appalachian trail how long does it take
what to expect. Completing the entire 2,190 miles of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) in one trip is a mammoth undertaking. Each year, thousands of hikers attempt a thru-hike; only about one in four makes it all the way. A typical thru-hiker takes 5 to 7 months to hike the entire A.T. If you enjoy hiking, then yes it's easily possible to complete the trail in 3 months without running (it's possible to complete the trail in 46 days without running). 24 miles a day is only 8 - 10 hours walking. To generalize a bit here, the 6 month average is because most people aren't out there to actually hike. These are hikers who do all of the trail but in sections. I met two people who have been doing 100 mile sections for 20 years and are almost completed with their hikes. I think for a beginner who only wants to do a section, WV, MD, which would cover about 44 miles (and two states) and it is very flat, but pretty. From 1948 until 1970, the numbers per year were a single digit with no hiker reporting having completed the Trail in many of the years. 1970 saw ten folks complete the Trail, including Ed Garvey. In 1979, the numbers jumped into the triple digits, and starting in 1990, numbers have been in the low 200's. Often referred to simply as the Appalachian Trail or just the AT, the Appalachian Trail extends from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. At approximately 2,181 miles long, the AT is the longest continuously marked footpath in the world. Summer hikes can be cheap. Being on trail for 6 months compared to 3 months can be more rewarding, and leave a hiker with twice the experience. Set yourself up while hiking to be able to get into town, re-up, eat a meal, and hike out all in the same day. It's not easy, but it becomes habit. Solo Thru-Hiker AT 2013. 46 days, 8 hours and 7 minutes (recently set by ultramarathoner, Scott Jurek on May 27, 2015) - approx 6 months. It is possible to do portions of the trail. The entire trail has access points and is very easy to create a plan for your hike and how far that you want to go. As it follows the Appalachian mountain range, the trail 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. The trail measured 2,168.1 miles in 2001. The total distance of the trail changes slightly from year to year as trail maintenance groups reroute the trail as needed. An Appalachian Trail thru-hike takes between five and seven months to complete the entire trail. (About 20 percent of hikers who begin the trail will complete it.) The average cost of an Appalachian Trail thru-hike is approximately $3,000 (about $1.50 per mile), not including gear. While there are no fees involved for hiking the Trail, it ends up costing between $2000-4500. This would include books and maps, transportation to the trailhead, food, occasional lodging, occasional restaurant meals, etc. And then of course you will need to have proper equipment.
Five and seven months