The most you’ll have to carry is 8 days worth of food when crossing the 100-Mile Wilderness in Maine. Reportedly tricky due to elevation gain per each mile, intense weather, regulations for camping, rocky trails, and steep terrain. Thru-hikers burn on average 5,500 calories a day, which could be double what you’re used to eating. Annually, more than 4,000 volunteers contribute over 175,000 hours of effort on the Appalachian Trail, an effort coordinated largely by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy(ATC) organization. An Appalachian Trail thru-hike takes between five and seven months to complete the entire trail. The Appalachian Trail stretches 2,168 miles from the state of Georgia to Maine. However, especially with increased traffic on the A.T., these water sources are becoming more likely to be contaminated. Permits are required for The Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee ($20), Shenandoah National Park in Virginia (free), and Baxter State Park in Maine (free). 310 people who hiked on the Appalachian Trail in 2018 took the survey. Shelters, water, and even the trail route itself are prone to change from year to year. I spend as much time in the mountains as possible. For example, one could start in the middle and head north, and upon reaching Mount Katahdin in Maine, head back to the middle and do the southern half of the trail. Last year, it was 2,185.3. To be a bit more exacting, according to the most recent available statistics (from 2015), the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) Data Book says that the average completion time is “a week or two shy of six months”. As a thru-hiker, it can also be daunting to cross 14 states. This bracelet makes an excellent addition to any backpack, helping the trek across the backcountry to be just a little easier. “First let's talk about time,” said Tommy Bailey, an avid hiker and outdoorsman and author of The Appalachian Trail, Step by Step: How to Prepare for a Thru or Long Distance Section Hike. There are 70 towns along the Appalachian Trail, but we recommend visiting only a handful. Not to mention depending on the time of year, water may be scarce on these legs. Because of the magnitude of this undertaking, every hiker should have a designated support person at home. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy reports its current length as 2,190 miles, but this is subject to change. There are also plenty of campsites along the Appalachian Trail, and they make a great option for some nights. Dan “Knotts” Binde, an American thru-hiker from Minnesota, completed the trail in 53 days 22 hours and 57 minutes in 2017 (Northbound). You could choose to go the traditional northbound route, but risk crowding and damage to nature. There are also a few dates to avoid as hundreds of hikers start their thru-hike on: One these days upwards of 100 thru-hikers may start their journey. Many of the hikers you may encounter on the trail are just hiking sections; they’re not thru-hikers. Learn more about me here. Cost isn’t the only factor in determining who succeeds in completing the AT, […] Jennifer Pharr-Davis, an American ultrarunner from North Carolina, actually set two separate speed records on the trail. Trail life is often cheaper than “real” life. That being said, it is not surprising that hikers take from 5 to 7 months to cross it. Trail speed attempts can be broken down into two categories: supported and unsupported. On your first day, you’ll have to climb Katahdin, a mountain with an elevation of more than 4000 feet. Most A.T. thru-hikers burn out in the first week, which is why it’s important to train in advance. Bonus tip: Check out this video on planning your first thru-hike! This can help hikers to have a physical reminder as they pass a sign telling them they are indeed halfway. Average Miles Per Day on the Appalachian Trail, The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, more commonly known as the Appalachian Trail or just the A.T., is a marked hiking trail in the eastern US. Being careful means we’ll be able to enjoy the breathtaking A.T. for longer. This pace may be slower at the beginning of the trail, and become faster as hikers gain muscle strength and confidence. Personally for the trip I budgeted right around $5,000 but would have preferred to … It generally takes hikers at least a full month or more to cross the entire state. Average miles per day on Appalachian Trail, Most thru-hikers will complete the Appalachian Trail in 5 to 7 months, with 165 days being average. More than a quarter of the trail lies in Virginia, making it the state with the longest segment of the A.T., whereas the portion of the path in West Virginia is only 4 miles long. Speed hiking on the trail has become somewhat of an ultramarathon runner phenomenon. Most thru-hikers will complete the Appalachian Trail in 5 to 7 months, with 165 days being average. This means the majority of those who complete the trail end-to-end finish just before the 6-month mark. Knowing which gear to bring along and how to pack lightly is essential to hiking the A.T. There’s a lot of preparation which goes into an undertaking of this magnitude, it’s not for the faint of heart. So, at over 2,000 miles, the A.T. is considered the longest hiking-only trail in the world. The top 4 fastest supported times on the trail are as follows: The top 4 unsupported times on the trail are as follows: Many hikers, especially those not from the Eastern part of the United States, imagine the AT is a flat, easy trail. Now pursuing freelance writing full-time, Meg has found a new base in Pheonix, AZ where she splits her time between writing and new desert adventures. ... To finish the trail in 3 months you would require to average miles per day on Appalachian Trail 24. A complete thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail typically takes hikers anywhere from five to seven months. This amounts to approximately 5,000,000 steps, a number sure to fill your step-tracker-wearing friends with envy. Joey Campanelli, an American ultrarunner based in Utah, completed the trail in 48 days 23 hours and 28 minutes in 2017 (Southbound). After that, hot to mild weather is most likely through to New England, with some more cold weather when reaching New Hampshire and Maine in September and October. At least this way you won’t have to take 6 months off work. The Appalachian Trail is a path located in the eastern United States. Most people start with 5 to 10 miles per day. Luckily, Virginia’s terrain is not going to be the most difficult on the AT. There are also plenty of campsites along the Appalachian Trail, and they make a great option for some nights. features Beartown State Forest Campground, situated perfectly for a stopover off the A.T. are popular with thru-hikers, as they provide more calories while not being as expensive as shop-bought dehydrated meals. On average, you can expect to lose 30 pounds during your 6 months on the trail. Less than 25% of all those who set out to complete