilets at AT shelters
. Each privy is uniquely designed and adjacent to a shelter.
What is the best month to start the Appalachian Trail?
Read why here. To avoid crowds and winter conditions, the optimal time to start a northbound thru-hike is the window
between April 15 and the first week of May
.
How much water should I bring on the Appalachian Trail?
Hydration: Whether you use water bottles or a tube hydration system, have the capacity to carry
at least 2 quarts
.
What is the hardest part of the Appalachian Trail?
- Southern Maine. nazdar.britches. …
- White Mountains, New Hampshire. whitemountains. …
- The Roller Coaster, Virginia. Mile Marker : 995 Distance : 13.5 miles. …
- Northern Pennsylvania. Mile Marker : 1,150 Distance : Roughly 150 miles. …
- Mt. Katahdin, Maine. …
- Southern Virginia.
What is the fastest time for the Appalachian Trail?
In 2011, Pharr Davis set the fastest known time on the Appalachian Trail completing it in
46 days, 11 hours and 20 minutes
. In 2015, Scott Jurek finished 3 hours and 12 minutes faster. New records have subsequently been set by Karl Meltzer, Joe McConaughy, and most recently Karel Sabbe.
Can I hike the Appalachian Trail alone?
If you are currently planning your thru-hike, you may be thinking that you need to hike with someone else. This is not the case.
If you hike alone, you will be fine and probably better off alone than with someone else
. Don't let your lack of a hiking partner get in the way of you starting a thru-hike.
Can I hike everyday?
Not at all
. Research (and personal experience) has proven that hiking offers a host of physical and mental health benefits. Not only does it help you lose weight, strengthen muscles, reduce disease and optimize endurance, it also reduces stress. As experts have advised, exercising every day is encouraged in moderation.
Can I walk 20 miles a day?
Trained Walkers
If a walker is well-trained and is taking breaks and a meal stop, then 20 miles a day is reasonable
. If you take no breaks and are going fast, you may be able to cover 30 miles if you have steadily built your mileage over the course of three to six months.
How many km a day should I hike?
I would probably aim for
20-30km per day (~15 miles)
if you have not done such a long trip before and are reasonably fit. Although there are several factors to consider: Hiking with a 40lb pack is significantly different and more tiring than hiking with just a day pack, especially if you get sore knees.
How many days does it take to hike the 100 mile wilderness?
The 100 mile wilderness is a section of the Appalachian Trail in northern Maine, USA. Seasoned backpackers can complete the trail in
four or five days
, whereas others will take it at a more leisurely pace at aim to complete it in ten.
Can you get lost on the Appalachian Trail?
It's possible to lose a trail, even if you only step off of it by thirty feet
. This is particularly true in dense woods. Take a map if you have one. Let someone know where you will be going and what time you should be expected back.
What is a SoBo hiker?
Simply put, a NoBo hiker is someone who is hiking northbound on a trail, while a SoBo hiker is
hiking southbound
. These terms are commonly used on long-distance trails like the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail.
Do you need a tent to hike the Appalachian Trail?
It's possible to hike the Appalachian Trail without a tent
.
They're free. So “thru-hikers,” people who walk the full distance in a continuous hike, often leave the tent at home, saving as much as 5 pounds from their backpacks.
Can you start fires on the Appalachian Trail?
Fire Safety
It is illegal to light a fire on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail if it poses a public safety hazard or burns park resources and property
. Unless a park superintendent or park rules indicate otherwise, park users should only light fires in national parks in designated fire areas.
Where can I find a campsite on the Appalachian Trail?
- Look for a flat spot 200 feet away from water sources.
- Make sure it is at least six feet from other campers.
- Look up and around for hazard trees (those with dangling broken limbs or leaning, dead, diseased, or storm-damaged trees.)
What is a bounce box?
The definition of a Bounce Box, in my own words, is
a parcel that thru-hikers send ahead to various resupply points on a long distance trail, usually containing extra gear, food and some luxury items to enjoy while in town
.
What are hiker boxes?
A hiker box is
a physical box or area where hikers may leave or take items
. They are typically found in towns near long-distance trails. Outfitters, hostels, motels, and other stores that hikers frequent may keep hiker boxes in a convenient, public area.
