Being a vegetarian on the trail isn’t nearly as difficult as you would think. I had been a vegetarian for 11 years, and I didn’t eat any meat during my thru-hike. Ironically, I started eating meat 6 months after my hike. I thought my body would struggle without enough protein, but I actually continued to…
This month I’ve been experiencing a sense of nostalgia for the trail that is referred to as “Springer Fever. ” The 2013 thru-hikers have begun their journey, and I’m very sad that I am not among them. This feeling occurs during the spring time and hikers find themselves longing for the Southern Terminus of the…
How long does it take to hike the Appalachian Trail? The standard answer is five or six months. It can certainly be hiked in more time or less. My hike ended up taking six and a half months. Factors That Can Impact the Time it Takes to Complete a Thru-Hike Athletic ability. It does take…
Thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail is cheap, but it’s not free. Figuring out the cost of an Appalachian Trail thru-hike will depend upon your personal spending habits. I know one hiker who started with $300 and would fly signs in town asking for work. I know a different hiker that blew through $8000 and was broke…
The first week in Georgia can be very challenging: you don’t know what you’re doing, your pack is too heavy, and the mountains are almost painful to climb. Lots of people will quit in the first 30 miles. While the first week will be physically challenging, mentally preparing yourself will help you succeed. What to…
When choosing clothes for the trail, try to be as selective as possible. You don’t want to have too many articles of clothing, but you want them to be sufficient. The clothes you have with you will vary, depending on the time of year. Clothes For the Whole Hike •A rain jacket. It will not…
When you decide to do a thru-hike, your first instinct might be to recruit friends to come along too so you don’t have to go alone. Consider the benefits of solo hiking first before you invite anyone. Solo Hiking Pros: • You have more freedom to decide how fast you want to hike, when you…
AT: an abbreviation for Appalachian Trail White-blaze: the six-inch by two-inch swatches of paint on trees and rocks that mark the trail. Blue-blaze: the side trails are usually marked by blue paint. They may take you on short-cuts, side attractions, to the summit of mountains, or on an easier part of the trail. They usually lead…
Hitch-hiking is a necessary part of the trail. You will need to go into towns to resupply on food. There are some towns that the trail runs right through; like Hot Springs, NC; Damascus, VA; Harpers Ferry, WV; and Dalton, MA. However, there will come a time when you are out of food and town…