View Full Version : Words of Wisdom for Those Setting Out to Section Hike the AT
Gambit McCrae
11-30-2017, 09:54
What advice would you give to someone wanting to complete the AT as a section hiker?
Don't leave gaps in the trail
Use a credit card to earn air miles (you'll need them down the road)
Don't wait on others to go with you in order to complete a section
While using common sense on the first bullet point, Have 2 areas of focus - Close to home completion and your 1-2 week trip completion area of focus. In other words If you live in Virginia, don't invest a whole week of your time hiking in Virginia, go up to an area of trail that you cant access on a shorter trip and leave the miles for close to home for weekend trips.
Use your ability to design your trip to what works best for you. Be flexible to hike 1 section northbound, and another section southbound.
Set yearly goals
Set up shuttle rides at least 2 weeks in advance, and call to confirm the week before your trip. Everyone's calendar stretches out for a whole year, so it cant hurt for your name to be written down well in advance of a trip instead of last minute.
Never make a shuttle driver wait, keep your shuttle driver up to speed on your trip.. "Hey I'm looking good on time see ya at 12!"
When planning a trip, look 1 - 2 trips in advance and see how your end point is going to set you up for the trips to come...May need to make this trip a 32 mile instead of 26 so that the next one is 34 instead of 40 kinda thinking. You cant always help where the roads cross a lot of times you can walk on to that next road 5 miles down the way and make the next trip a little easier for yourself.
Start in the spring or fall for your first year of completion, where the weather will be a little more forgiving and anyone who can skip the "I carried too much" phase of hiking, I am jealous...If you know your going to love it, or you already have some backpacking experience and have the extra bucks for lighter gear, go ahead and bite the bullet and lighten your load.
When others say they want to go on a hike with you, and they are not backpackers.. Keep in mind that this is their maybe 1 trip every so often so they would more then likely prefer to go somewhere great like Roan Mountain or Grayson Highlands, maybe the Smokies! Instead of a 30 mile stretch of green tunnels in Virginia that you just so happen to need to complete still.
Interested in what advice the more experienced folks have here as I will be starting a second Map from Springer to somewhere in Virginia for 2018 while I wait for my 1 week and 2 week trips to roll around again.
bigcranky
11-30-2017, 10:21
What advice would you give to someone wanting to complete the AT as a section hiker?
[LIST]
Don't leave gaps in the trail
Yeah, this. I have several tiny gaps of 15-30 miles that I need to fill in. I got one of them this past spring (Deep Gap to Blue Ridge Gap), but there are several more, plus some larger gaps in central VA. It can be a pain to fill them in given the logistics of shuttles and driving time.
Once I fill those in I'll have Springer-Harpers done and i can worry about the northern half :)
Seatbelt
11-30-2017, 10:35
When you live farther away from the trail, some of this changes. In my case, I have done all of the first 600 or so miles of the trail in the south, but I can only get away a couple times a year for a few days at a time. Having started much later than many of you (2010 at age 56) it will take me another 18-19 years to totally complete the trail--highly unlikely that this happens. I decided that I will probly skip some less interesting parts of the trail and then come back later and hike them if time allows.
Logistics are more of a problem now than they have been to this point because the trail is gradually farther away as I hike north.
I do agree with bulk of the OP's post, good points.
Slo-go'en
11-30-2017, 11:33
Leaving gaps gives you incentive to go back and revisit an area.
evyck da fleet
11-30-2017, 12:17
1 - Start at one end and don’t leave gaps. Preferably the end that is farther away from home.
2 - Consider waiting until you have time to thru hike. Why? I’d rather spend those 10-20 weeks of two week trips seeing different parts of the US, world etc.
evyck da fleet
11-30-2017, 12:18
1 - Start at one end and don’t leave gaps. Preferably the end that is farther away from home.
2 - Consider waiting until you have time to thru hike. Why? I’d rather spend those 10-20 weeks of two week trips seeing different parts of the US, world etc.
*10-20 years.
Christoph
11-30-2017, 12:35
Get the ATC AT map and highlight the sections you've completed to keep track. My bro puts his in his office at work and it's always a topic of discussion when fellow workers see more highlights throughout the year. Don't try to do all the "fun" sections first or you'll never go back and complete the boring/not so fun sections. Try not to complete the same section twice (if you're really trying to complete the entire trail) or you'll possibly end up hiking a LOT farther than the 2190 miles, unless you really had fun at a specific area and want to return. Pick starts and stops at good pick up/drop off points.
2 - Consider waiting until you have time to thru hike. Why? I’d rather spend those 10-20 years of two week trips seeing different parts of the US, world etc.
Interesting take Evyck, and one that's been popping into my head more and more lately. Quick background, I began this past April with the goal of section hiking the AT, in order, from GA to ME to try and get as close to the full thru-hike experience as possible. That goal is trying to morph into a just do what sections you can (I'm right in the heart of the AT and it's hard not doing local sections while waiting for a chance to travel way back down into NC to pick the section hike back up). Now, I'm kind of wondering if it may be best to just thru the entire thing when I get the chance, which I may in the next few years. Plus, I actually enjoy the camaraderie aspect of the trail experience, which you don't get a lot of while sectioning.
So my question to all you dedicated section hikers is this: if you had the chance to go back and choose between section hiking or thru hiking the AT, which would you do?
QuietStorm
11-30-2017, 17:52
I started in June, 2016 and did pretty much what the OP suggested. I hiked my home turf first and then moved further and further away. It helped that I live in Maryland, which is essentially in the middle. I started with day hikes, then out and back overnight weekend hikes, and now weekend hikes using shuttles and twice-yearly week-long hikes. I hike all 4 seasons. When it got too snowy up north I moved south. I’m about to cross 900 miles this weekend in southern VA.
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QuietStorm
11-30-2017, 17:55
To answer the question, I would thru hike in a heartbeat. It sucks to get up at 12:30 a.m., drive 5 or more hours, hike all day, and then hike and drive back the next day. I’ve missed out on places in towns I would love to experience. I’m a purist, so I haven’t missed any of the trail thankfully, but it’s hectic being a section hiker.
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Gambit McCrae
11-30-2017, 18:03
So my question to all you dedicated section hikers is this: if you had the chance to go back and choose between section hiking or thru hiking the AT, which would you do?
If I had my wish, I would take 1 month trips until it is completed, once or twice a year. If I had to thru hike I would start march first and take my time. I hear thru hiking isn't all its cracked up to be.
