My Appalachian Trail Hike2008

Ed CarrollBrevard, North Carolina

The Appalachian Trail Map

Overview of TrailOverview

• Approx 2180 Miles Long of Contiguous Trail

• History – Idea Originated with Benton MacKaye in 1921; Completed 1937

• First thruhiker 1948 – Earl Shaffer

• Managed by Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) and National Park Service (NPS)

Hiker Facts

• 2000 hikers a year start North

• 200 hikers start South

Through HikersDefinition

SOBO’s and NOBO’s

•2000 hikers a year start North

•200 hikers start South

A community of people with common Goals and Challenges (“The Trail Community”)

From All Walks of LifeYoung and OldGender, Probably 70% male, 30% femaleAlways willing to lend a handForges great friendships

Equipment

The BasicsBackpackTentSleeping BagStove and Fuel (sometimes optional)Cooking GearClothing Including Raincoat, Jackets and Sleeping GearFirst Aid KitMap and/or Guide BookWater Bottles or HydrapackHiking Poles

CriteriaYou’ve got to carry it all on your back!(As light as possible)

The Start of my Hike

The Famous White Blaze

Trail Names

A unique name used by Through Hikers and Section Hikers

Examples;• K1

• Mama’s Boy

• Bear Pack

• Bear Feet

• Wild Bill

• Slayer

A Day In The Life of a Through HikerArise – as early as possible

Breakfast

Pack Up

Walk 15 miles or so - See some amazing scenery - Enjoy the sights and sounds of nature - Go up and down mountains- Enjoy the Solitude

Unpack/Set Up Tent

Prepare Dinner

Socialize/Read/ Rest

Go to Sleep

Repeat until Hike is Complete!

Food On The Trail

• Must Carry All Your Food

• Lot’s of Dehydrated Food – Cook with Boiling Water

• Snacks and Ready to Eat Foods

• Resupply Every 4-8 days• Purchase From Stores• Packages from Home

• Some don’t carry stoves – only eat ready to eat foods

Trail Magic and Trail Angels

Trail Magic - Some unexpected kind gift of food, supplies or aid found on the Trail

Trail Angels – Special People who provide Trail Magic or aid Throughhikers in innumerable ways.

Some Examples

• Miss Janet

• Trail Angel Mary

• Lone Wolf

• Rock Dancer

Trail Towns and Zero DaysWhat is a Trail Town?

Examples of Great Trail Towns Hot Springs, North Carolina Damascus, Virginia Waynesboro, Virginia Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia Duncannon, Pennsylvania Manchester Center, Vermont Hanover, New Hampshire Gorham, New Hampshire Monson, Maine

Zero Days

Nero Days

Motivation & Challenges

Physical Challenge

Mental Challenge

Injuries or Illness

Equipment Challenges

Weather Challenges

Family Difficulties

The AT Symbol

More Information

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC)http://www.appalachiantrail.org/

Trail Journalswww.TrailJournals.com

Appalachian Trail