Hiking the entire Appalachian Trail in one season from Georgia to Maine (or Maine to Georgia) is called thru-hiking (or, sometimes, through-hiking). However it is spelled, it is an enormous feat. Here are some basic facts to help prospective long-distance Appalachian Trail hikers make an itinerary and plan for a hike of this famous long-distance trail.
Statistics and Facts About Hiking the Appalachian Trail
The following questions are among the most commonly asked by thru-hikers:
- How long is the Appalachian Trail? It changes slightly every year owing to relocations necessitated by land management issues and weather events (such as Hurricane Irene). According to the National Park Service, which oversees the trail, in 2011, the trail was 2,175 miles long.
- How long does it take to hike the whole Appalachian Trail? Most hikers take about four-and-a-half to six months to hike the entire trail, with the average about five to five- and-a-half months. Many part of the of the trail are passable year round. But to finish in the snow-free season requires completing the trail in about six months, or 180 days.
- When is the best time to hike? The "best time" for any hiker depends on weather preferences (cold or hot), but in general, hikers seem most impressed with the floral displays of spring-time hiking in the southern sections of the trail, and autumn foliage on the New England sections. In both cases, temperatures are mild, which makes for more comfortable hiking.
- What is the average daily mileage? Many hikers take one "zero-mile" day a week, giving them a day off to rest in town, do laundry and other chores, resupply, and get clean. Assuming one zero-mile day a week, a typical five-and-a-half month (165-day) thru-hike means averaging approximately 15.5 miles per hiking day; that is, hiking six days a week and resting on the seventh.
- How many people have done the entire A.T.? According to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, as of this writing in 2011, 12,059 have finished complete hikes of the A.T. .
- What is the attrition rate? According to Appalachian Trail Conservancy records, about 75 percent of those who attempt to thru-hike do not finish.
- When is the best time to start? Most hikers start northbound in early to mid-spring, and finish by September or early October. Southbounders typically start in June and finish in late October or early November. However, hikers can start any time of year: For example, I started my thru-hike in late January (with snowshoes!) and finished in August.
Resupplying Hiking Food Along the Appalachian Trail
Planning how to resupply food and other consumables is the trickiest part of planning an Appalachian Trail thru-hike.
- How do hikers resupply? Thru-hikers generally stop every three to five days to resupply in small towns along the trail. In some cases, the trail passes right through the middle of a town. In other cases, hikers must walk (or hitch-hike) a mile or two. They can either mail pre-measured packages of food to themselves, which they usually send to themselves in care of general delivery at the local post offices. Or they buy food as they go. Typically, thru-hikers mail resupply boxes to about 15 to 20 towns.
- What is the advantage of a food drop? A food drop ensures that the hiker has enough of the right food to hike from town to town. In small rural towns, choices of food suitable for backpacking is often limited, and the food may not be packaged in convenient quantities. Also, specialized freeze-dried foods for hikers will not be available in many small towns.
- What's a hiker box? A hiker box is communal box that is kept by hiker-friendly businesses such as hostels, post offices, inns, and stores, where hikers can donate excess food or supplies they no longer need to other hikers, who are then free to take what they like.
- What's a bounce box? A bounce box is a box where a hiker puts gear and food that are not needed to the upcoming stretch of trail, but may be needed in the future. The hiker then sends the box up ahead to another trail town.
- How do you know where to send the boxes? The Appalachian Trail Conservancy sells data books, thru-hiker planning guides, and trail guides and maps for every section of the Appalachian Trail to help you figure out how many days it will take you to get from one town to the next.
- How much does it cost to thru-hike? It used to be said that thru-hiking cost a dollar-a-mile, but inflation has taken its toll, and today, an average thru-hike (after you have packed your resupply boxes. bought your gear, and gotten yourself to a trail head) can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000 depending on how often you splurge on hotels on rest days and how often you eat and drink in restaurants. There's nothing to spend money on in the woods, and there are plenty of inexpensive hiker hostels in trail towns, so the cost of a thru-hike can be very affordable -- or not, if you succumb to temptations in town.
Appalachian Trail hikers have a saying: "Hike your own hike." This means that there is no single correct way to hike, or plan an Appalachian Trail thru-hike. indeed, there are lots of ways to successfully hike the trail. Experienced hikers also know that the best-laid plans are subject to change, either because of challenges, illness, weather, or a phenomenon hikers call "trail magic." (Trail magic refers to the serendipitous opportunities that hikers encounter along the trail, which might range from being invited to join someone's picnic feast, meeting new friends, or even being invited to stay at someone's home.)
Keep an open mind, and above all remember the words of Appalachian Trail founder Benton MacKaye, who wrote, "The purpose of hiking? To walk. To see. And to see what you see."
Karen Berger - Karen Berger is the author of 15 books. Please click on her name to read her full bio.
