View Full Version : 2021 Thru-Hike Registry
mountain squid
11-03-2020, 10:56
2020 was a lost year for many hikers, hopefully 2021 will be better. Covid or not, who is hiking next year? (Covid is likely to still be around - be safe.)
Trail Name
Direction/Start Location (if other than either terminus)
Estimated Start Date
Approach Trail - yes or no
any additional info that you want the world to know
I'll compile all the data into a spreadsheet which will be available for viewing in the articles section (https://whiteblaze.net/forum/content.php/28-whiteblaze-thru-hikers).
ATC also has a registration page. Check it out here (https://atcamp.org/). ATC's Covid 19 information and updates can be found here (https://appalachiantrail.org/explore/plan-and-prepare/hiking-basics/health/covid19/).
Lots of bear activity on the trail in recent years. Take appropriate, responsible actions with your food bag.
Good Luck, Have Fun and be mindful of Covid!
See you on the trail,
mt squid
(https://whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?100363-2014-Norovirus-Awareness)some observations (https://whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?14493-observations-from-fs42-(advice-for-first-week-on-trail)&highlight=)
how to hike (https://whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?73587-how-to-hike)
(sigh) Third time's a charm, I hope.First the sale of my house in 2019, then Covid in 2020 prevented me from hitting the trail. 2021 is a new year, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
Trail name: Bwana
NOBO
Planned start date: March 28, 2021
Approach trail: Yes
I've been out in Utah getting some trail miles, including Angel's Landing last weekend in Zion. I plan to spend most of January, February and March Southern Arizona to continue getting trail miles. Might section hike part of the AZT or PCT.
I plan to take it easy for a couple of weeks on the AT, then average 15 miles per day, but that is like sailing, it depends. I'm not adverse to higher mileage days, but I want to enjoy my time on the trail.
I have my equipment mostly dialed in, my total pack weight is around 18 lbs, without food and water. I'm going to re-visit this in the near future and probably shave a pound or two off this.
Pappy
SOBO as early as possible.
ChinoMike
11-04-2020, 22:58
Chino
Northbound starting on Feb 23
Not doing approach trail (accomplished on my first thru)
This is my third thru (GAME 2005/2013)
Starting early because I'm still recovering from near fatal auto accident a year ago
SCsurf98
11-05-2020, 14:22
Paperclip (Erik) and Michelle
NOBO from the arch
Planning on leaving following ATKO (March 8th or so)
Approach trail: yes
Paperclip thru hiked in 2015.
hoozurmama
11-05-2020, 19:26
Hoozurmama
Flip Flop starting at Harper's Ferry NOBO
Mid April (depending if the festival is a go)
Interested in corresponding with anyone else doing same
LShuman024
11-05-2020, 20:02
Chickpea and Cheddar
NOBO
haven’t decided yet on a start date but probably mid March. Will likely start at Amicolola Falls approach trail. We have been saving and planning for 3 years when COVID hit and ruined everything. But on the bright side, it’s given us a lot of time to heal some inner wounds. Where we originally wanted to hike the trail to prove it to others, now we want to prove it to ourselves.
Tremor
NOBO
April 6th or 9th
Did the approach trail and 300 miles in August and September2020
resume at Allen Gap
Hiking with/ and trying to raise awareness for Parkinson's Disease
Trail Name: TBD
NOBO from Amicalola Falls SP
2/17/2021
I booked a flight to Atlanta for 2/17, but depending on the coronavirus situation and when I am able to get vaccinated, I could end up heading SOBO or doing a flip flop.
mollyramona
11-16-2020, 20:30
Trail name: TBD
NOBO
Estimated Start Date: March 27
Approach Trail: Yes
I can't wait to immerse myself in the woods and meet the lovely community of hiking folk out there. Excited to see how I will grow throughout my hike!
helloimzachary
11-19-2020, 09:32
Trail Name: TBD
NOBO
Start Date: First week of April
Approach trail: Yes
See yah when I see yah
Fourstep
11-24-2020, 17:28
Trail Name - TBD
NOBO
Start Date - March 1st through 15th depending on weather and if I can wait or not.
