Appalachian Trail

[Butternutsqoosh]

I have a bee in my bonnet about hiking (a portion) of the Appalachian Trail ... has anyone ever done this? I'm watching endless documentaries about it and ordered loads of books, would really love to do it, but could only do a weeks worth!

Thinking of doing part of the Jurassic Coast this weekend actually!

Some great tips and info thanks so much! I'm lucky enough to work for an airline (at the moment!) so its easy to hop on a flight to Georgia or Maine so not huge expense or planning for this bit which maybe makes it a bit more accessible for me. I'd never contemplate going alone, I'd rope DH in too! I've read lots of horror stories about creeps, bears etc and that is a bit scary!

Will keep reading and make some plans ... which will depend on me keeping my job, which I'll know the outcome of by the weekend 🤞🏻

Thanks so much to you all for your replies

The app I use is called Walk the distance- maybe iPhone only.

I've done a fair few day hikes on the Maine section and we quite often rent cabins near it including very close to the 100 Mile Wilderness.

It's tough. The path is rugged - a lot of it involves hopping from boulder to boulder, or walking along exposed roots, or climbing up and down rock faces.

It's unbelievably buggy, and can be very muggy in summer. Every time I hike it I end up with a massive headache.

You're not really likely to be attacked by people or bears - it's very rare. But having said that, the last time I saw a bear while camping in Maine it was not scared of people, and had no intention of leaving until it got some food. Take bear spray or a gun.

It is very easy to get lost, and people do wander off the trail and die.

There are not really many views to look forward to, and the ponds/lakes have all sorts of interesting leeches in them.

Personally I'm not that keen on the AT trail, and much prefer some of the other mountain hikes in Maine such as Borestone Mountain.

If you do plan seriously to hike it, read David Miller's book Awol on the Appalachian Trail. It's much more of a realistic take on actually hiking it than Bill Bryson's book (although nowhere near as entertaining).

They don't know when they will be able to go - everything on the entire length of the trail is still completely shut I think.

Bits of it have reopened but it's quite varied from state to state. If they wanted to do the northern section in July/August they could probably manage as I think most places will have reopened by then. That's if they're in the US already - I don't know when travellers from the UK or Europe will start to be allowed in again.

Not the AT, but another long walk movie that you might enjoy is “The Way” with Martin Sheen. Makes you want to get out there and do something like that. You could do it as a practice walk - it’s only about 800km!

my brother did it many years ago (maybe about 20 years ago now). he was gone for a few months (certainly not weeks) loads of planning. i remember discussing foot gear with him; his take was what ever is comfy. people hiked in cheap runners to expensive hikers. my mom had certain dated to mail out parcels so they would be at the right location at the right date for pick up (change of clothing as weather got cooler fresh gear even food staples).
toward the end of his hike he was using up more calories hiking than he could physically carry and was living off tinned sardines and peanut butter.

Journey through Love by John Hillaby is worth reading as part of it covers his walk of part of the Appalachian trail.

All his books about walking are well worth reading. They are a bit old now - he died in 1996.

I am obsessed with these documentaries and there is another in Europe I have watched too. I then joined the UK pilgrimage site and walked 26miles which was way way way harder than I could have imagined despite lots of prep!

This guy is still hiking the AT.

www.pressherald.com/2020/06/10/the-virus-diaries-portland-hiker-sticks-it-out-on-the-at-trail/

I'd love to do this! Can we join you, op?

@managedmis yes!! I'm hoping to do a week starting from Amicalola Falls next May I think. Lots of planning to do and persuading DH to come with!

I did some of the Maine section last week. It was 35C, humid and buggy. Then some huge thunderstorms rolled through. I was very glad to be able to turn round and head back to my car...