Cross Hiking works well for shorter sections where you only need 1 car for a group of hikers to hike a section. The hikers in the car are divided into two groups. You drive the car to point A and drop off the first group/person to begin their hike. The second group/person drives to the end point B. The two groups hike toward one another and exchange the car key in the middle of the hike or take two keys, one for each group. The group/persons can even camp together in the middle. At the end of the hike the first group drives the car back to point A to pick up the other group/person for the drive home.
Another option is to stash a bike in the woods to ride back to your car either at the beginning or end of your hike depending on preference. However, the ride on some highways can be very dangerous.
Keep clean cloths in the car for the ride back. Garbage bags to stash dirty gear/cloths in for the car ride back home help with smell.
Floor mats in car to protect car from muddy boots.
Leave nothing of any value in plain sight for trailhead vehicles.
As a 58 year old section hiker and lifelong backpacker, I have always wanted to thru-hike. However, section hiking and backpacking around North America has been awesome for me through the years. Sometimes you have to take what you can get. It is all good.
I live in Canada at about a 5 hour drive from Katahdin and debated a long time about where I should start sectioning. Like many here, I felt the best course of action would be to start at the furthest point from me in Georgia and work my way up, but then I decided that I should get rid of the hardest parts first so that I could finish the rest of it with a big smile on my face (don't smile much in Maine, lol). But now, I'm thinking that I might do a section down south now and then just to keep it exciting and also to knock down more daily miles as I think it could be easy to get discouraged while only doing the northern harder states.
In a perfect world, I would do a one month section every year for six years and have it done but leaving my family for a month is not doable for me at this point in my life so I'll do what I can when I can. One of the things I will try to avoid as much as possible is to leave gaps in between hikes since those can quickly become big pains in the you know what.
colorado_rob
12-01-2017, 00:04
If I had my wish, I would take 1 month trips until it is completed, once or twice a year. This is kinda like I hiked the AT, one-month-ish trips. Specifically, in order, 6 weeks, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 2 weeks, 3 weeks and 4 weeks. Six total trips, 3 spring trips and 3 fall trips because we like our spectacular summers in Colorado. Six cheap roundtrip flights from Denver to Atlanta, Roanoke, Wash DC twice, Newark and Boston. All direct flight from Denver. Didn't step foot on the AT in summer, basically cherry-picking the best times to do the 6 sections. We're basically repeating this for my wife's benefit, though she did join me for the smokies+, the Whites and the 100-mile wilderness, but we might repeat the last two.
Because of weird circumstances, I did leave one 10-mile gap once, pain in the butt to pick that up. I personally don't see any reason though to not flip around directions here and there, as long as you can be sure to connect the dots w/o gaps. I hiked NH in reverse (SOBO), seemed logical at the time.
I never intended to try a Thru, but I did want to make Harper's Ferry my first trip, but cut it short (6 weeks, 700 miles) out of sheer boredom. I tip my hat to any that can hike a trail for 4-5 months straight! Truly.
Kaptainkriz
12-01-2017, 08:27
Love your list - These 4 have been huge for me. Improper planning has led me to leave some gaps that I had to go back and get. If in a boring place, no one wants to go with me to pick it back up.
As a section hiker:
I love these two maps of shelters and parking for planning - https://tnlandforms.us/at/googleat.php?lat=39.8&lon=-77.48&scale=6
(https://tnlandforms.us/at/googleat.php?lat=39.8&lon=-77.48&scale=6)https://tnlandforms.us/google.php?trk=atparking
(https://tnlandforms.us/google.php?trk=atparking)
There are a lot of places worth exploring - SNP has lots of side trails with cool waterfalls, etc. Plan some side trips and loops.
Keep jumper cables and a spare key on your car somewhere...
Don't carry what you don't really need. I started with a fat pack - If I did not use something I took it out - now my pack is pretty empty.
I carry a garmin GPS to log my miles and store the combined tracks on my computer.
Pick up some trash and hike it out.
No rain no pain no Maine - Prepare for the weather and expect to hike in the rain. Even a section hiker gets wet. :)
What advice would you give to someone wanting to complete the AT as a section hiker?
When planning a trip, look 1 - 2 trips in advance and see how your end point is going to set you up for the trips to come...May need to make this trip a 32 mile instead of 26 so that the next one is 34 instead of 40 kinda thinking.
Don't leave gaps in the trail
Don't wait on others to go with you in order to complete a section
When others say they want to go on a hike with you, and they are not backpackers.. Keep in mind that this is their maybe 1 trip every so often so they would more then likely prefer to go somewhere great like Roan Mountain or Grayson Highlands, maybe the Smokies! Instead of a 30 mile stretch of green tunnels in Virginia that you just so happen to need to complete still.
Old Hiker
12-01-2017, 08:42
This thread is why I was amazed and deeply impressed by the section hikers I walked with in 2012 and 2016.
NO way I could get the resources to hike sections over a years-long time frame.
Kudos and keep hiking.
Francis Sawyer
12-01-2017, 10:13
Don't overthink it. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other.
peakbagger
12-01-2017, 10:47
I ran into a couple of retired guys while sectioning that were sectioning the AT the slow way. They drove to a trailhead, hiked half way to the next trailhead, set up camp that night and then hiked back to their car and repeated it the next day from the other side. They seemed to enjoy their evening liquor, I expect there was a question if their livers would last the entire trail ;).
I know someone that bought a very small motorcycle that was street legal so he could go on interstates. He had a rack on the back of his truck and would stash the motorcycle at the end of the section he was dayhiking. At the end of the day he just rode back to the truck. Probably not a great idea in built up areas but he mostly hiked off season.
There was at least one individual who reportedly slackpacked much of the PTC with two cars solo once he did the initial car spot. He had someone help him drop the first car at the first trail crossing then drove to the next trail crossing with a second car. He would then hike back to the 1st car and then drive the first car to the next road crossing past the location of the 2nd car using the 1st car. From then on he just leapfrogged his way along although at some point at the end he would need someone to drive the second car.
There was a hiker on Trail Journals (might have been Big Red?) that started out as standard thru hiker but his joints were acting up. At some point he picked up a truck and connected up with a couple who were thru hiking with their own car. They would take turns spotting a vehicle every day. I think they did more than half the trail that way
I encountered one hiker in my sectioning career that was doing something similar with a bicycle, he claimed he got stranded once at a remote trail head as the bike was gone when he finished the days hike. When he finally got into town he found his bike leaning up against a hostel.
