no prob! hike smart! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Have fun and let us know about the experience. I have always wanted to do a serious through hike...

I read that book too. I kept getting funny looks because I would read it in public and start laughing at his great adventures. A definite "recommend" (disclaimer: there is some adult language) for someone that is looking for a great read.

As far as the AT goes, go light and get in shape before the trek. I have been putting together a nice light hike-ready pack so I'll try to post my setup soon.

THANKS DOGS...great info.i've bought the boots vasque lightweight comfy.....lowe alpine appalachian 65-15 pack (6lbs) doing alot of reading walking everyday

i did alot of hiking on the AT growing up. pack light is key. I read once that the energy required to carry 1 extra pound through the carolina section of the trail was the same as pressing a fully loaded semi trailer over your hear.

The AT runs RIGHT THROUGH my neck of the woods. me and my boys ride our bikes and drag knees all the way up on the road that runs perpendicular to the trail itself up near the pisgah valley break into NC. im telling you, if you arent in TOP shape and know what you are getting yourself into, you are going to be in for more than you really ever thought. this is supposing you attempt to hike the entire trail, mind you. its over 2,000 miles. through mountains. have you ever been outdoors that long? i sure as hell havent. the record is like 3 months. thats doing like 30 miles a day. you dont understand how hard that is... i rucked 18 this past summer ONE day and was about to fall out at pt the next morning from my feet being done. and im in pretty good shape. hiking the AT is a REAL deal. make sure you are in shape before you head out... i would recommend going from the top to bottom.

If you go from bottom to top you are hiking uphill but you have a seasonal advantage. You get to start out earlier and are in cooler weather for much more of the trip. If you start from Maine you are starting later because of the snow/ice and by the time you get to the south it is HOT. I think that's why most people start in Georgia.

2000 miles divided over 30 miles per day is 66.6667 days. That would be very hard work. Do I get to stop and eat at fast food joints along the way? I have never spent that long outside in a row. I have stayed in cities that I felt I would have been better off being outside though.

imaginefj, im telling ya man, its HARD as hell to hike the entire thing. Obviously i never have but i mean hell, you just figured out the math on how long and hard it would be to do it in a few months

I have never hiked the AT but understand that 12-14 miles a day is pretty much what you should expect. It takes months to thru-hike the entire length.

from what I've read it changes in length ..today its 2178 miles....we will hike about 55 miles in southern PA. mid June

main thing for long distance hikes is resupply spots....and planning planning planning...

this guys is a hiking machine www.andrewskurka.com

some ppl have done the PCT, CDT AND the AT just like there are knife nuts there are hiking nuts! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />