I really like your point number 10 about paying attention to, and learning about, the areas of Appalachia that the Trail goes through. I have spent nearly all my life within 100 miles or less of the AT, but at various points along it, South to North. This is the heart of one of the longest-settled regions of the United States. There is so much culture and history here. You will walk through battlefields and through areas surveyed by George Washington. And the people have a unique heritage of culture, including food, speech patterns and music. Hikers who don't take some time, before and during their hike, to learn about it and experience it are missing out.
Exactly. Appalachia has a rich culture and is special in so many ways. If people focus on the trail as a physical strip of dirt, then they miss out on the history, geology, incredible diversity of fauna, and the people who call the areas surrounding it home.
Great series Al! Wish I had these lists prior to my thru hike last year. I would agree with this list and would add a few. 1. I didn’t know how quickly the trail becomes a river with any significant rain. It is so well worn and lower than surrounding forest so water gathers quickly and makes for a hard slog and soaked feet with even a short shower. Associated with this beware your footing as wet roots and rocks become incredibly slippery especially on downhills. 2. Any time you’re not hiking or sleeping -EAT! Also build in NERO and ZERO days for the expressed purpose of replacing the inevitable calorie deficit that happens with every long hiking day. I would recommend an “eating” day at least once a week during a thru hike.
Those are great additions. You've given me flashbacks of how wet the trail was when raining. And you're right, people need to take in as many calories as possible. Keep eating as its hard to get the amount you need if you only have three meals per day.
Having thru hiked the AT, I advise folks to hike a better trail first. Many parts of the AT are artificially difficult. It's just not well done. YMMV, as always.
I am seriously loving these tips from a thru hiker videos, Lookout! You were one of my absolute favorites who documented their trail journey, so hearing all of the input insight and wisdom from you is giving me a huge confidence boost. Thanks a ton for putting in all this work for us :) My leave date is rapidly approaching and I'm super anxious and super excited, I can't WAIT to get out there and you're hyping me up big time xD I really hope to see Red Panda if he does trail magic this year. Cheers!
I'll be following your journey when I can while I'm on the PCT. It's such an exciting time. I know that you're counting the days. You'll have such fun out there!
Great video. I just finished my thru hike a week ago and all I can say.. never again lol I’ll thru hike other trails but the AT is a one and forever done. Good job on your completion!
You forgot about the nice flat 3-mile walk around the perimeter of the Wallkill Reserve just north of Unionville NY (NOBO miles 1351-1354). That was one of my favorite stretches, where I saw a blue heron, Canadian geese, ducks, a pair of white swans, and swarms of dragonflies. Then there's the 3.5 mile stretch after Harper's Ferry down the C&O Canal Towpath alongside the Potomac River, which literally has to be the flattest stretch of trail anywhere on the AT (NOBO miles 1026.5-1030). As for that "flat" stretch on the north end of the 100 Mile Wilderness, that was so twisty and full of rocks and roots that I was still cursing under my breath no matter how flat it actually was! Man, did I ever hate the 100 Mile Wilderness.
Shoes on. Embrace the suck 😅 Only took them off for first thing in the morning crossings when I didn't want to walk all day with wet shoes. I think walking in bare feet isn't good because you're likely to injure your feet on a sharp rock or slipping off one and jamming your toe.
They haven't released their service dates for 2023 yet, so if you contact them through their website, they might be able to confirm when they plan to operate. They also have an out-of-season service for one-off crossing you arrange with them for $50. (207) 856 3627 gcaruso@myfairpoint.net
In limited experience on the AT, sections in NC & NY, it was a very crowd trail and in some incidents "dirty". some shelters had an excessive amount of trash laying around. i've hiked much nicer trails here in TN.
I have to agree. The more well-trodden sections of trail in New York, Shenandoahs, and 100-Mile Wilderness had a noticeable amount of trash discarded around. It's very sad to see.
The AT in TN is not nice at all - there are no privies, so everybody just poops wherever they want. The AT in TN is literally a minefield of human excrement. Plus the shelters are dark, cramped, and decrepit - at least the ones in the Smokies, which begs the question: what are they doing with those permit fees? Not spending them on shelter upgrades, that's for sure. I was never happier on the AT than when I finally exited the Smokies on my SOBO flop. Sorry TN, but I won't be coming back.
Great video. I just finished my thru hike a week ago and all I can say.. never again lol I’ll thru hike other trails but the AT is a one and forever done. Good job on your completion!
I really like your point number 10 about paying attention to, and learning about, the areas of Appalachia that the Trail goes through. I have spent nearly all my life within 100 miles or less of the AT, but at various points along it, South to North. This is the heart of one of the longest-settled regions of the United States. There is so much culture and history here. You will walk through battlefields and through areas surveyed by George Washington. And the people have a unique heritage of culture, including food, speech patterns and music. Hikers who don't take some time, before and during their hike, to learn about it and experience it are missing out.
Exactly. Appalachia has a rich culture and is special in so many ways. If people focus on the trail as a physical strip of dirt, then they miss out on the history, geology, incredible diversity of fauna, and the people who call the areas surrounding it home.
I love thru-hikers. They are the true adventurists.
We love you too 😁
Great series Al! Wish I had these lists prior to my thru hike last year. I would agree with this list and would add a few.
