How To Plan An At Thru-Hike?

1. What is Thru-Hiking?
2. Step 1: Decide Where You Want to Go.
3. Step 2: Figure Out Your Why.
4. Step 3: Do Your Research.
5. Step 4: Plan Your Hike (Somewhat)
6. Step 5: Prepare to Put Your Off-Trail Life on Hold.

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.

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 much does an A.T. thru-hike cost?

For a normal thru-hike with standard stops every week for resupply you are looking at around $1000 per month, typically $6000 total for six months . The AT though can be far more social which can lead to longer extended times in town and ballooning expenditures and costs if you lack discipline and self-control.

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 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.

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 .

What is the best month to start hiking the Appalachian Trail?

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 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.

How do people afford a thru-hike?

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.

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’s the hardest part of the Appalachian Trail?

1. Southern Maine. nazdar.britches. ...
2. White Mountains, New Hampshire. whitemountains. ...
3. The Roller Coaster, Virginia. Mile Marker : 995 Distance : 13.5 miles. ...
4. Northern Pennsylvania. Mile Marker : 1,150 Distance : Roughly 150 miles. ...
5. Mt. Katahdin, Maine. ...
6. Southern Virginia.

Can you drink alcohol on the Appalachian Trail?

The Appalachian trail and alcohol have gone hand in hand for a while. Moonshiners have been making the illicit alcohol along the trail as explained in this exhibit. While there are people making alcohol along the trail, there are also people drinking it along the trail .

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 .

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.

How do you get food on the Appalachian Trail?

Many hikers buy food and supplies in towns along the Trail or businesses near the Trail that cater to hikers . However, many towns along the A.T. are quite small and selection may be limited.

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.

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.

Do you have to register to walk the Appalachian Trail?

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) views voluntary registration as a way to enhance your A.T. experience and better manage this natural resource – without additional regulations. Those considering an A.T. thru-hike know the A.T. is one of the world’s most popular long-distance hiking destinations.

Who was the youngest person to hike the Appalachian Trail?

Juniper Netteburg , who finished the trail at age 4 with her parents and three older siblings in October 2020, is the youngest finisher on record.

How many calories do you burn hiking the Appalachian Trail?

An average male hiker, walking at an average speed, carrying between 21-42 pounds, doing a 15-mile day at 2.75 mph would require 689 calories/hour x 5.45 hours to equal 3,758.18 calories burned. That’s on top of the hiker’s basal metabolic rate (BMR)—the amount of calories burned sitting completely still for a day.

What is a flip flop thru-hike?

A flip flop thru-hike is when a hiker starts their hike at a less conventional spot to then return to complete the remainder of the trail . So, on the Appalachian Trail, instead of starting in Georgia or Maine, you could start somewhere in the middle to head north.

What is the most remote part of the Appalachian Trail?

[1] While the Appalachian Trail crosses its summit, Sequoyah is an 11.5-mile (18.5 km) hike from the nearest parking lot, making it one of the most remote places in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Mount Sequoyah is named after the inventor of the Cherokee alphabet.

How far apart are shelters on the Appalachian Trail?

There are about 260 shelters scattered along the entire length of the 2,190 mile trail. Therefore, on average, there is a shelter located every 8.5 miles . Sometimes they might be closer together (maybe 5 miles), while other times they might be farther apart (maybe 15 miles).