A complete guide to the appalachian trail shelters that provide a gathering place and a sense of community along americas most famous footpath. On his way from georgia to maine via the appalachian trail, he encounters a whole cast of characters. The author of this book about hiking the appalachian trail reveals how he immersed himself in the wilds of eastern america and how making friends on the trail helped him overcome a great loss. If you are looking for an epic trail to hike, there isnt one more worthy than the legendary appalachian trail.
Thruhikers companion appalachian long distance hikers. The appalachian trail thruhikers companion is the only official atc guidebook for thruhikers, sectionhikers and dayhikers on the appalachian trail. With all the movies about the appalachian trail at that will soon hit theaters, there are going to be flocks and herds of clueless noobs in blue jeans and flatssneakers hoping to. For the 2014 edition of this book, search for isbn. In 2003, david miller left his job, family, and friends to fulfill a dream and hike the appalachian trail. It passes through the states of georgia, north carolina, tennessee, virginia, west virginia, maryland, pennsylvania, new jersey, new york, connecticut, massachusetts, vermont, new hampshire, and maine.
A psychological and emotional guide to thruhike the appalachian trail. Too heavy in my opinion to bring along, it lists the same stuff awol does, plus a little more. The appalachian national scenic trail, generally known as the appalachian trail or simply the a. Otherwise, its best to consult a map or guide book to verify a side trails. Appalachian trail data book section 1 springer mtn. What he learned during the next four months changed his lifeand could change yours as well. Your book will include nearly 1,900 quality headshots of fellow hikers, profiles of unique hikers, trail angels, a. This program calculates the approximate walking distance in miles between two points along the appalachian trail. The appalachian trail conservancy has published 11 guidebooks that describe all the details of the trail and contain relevant trail maps. Hiking the entire trail is an enormous, often lifechanging event, and since the appalachian trail conservancy began keeping records in the 1930s, more than 10,000 people have hiked it.
We all know that this book excellent preparation for long distance hiking but its message also rings true for every other area of life. Why the most popular hiking memoirs dont go the distance. Guide is the guidebook of choice for hikes of any length on the appalachian trail. In 2005, andrew thompson of new hampshire made hiking history by completing the appalachian trail in just 47 days, hours and 31 minutes setting an astounding pace of 45 miles a day. Now, as i reflect on my appalachian trail experience, i realize a few things. A comprehensive guide to plan and prepare for a successful thruhike is free on amazon kindle for the next few days.
Why the most popular hiking memoirs dont go the distance the. Ohio hiker chronicles first solo thruhike of buckeye. If youre still trying to decide whether section hiking the appalachian trail is a good idea or youre a beginner backpacker, ease into it by planning a few short one or two night backpacking trips covering 1015 miles to try it out and get used to using your camping gear. This effort was led by researchers from the university of vermont in partnership with the pennsylvania state university. These distances are based on the appalachian trail data book for 2020, a publication of the appalachian trail conservancy, all rights.
First of all, hiking is not just walking, especially when you have a 50pound backpack strapped to you. Our premium printed topographic maps and matching app for a once in a lifetime. The psychological and emotional guide to successfully thruhiking the appalachian trail zach davis you can read a million books about the journeys of other thru hikers, but zach davis cuts to the core and focuses on the most important aspect of preparing for a thruhike, the mental component. It is an arduous but rewarding journey that will lead you across 14 different states. The appalachian trail databook for thruhikers and section hikers is here is the home of the databook, a development to create a web based online database of information for appalachian trail and other hikers. Thruhiking the appalachian trail is one of the most adventurous things you can do in the u. The appalachian trail conservancys mission is to preserve and manage the appalachian trail ensuring that its vast natural beauty and priceless cultural heritage can be shared and enjoyed today, tomorrow, and for centuries to come. Best appalachian trail books the best books about the appalachian trail. A guide to hiking the appalachian trail howstuffworks. So, youve decided you want to hike the appalachian trail all 2,200 miles of it its an honorable goal, one that we here at the active times respect greatly. It extends over 2,000 miles through 14 eastern states, so a thruhike can take several months. The only illustrated book officially published with the appalachian trail conservancy, the appalachian trail explores this legendary footpath in detail.
Products a handbook for hiking the appalachian trail. The trail spreads between mount katahdin, maine and springer mountain, georgia. Shop for appalachian trail hiking guidebooks at rei free shipping on all orders. Appalachian trail the appalachian national scenic trail, generally known as the appalachian trail or at, is a marked hiking trail in the eastern united states extending between springer mountain in georgia and mount katahdin in maine. Top quality, great selection and expert advice you can trust. Appalachian trail data book, distances, elevation profiles, climate, resupply and more. Whether you have spent a night or six months on the appalachian trail, every hiker eventually experiences one of the trail s iconic leantos or huts. Conceived in 1921, built by private citizens, and completed in 1937, today the trail is managed by the national park service, u.