Gambit McCrae
12-01-2017, 11:01
They seemed to enjoy their evening liquor, I expect there was a question if their livers would last the entire trail ;).
I know someone that bought a very small motorcycle that was street legal so he could go on interstates. He had a rack on the back of his truck and would stash the motorcycle at the end of the section he was dayhiking. At the end of the day he just rode back to the truck. Probably not a great idea in built up areas but he mostly hiked off season.
I usually carry 16oz of Jack Daniels with me for the trail. Resupply in towns has been pretty easy, especially up north.
I met a guy at the base of apple orchard mt that had a motorcycle! I think he was from New York and was sectioning the whole trail.
Berserker
12-01-2017, 11:46
Planning to section hike the whole AT…and when I say section hike my definition of section hiking is hiking the AT in pieces over several years with a plan to actually finish (I meet lots of people that say they are section hiking only to find out later in the conversation that they have zero intent to do the whole AT, we’re talking semantics here, but don’t say you are gonna run a marathon when you are actually only going to do a 5k)…is something that would be awesome if a plan could be developed and followed to completion.
In reality section hiking is more of a “learn on the job proposition” in my personal experience, and from what I have read of most section hiker's accounts on White Blaze. You start out with one style, and then that morphs over the years to something totally different.
So anyway, a few things I would add are as follows:
Keep a detailed spreadsheet (or something similar) documenting completed sections, as this helps out significantly when you get several years in and have gaps. My spreadsheet has a lot of info in it including details of the logistics of each section (mileage, parking spots, etc.), details of camping spots, water info, type of bear food storage (i.e. cables, boxes, poles, etc.), how many miles I’ve done per year, and so on.
If you are very detail oriented like me you can use the spreadsheet above to track your own personal AT total mileage. Over the years small re-routes occur, and your total mileage will probably be unique since you aren’t completing the whole trail in a single year. So far mine is looking to be 2,183.4 miles assuming I don’t have a formula error in my spreadsheet.
Keep a journal and/or at the least keep a set of detailed notes. They’ll both be fun to read later, and helpful for subsequent sections that abut up to sections already completed.
STAY IN SHAPE!!! You don’t have to train for a marathon all year every year, but you want to at least keep a nice foundation of exercising regularly when you get to that part of the year (for me it’s winter) where you don’t do much hiking. I’ve let myself go in the past, and some springs have been brutal trying to get back into shape.
EAT WELL!!! This goes with the bullet above. Have fun over the holidays, but don’t start chowing down during the months you are off…been there done this, and it took a while to work things back off.
Embrace the suck. A lot of us section hikers have had to do sections in less than ideal weather because there’s no flexibility in our plans due to the logistics (getting time off, planning around other stuff, the amount of time we have for the hike, etc.). Heck, I don’t even know what some parts of the AT look like because I hiked whole sections in the fog or crappy weather. I figure I can just go back and hit them again at some point.
Plan where you want to finish. Some may not care, but for me I'm doing the 100 mile wilderness and summitting Katahdin on my last section. As a side note I have done all sections NB without fail, so I'll have completed a NOBO hike when I finish.
Don't leave gaps in the trail
I have to respectfully disagree on this one. Gaps are fine as long as you make a good plan to fill them in, and by this I mean make sure to have good access points on either end and leave an appropriate amount of mileage for the length of time you think it will take to finish the section. I've had and still have gaps in my journey and I only have 352 miles left to go.
While using common sense on the first bullet point, Have 2 areas of focus - Close to home completion and your 1-2 week trip completion area of focus. In other words If you live in Virginia, don't invest a whole week of your time hiking in Virginia, go up to an area of trail that you cant access on a shorter trip and leave the miles for close to home for weekend trips.
Excellent advice here. For those that live near some portion of the AT, you can do a lot of the AT near where you live over weekends leaving the stuff further away for longer trips. This is what I've done. I didn't quite plan it that way from the get go, but I was able to work it around where I still have a bit of stuff down here to finish as well as part of ME over the next couple of years.
Slo-go'en
12-01-2017, 12:38
So my question to all you dedicated section hikers is this: if you had the chance to go back and choose between section hiking or thru hiking the AT, which would you do?
Thru hiking takes a lot out of you. Many thru hikers are burnt out by the time they get to the best part of the trail - NH and Maine. Their no longer enjoying themselves and "just want to get it the hell over with" is a common sentiment.
Back "in the day" when I first attempted with a 40 pound frame pack and 6 pounds of leather boots, I lasted about 2 months before I got worn out. It was then I decided that maybe long section hikes was a better way to go.
Doing the whole AT in 1-2 week trips is a very long term and expensive project. I'm fortunate that I've been able to arrange 4 to 8 week long trips every year for the last 12 years. Which is how I've managed to rack up about 7,000 miles of the AT since I first started in 1987.
For me the 4-8 week trip is ideal. That's long enough to feel like your a real Long Distance Hiker and become part of the community, but not so long you get burnt out from it. Getting a month or two off is a lot easier then 6. If you can arrange that month or two off every year, you can finish the trail in a reasonable amount of time, 4-5 years.
Berserker
12-01-2017, 13:16
So my question to all you dedicated section hikers is this: if you had the chance to go back and choose between section hiking or thru hiking the AT, which would you do?
You know, the first few years I started section hiking I was obsessed with wanting to thru hike. I even tried to see if I could get the logistics to work out a couple of times, but with a full time job, wife and kids it wasn't happening. Now I'm 10 years into sectioning the AT and have done many other hikes (notably thru'ed the JMT in 3 weeks), and I gotta say that after about 3 weeks away from home I'm ready to get back. I get tired of being dirty, smelly & sore and miss my family. Perhaps my outlook will change later on as I always dreamed of thru hiking something in my 50s...we'll see.
Seatbelt
12-01-2017, 13:57
You know, the first few years I started section hiking I was obsessed with wanting to thru hike. I even tried to see if I could get the logistics to work out a couple of times, but with a full time job, wife and kids it wasn't happening. Now I'm 10 years into sectioning the AT and have done many other hikes (notably thru'ed the JMT in 3 weeks), and I gotta say that after about 3 weeks away from home I'm ready to get back. I get tired of being dirty, smelly & sore and miss my family. Perhaps my outlook will change later on as I always dreamed of thru hiking something in my 50s...we'll see.