Approach Trail - yes
Perkinse
11-30-2020, 17:26
Trail name is TBD
NOBO
Estimated start date is March 27-April 1, somewhere in there
Approach trail: yes
Finishing up college so I can hike next year, I'll be an official college graduate in 18 days!!! Very excited to finally have time to go outside again! I've wanted to do the AT since about 2015 but got more serious about it 2 years ago. My base weight right now is coming in at 16 pounds, still needs some work though. I hope that we are able to have a fantastic thru hike season, as this year was less than optimal. I'm looking forward to meeting some of y'all and getting my trail name!!
I don’t have a trail name yet . I am going to do a flip/flop starting in Harpers ferry north bound and haven’t decided if I am going to flop to Georgia or back to harpers ferry yet ... I thinking I will let the trailer tell me what I will do when I am done in Maine. I will have my dog with me, if she not able to do the whole trail I have a back up for her to be able to go home.
My start date is April 18.
WanderingGeo
12-01-2020, 06:20
Hey guys, Geo here
Starting March 13th
I'm going the approach trail and continuing north
Can't wait to meet y'all out there, happy trails!
Trail Name: TBD though it was suggested "off grid" on my 2019 attempt
Direction/Start Location NOBO
Estimated Start Date March 26
Approach Trail - yes
Trail Name: Not Yet
Direction/Start Location: NOBO from Springer Mountain as I did in 2020.
Estimated Start Date: If most things go according to plan, I will start on february 23. I ready for COVID and winter.
Approach Trail - I won't do the approach trail but I intend to register at Amicola falls registration desk to pickup my tag (If there is such a thing in 2021, otherwise I will walk with my blue tag of 2020.
I leaving April 18 flip flop nobo
hoozurmama
12-02-2020, 10:22
Where are you starting? I registered to leave the same day from HF.
helloimzachary
12-03-2020, 17:46
Trail Name: Don't have one yet
Direction/Start Location: NOBO and considering doing Benton Mackaye to avoid the early bubble and covid until I hit the smokies.
Estimated Start Date: March 28th! I'm so pumped up to have it registered.
Approach Trail - Yes, hope my dad can do it with me. The Appalachian trail has been a dream of his for ages.
any additional info: I'm excited!
lsu4ester
12-07-2020, 20:23
No trail name yet
Starting May 23, 2021
Starting at Abol Bridge SOBO.
I will finish up on Katahdin once I reach Springer hopefully no later than late Sept.
none as of yet
SOBO from Katahdin
June 11
hiking with my adult son
One Half
12-15-2020, 12:53
I really wish we could "like" posts
none as of yet
SOBO from Katahdin
June 11
hiking with my adult son
TrailPossum
12-21-2020, 12:10
Trail Name: TBD
Direction/Start Location: NOBO / Amicalola Falls State Park
Estimated Start Date: March 15th
Approach Trail: Yes
Finishing up a great journey. Hiked SOBO in 2011 (Trail name Possum, Shout out class 2011!) and made it to Harpers Ferry with sections skipped due to Hurricane Irene. Looking forward to hiking the southern section and finishing the missed sections up North. Will be thru hiking the whole trail if all goes to plan. See ya there!
Fireplug
12-22-2020, 00:39
FIREPLUG Class of 2019 doing it again in 2021. Going with a new trail name DOUBLE TAKE!!!! Every day I miss the trail.... Cant wait
capehiker
12-23-2020, 00:06
Bean
NoBo/ Approach Trail
Feb 12
My company encouraged time off with a guarantee of having a job when I get back. This is a now or never opportunity.
FIREPLUG Class of 2019 doing it again in 2021. Going with a new trail name DOUBLE TAKE!!!! Every day I miss the trail.... Cant wait
A "Repeat Offender"!!!!
