Date: 2004-02-09
To: Just the FAQ
Miles today: 0.0

Many people have questions for me about my plans for hiking the AT, so I¢ve decided to create a page of Frequently Asked Questions (in no particular order).When are you going to start?Monday, March 15, from the Approach Trail. The Approach Trail begins in Amicalola Falls State Park near Dawsonville, Georgia, and travels 8.8 miles to the top of Springer Mountain, Georgia. The Appalachian Trail officially starts at the top of Springer Mountain. Are you going by yourself or with a group?At first, I had the feeling that if I did not have a companion, I would not go on this hike. However, many in the hiking community have told me to ¢just show up¢ and you¢ll find others who will hike at your pace. Those people will be your companions. So, I will just show up at the start of the trail and go from there. The Internet brings a lot of prospective thru-hikers together since there are several websites dedicated to discussing the Appalachian Trail. Whiteblaze and Trail Forums are great resources.I have met many people on these websites and keep in contact with some of them via e-mail. I expect to meet them on the Trail. We have discussed our thoughts and plans regarding this extensive backpacking trip. A few of them will be starting either on March 15th, or within a few days. A handful of them will be maintaining journals here, on TrailJournals.com. See the links, below:Pilgrim SoulPeak-A-BooCuppaJoeLopakaSudzAlanLaurenBryanJackieAirferretHow do you get your food?I will use a combination of grocery store stops along the way and depend upon boxes of freeze-dried or dehydrated food sent to me at post offices located along the Trail. Where will you stay?I have made an itinerary using shelters as destinations each day. If the shelters are full, I will stay in my tent, nearby. Once every week or so, I will plan to stay at a motel or hostel so that I can do my laundry, make a mail stop, and take a hot shower.How long will it take you?        The average trip from Georgia to Maine takes about six months. I have an itinerary that shows me arriving at Mt. Katahdin during the last week of September. I am giving myself six and one-half months to complete the trail ¢ at the most. However, I will need to be very flexible and expect that I may be able to shorten that length of time.How many miles is the Trail?The AT is re-routed, slightly, nearly every year. The current mileage is 2,174 miles.You can check the "official" Appalachian Trail Website for more information on the entire Trail.You will also find information regarding the number of people who attempt an end-to-end hike each year and the number of people who finish. The attrition rate is very high. Only about 10% to 15% of people who intend to hike the entire Trail actually finish it.You can also download the printed version of the Appalachian Trail Long Distance Hikers Association (ALDHA) Companion to read about specific destinations and points of interest along the Trail.Are you going to take a snakebite kit/gun/bear (pepper) spray?No, no, and no.Am I going to write a book about my hike?No. There are plenty of books about the AT for sale. Additionally, I¢ll have plenty to do just maintaining this journal as it is.Are you going to hike the whole trail?That is my plan. However, I'm going to enjoy the trip and go as far as I can. Yes, I would like to make it end-to-end this year.Have you read that book by Bill Bryson, A Walk In The Woods?No, never heard of it. Have you seen the movie, Deliverance?NoHow are you going to get home?I don't know, but I'll find a wayFirst Previous Next LastHiker Entries February 09, 2004JournalistDestinationTrailCrash! Bang!-- View Entry --Appalachian TrailLonesome DoveFixing the First StepsAppalachian TrailOfficer TacoStanding Indian ShelterAppalachian TrailPickle and PeanutWood's Hole Shelter (2**)Appalachian TrailL-A DomWood's Hole ShelterAppalachian TrailMalaAestheticsPacific Crest Trailmagic-- View Entry --Appalachian TrailBurnon the sensitive sideAppalachian TrailFire MarshalJust the FAQAppalachian TrailWeebles and TongueTied-- View Entry --Appalachian TrailMore...Grouped By Trail... The weather relaxed, and to our left the valley opened up in a soft light with soft ethereal edges. It looked like heaven....    Whirled Peas ¢Appalachian Trail2013HikingTrailsJournalsPhotosCalendarGearLinksPartnersULA EquipmentREIPatagoniaNetworkTrail ForumsTrail NewsAbout UsContactDonateJoinLoginHelpFollow UsFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterest LinkedinTop Photo © Jan Leitschuh - Appalachian Trail, 09/16/2003 by Jan LiteShoeTrailjournals LLC © 2024All Rights Reserved. privacy policyNewburyport, MA 01950Terms under which this service is provided to you. Build: 20210226:165913Manage Settings