Anyone hiked the Appalachian trail?

I plan on doing 30 days from Hot Springs south to Springer mountain. Ive done some but never anything this long. Tips and tricks? Gear recommendations?

 

AT?

 

Appalachian Trail *edited*

 

I saw when they were looking for her on the show "North Woods Law." Im not worried im 35 years younger and In good shape lol

 

you can still get lost

 

http://www.appalachiantrail.org/home/explore-the-trail

 

Seriously? Have you hiked the AT?

One would have to be a special kind of stupid to get lost on the Appalachian Trail.

Not that some don't manage to do so, particularly if they've become hypothermic or have something else impairing their judgement causing them to wander off of the trail.

Otherwise you'd have to work at it to lose the trail. Very well marked and very well traveled, i.e. the pathway is extremely clear.

 

Very true, You'd literally have to try.

 

ooook. just saying. its not unheard of.

 

I've sectioned from Springer north to Davenport Gap.

My best advice would be to go hang out at whiteblaze.net -- lots of info there.

 

Nor are a variety of other self-inflicted things. Kind of like when someone goes out for a drive you don't typically need to tell them not to drive off a bridge.

My point is that "getting lost" on the AT is not something anyone typically needs to be concerned with.

 

Im on there.....and to be honest, I cant STAND the people on that page....Hippie tree huggers that use hiking as something to vlog about. I just want to hike without someone telling me my backpack is too cheap. haha

 

LOL. Yeah, that about sums up WB. I haven't hung out there for a couple years due to other interests, but good call.

Still some good info in terms of current conditions, shuttle/resupply info, etc.

 

I've done a lot of it here in New England but in sections of course. Also done the entire Long Trail in VT but not at one time. Who can take 5-7 months off working for a walk in the woods?

 

Ive done a lot in Vermont (I own a hunting cabin outside Rutland). But I also own a cabin in North Georgia and want to do that part, just never have. I love the trails in Vermont. I spent a lot of time at the Clarendon Gorge bridge.

 

Okay, so a couple thoughts have popped to mind since this morning... I've been out for a week at a time at the longest, but can extrapolate:

Great Smoky Mountains National Park - unless it's changed, even through-hikers (which you would qualify as by their definition) are supposed to sleep inside the park shelters and not tent out. I don't think you need to make reservations, but you do need to fill out a form and carry it with you, they're available as you enter the park from either end.

Speaking of GSMNP, research which shelters are which. Some were kinda nasty last time I went through, but they've been working to improve them. Just do some internet recon to know what to expect.

Food - out for a month you'll clearly need to resupply two or three times. If you're not already well versed in selecting good backpacking food options from smaller grocery / convenience stores, start figuring that part out. Don't expect a whole lot of Mountain House to be available.

Fuel - cannisters are handy, alcohol is pretty readily available. Yellow bottle Heet if all else fails. A popcan stove, hardware-cloth potstand, aluminum flashing wind shield, pot, and Reflectix type pot cozy and you can use a ounce of fuel per boil.

Water treatment - my preference has long been Aqua Mira. Light, simple, pretty fool proof, can't break in the back country. Just needs a bit of planning ahead. As I'd stop for lunch I'd treat 2-3 liters in a platypus water tank and finish off the contents of the 2L platypus in my pack then top it up and drink whatever was left. As I'd stop for the night I'd treat enough to have what I needed for the night and breakfast, as well as topping up my platypus before breaking camp.

Have fun!

 

Thru hiker here. Pack weight will influence your enjoyment and success. No tent. cut your last day weight (the day you go to resupply ) to around 17# or less. Get creative. Cut toothbrush in half, cut extra straps off pack, stuff like that. No extra clothes. Sports type fabrics that dry quickly if you need a fancy shirt for town a rayon Hawaiian shirt is light.

Second skin, unless you want to end your hike 4 days in.

 

BTW, ping me if you need any grocery store food ideas. I've not bought "backpacking" food in a long time.

 

While I agree with getting rid of unnecessary stuff, do so with a clear plan for emergencies. Just my opinion but I think it is foolish to be out for a month and not be carrying shelter you can deploy where you need it. Even if it's a tyvek ground sheet and a silnylon tarp, have some sort of shelter from the elements with you. (and the knowledge how to use it)