The Appalachain Trail presently runs from Springer Mtn., GA to Mt. Katahdin, ME. The exact length is often disputed, but we've seen estimates anywhere from 2,167 to 2,175 miles long. Each year the trail changes somewhat due to re-routes, newly completed sections of trail (that might eliminate a stretch of road walking) and other various reasons. Several people have attempted to roll a measuring wheel along the length (but depending on whether you go up and over rocks or around them it can actually make a difference) with some degree of success. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy has set the official length this year at 2,174.6 miles (this does not count the mileage to and from shelters or towns).

Top^

We don't really know. The average thru-hiker finishes in 5-7 months (but this requires going an average of 13-15+ miles a day). We have decided that 6 months seems more realistic at this point in time.

Top^

That is the goal. Statistically speaking however, it is a long shot. Typically, only 15-24% (depending on the year--rain?) of people who start actually make it the whole way. But we really want to give it our best shot. Various reasons that others have ended their hikes include: injury, illness, fatigue, depleted funds, homesickness, and seemingly most of all, severe boredom. Our goal is to complete a thru-hike, but we'd rather enjoy our "time off" than stress about getting to the end. One line Crazyhorse (2005 NOBO) repeated (his mantra?) was, "Too many miles... not enough smiles." He was of course referring to daily averages and this perspective sounds like the right approach to us.

By the way, with the 2005 season over, only 8,425 people have ever reported completing the feat since the trail was built (completed). That means (if we use the 20% completion rates) that over 42,000 people have tried it and not finished.

Top^

Rumor has it that a 2003 NOBO named "Ranger Rick" showed up in GA with 90 lbs. worth of gear (much of it camoflaged). Unfortunately for him, he didn't know that you could resupply in towns along the way typically every 3-5 days--and thus he carried all of his food for the entire trip. Sometimes the trail goes through towns, other times we will have to hike (or hitch) into towns from the trail head. As for water, we will be carrying a water filter that will enable us to drink safely from virtually every brook, stream, and spring we cross.

We will be using the Post Office in some cases to mail food ahead to ourselves in a "bounce box." The bounce box enables hikers to mail themselves something further down the trail (where supplies may be limited or inconvenient).
Click here for our planned Post Office stops.

Top^

Our pack weight is something that we have spent a good amount of time examining. Today there is no shortage of information that can assist you in lightening your load. As it is now, we believe that with 5 days of food and 3L of water Carrie's pack will weigh near 28 lbs. and Derrick's pack will weigh between 32 and 33 lbs. Some gluttons for pain carry 50+ lbs. (even experienced hikers) and other spartan individuals can carry 15 lbs. or less (total including food and water). When looking to lighten your weight, you will find the largest savings in your "Big Four": Sleeping Bag/Quilt, Tent/Tarp/Hammock, Sleeping Pad and Pack (internal/external/frameless). Other important weight decisions involve your stove (white gas, propane, or alcohol) and whether you choose to filter or treat your water.

If you would like to see our gear lists, click here.

Top^

It sounds like a really good time.

It is amazing how many people have asked us this. It is also amazing how many furrowed brows have followed our answer: "No." Aside from the fact that reception is often poor-to-non-existent in less populated areas (read, Appalachian Mountains), it is an extra monthly bill that we'd rather be without.

Top^

As has been the tradition for some time, many people who thru-hike, or attempt to thru-hike the trail take on a pseudonym (like a username in a website/videogame) during their hike. Sometimes people only know other hikers by this "Trail Name." Most people earn their names early on in the hike--some however, in fear of a name like "SnotRag" might choose their own name. Regardless it does actually feel a little awkward when people introduce themselves as "Cucumber Boy" (who is a girl), "UmbleDog," "Bump," "Cricket," and "Sassafrass" and you say, "Hi! I'm Derrick and this is Carrie." If we get names, we'll probably use them.

Top^

Black Bears, Timber Rattlesnakes, Copperheads, Garter snakes, Black/Rat Snakes, Raccoons, Skunks, Squirrels, Chipmunks, Spiders, Coyotes, Wild Boars, Dogs, Mice, Bats?, Ticks, Deer Ticks, Gnats, Blackflies, Mosquitoes, Porcupines, Bees, Wasps, Hornets, Deer, Wild Horses (seriously!), all sorts of birds, poison ivy et al., alpine plants, frogs... unfortunately we won't be seeing the most ferocious feline of them all...

The "Sammyman"
(notice he is sitting in a bag)

Top^

Key Terms:

-AT: Appalachian Trail--Marked the entire length by painted white blazes  (rectangles) on trees, poles, and rocks.
-Thru-hiker: Someone who completes a single fairly continuous hike from one  end of the trail to another
-2,000 Miler: Someone who has completed the entire trail (though not  necessarily all at once).
-Section Hiker: Someone who has completed (or is completing) a piece of the  trail
-NOBO: Northbound Thru-hiker (going from Georgia to Maine--even though not always in a northerly direction); generally begins  sometime between Feb-June (depending on speed) to reach Baxter State Park  (northern terminus) on or before Oct. 15 when the park closes.
-SOBO: Southbound Thru-hiker (going from Maine to Georgia); generally  begins the hike between May-July and tries to beat the snow down south.
-GAME: Georgia to Maine (GA to ME)
-MEGA: Maine to Georgia (ME to GA)
-Trail Name: Becomes an alternate identity while on the Trail. This name is  usually given to you by other hikers and relates to some aspect of your hike.
-Trail Angel: Someone who performs "Trail Magic"
-Trail Magic: A bit of kindness that appears spontaneous to hikers. Ex: Coming  across a cooler full of soda in the middle of the trail, left there for hikers to  enjoy. It seems like magic because it can quite rapidly improve a bad day.
-Shelter: Generally a 3-sided room in the woods that many hikers choose to sleep in (if they can tolerate snoring and mice).
-Privy: The out-house (some are solar-powered composting units and some are just "seats in the woods"--no walls!)
-PUDs: Pointless Up and Downs (elevation changes that don't result in getting to  the peaks or valleys of the mountains--or if morale is low it could mean the  mountains themselves)
-Slackpacking: When you only take a small pack with you (goal: to make big miles fairly easily)
-White-blazing: Following the AT as closely as possible--staying on the official  Appalachian Trail.
-Blue-blazing: When you hike along a "blue-blazed" trail instead of the "official"  AT. You would be hiking along State trails (still hiking, just on a different path).
-Yellow-blazing: When you get in a car and ride further up/down the trail  (usually to skip large sections or catch up with others)
-Aqua-blazing: Paddling or taking some other form of watercraft to make more  miles.
-GORP: Good Old Raisins and Peanuts (usually supplemented with Pretzels,  Chocolate and Cereal) is the main staple of most hikers; a good snack that you  can eat on the move.
-Zero-Day: A day off. These are usually for purposes of morale and rest, but can  also be used to avoid bad weather, visit interesting places or just to break up  the routine.
-Vitamin "I": This is Ibuprofen (Advil or the like). Most hikers really like it's  combination pain + swelling control.

Top^