Bean
NoBo/ Approach Trail
Feb 12
My company encouraged time off with a guarantee of having a job when I get back. This is a now or never opportunity.
Super nice of them.
Crawl
February 23rd,2021 at Springer Mt
NOBO flip flop and leap frog
No approach Trail, done it twice already
I am hoping to be the first American male amputee to thru hike the AT, Springer to Front Royal, leap to Sheffield, Mass, Sheffield to Katahdin, back to Front Royal to hike to Sheffield to finish! Tentatively be at Sheffield around June 1st ish ... anyone wanting to help me thru New Hampshire and Maine would be appreciated!!! Oh, and I'm 64!
Crawl
February 23rd,2021 at Springer Mt
NOBO flip flop and leap frog
No approach Trail, done it twice already
I am hoping to be the first American male amputee to thru hike the AT, Springer to Front Royal, leap to Sheffield, Mass, Sheffield to Katahdin, back to Front Royal to hike to Sheffield to finish! Tentatively be at Sheffield around June 1st ish ... anyone wanting to help me thru New Hampshire and Maine would be appreciated!!! Oh, and I'm 64!
There is someone on the trail 2020 and again 2021 that you might want to check out. Get on Instagram and find "mischief_onthetrail". He has quite a story. Lost half his feet to frostbite. Was hiking for a time in 2020 with two broken prosthetics. He posted he got 1067 miles completed in 2020. Is a GREAT photographer. Well worth checking out.
ChinoMike
01-03-2021, 10:12
Starting date is on hold until I can be fully vaccinated. I'm researching a possible flip-flop or a southbound hike depending when I can start.
Name: TBD
Starting: Feb 26.
NOBO
Approach trail: yup
Long time desire to hike AT, and universe is screaming at me that this is my chance. I do botanical photography, and hike in Texas. Have led a lot of hikes. Looking forward to a long green tunnel with new botanical excitement. One of the cool things is getting to replace old equipment with new!!
Creature Feature
01-07-2021, 11:15
Creature Feature
Flip flop starting in mid April.
I live a half mile from the trial in Maryland so I've gotten my neighbor's permission to cross his property to the trail and I'll pick it up at mile 1059.8 (according to AWOL) at the power line. My plan(hope) is to walk North to Katahdin, take a bus/train/plane to the Atlanta area, get back on the trail at Springer and walk home.
This is my first attempt at a thru hike so wish me luck.
(sigh) Third time's a charm, I hope.First the sale of my house in 2019, then Covid in 2020 prevented me from hitting the trail. 2021 is a new year, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
Trail name: Bwana
NOBO
Planned start date: March 28, 2021
Approach trail: Yes
I've been out in Utah getting some trail miles, including Angel's Landing last weekend in Zion. I plan to spend most of January, February and March Southern Arizona to continue getting trail miles. Might section hike part of the AZT or PCT.
I plan to take it easy for a couple of weeks on the AT, then average 15 miles per day, but that is like sailing, it depends. I'm not adverse to higher mileage days, but I want to enjoy my time on the trail.
I have my equipment mostly dialed in, my total pack weight is around 18 lbs, without food and water. I'm going to re-visit this in the near future and probably shave a pound or two off this.
Registered, new start date of March 21, 2021
bkhodgkins67
01-13-2021, 21:04
Trail Name: TBD
Direction/Start Location: NOBO, starting at the Approach Trail.
Start Date: March 15th--registered at 8 am December 1st with ATC!!
Approach Trail: with boundless excitement! lol
Good Luck everyone --My given name is Brian (long-time listener, first-time caller!) ..Can't wait to see you all out there in 61 DAYS!!! Be safe!! ;0)
Gypsy_wildandfree
01-15-2021, 01:29
Gypsy
NOBO
Start date March 13
Yes on the approach trail
Living my best life ever. Looking forward to meeting this years hikers.
justhike
01-15-2021, 09:58
No Trail Name
NOBO from Indian Grave Gap (past Erwin TN)
March 26
Plan is for a LASH - 378miles to Daleville VA.
