Night Hiking

[Tudor]

We, "all", know that night hiking can prove difficult, fun, challenging, etc. Now, I've done a few night hikes on the AT and had fun with them, but my question is

"Does anyone know of someone Thru-hiking the AT ONLY @ night?" I think that this would be awesome in the same way that someone 'hiked' the AT in like 40 days, during the winter, yo-yo hiked, etc.

[Chenango]

Never heard of anyone doing that.

[Egads]

I think it would be very difficult on 2 levels, keeping your headlamp batteries charged, and sleeping in the day.

[snaplok]

I think it would be very difficult on 2 levels, keeping your headlamp batteries charged, and sleeping in the day.
I did a night hike in the Catskill mountains in Nov, more so cause it got dark quicker than anyone planned. I was exciting but I wouldn't do it if I was bushwacking, but on an established trail like the AT it would be great.
And always pack extra lithium batteries for your headlamp, worth the extra weight.

[jersey joe]

"Does anyone know of someone Thru-hiking the AT ONLY @ night?" I think that this would be awesome in the same way that someone 'hiked' the AT in like 40 days, during the winter, yo-yo hiked, etc.
Doing a thru hike completely in the dark would be a very novel way to do the whole AT. It would be VERY difficult and I wouldn't want any part of that. I imagine you'd get a very fitting trail name like night owl or sleepwalker.

[Rockhound]

Could it be done? sure. But whats the point? " Yea. I hiked the whole AT and didn't see a single view!" I like an occasional night hike. On a clear night with a full moon sometimes you don't even need a headlamp.

[JAK]

I love night hiking and night skiing, but not night after night after night.
Going out tonight for a night ski. Awesome Full Wolf Moon.

[JAK]

I could see maybe hiking the AT and resolving to hike at least a little each night.
Maybe something like that.

[CrumbSnatcher]

night hiked in 03' at least 200-300 miles,to beat the heat for my dog mostly. its a great time but to do it all the way to big k ?you'd miss too many great views! if you walk into dusk/night time your eyes will adjust and you won't need your headlamp as much as you think. but once you do turn on the light theres no going back.

[Slo-go'en]

A guy named "Zero" from 07 did a lot of night hiking, check out his trailsjournal. Sounds like he hurt himself a lot doing that and had other issues.

But an occasional night hike can be fun. Wouldn't want to do the whole trail that way though!

[Wise Old Owl]

My only thought on this is do not do it with a one led head strap - 3 Led would be the minimum. I too am asking why,

[Plodderman]

I have ran intro a few people that have done a lot of night hiking but no one who did the whole trail.

[emerald]

I hiked the whole AT and didn't see a single view!

Whoever were to hike the hike we're discussing would see all of them in a way few others have. Tonight I may take a short hike near my home on fresh snow and see things even I never saw before.:)

[Feral Bill]

Another problem, in summer the nights are short. You could have the opposite problem of not enough daylight. A red headlamp might preserve your night vision.

[Serial 07]

that would be a waste...

[Tudor]

It's all in the same concept of 3rd shift epmloyment. Work/hike in the evening, sleep during the day. I think it would be difficult as hell, but would love to see someone do it. Hell, I might attempt it in 10 years! ;)

[Tennessee Viking]

Usually the first batch of thru-hikers will night hike in Jan and Feb in order to get a good mileage in for the day.

I ran into one thru at Cherry Gap Shelter in early March 08, with the sun already setting, and he was going to push it to Clyde Smith.

[Pokey2006]

Actually, this sounds like a lot of fun! This, coming from a true night owl (as you can see from the time stamp on this post....). I'd love to sleep all day and hike all night.

Zero, like me, is not a morning person. He sleeps in late, hence the need to night hike. I get it.

Believe it or not, there are some great views to be had at night. The lights of a town sparkling far down below, millions of stars overhead, the moon lighting up the clouds. Not to mention the great sunset you get to see from the trail, instead of from your tent. And, the fact that you'd pretty much have the trail to yourself the whole time.

Hmmm. I might actually do something like this, though on a smaller scale. A weeklong hike, all done at night -- how cool would that be?

[Tudor]

Actually, this sounds like a lot of fun! This, coming from a true night owl (as you can see from the time stamp on this post....). I'd love to sleep all day and hike all night.

Zero, like me, is not a morning person. He sleeps in late, hence the need to night hike. I get it.

Believe it or not, there are some great views to be had at night. The lights of a town sparkling far down below, millions of stars overhead, the moon lighting up the clouds. Not to mention the great sunset you get to see from the trail, instead of from your tent. And, the fact that you'd pretty much have the trail to yourself the whole time.

Hmmm. I might actually do something like this, though on a smaller scale. A weeklong hike, all done at night -- how cool would that be?

Now that's the spirit!! :sun Hell, we might even start a trend for people to do large sections in the night, leading to someone thru-hiking in the night!

[emerald]

Tudor, you need a moon and stars emoticon in place of your :sun.

[George]

A blind guy hiked the trail so it could be done I find my speed goes to half after dark with no less effort

[Almost There]

I would love to see someone climb Katahdin in the dark!

[sloopjonboswell]

i wouldnt wanna hike the whole thing at night.. to do this exclusively would be too much of a burden to enjoy yourself enough.

i will say that the occasional night hike on a thru will give you some amazing night time views.

[Skyline]

I've done a fair amount of night hiking over the years--but mostly on trail that I've done before--preferably a lot of times before. Night hiking on virgin trail is more dangerous IMHO--especially in the parts of New Hampshire and Maine which I wound up night hiking out of necessity.

The best itinerary, for me, is to begin hiking about 6 or 7pm during the summer along the AT, here in Shenandoah. Have dinner at a viewpoint along the way while it's still somewhat light out. Get to my turnaround point, and jump on Skyline Drive at the first opportunity for the return trek. Finish about 11pm.

I have reflective tape on my Lekis so vehicle headlights can find me, and most nights don't even need to use my Petzl to see once on the Drive. I always hike facing oncoming traffic, and try to take a few steps to the left and shield my eyes when vehicles approach so as to not lose my adjusted night vision. The experience is totally different than hiking in the daytime. The views from overlooks are awesome in their own way at night. Extra bonus points if lightning is visible in the distance, and you can make it back to the truck before it arrives in the Blue Ridge. Even more bonus points if there's a bright moon illuminating the skies and the landscapes.

One piece of advice, learned the hard way: It's not enough to just keep some spare batteries with you. Far better to keep a second headlamp, with fresh batteries in it, with you. Ever try to find, and change, batteries in total darkness? While raining?

[Alligator]

...

One piece of advice, learned the hard way: It's not enough to just keep some spare batteries with you. Far better to keep a second headlamp, with fresh batteries in it, with you. Ever try to find, and change, batteries in total darkness? While raining?In Mahoosuc Notch, in total darkness during heavy snow, one headlamp broken, one headlamp missing, one flashlight broken? Check:o.

[Johnny Swank]

I don't know about other SOBO's, but I did a BUNCH of night hiking from mid-November through January 10. The sun going down at 5pm is no reason to stop hiking, and dawn and dusk are my absolute favorite times to hike anyway.

[Skyline]

In Mahoosuc Notch, in total darkness during heavy snow, one headlamp broken, one headlamp missing, one flashlight broken? Check:o.


Ouch! You are very fortunate to be here and able to type those words today.

[Alligator]

Ouch! You are very fortunate to be here and able to type those words today.Yeah, I don't recommend night hiking that part in the winter at all! Got out with just a little frost nip.