Appalachian Trail

Before you do, start off in the spring or late winter when it starts warming up. I nearly froze to death one night, believe it or not my batteries actually froze rendering my flashlights useless, at 5 degrees that could and almost got very deadly. Also consider carrying a pistol, you are in the middle of no where and believe me, there are some strangers walking around!

 

Remember that the AT passes through national park land in several places, where carrying a firearm may be considered a federal crime...

 

Just get decent batteries. I've never had any problems with my headlamp going out from the cold when I lived in Vermont.

You don't need to carry a gun. I didn't carry a gun on my 1998 thru hiker and never had the need to use one .The only time a gun would have come in handy was on several occasions when I saw some wild turkeys and rabbits and thought they would have made for a tasty supper. Very few hikers carry guns with them as a gun is useless extra weight. We're all like a family out there, everyone looks out for each other. You may meet a few weirdos out there but for the most part the AT is very safe. If your that concerned about safety just take some judo. An attacker can always take a gun away from you and use it against you but they can't do so with martial arts.

Here's some statistics on Trail violence. Approximately 2-3 million people use the AT each year. This includes mostly day hikers, picnickers or people just out for a short jaunt less than a mile or two up the Trail. Thru hikers are a small majority of Trail users. Since the Trail's completion in 1937 only 6 people have been murdered which is a much lower murder rate than many small towns. I'm an experienced thru hiker and I have known or met hundreds if not thousands of hikers over the years and neither I nor they have never been in a situation where they may have needed a gun. I've only known a handful of people that have carried guns on the Trail but those people were mostly retired military guys that had a healthy respect for guns and knew how to handle them.

The Trail is a safe place. Remember knowledge of Judo or Karate etc is a lot lighter than a gun plus it'll help you get in shape.

I'd reccomend starting in late March/early April. That way its warmed up a bit and you can avoid the worst of those nasty north GA spring storms. I started April 12 and finished October 13th. Plus if you start late March early April you can get through a lot of VA before the summer heat sets in.

for more info and to talk to lots of really cool hiker folk:

www.whiteblaze.net

www.trailjournals.com

I'm on the left.

 

I'd say as long as you aren't hiking alone, and can use your walking stick as a blunt weapon, you don't have to worry much about crime.

 

I would really like to do that!!

 

The only time you don't have to worry about crime is in town. In other words don't leave your pack unguarded when you go into a store or restaraunt or bar. We hikers are one big family and we all watch out for each other.


BooBoo Georgia to Maine '98

Springer to Gatlinburgh '03

Georgia to Maine '06

 

We have never had any problems on the trails. The male dinosaur insists on carrying a gun anyway - it's his pack weight.

Looking forward to getting back on the trail. We had planned to section hike about a third of the AT this year, but had to postpone this because a drunk driver hit us head-on and broke my leg / hip. I'm back out hiking with a cane in each hand, but it will take a while to get this dinosaur carcass up to backpacking speed again. I may try to slackpack some section in VA / WV this summer. Any suggestions on doing this or resuming backpacking after serious orthopedic injuries would be welcomed.

Are there any other oldtimers here who at hiking the AT?

Frolicking Dinosaurs - began section hiking from south to north in Spring, 2004

 

My dad used to clear the trail with the forestry department back in the early to mid 70s. His hiking partner got busted for having roaches in his car and he hasn't seen him since. A handful of bear encounters when they were staying in shelters. There was also a time where he stepped over a rattlesnake and didn't notice it until his hiking partner told him to turn around. I've only gone twenty miles or so on the trail. Doing a thru hike and traveling the area has always been on my life's to do list... My family is originally from the cleghorn valley, around Chilhowie, VA.

 

I would like to hike the AT one summer dring/after college. I would also like to bike ride and camp in the NAtchez Trace. It's so beautiful.

I love nature!

peace love and laughter
Amanda

 

I've met lots of older folks (late 50-80s') on the Trail. They usually are really tough and rarely complain and usually have a higher completion rate than youngsters. I think its because the have more self discipline.... I know this one 67 year old hiker named NimblewillNomad that can out hike guys young enough to be his grandkids! The guy has close to 15,000 miles of Trail under his belt. Yep thats with three zeros. In 1998 my brother and I had the privilage of hiking 1200 miles with Earl Schaffer, the first man that ever hiked the Appalachian Trail. Earl did it in '48,67 and 1998. He turned 80 before he finished.

Hiking is one the best things to help heal orthopedic injuries. I would suggest getting a pair of Leki hiking poles. The two section type are the best as they are much more sturdy than the three section poles. These poles will help take a lot of pressure of your legs and will also help with balance. The pointed tip won't slip like the blunt rubber tip on a cane.

Heres a few pointers: To adjust to proper length. Stand on flat surface with elbows bent at 90 degree angle.Adjust length of poles so arms are at 90 degree angle. Since you have leg injuries you will want to lengthen poles 1-3 inches beyond the length I described. Doing this will help take pressure of your legs. Carry a little bit of weight (10 lbs-15 lbs) while slacking. This tricks you body into acting like you have gained weight and it will strenghten and increase bone mass as a result. Just plain ol' walking in the park or down the road will help to strengthen bone mass. I'm sure your Doc told you this but drink lots of milk and eat yogurt. Avoid excess protein as your body has to use calcium to process excess protein. Thats why vegetarians usually have really strong bones. My father has been a vegetarian for 40 years and my brother and I were vegetarian until our mid teens. The family dentist told us that we had the most dense bone structure he had ever seen.

I know numerous older hikers that swear by glucosamine-chondroiton supplements. They say it helps keep the joints strong and supple.

there are many other hikers on www.whiteblaze.net
that can give you more advice than I can.