1. I didn’t know how quickly the trail becomes a river with any significant rain. It is so well worn and lower than surrounding forest so water gathers quickly and makes for a hard slog and soaked feet with even a short shower. Associated with this beware your footing as wet roots and rocks become incredibly slippery especially on downhills.
2. Any time you’re not hiking or sleeping -EAT! Also build in NERO and ZERO days for the expressed purpose of replacing the inevitable calorie deficit that happens with every long hiking day. I would recommend an “eating” day at least once a week during a thru hike.
Those are great additions. You've given me flashbacks of how wet the trail was when raining.
And you're right, people need to take in as many calories as possible. Keep eating as its hard to get the amount you need if you only have three meals per day.
I am a bit of a river rat, I always go slightly diagonal up stream. Facing the current is the easiest way to keep your balance.
That may be a good tactic, instead of having the water hit you side-on. I'll give that a try next time. I always pick the most direct route 😆
Having thru hiked the AT, I advise folks to hike a better trail first. Many parts of the AT are artificially difficult. It's just not well done. YMMV, as always.
Good idea. Get some practice on other trails before hitting something like the AT.
I am seriously loving these tips from a thru hiker videos, Lookout! You were one of my absolute favorites who documented their trail journey, so hearing all of the input insight and wisdom from you is giving me a huge confidence boost. Thanks a ton for putting in all this work for us :) My leave date is rapidly approaching and I'm super anxious and super excited, I can't WAIT to get out there and you're hyping me up big time xD I really hope to see Red Panda if he does trail magic this year. Cheers!
Good luck on your hike!
I'll be following your journey when I can while I'm on the PCT. It's such an exciting time. I know that you're counting the days. You'll have such fun out there!
Great video. I just finished my thru hike a week ago and all I can say.. never again lol I’ll thru hike other trails but the AT is a one and forever done. Good job on your completion!
Congratulations on getting it done. That's a quick time, too. 💪
You forgot about the nice flat 3-mile walk around the perimeter of the Wallkill Reserve just north of Unionville NY (NOBO miles 1351-1354). That was one of my favorite stretches, where I saw a blue heron, Canadian geese, ducks, a pair of white swans, and swarms of dragonflies.
Then there's the 3.5 mile stretch after Harper's Ferry down the C&O Canal Towpath alongside the Potomac River, which literally has to be the flattest stretch of trail anywhere on the AT (NOBO miles 1026.5-1030).
As for that "flat" stretch on the north end of the 100 Mile Wilderness, that was so twisty and full of rocks and roots that I was still cursing under my breath no matter how flat it actually was! Man, did I ever hate the 100 Mile Wilderness.
The Wallkill Reserve really was beautiful. Good additions 👍
Lookout, that was quite an incredible list, it was very impressive!
Thank you!
I have also left some comments on the Patreon videos@@Adventure_Together
❤ THANKS
You're welcome.
You were completely right on all points!
It's all a learning process, and there is always more to learn with experience.
There is a flat section of trail cross the river from Harper's ferry West Virginia that is 3miles long then you got 27 switch backs
I like that section. It's a nice gravel cycle path. It was weird walking on such a smooth path after all of rocks, roots, and bumps!
Great vid! -Matador
Thanks for watching 😊
Your vidioes are awesome! Right to the point. No BS Top notch info too . Thx
This comment made me smile! Thank you so much. I'm glad to have you following along!
What was your shoe situation on all those river crossings? Did you leave your trail runners on, switch to crocs, go barefoot?
Shoes on. Embrace the suck 😅
Only took them off for first thing in the morning crossings when I didn't want to walk all day with wet shoes. I think walking in bare feet isn't good because you're likely to injure your feet on a sharp rock or slipping off one and jamming your toe.
What advice would you like to get from someone who has hiked the AT?
Were you ever scared at certain sketchy sections and if so, how do you overcome that fear?
Thanks for the video. I am a section hiker. I anticipate getting to the Kenebec River before May 27th. Do I have any options for crossing?
They haven't released their service dates for 2023 yet, so if you contact them through their website, they might be able to confirm when they plan to operate. They also have an out-of-season service for one-off crossing you arrange with them for $50.
(207) 856 3627
gcaruso@myfairpoint.net
@@Adventure_Together thank you very much! This is very helpful!
You're welcome! Good luck on your section hike.
In limited experience on the AT, sections in NC & NY, it was a very crowd trail and in some incidents "dirty". some shelters had an excessive amount of trash laying around. i've hiked much nicer trails here in TN.
I have to agree. The more well-trodden sections of trail in New York, Shenandoahs, and 100-Mile Wilderness had a noticeable amount of trash discarded around. It's very sad to see.
The AT in TN is not nice at all - there are no privies, so everybody just poops wherever they want. The AT in TN is literally a minefield of human excrement. Plus the shelters are dark, cramped, and decrepit - at least the ones in the Smokies, which begs the question: what are they doing with those permit fees? Not spending them on shelter upgrades, that's for sure. I was never happier on the AT than when I finally exited the Smokies on my SOBO flop. Sorry TN, but I won't be coming back.
Great video. I just finished my thru hike a week ago and all I can say.. never again lol I’ll thru hike other trails but the AT is a one and forever done. Good job on your completion!
Congratulations! That's an awesome time. You must have been speeding.