I can relate to this post to a degree. I always thought someday I will thru-hike as well. But after the last few sections, I am pretty sure that I have very little or no interest in rehiking certain parts of the trail.
peakbagger
12-01-2017, 15:41
To me the number one reason to section the trail was no bubble. I always planned my trips so I was outside the bubble. Hard to beat the south in the fall or late spring. The only regret in avoiding the bubble is I missed the rhododendron blooms.
I did 5 weeks straight one year, I could easily kept going but was hiking into the early bubble in southern VA. I got enough taste of the early bubble to decide it was not for me. My experience in NH is that Nobos definitely have their stuff together by the whites so the partying crowd is far less of an issue, Sobos tend to be the same way as I expect the party crowd drops out quick in Maine. Based on my limited observations of the bubble down south around Damascus in 2002, I couldn't consider many of the folks I ran into as potential thru hikers, sure there was a minority that had their stuff together but far more that were just out to party with their gang and their attitude of entitlement and who gives a crap if they bother other folks approach really wore thin quickly. Hopefully after trail days and the Virginia blues has done their thing, most of partiers and hangers on are off the trail.
MtDoraDave
12-01-2017, 16:31
On the last bullet point on the first post, about others joining you...
If they aren't experienced hikers, and you have become one - expect them to slow you down, perhaps by a lot.
When an acquaintance asked if I'd mind hiking with her on her first AT section, I was so excited to get someone else involved in hiking I accepted. Both her fitness level and her unfamiliarity walking on uneven ground had me waiting more than I was hiking.
Not that hiking the AT is a race, but if you'd like to knock out 100 miles on your week of hiking, select a partner who is at least close to your ability level.
MtDoraDave
12-01-2017, 16:47
About shuttles.
I try to get my shuttling done on day one.
I park at my destination and shuttle back to my starting point. This way removes the stress of arriving late or early. In some areas there's no cell service to ask for an early or later pickup - but if you are hiking TO your car/truck, and you get there a day early or a day late, there's no stress about the shuttle driver.
.
Soon I'll have to fly up for sections - the last 12 hr drive put a hurtin' on me, and flights may be cheaper than gas!
This could mean 2 shuttles per trip... but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.
It’s just walking, eating and sleeping.
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On the last bullet point on the first post, about others joining you...
If they aren't experienced hikers, and you have become one - expect them to slow you down, perhaps by a lot.
When an acquaintance asked if I'd mind hiking with her on her first AT section, I was so excited to get someone else involved in hiking I accepted. Both her fitness level and her unfamiliarity walking on uneven ground had me waiting more than I was hiking.
Not that hiking the AT is a race, but if you'd like to knock out 100 miles on your week of hiking, select a partner who is at least close to your ability level.
Very true. I enjoy the company of my friends joining me, but it does become a drag when you're constantly having to wait. I now go solo when I'm trying to knock out miles at a good clip. When going with others, it's more for the camping.
SpongeBob
12-02-2017, 15:41
I’m section hiking in very small bites (30 - 50 miles) due to other obligations, so it’s a long (but terrific) process. In my 60’s, so I jumped ahead to the Whites to be sure I got to them while I could still count on having the knees to enjoy them. It’s a little like eating the middle of the Oreos first.
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I’m section hiking in very small bites (30 - 50 miles) due to other obligations, so it’s a long (but terrific) process. In my 60’s, so I jumped ahead to the Whites to be sure I got to them while I could still count on having the knees to enjoy them. It’s a little like eating the middle of the Oreos first.
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I am seriously thinking that way for my next section hike with my wife as well.
Where we we end up going is the section she wants ... but the last four have been great.
LittleRock
12-04-2017, 10:12
So my question to all you dedicated section hikers is this: if you had the chance to go back and choose between section hiking or thru hiking the AT, which would you do?
That's funny - as soon as I saw the title I wondered how quickly this would turn into yet another section hiking vs. thru hiking debate. As it turns out, only 7 posts :-)
Anyhow, I've found that most section hikers do so because there's no opportunity for them to thru-hike. I have small children, a full-time job, and a mortgage. No chance of a thru-hike happening any time soon.
There's no question that the overall logistics and fitness aspects are much easier for a thru-hiker.
On the other hand, section hikers are pretty much free to choose where and when they hike each section. I see that as a huge plus. I hate summer (heat, bugs) and winter (short days, snow), and by section hiking I can avoid both.
Another thing I've noticed is that by dividing the trail up into smaller chunks, typically with months or years in between, a section hiker gets a much deeper knowledge of the trail than a thru-hiker ever will. A thru-hiker might take 6 months to a year in advance to learn about the entire 2,200 mile trail, while a section-hiker might take that much time to learn about a 100 mile section.
There is more than one trail. Really. I know a lot of people want that 2000 miler patch, but the reality is there are a lot of great trails out there and while you are walking 40 miles through a boring area of the AT you could be doing something much different. If you hike a loop you don't need a shuttle driver and your trip will cost you a lot less. You might also have the whole place to yourself.
SpongeBob
12-04-2017, 13:03
I am seriously thinking that way for my next section hike with my wife as well.
Where we we end up going is the section she wants ... but the last four have been great.
Hut to hut hiking in the Whites is not cheap and maybe not for purists, but it’s pretty great having dinner, breakfast and a bunk waiting for you.
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Gambit McCrae
12-04-2017, 13:28
There is more than one trail. Really. I know a lot of people want that 2000 miler patch, but the reality is there are a lot of great trails out there and while you are walking 40 miles through a boring area of the AT you could be doing something much different. If you hike a loop you don't need a shuttle driver and your trip will cost you a lot less. You might also have the whole place to yourself.
This is a thread on tips for completing a section hike of the Appalachian Trail...Not a thread on what you could or could not be doing with the time spent completing the trail...Correct?
This is a thread on tips for completing a section hike of the Appalachian Trail...Not a thread on what you could or could not be doing with the time spent completing the trail...Correct?The title of the thread is "Words of Wisdom for Those Setting Out to Section Hike the AT." My words of wisdom for those setting out is to consider doing something else.
Gambit McCrae
12-07-2017, 16:23
The title of the thread is "Words of Wisdom for Those Setting Out to Section Hike the AT." My words of wisdom for those setting out is to consider doing something else.
