View Full Version : Guided hikes on the appalacian trail?
red_dog_2004
12-06-2007, 23:18
Hi, I was wondering if there were any firms that took people on hikes on the trail? People who know what they are doing and provide equipment, and go along with you? Thanks,
Hi, I was wondering if there were any firms that took people on hikes on the trail? People who know what they are doing and provide equipment, and go along with you? Thanks,
If you have bucks to shell out.. you can go on an Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) sponsored trip in the white mtns. Figure 200-300 for a weekend (www.outdoors.org (http://www.outdoors.org)).
If you want to have everything organzied and provided for you and you want to do a sub four month death march, with no time off and only dayhiking.. you could try one of Warren Doyle's expeditions.
I believe for 10 grand you could get some outfit to plan, outfit, and feed you over course of an at thru hike.
My pesonal advice though.. forget the guides.. do shorter (weekend, then 1-2 week long) trips to get your knowledge and confidence up. Then go for the AT. Attend an ALDHA gathering, or go to AT workshops. Get involved in a local outing club.
David
Just make friends with some of the folks here. The southerners seem to get together a lot more than we northerners do, but I've hiked with people I've met on other websites and had a great time.
If you want a real taste of any trail, hike alone for a few days. Don't worry, you'll meet plenty of nice folks.
Hi, I was wondering if there were any firms that took people on hikes on the trail? People who know what they are doing and provide equipment, and go along with you? Thanks,
First, let me say welcome to WhiteBlaze :welcome
I think that is excellent advice to check out those local hiking/camping organizations in your area. Just Google it and you should find some. Not only can you meet new friends but they can also answer your questions (as we can do here also) as well as help you further develop your "wood lore" skills. Another source can be your local camping outfitter (REI, Bass Pro, Cabela's, etc.). They often have information available on seminars or trips. Again, welcome to WB and good luck.
I support what they do and I will buy their cookies, but that's about it. ;)
Frolicking Dinosaurs
12-07-2007, 05:50
RedDog 2004. Welcome to WB. Is there a particular part of the trail you are interested in hiking? Also, how long do you plan on hiking? - a weekend? a week? several weeks? longer?
Most months of the year (but not December, apparently) our local REI in Pineville, NC, offers guided backpacking trips along the Smoky Mtn. section of the AT.
You also might want to check out http://www.thebackpacker.com/trailtalk and http://forums.backpacker.com - especially the first one seems to have a lot of Indiana folk organizing backpacking trips on Knobstone Trail, KY's Red River Gorge, etc.
nitewalker
12-07-2007, 08:33
hook up with a thruhiker at some point on the trail and they will guide you around. granted you will need your own gear; pack, bag, stove n fuel, food and a shelter unless staying in the shelters provided and of course clothing...alot of hiking is physical but you need a real strong mind to keep yourself going when in doubt..your mind is the engine that drives the body but do not neglect eating properly; "no fuel no fire"....peace out and good luck..... nitewalker," guide of the highlands "
gearfreak
12-07-2007, 09:38
The folks at North Georgia Mountain Outfitters (http://www.hikenorthgeorgia.com/) can probably help you out. :cool: