How Much Should I Budget For Thru-hike?

How Much Does it Cost to Thru-Hike the Appalachian Trail? $3,000 is the easy answer. This doesn’t include gear that you buy before the hike.

How do you plan an AT thru-hike?

How much money do you need to hike the Appalachian Trail?

How much does it cost to hike the Appalachian Trail? The average cost of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail ranges from $5,000 to $7,000 for a 5- to 7-month hike ; that amount includes gear, trail resupply, and town expenses. Expect to spend about $1,000 a month per person.

When should I start hiking through?

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 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.

Can you carry a gun while hiking the Appalachian Trail?

While it is now legal to carry a gun through national parks with the correct permits, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy discourages carrying firearms on the trail . Then there’s the matter of having the correct permits for all the states, and having concealed carry permits.

How many miles a day should you walk on the Appalachian Trail?

According to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, most hikers take between five and seven months to complete the AT end to end. According to our data, that translates to an average pace of 14 to 20 miles per day for most hikers.

Where do you sleep on 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.

What is the easiest thru-hike?

• Long Trail, Vermont. (Shannon/Flickr) ...
• Colorado Trail, Colorado. (Adam Baker/Flickr) ...
• Superior Hiking Trail, Minnesota. (Ben+Sam/Flickr) ...
• Oregon Coast Trail, Oregon. ...
• Sierra High Route, Sierra Nevada. ...
• Ouachita National Recreation Trail, Oklahoma and Arkansas.

Where is Mahoosuc Notch?

MAHOOSUC NOTCH: Located on the Appalachian Trail in western Maine in a rugged section of the White Mountains known as the Mahoosuc Range.

How many miles can you hike in a day?

This will depend on several different factors, including; fitness levels, terrain, elevation, weather and pack weight. 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 .

How do you shower on the Appalachian Trail?

Showers. Showers are rarely available right on the ​A.T. Hikers usually shower while at hostels or hotels in towns; less common are campgrounds with shower facilities. To bathe in the backcountry, carry water 200 feet from the water source in a container and rinse or wash yourself away from streams, springs and ponds .

How should a beginner hike the Appalachian Trail?

1. The Thru-Hiker Appeal. In trail-talk, a thru-hiker is anyone who decides to hike across the AT. ...
2. Setting Out. Should you decide to go for a nobo or solo hike? ...
3. Get in Shape. ...
4. Packing and Resupplying Through the Trek. ...
5. Sleeping Space. ...
6. Take One Day At a Time.

Do you have to pay to hike the Appalachian Trail?

Most areas of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, more commonly referred to as simply the Appalachian Trail or “A.T.,” do not require fees or permits, but a few do .

How long does a 10 mile hike take?

A 10-mile hike can take between 4 and 10 hours , depending on the pace, trail surface, elevation gain, and pack weight. Additional variables can affect the amount of time it takes to hike this distance, such as your level of fitness, the number of rest breaks you take, and the weather.

What are some common injuries hikers experience?

• Blisters. You’ve probably already had a blister at some point in your life, but they are a seemingly unavoidable part of hiking. ...
• Twisted or Sprained Ankle. ...
• Knee Pain and Joint Inflammation. ...
• Sunburn. ...
• Temperature-Related Illness.

Where does the A.T. trail start?

What is the hardest part of the Appalachian Trail?

Mount Katahdin

From the perspective of a northbound thru-hiker, the Appalachian Trail saves the most epic for last. That is to say, the trail’s northern terminus, Mount Katahdin, is not only one of the most challenging ascents of the entire trail, it is also one of the most spectacular.

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 .

How do I prepare for the Appalachian Trail?

1. Budget wisely. You’re going to need some money. ...
2. Pack light. ...
3. Get fit. ...
4. Know why you’re out there. ...
5. Line up a support person. ...
6. Prepare “bump boxes”. ...
7. Bring duct tape. ...
8. Practice with your gear.

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.

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.

Are there cabins along the Appalachian Trail?

There are hundreds of campsites and Appalachian Trail cabins along the route . These are popular not only with hikers, but with families wishing to experience the National Parks and scenery along the trails.

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.

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.

How long does it take to get trail legs?

Hiker legs (also known as “trail legs”) are earned from repeated days of backpacking over an extended period of time (say, three to four months ).