Yea well that's like telling someone in a bookstore to start watching movies instead.
colorado_rob
12-07-2017, 18:49
Save your breath with this bronk guy, Gambit. Plenty of actual wise words on thread from actual hikers.
steve_zavocki
12-08-2017, 10:19
I also agree that this is an excellent post. As some have commented, I also think leaving gaps is not a problem. I keep a detailed spreadsheet of my hikes that includes starting and ending mileage (according to Guthooks). I also keep comments about each day, etc. I keep a reading of mileage gaps and continuous sections. Right now I have 10 different continuous sections. This doesn't bother me because I know they will merge eventually as I still have 80% of the trail to go.
steve_zavocki
12-08-2017, 10:45
I will also add that my goal is to complete every blaze, but direction is not important. For example, I choose to end hikes at the NOC both directions so I avoid the wicked ascent out of there. For me, it is hard enough planning logistics to also have a set direction. Sometimes I choose the best direction solely based on which side has the safest parking.
peakbagger
12-08-2017, 12:07
I will also add that my goal is to complete every blaze, but direction is not important. For example, I choose to end hikes at the NOC both directions so I avoid the wicked ascent out of there. For me, it is hard enough planning logistics to also have a set direction. Sometimes I choose the best direction solely based on which side has the safest parking.
The goal to complete every blaze is tough one for section hiking as relocations change where the official trail and its blazes is actually change yearly. I have hiked the AT through Pearisburg WV via the AT route that was there at the time I was hiking in that area. Prior to my finishing my sectioning, the AT was partially relocated. I did not go go back to do the new relocation. There are frequently long term temporary relocations for bridges out that may go for several years, I dont hear of many section hikers that go back to pick up the route once the bridge is replaced. I think your goal shoudl be modified to be you hiked every blaze and the AT route that existed when you were hiking through the area but HYOH
Gambit McCrae
12-08-2017, 12:11
The goal to complete every blaze is tough one for section hiking as relocations change where the official trail and its blazes is actually change yearly. I have hiked the AT through Pearisburg WV via the AT route that was there at the time I was hiking in that area. Prior to my finishing my sectioning, the AT was partially relocated. I did not go go back to do the new relocation. There are frequently long term temporary relocations for bridges out that may go for several years, I dont hear of many section hikers that go back to pick up the route once the bridge is replaced. I think your goal shoudl be modified to be you hiked every blaze and the AT route that existed when you were hiking through the area but HYOH
I am content with completing the section as it is as the time I go thru that section and once that is walked, I check it off the list. That is the official trail as it is when I complete it, and if they decide to change it down the road, not my problem lol
Berserker
12-08-2017, 13:26
The goal to complete every blaze is tough one for section hiking as relocations change where the official trail and its blazes is actually change yearly. I have hiked the AT through Pearisburg WV via the AT route that was there at the time I was hiking in that area. Prior to my finishing my sectioning, the AT was partially relocated. I did not go go back to do the new relocation. There are frequently long term temporary relocations for bridges out that may go for several years, I dont hear of many section hikers that go back to pick up the route once the bridge is replaced. I think your goal shoudl be modified to be you hiked every blaze and the AT route that existed when you were hiking through the area but HYOH
I concur, and that's what I detailed in the last bullet of my first post (#20) in this thread. Whatever the official route was when I hiked it, that's what it was. For me this included a re-route on some roads in VT around a bridge that was out. So for us section hikers we'll have a unique total mileage depending on how many years it takes, and what configuration pieces of the trail were in when we hiked them. I have been keeping up with this by getting the companion or AWOL's guide every year or two to keep track of the mileages. Then I have totaled up all my sections. If no more reroutes occur in the 352 miles I have left my total AT mileage will be 2,183.4.
steve_zavocki
12-08-2017, 13:35
Agree with last 2 comments. After I do the Whites this July, I will certainly feel no obligation to go back if they re-route in 2021 or 2039 or whenever. I do adjust my end point numbers each year so conceivably I could add or subtract from what I actually hiked, but thus far it is 0.1 plus or minus.
QuietStorm
12-08-2017, 19:27
They can re-locate the entire trail in PA and I still ain’t going back...
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peakbagger
12-08-2017, 19:41
Agree with last 2 comments. After I do the Whites this July, I will certainly feel no obligation to go back if they re-route in 2021 or 2039 or whenever. I do adjust my end point numbers each year so conceivably I could add or subtract from what I actually hiked, but thus far it is 0.1 plus or minus.
You may be sorely tempted in the whites to stray off the white blazes, the AT section on the Crawford Path skips several summits on the way to Washington. On a nice day they are definitely worth doing but if you stick with the AT then you need to do an out and back for each one. Same thing applies to the Gulfside North of Washington, it skips Jefferson and Adams. Yes you can do an out and back but expect many just stick to the ridgeline.
rocketsocks
12-08-2017, 19:45
They can re-locate the entire trail in PA and I still ain’t going back...
Sent from my iPad using TapatalkI hear ya! I’d much rather walk on duff than #3 grit sandpaper.
Hollywood44
12-08-2017, 23:13
as a section hiker...ive learned the last thing i worry about are shuttle drivers..i have never ended where i planned..either too far or too short..they are a paid service and a call 1 day is enough for them to schedule..contact a local hostel they will provide a list of them..or they will shuttle u (for a fee)..and uber and lyft sometimes is easier...
....... (I meet lots of people that say they are section hiking only to find out later in the conversation that they have zero intent to do the whole AT, we’re talking semantics here, but don’t say you are gonna run a marathon when you are actually only going to do a 5k)….......
So I should I describe myself when meeting you on the trail? I'm out hiking my first section next summer.... it will likely be the southern terminus to ???
I love the idea of coming back and connecting the next section.... and later the next section....and who knows, it would be cool to be able to say some day taht I did the whole trail, but honestly I doubt if that's realistic.....too far away, young kids at home, full time job, can't spend all of my limited vaction time on the trail, etc......
I don't want to be confused a a "section hiker impersonator"....so how would I describe myself?
They can re-locate the entire trail in PA and I still ain’t going back...
Sent from my iPad using TapatalkSissy. Embrace the suck.
So I should I describe myself when meeting you on the trail?I don't want to be confused a a "section hiker impersonator"....so how would I describe myself?
I just say I’m out for a walk.
If folks want to sweat the semantics and judge my worthiness to hike then their opinion doesn’t concern me so much. I used to worry about such things, but it really is rather silly. I guess I’m turning into a grumpy old fart, but I do love to walk in the woods :)
Yea well that's like telling someone in a bookstore to start watching movies instead.Just suggesting that there is more than one book.