The psychological and emotional guide to successfully thruhiking the appalachian trail zach davis. I really like the no frills, more straight talk type of writing that zach uses in this book it just feels much more conversational and appropriate for the subject matter. Once inspired by this wonderful celebration of the a. How to hike the appalachian trail for beginners thinking about thruhiking the at. I finally turned my trail journal into an ebook, and i would love for some people to enjoy it. Whiteblaze how to hike the appalachian trail for beginners. This source book is a compilation of data from a comprehensive user survey conducted on the appalachian national scenic trail a. Many thruhikers have found the book, available here from to be very helpful preparation. Appalachian trail books a 2,160mile expedition for charity on the appalachian trail. But, for some reason, i decided to give up my terrible habits for a few days in. Bought this book to learn more about thruhiking and mentally preparing for the appalachian trail, and it didnt disappoint. I am not in shape, and i am not motivated to be in shape. It contains a mountains worth of information and data on shelters, water sources, town services and other hiker oriented facilities along the 2,192.
The appalachian trail starts at springer mountain in georgia and finishes at mount katahdin in maine. Note this is about the hiking trail not appalachia in general. The only illustrated book officially published with the appalachian trail. Rediscovering america on the appalachian trail by bill bryson, awol on the appalachian trail by david m. Appalachian trail travel guide a hikers online source. Im still working my way through this book, really taking time to make. Check out nearly 100 different books and guides written about the appalachian trail. How to hike the appalachian trail the definitive guide. Once you decide to go for something, you have to stick through even when the hunkydory honeymoon phase wears away. Your dues contribute to the continued protection and enhancement of the a.
The ways of thruhiking the appalachian trail are as infinite as they are complex. Hiking the appalachian trail backpacker backpacker. Robert moor on bill brysons book about the appalachian trail, a walk in the woods, and why popular hiking memoirs are often about halffinished journeys. Appalachian trail thruhikers companion 2019 paperback december 21, 2018. But maybe you hiked the trail in 2016, 2017, 2018, or 2019 and would like a momento of your hike. Simply choose a selection from each of the list boxes below, then click on the submit button. An entire book has been written about the topic with tips, exercises, and inspiration for prospective thruhikers, called appalachian trials. Unlike the appalachian trail, which snakes its way along the mostly wild ridges and valleys of the appalachian mountains from georgia to maine, the buckeye trail is more like the tristates 32. Awol on the appalachian trail is millers account of this thruhike along the entire 2,172 miles from georgia to maine. The trail is about 2,190 miles long, though the precise length changes over time as parts are modified or rerouted. Labeled the official guidebook for the at, this is a good book to have on your shelf. We release an new guidebook each and every year to ensure you have the most up to date guidebook possible.
I embedded a bunch of my pictures and videos into it, which should make for a. Written by brian king and appalachian trail conservancy, foreword by bill bryson. Second, i also realize that you should probably be in some type of shape before hiking 30 miles in three days. Backpacking tips for beginners from rei appalachian trail. A firsttimers ultimate guide to the appalachian trail. Our friends at rei have a bunch of back to the basics backpacking tips for beginners we want to share with you. The appalachian trail conservancy is a 501c3 organization. Some people hike it for speed, like jennifer pharr davis, the record holder for the fastestever thruhike of the appalachian trail, who hiked it in 46 days, 11. The appalachian trail conservancy thru hiking physical. Discover the appalachian trail with our complete guide. This book is everything i wish i would have known before setting off on my thru hike. Even if youve downloaded maps to your smartphone, its a good idea to bring along an additional waterproof map.
The forums on whiteblaze will help answer specific questions or how to hike the appalachian trail. But before you even think about investing in a pair of hiking boots, there are many, many factors to be considered to help you better understand what it actually takes to conquer the at and everything else youll need to. The best section is the one thats easiest for you to get to. We rely on the generosity of donors like you to help us fulfill our mission and vision of protecting the appalachian trail. Initiated by benton mackaye, a founder of the wilderness society, this trail has become a classic wilderness experience. One mans journey to peace and freedom on the appalachian trail. The hiker yearbook is a photographic record of individual appalachian trail hikers. After the devastating loss of his wife to cancer, stutzman was challenged to hike the entire 2,176 miles of the appalachian trail in search of peace and a renewed sense of purpose. The 10 best appalachian trail books for hikers section. Usually, it takes people around 6 months to finish it. The appalachian trail is a 2,185 mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the appalachian mountains. Or, perhaps you would like to do some light planning while waiting on your preordered guidebook. Robert moor on bill brysons book about the appalachian trail, a walk in the woods, and why popular hiking memoirs are often about. The trail is about 2,200 miles 3,500 km long, though the exact length changes over time as parts are rerouted or modified.
1334 542 609 387 213 1169 1334 218 1418 1500 394 1038 102 1562 363 1368 1449 1313 1220 717 1486 294 148 1218 1165 726 705 835 565 253