this trek succeed. If you were to hike 10 miles per day for the entire length of the trail, it would take you about 217 days or approximately seven months. If you’re planning to tackle the AT heading South, you will need to be determined and in excellent physical condition. Even section hikers should carry survival gear, as it’s always better to be prepared. The trail is about 2,190 miles long, though the precise length changes over time as parts are modified or rerouted. Depending on how much gear you already have, you could spend up to $2,000 in this category. The time required to complete the AT depends on the hiker’s physical abilities. An estimated 2-3 million people hike a portion of the Appalachian Trail each year, mostly as day hikes or short backpacking trips. Thru-hikers will gain and lose a total of 464,464 ft or 89 miles. Most will hit a few 20-25 mile days towards the end of their hike, but the average miles per day on the Appalachian Trail is 16. The Appalachian Trail’s history, just like its geographical coverage, is long and full of remarkable changes. The average hiker will take about 5 million steps on a thru-hike, and most of the time he / she will be hiking on rough, steep terrain. The highest point will be North Crocker Mountain at 4,228 ft. When many hikers start, they will average around 8-10 miles per day. Still, many hikers see Harper’s Ferry of West Virginia as their psychological halfway marker. It’s also easy to resupply, just have them sent to your post office stops along the trail. "The trail has a way of answering the questions you most need answered, even if you are afraid to ask." Time will be determined on endurance, average hiking speed, and miles traveled each day. Depending on the ability of the hiker, some will go up to 20-25 miles near the end of their trail days. The current overall and supported record for hiking the Appalachian Trail belongs to Karel Sabbe, a Belgian dentist and ultrarunner who finished the path in 41 days, 7 hours, and 39 minutes in August 2018. Most long-distance hikers eat as much as they can, as often as they can, otherwise, they risk a serious calorie deficit. When he's not writing, he's probably on a hiking trip or climbing in the mountains. You should always treat any water you drink, wash dishes, or cook with, using a water purification filter or tablet. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. The Appalachian Trail stretches 2,168 miles from the state of Georgia to Maine. However, this trail is most famous as a thru-hike. It is recommended that you start the trail no earlier than June 1st if you are starting in Maine. This will mean that your solitude on the trail will be limited. Speed records of the trail have been set in just over 41 days. Each year, thousands of hikers attempt a thru-hike; only about one in four makes it all the way. Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Survey Demographics. The first few steps in a successful thru-hike experience are getting to know the trail and getting to know yourself as a hiker. - Heather Anderson The Appalachian Trail (AT) runs 2,189 (in 2015) miles from Georgia to Maine. To hike the entirety of the Appalachian Trail is a huge undertaking. This was set on the northbound route, which is the most popular choice for the A.T. By far the most popular choice amongst hikers on the Appalachian Trail is the northbound route. Completing the Appalachian Trail is more than anything about having the ability to adapt well. In the summer of 2008, my friend Adam and I Thru-Hiked the Appalachian Trail, starting in Georgia and ending in Maine. About 15% of backpackers give up just a few days into Georgia. The vast majority of hikers will complete the entirety of the Appalachian Trail in five to seven months. , set by Joe “Stringbean” McConaughy in 2017, who accomplished an impressive average of 48 miles a day. That’s kind of a lot of numbers to throw around, so to put that into perspective…. This way, you’ll reach the end before the winter. For example, our article on the. This section will be just over 100 miles long. Do your research beforehand. Maybe you could challenge the current record holder- think you can do it in 45 days? It requires massive commitment and personal investment, but the payoff is huge. Researching trails and vistas or reading stories from hikers past. Alternatively, a southbound trek would prove much more of a challenge; it’s recommended for experienced hikers only but the benefit is a much reduced environmental impact. The Appalachian Trail is one of the most popular thru-hikes in the United States, along with the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and the Continental Divide Trail (CDT). Contact | Privacy Policy. Crossing all 14 states via the Appalachian Trail amounts to approximately 5,000,000 steps. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail is the longest hiking-only footpath in the world, measuring roughly 2,190 miles in length. That is where the trails become much rockier and harder to navigate. He is the co-founder of WeCounsel Solutions and has published work in both national and global outlets, including the Times Free Press, Patch, and Healthcare Global. There are many more challenging sections and sometimes even larger mountains to climb. The 2,175 mile Appalachian Trail runs from Georgia to Maine and is one of the most challenging long distance hikes in the United States. Speed records of the trail have been set in just over 41 days. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy has reported that at least 99% of the original trail has been rebuilt or relocated since 1937. Consider why you’re hiking the Appalachian Trail- if it has anything to do with peace and solitude, you’re better off avoiding these crowds. That gives you miles and miles of steep, rocky terrain to climb up and wander down. Some hikers will report that this mountain isn’t necessarily the hardest on the trail, but it is the most sustained climb. This means the majority of those who complete the trail end-to … The Appalachian Trail Conservancy recommends $1,000 per month for the average hiker thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. This section is seen as one of the most difficult due to exceedingly eroded trail areas, imaginably difficult to travel terrain, and crossing the Mahoosuc Notch (AKA the slowest mile on the AT). The optimal start date for hiking northbound is mid-March to early April, and you can expect to see many other hikers of you decide on this option. While fewer thru-hikers choose to start heading southbound, the northern parts of the trail are extremely popular section hiking and day hiking destinations. However, these parts of the trail tend to be the most strenuous, rocky, repetitive, and steep. Ballpark Estimate: $2,000 to $9,000. Appalachian Trail Weather charts pertaining to average low and high temps, average precipitation, and hours of daylight along the Appalachian Trail are shown below. 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