Hiked my first LASH from Springer Mtn to IGG (mm352.6) lateSep-Oct 2020.
godfather
01-16-2021, 09:43
Trail name: Godfather, NOBO Feb 21 from approach trail. My retirement gift to myself!
Baseliner
01-17-2021, 07:23
Posting here for what good it will do. I plan to depart Springer on April 5/6 NOBO on my thru-hike. I'm not part of a group and look forward to meeting some like-minded hikers. Cheers! Robbie Steen aka Baseliner
mountain squid
01-18-2021, 09:01
The spreadsheet is ready for viewing. Follow this link: https://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/2008/2021.htm The link is also available on the homepage. You can also find it from the left pane on homepage: click on Appalachian Trail, then WhiteBlaze thru hikers and then Class of 2021.
ATC has created a resource library which includes a chart of how many hikers are starting on a specific date. Check it out here (https://appalachiantrail.org/explore/plan-and-prepare/hiker-resource-library/) for additional tips and updates.
Stay safe out there!
See you on the trail,
mt squid
(https://whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?100363-2014-Norovirus-Awareness)some observations (https://whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?14493-observations-from-fs42-(advice-for-first-week-on-trail)&highlight=)
how to hike (https://whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?73587-how-to-hike)
Trail Name: Who knows!
Direction/Start Location (if other than either terminus): NOBO
Estimated Start Date: April 18
Approach Trail - yes
any additional info that you want the world to know: YEEHAW! I can't wait!
Trail Name: Braveheart
Direction/Start Location: NOBO from Springer
Estimated Start Date: First week of February
Approach Trail: Did it on my 2020 attempt; no need to repeat this year.
I am a rollover from the Class of 2020. I'm going to slap a mask onto my gear list, redo the 85 miles I got through last year, and hopefully make it all the way to Katahdin this time!
Pungo Hiker
01-28-2021, 14:27
Trail name: Pungo Hiker
NOBO
Planned start date: March 12, 2021
Approach trail: Yes
Snapranger
01-28-2021, 16:29
I am planning to section hike, not sure if you want us Section Hikers here but starting August 9 from Rockfish Gap to Front Royal, Nobo Tim Pappy Case
Strider1
02-03-2021, 12:32
Trail Name : TBD
Direction / Start: Alternative Flip/Flop: My wife and I are planning on starting at the Delaware Water Gap (DWG) in early August and head Southbound, hoping that the Nat'l Parks, ATC, shelters, campsites, etc are open to hikers (Recognizing the Covid pandemic under control, and hopefully, by then we'll have been vaccinated) so you don't have to feel like a "thief in the night". When we get to Georgia, take the winter off and in mid April (?) 2022 go back to DWG and head north to Katahdin, hoping to minimize the early season mosquitos, black flies, and Vermont Mud in the process, and still get it done within 12 months.
Registered for March 31st NOBO Springer
kythruhiker
02-28-2021, 10:35
Trail Name: As If (Always Slowly Inching Forward)
Direction/Start Location (if other than either terminus): SOBO
Estimated Start Date: June 20th
any additional info that you want the world to know: The big 5-0 is approaching WAY too quickly, maybe I can outhike it...
Trail Name: TBD
Direction/Start Location NOBO
Estimated Start Date: March 18
any additional info that you want the world to know: Starting more than two weeks after my second vaccination injection.
Hmcollins77
03-01-2021, 16:25
My daughter and I will be starting SOBO the first week of July!
No trail names just yet :)
Hmcollins77
03-01-2021, 16:32
I’m starting July 6th with my adult daughter!