Cookerhiker
12-13-2017, 09:42
I concur, and that's what I detailed in the last bullet of my first post (#20) in this thread. Whatever the official route was when I hiked it, that's what it was. For me this included a re-route on some roads in VT around a bridge that was out. So for us section hikers we'll have a unique total mileage depending on how many years it takes, and what configuration pieces of the trail were in when we hiked them. I have been keeping up with this by getting the companion or AWOL's guide every year or two to keep track of the mileages. Then I have totaled up all my sections. If no more reroutes occur in the 352 miles I have left my total AT mileage will be 2,183.4.Fully concur. I completed the AT in sections over 29 years so obviously, there were relocations. For example, on my first section hike - 40 miles in Vermont 1977 - the trail didn't go over Stratton Mountain. I compiled my mileage using each year's data book. Total: 2,158 miles.
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Berserker
12-13-2017, 14:58
So I should I describe myself when meeting you on the trail? I'm out hiking my first section next summer.... it will likely be the southern terminus to ???
I love the idea of coming back and connecting the next section.... and later the next section....and who knows, it would be cool to be able to say some day taht I did the whole trail, but honestly I doubt if that's realistic.....too far away, young kids at home, full time job, can't spend all of my limited vaction time on the trail, etc......
I don't want to be confused a a "section hiker impersonator"....so how would I describe myself?
You can describe yourself however you want...it's just a personal pet peeve I have. Most people who want to chat are pretty straight forward with what they are doing. I just find that some folks tell you one thing early on only to reveal later in the conversation that what they told you up front is not accurate. Happens a lot with "thru" hikers. I'll roll into a shelter to stay the night and end up hanging out with someone else staying there. The person will say they're thru hiking. Then later on they'll say that they got off trail last year due to an injury or whatever and are finishing it up this year. Technically this person is a section hiker.
Again, semantics...and my own pet peeves...I'm an engineer by profession so I really can't help myself :D
Three's no right or wrong way as far as I'm concerned but my personal rule is a continuous uninterrupted set of footprints. That liberates me to take side trails if I want to and avoids the relocation issue - you still have a continuous set of footprints as long as you start off from the trail head you ended at. Not the AT, but next summer I'm continuing on the PCT. I have continuous footprints from the Mexican Border to Tuolumne Meadows. After the summer, my continuous footprints will reach Ashland, and then I'll continue from there in 2019. If the PCTA relocated some section of trail in SoCal or wherever that I've already hiked, who cares, it never will change the fact that I have my continuous foot prints and when I finish the trail I can say that I've covered ground by foot from border to border, that's my goal, and it has nothing to do with what some trail authority might say.
Elaikases
12-13-2017, 22:54
You can describe yourself however you want...it's just a personal pet peeve I have. Most people who want to chat are pretty straight forward with what they are doing. I just find that some folks tell you one thing early on only to reveal later in the conversation that what they told you up front is not accurate. Happens a lot with "thru" hikers. I'll roll into a shelter to stay the night and end up hanging out with someone else staying there. The person will say they're thru hiking. Then later on they'll say that they got off trail last year due to an injury or whatever and are finishing it up this year. Technically this person is a section hiker.
Again, semantics...and my own pet peeves...I'm an engineer by profession so I really can't help myself :D
Unless they get lucky and finish it within 12 calendar months. ;)
Heliotrope
12-14-2017, 13:01
I identify as a thru hiker though I’m a section hiker with no intention of completing the trail.
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Sarcasm the elf
12-14-2017, 13:14
There is more than one trail. Really. I know a lot of people want that 2000 miler patch, but the reality is there are a lot of great trails out there and while you are walking 40 miles through a boring area of the AT you could be doing something much different. If you hike a loop you don't need a shuttle driver and your trip will cost you a lot less. You might also have the whole place to yourself.
This is actually great advice. Even though I plan to complete the A.T., branching out to other trails has been a lot of fun and taught/reinforced a number of outdoor skills that are often overlooked on the A.T. with navigation and route finding being at the top of that list. Plus hiking a variety of trails
can keep the hobby fun as opposed to the monotony just of planning repeated A.T. hikes where the logistics and travel costs can increase substantially for hikers as they try to complete sections farther from home.
Hiking and supporting other trails can also be seen as voting with our feet. The A.T. is arguably overused and there are a lot of underused trails that could benefit from hikers and support. Regular use of other trails is an important way of showing that the efforts to create and preserve trail systems are paying off and providing direct benefit to the public.
Rick from Georgia
12-20-2017, 13:17
Unless they get lucky and finish it within 12 calendar months. ;)
Great segue into my first post.
I am planning to section hike the entire AT within one calendar year. I have a very flexible job but not flexible enough for 6 months off. I can take off 2 to 3 weeks a month. I plan to start next summer thru fall and do the northern part as far south as possible. Hopefully get in some hiking in the south over the winter and finish up any gaps next spring. I have scanned these boards a little and I don't see the "section thru hike" (not sure what to call it) mentioned much.
I really enjoy all the great info on White Blaze.
Rick in Georgia
globetruck
12-20-2017, 16:46
Get your legs broken in prior to your section hike. Take a loaded pack out on 5-10-15 mile day hikes prior to your section hike. That way, your legs will already be somewhat adjusted to the trail.
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Have Fun
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dreamweaver21
12-21-2017, 23:32
I've been sectioning the AT for 4 years now. Started in 2014 and have done one trip a year. I should hit the halfway point in year 5 and finish on year 10. I am doing a northbound hike the whole way and starting where I left off the year before. Overall I am 7 weeks in.
2014 - Springer to Gatlinburg - 2weeks
2015 - Gatlinburg to Damascus - 2 weeks
2016 - Damascus to Trent's grocery - 1 week (foot injury)
2017 - Trent's grocery to US60 - 2 weeks
Prior to starting in 2014, I had only day hiked and car camped. I did one day/night of a shakedown hike in a local forestry area, read a lot about the AT, and then booked a trip to Springer.
My advice is threefold:
1. Start fit. If not fit, at least put some significant miles in with a loaded pack the month before your section. It will pay dividends in both not being sore and lowering your risk of injury especially overuse type of injuries. I stay in decent shape year round but I work a desk job so going from that to all day walking can be a pain on my knees and feet because they aren't used to it.
2. Stay flexible in your schedule. Getting on and off the AT can be a pain. I moved my very first trip start date back 3 or 4 days due to weather. I know it is going to rain on me some days but I'll be darned if my first night in the woods is going to be sucky weather. I don't bother with mail drops at all and I don't bother scheduling travel home until I have a pretty good idea how the trip is going to work out.
