My Goal: Hike The AT

[ditto1958]

Some time ago, I read Bill Bryson's book, "A Walk In The Woods," and discovered the Appalachian Trail. I read several more books by people who actually hiked the entire trail, and I was hooked. Since then, it's been my goal to through-hike the AT. It takes time and money to do it, though, neither of which I had at the time.

A few years ago, my hiking prospects seemed to be looking up, as I changed careers, and took up teaching. I hoped to be able to use summer vacation to do my hike. Fate intervened, however, and changed my plans. I ended up moving back to Wisconsin, and am back to my old 12 months a year profession.

Still, I am determined to do it before I get too old.

[Deadwood Dutch]

I have hiked parts of it in Lehigh and Carbon counties in Pennsylvania along the Blue Mountain which is part of the Appalachian chain. But these were only day hikes because I lived in the vicinity of the trail and also some of the state game lands which intersect it. I hunted grouse and rabbits there. Plenty of deer, turkey and some bear there also. There were established camp sites along the trail, with fire rings made from rocks and they were always left in very good condition, at least the ones that I stopped at to rest. I always carried at least a revolver, even if I was not hunting. Only on rare occasions did I pass other hikers and then just offered a friendly "hello." I used to take my Jack Russell Terrier with me because he loved the woods. Today, I have moved to another area of the state but the trail is still within a short drive from me, however now I don't try to hike it anymore. Any hikes that I take are on the local state game lands. I hope you can get to hike it someday.

[RetiredSeabee]

Ditto, it sounds like you and Sir Henry are kindred spirits.
I have been to several places where there are trail markers for the AT. I may try a day hike on a section that isn't too challenging. I am in great shape but have never been a hiker and I do love the mountains.
Hope you get to make the trek. In the meanwhile you have some beautiful country up your way to explore.

[CT_Shooter]

I have two nephews that each hiked the entire trail separately after graduating from college. They kept diaries and took lots of pictures, and they still talk about it with pride a decade later... probably will still be talking about it when they're retired. Good luck to you. I hope you make it.

[Sir Henry]

I want to hike the Pacific Crest Trail and have done small sections of it. I am currently hiking 50 to 80 miles a week. Not yesterday but the Sunday before I hiked 20.3 miles in one day. That is the most I've hiked in one day in decades. To hike the PCT I need to average that everyday.

[White Squirrel]

I know two men who have hiked portions of the AT every summer, but don't know anyone who has through-hiked it. That would be a huge committment.

The two I know who did it piecemeal basically took a week or two of vacation each summer and did it by sections. From there stories, that was pretty intense. I can't really comprehend spending several months on the trail.

I'm like Dutch, my hiking these days is usually limited to weekends in the state parks in Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois.

[daytime dave]

My girlfriend's cousin retired and did the whole trail by herself. She is an avid hiker and mountain climber.

Ditto, good luck in your adventure. Keep us posted.

[JEBar]

in my younger days (OK, much younger days) some friends and I walked every foot of the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina .... it was an interesting experience

[PT7]

The Conservancy website for the Appalachian Trail states it is 2,190 MILES crossing 14 states. That is some kind of challenging walk!
A perspective of the AT distance. The approximate straight line distance of the contiguous United states is estimated at 2,802 miles...from Jupiter, Florida, ending in Ocean Creek, Washington State. So the AT is a shade over 78% of the entire crossing of this US line distance!

Yup, some kind of challenging walk.

Sure hope you can do it someday.

Some time ago, I read Bill Bryson's book, "A Walk In The Woods," and discovered the Appalachian Trail. I read several more books by people who actually hiked the entire trail, and I was hooked. Since then, it's been my goal to through-hike the AT. It takes time and money to do it, though, neither of which I had at the time.

A few years ago, my hiking prospects seemed to be looking up, as I changed careers, and took up teaching. I hoped to be able to use summer vacation to do my hike. Fate intervened, however, and changed my plans. I ended up moving back to Wisconsin, and am back to my old 12 months a year profession.

Still, I am determined to do it before I get too old.