LoufromFWB
03-06-2021, 12:36
Trail Name 'CAT-AND-THE-HAT'/'MOONDOGGIE'
Direction/Start Location (if other than either terminus) NOBO
Estimated Start Date APRIL 03- SATURDAY
Approach Trail - yes or no YES
any additional info that you want the world to know: ALL THE WAY, BABY!!11111111111111
I'll compile all the data into a spreadsheet which will be available for viewing in the articles section (https://whiteblaze.net/forum/content.php/28-whiteblaze-thru-hikers).
ATC also has a registration page. Check it out here (https://atcamp.org/). ATC's Covid 19 information and updates can be found here (https://appalachiantrail.org/explore/plan-and-prepare/hiking-basics/health/covid19/).
Lots of bear activity on the trail in recent years. Take appropriate, responsible actions with your food bag.
Good Luck, Have Fun and be mindful of Covid!
See you on the trail,
mt squid
(https://whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?100363-2014-Norovirus-Awareness)some observations (https://whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?14493-observations-from-fs42-(advice-for-first-week-on-trail)&highlight=)
how to hike (https://whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?73587-how-to-hike)[/QUOTE]
Trail Name: TBD
SOBO July 20th
I reserved a site at Katahdin Stream CG for July 19-21. I added the extra day in case the weather turns out to be really crummy on the 20th, I'll have the option to hike Katahdin on the 21st instead.
This is what my starting gear list looks like at the moment: https://lighterpack.com/r/j1rqaf
As cooler weather warrants it, I'll probably swap out the poncho and wind shell for my REI 3L GTX rain shell, Helium rain pants, and a mid layer.
MapleHiker
04-02-2021, 13:51
Trailname: Maple
NOBO April 25
I am arriving in Atlanta a week before my start date to make sure I have everything squared away. My pack weight is about 28 pounds with 2L of water.
I am hiking NOBO starting at SNP on April 11. I should be in Harper's Ferry about 4/21. Hopefully we can meet along the trail. I am listed on this site as layman but I am hoping to use Grey Goat as my trail name.
RadioFreq
04-05-2021, 09:46
Trail Name: RadioFreq
flip/flop starting in Harpers Ferry 4/27
Obviously no Approach Trail
Did Springer (including the Approach Trail) to Duncannon in 2009
Trail Name: FourLo
Direction/Start Location (if other than either terminus) : NOBO Flip flop (HF)
Estimated Start Date : 4/29
Approach Trail - yes or no NO
any additional info that you want the world to know
Reset from 2020 NOBO plan.
Hiking season blog (https://hikingseason.wordpress.com/blog-feed/)
Trail Name: FourLo
Direction/Start Location (if other than either terminus) : NOBO Flip flop (HF)
Estimated Start Date : 4/29
Approach Trail - yes or no NO
any additional info that you want the world to know
Reset from 2020 NOBO plan.
Hiking season blog (https://hikingseason.wordpress.com/blog-feed/)
Pappy
SOBO as early as possible.
Still Pappy, still SOBO. As soon as possible has turned out to be 9 June. Psyched.
clover16
05-01-2021, 10:10
Plan to start from Harpers Ferry & hike south to Georgia. Anticipated start around first week in August. Also, plan to use my on vehicle due to COVID....moving the car south with shuttles (about every 50 miles) & use for traveling to resupply. Trying to reduce hitchhiking and minimizing shuttles. Hoping this is doable.
Arkansas_Country
05-01-2021, 22:29
SOBO Plan to summit Katahdin June 5th hike out from Katahdin Stream the 6th (Sunday ) no trail name yet. I'm just a country guy that lost his soul somewhere along the way hoping to find it out there on the trail. I wish everybody a wonderful journey namaste...
BackpackerBen
09-24-2021, 14:00
Hello AT Thru-Hikers!
Backpacker magazine is trying to find a hiker named 9to5 (or Nine-to-Five) who was last seen on the AT/Long Trail in Southern Vermont in July 2021. Any help in tracking him down would be much appreciated! Reach out with tips at
[email protected]
FWIW, I started 10 June, finished 1 Nov. Helluva experience. Trail name was Pappy.