3. Be sufficiently funded. I'm not rich at all but I have a job to go back to and limited time. You can unscrew a lot of logistical issues for $50-$100 around the AT. I like saving money as much as the next person but the lengths people go to to avoid spending money on the AT. One person I was hiking with was going to stay at a shelter for 2 full days in good weather to avoid going to a store because they had a mail drop (with like $20 worth of Ramen noodles and tuna in it) that they were going to wait on. I went to the store and paid 50 cents instead of 25 cents or whatever for my Ramen and went on about my business. Would I rather split a shuttle, sure? If no one else needs to go where I need to go, I'm going to pay for the solo ride and go on about my business instead of spending all day trying to find someone else to split a ride with, hitch, or whatever.
That would be the big three for me anyhow.
Gambit McCrae
12-22-2017, 00:07
Dreamweaver i like your style, i agree with all except for end of trip travel/ shuttle logistics. I plan all of that prior, and stay in contact with them during my hike to pinpoint an exact pickup location on last day.
Turtle-2013
12-22-2017, 09:43
First...
I identify as a thru hiker though I’m a section hiker with no intention of completing the trail.
Don't let him fool you ... this guy is ole "one section" ... BUT, he does THAT section VERY WELL :D :D
Now...
I wasn't going to respond, but having done 70%+ of the trail, not counting overlaps 20+ years later ... I guess I want to weigh in afterall. Disclaimer, I have NOT read every word written up to this point..... However I want to respond to his initial post point by point.
Don't leave gaps in the trail --- why not, close to home they give you an excuse for short outings, and filling in gpas can be very rewarding.... BUT when I'm further from home I try to make the gaps closer to a week of hiking.
Use a credit card to earn air miles (you'll need them down the road) --- since I live at about the 1/3 mark on the AT, I haven't flown at all, and not likely to, but agree with the basic premise
Don't wait on others to go with you in order to complete a section --- Absolutely, make plans, fit others in when you can... if you want to.
While using common sense on the first bullet point, Have 2 areas of focus - Close to home completion and your 1-2 week trip completion area of focus. In other words If you live in Virginia, don't invest a whole week of your time hiking in Virginia, go up to an area of trail that you cant access on a shorter trip and leave the miles for close to home for weekend trips. --- since I live in Virginia, I worked N and S from close to home, extending in both directions. Since I finished the south in 2015 I'm working on the north now...
Use your ability to design your trip to what works best for you. Be flexible to hike 1 section northbound, and another section southbound. --- I usually look at easiest drop-off, pickup, and if there is a significant elevation change to determine nobo, sobo ... but also in areas that you aren't supposed to back-county camp, where the shelters/campsites are can be a factor in determining direction.
Set yearly goals --- but don't get hung up on them, if you manage more, great ... if you don't make it, don't sweat it ... enjoy the trips!
Set up shuttle rides at least 2 weeks in advance, and call to confirm the week before your trip. Everyone's calendar stretches out for a whole year, so it cant hurt for your name to be written down well in advance of a trip instead of last minute. --- MAYBE, one of my best sections I arranged for the shuttle half way through the week, another I had a flareup of a knee problem and had to get off early, another I arranged 6 mo ahead and a week out they cancelled on me (FYI it was Top of GA hostel that cancelled without finding a replacement) ... so, be flexible, MOST sections shuttles are pretty easy these days.
Never make a shuttle driver wait, keep your shuttle driver up to speed on your trip.. "Hey I'm looking good on time see ya at 12!" ... always a good idea, get to the pickup early, or better yet park at the end, shuttle to your start, and hike to your car.
When planning a trip, look 1 - 2 trips in advance and see how your end point is going to set you up for the trips to come...May need to make this trip a 32 mile instead of 26 so that the next one is 34 instead of 40 kinda thinking. You cant always help where the roads cross a lot of times you can walk on to that next road 5 miles down the way and make the next trip a little easier for yourself. --- I have the REST of the trail blocked out, but after every trip I have to revisit those plans ... PLUS ... I revisit the plans if someone wants to join me and I want a more interesting section for them instead of a long-green-tunnel..
Start in the spring or fall for your first year of completion, where the weather will be a little more forgiving and anyone who can skip the "I carried too much" phase of hiking, I am jealous...If you know your going to love it, or you already have some backpacking experience and have the extra bucks for lighter gear, go ahead and bite the bullet and lighten your load. --- When I did GA in April'15, with a 20# pack with enough food for all of GA (I already had 45 yr of hiking experience), I was the "old guy" who didn't need a shakedown...it was fun talking to the "kids" that were trying to figure out how to lighten their load....
When others say they want to go on a hike with you, and they are not backpackers.. Keep in mind that this is their maybe 1 trip every so often so they would more then likely prefer to go somewhere great like Roan Mountain or Grayson Highlands, maybe the Smokies! Instead of a 30 mile stretch of green tunnels in Virginia that you just so happen to need to complete still. --- I responded to this two bullets up, but know the people coming with you and if you ever want them to hike again tailor the trip, at least a bit, to what would appeal to them.
I guess that is the end of Gambit's list..... but what I would add is that section hiking takes a long-term commitment that is very different than thru hiking ... and is both easier and harder than thru hiking. It is easier because to you plan your sections, pack your food at home, not bring extra clothes, food, gear that you might need "later", you can recover between trips, etc.... BUT, it is harder because about the time you get your trail legs you are off the trail (unless you are a LASHER). BUT, however you do it, make the adventure rewarding!!! Have Fun, meet people, enjoy the sights ... and it will be a memory to look back on.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to complete the AT as a section hiker?
Don't leave gaps in the trail
Use a credit card to earn air miles (you'll need them down the road)
Don't wait on others to go with you in order to complete a section
While using common sense on the first bullet point, Have 2 areas of focus - Close to home completion and your 1-2 week trip completion area of focus. In other words If you live in Virginia, don't invest a whole week of your time hiking in Virginia, go up to an area of trail that you cant access on a shorter trip and leave the miles for close to home for weekend trips.
Use your ability to design your trip to what works best for you. Be flexible to hike 1 section northbound, and another section southbound.
Set yearly goals
Set up shuttle rides at least 2 weeks in advance, and call to confirm the week before your trip. Everyone's calendar stretches out for a whole year, so it cant hurt for your name to be written down well in advance of a trip instead of last minute.
