The Appalachian Trail

[he.who.forgets]

So I've recently come obsessed with thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail.  I've always been aware of the trail and remember as a kid being in awe of a foot path that traversed so much wilderness (for the most part) of the country.  I love the outdoors, but will be the first to admit that on a scale of 1-10; 1 being someone who's never spent the night in the woods, to 10 being someone whose climbed Everest, I'm probably only a 3 or 4 at best.  Been car camping plenty and do lots of day hikes, but never anything near the challenge of walking 2,170 miles with 30 pounds on your back.  That being said, there is not a waking moment that I'm not thinking about this lately.  My plan is to save up close to $10k and complete a thru-hike starting in April of '16.  That means quitting my job, leaving my poor wife for 5 months, etc. 

So, does anyone here have any experience with long backpacking trips?  Anyone done sections on the AT or any other long trails?  Anyone here ever completed a thru?

[Fully]

I've only done a day hike on there near Helen, Ga. I wish you much luck and success in following your dream.

[manonthemoon]

I love hiking the AT after living almost right on top of a portion of it and hiking it all of the time.  I have never done more than a few long day or overnight stretches though.  I have known a few people who have done it, all doing the south to north route, as I personally think the other way is nuts.  I know you have to keep a pretty decent pace, plan days off though when you can, and also figure out the food situation of getting off of the trail to get supplies at certain points or ship things to yourself so that you don't have to carry everything all of the time.  I am sure you can look at ATC or other sites that can give better plans though as people have been doing this for decades at this point.  This is something I always wanted to do, but could never muster enough gumption to do it.  Hope all goes well and you get a warm spring and cool summer to make it easy on you.

[searchinbig]

Cool topic. My property actually borders the trail in Greenwood Lake, NY. Just got in from hiking with the family in the snow. What a beautiful place!

[woodnymph]

Wonderful thread!  I know only a few people who have through-hiked it, and though I don't know if that experience is what I'm going for in life right now, I've definitely always admired those who give it a go.  I'd love to do a large portion of it sometime still.  I've only done some day-hikes (and maybe a few nights of camping on or around it).  I've been all over that thing all the way into New England, and down through Tennessee and NC, etc.  I've rarely planned to be on it, actually... I've mostly just ended up on it due to the wilderness places I've wanted to visit. I can't recall if the Mountains-to-Sea Trail in NC is a part of the AT, or perhaps they connect at some point.  But what a beautiful stretch that is.  I've wanted to do the Mountains-to-Sea Trail since my late teens, and when I first moved to Asheville a few years ago, I was blown away to find that it BEGINS at the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  I love the whole concept of hiking from the thick mountains down to the ocean... magical.

But anywho, great thread, and keep us posted on your adventure!!!  You can totally pull it off.  As a woodnymph, I might say that some key components would be something like where your ration drop-off points will be, and having an amazing water filter to avoid lugging so much water around. Tick protection/consistent checking, of course. A very real necessity. Snake identification also important, and oil of Oregano has been claimed by many to be able to stop venom from traveling into the blood stream, if caught right away.  You just cannot have enough first aid knowledge...

This kind of thing is, in a way, what motivated me to learn as much plant identification as possible. I feel you can make the trip a whole lot safer and more enjoyable (and your pack lighter) by knowing a decent amount of flora.  (If nothing else, it at least makes first aid a lot easier. Mother Nature is loaded with plants for burns, cuts, bug bites, pain, swelling, you name it.)

I don't know if I'm helping or being redundant, and sorry if it's the latter!  Just thought I'd throw some things out there, since you'd mentioned the 1-10 scale and all.

Oh and Mr. White--- awesome stories!!!!  Sounds like some amazing times!!  And searchinbig, how lucky to be so close!!  Snow hiking is one of my favorites.

[spence]

I've done the first 800 miles, from Springer to about mid Virginia, near Lexington.  I've been section hiking, which has worked for me.  When I got the bug I wasn't in a position to take off on a thru, but wanted to get out there and experience it for sure.  I'll want to thru hike the PCT when I retire and have the entire AT done.
My recommendation to a successful and enjoyable long distance hike would be to go as light as you are comfortable with.  I'm not ultralight but definitely not carrying 30 lbs.  I still carry a small tent and sleeping pad.  Some of the thru hikers are extreme in their weight shaving of gear, but they do move fast...

[he.who.forgets]

thanks for all the replies and well wishes y'all!  More comments and/or stories are welcome and encouraged! I'll post updates along the way as I continue my planning.