Never make a shuttle driver wait, keep your shuttle driver up to speed on your trip.. "Hey I'm looking good on time see ya at 12!"
When planning a trip, look 1 - 2 trips in advance and see how your end point is going to set you up for the trips to come...May need to make this trip a 32 mile instead of 26 so that the next one is 34 instead of 40 kinda thinking. You cant always help where the roads cross a lot of times you can walk on to that next road 5 miles down the way and make the next trip a little easier for yourself.
Start in the spring or fall for your first year of completion, where the weather will be a little more forgiving and anyone who can skip the "I carried too much" phase of hiking, I am jealous...If you know your going to love it, or you already have some backpacking experience and have the extra bucks for lighter gear, go ahead and bite the bullet and lighten your load.
When others say they want to go on a hike with you, and they are not backpackers.. Keep in mind that this is their maybe 1 trip every so often so they would more then likely prefer to go somewhere great like Roan Mountain or Grayson Highlands, maybe the Smokies! Instead of a 30 mile stretch of green tunnels in Virginia that you just so happen to need to complete still.
Interested in what advice the more experienced folks have here as I will be starting a second Map from Springer to somewhere in Virginia for 2018 while I wait for my 1 week and 2 week trips to roll around again.
Rick from Georgia
12-22-2017, 09:47
Good stuff Dreamweaver21. I try and stay in shape year round but will definitely start upping my miles before hitting the trail.
I plan to be very flexible with my hike dates but also flexible on which section of trail to hike. If there is a bad weather forecast down south but good weather in the north then I will hike up north. If the leaves are at their peak in the Smoky Mountains in October with beautiful weather then that is where I will try and be. I want to try and see the each part of the trail at the best time of year to see it as much possible. (Although I fully realize that I will still spend a lot of days in crappy weather..that is just life!)
And I agree with spending a little money when it can really make things a lot easier.
Rick
peakbagger
12-22-2017, 10:38
I live up in NH yet I never flew to do a section. I find that the time spent getting to the airport, dealing with security and then getting a shuttle to the trail is better spent on driving down. I hiked with a friend and we drove two cars down for all of the south including Georgia. We could leave after work on Friday afternoon, drive south until southern PA, get a room for few hours of sleep and be hiking by noon on Saturday at the latest. We set conservative mileage goals and inevitably would end up a bit early. The drive north at the end of the week was not pleasant but doable.
Heliotrope
12-22-2017, 15:24
@ Turtle-2013 my resolution for 2018: to not hike the 100 mile wilderness. Then again, can one claim to be a 2000 miler if hiking the same section over and over? (100 miles x 22)
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MtDoraDave
12-23-2017, 11:36
@ Turtle-2013 my resolution for 2018: to not hike the 100 mile wilderness. Then again, can one claim to be a 2000 miler if hiking the same section over and over? (100 miles x 22)
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I think not. I mean, one can claim whatever they like, but as I understand it a 2000 miler is supposed to be for those who hike the entire AT, just not in the one-year "thru hiker" time limit.
Turtle-2013
12-23-2017, 12:06
He was joking ... as was I. It was an inside joke. I am a section hiker (70%+ complete), he is a friend who hiked part of the 100MW with me. We BOTH agree that the 2000 miler is for those who hike the entire AT in whatever time frame. I give him a hard time, and "call" him "one-section", because he has repeatedly hiked the 100, and little else. BUT, if you need 100MW advise ... he is a GREAT source!!!!
I think not. I mean, one can claim whatever they like, but as I understand it a 2000 miler is supposed to be for those who hike the entire AT, just not in the one-year "thru hiker" time limit.
@ Turtle-2013 my resolution for 2018: to not hike the 100 mile wilderness. Then again, can one claim to be a 2000 miler if hiking the same section over and over? (100 miles x 22)
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Its a great section to hike!
Great segue into my first post.
I am planning to section hike the entire AT within one calendar year. I have a very flexible job but not flexible enough for 6 months off. I can take off 2 to 3 weeks a month. I plan to start next summer thru fall and do the northern part as far south as possible. Hopefully get in some hiking in the south over the winter and finish up any gaps next spring. I have scanned these boards a little and I don't see the "section thru hike" (not sure what to call it) mentioned much.
I really enjoy all the great info on White Blaze.
Rick in Georgia
If you complete the entire AT in 12 calendar months, then you are a thruhiker. No rules on which direction, or how many trips it takes to make it happen.,
Heliotrope
12-23-2017, 14:50
He was joking ... as was I. It was an inside joke. I am a section hiker (70%+ complete), he is a friend who hiked part of the 100MW with me. We BOTH agree that the 2000 miler is for those who hike the entire AT in whatever time frame. I give him a hard time, and "call" him "one-section", because he has repeatedly hiked the 100, and little else. BUT, if you need 100MW advise ... he is a GREAT source!!!!
I guess that’s my advice. Try to hike more than one section if you want to complete the whole thing. ;)
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Wow... so much good info! I know I am saying the same things that were already said... but...
My first two hikes were purely to hike a portion of the A.T. - no completion in mind.
I did MD and SNP. After SNP, I was hooked. My advice is for those who decide to hike the A.T. in its entirety after sectioning parts in the past...
So, I planned hikes to "but" up to previous hikes (such as hiking north from the MD/PA border. My hikes were 100 ish miles in length for a few years.
At one point, I realized I need a passport to travel through Canada from Michigan, and it would be quicker to drive to GA than it would be to NJ, so I went to GA and hiked 200 miles north to Clingman's area.
The next year, I bounced up to NJ/NY border and hiked to the MA/VT border...
What I am getting at is that you might bounce around - that is ok, especially if you are taking into consideration temperatures and bug facts in the area you plan to hike.
Have fun! HYOH!
I am a newb. I have wanted to hike the AT for many years. This year I will be completing a section hike from Rockfish Gap to HF. I plan to leave the second week of April. I have lots of day hiking experience and camping experience but not backpacking experience. Because of my lack of experience I have planned to stay close to home and hike in an area I know and that I can easily get off the trail if needed. To prepare, I have been walking 6 to 12 miles at least 4 times a week. By the end of Jan I will add my pack with weight. I also go up to SNP and hike trails in the park to work with elevation. I appreciate all the advice from experienced hikers. I envision myself getting Va done first then starting in Georgia and working my way north to Damascus and then starting at HF and moving north to finish. Not sure how long it will take but I hope to do 2 hikes a year that would last 2 to 3 weeks each.