View Full Version : Mileage of AT
attrekker26
10-17-2007, 20:45
I have most recently heard...2,175 mi., 2,164 mi, and 2,100 mi.
Which one is "correct" and does this include the Springer Approach Trail?
Thanks,
ATtrekker26
Pedaling Fool
10-17-2007, 20:47
No one really knows. The mileage does not include the 8.8 miles of the approach trail.
Appalachian Tater
10-17-2007, 20:54
It changes all the time with relocations and has been getting longer as a rule over the years. It's approximately 2175 miles but you can see how it might be impossible to measure exactly even if it weren't changing all the time. Like he said, getting to the top of Springer and down off Katahdin or vice versa isn't counted no matter how far you have to walk.
http://www.appalachiantrail.org/site/c.jkLXJ8MQKtH/b.727749/k.91A1/AT_Essentials.htm
shelterbuilder
10-17-2007, 20:57
I believe that the last official "estimate" was 2,175 miles, not including the approach trail. That's the last number that I remember seeing in ATC's magazine.
Pedaling Fool
10-17-2007, 21:04
I believe that the last official "estimate" was 2,175 miles, not including the approach trail. That's the last number that I remember seeing in ATC's magazine.
It also does not include all the trail walking to and from shelters. I wonder what that adds up to.
Appalachian Tater
10-17-2007, 21:05
It also does not include all the trail walking to and from shelters. I wonder what that adds up to.
Those are blue blazes and don't count. Miles and miles. Plus in town you can walk a couple of miles on a zero day! If you figure one extra mile every day for shelters, water, and in town, that's at least an extra 150 miles.
take-a-knee
10-17-2007, 21:27
I think that this is a "map distance", as such it is measured level. This means that, since you are walking in the mountains, you are actually walking further.
shelterbuilder
10-17-2007, 21:35
I think that this is a "map distance", as such it is measured level. This means that, since you are walking in the mountains, you are actually walking further.
I suspect that they probably use a measuring wheel on the footpath itself.
I suspect that they probably use a measuring wheel on the footpath itself.
Each of the maintaining clubs, I believe, measure their sections with a measuring wheel, which is about as accurate as you can get.
I know that is the source of the Maine distance measurements. Even with a wheel multiple people do the measuring, so there is opportunity for errors. Myron Avery has been credited with doing the original measurement in the 1930s of the entire trail. HUndreds since have added to and corrected Avery's measurements, as relocations occur.
Weary
take-a-knee
10-18-2007, 00:00
If they are using a wheel then it is an accurate measurement. I used to survey land many years ago and I was amazed how accurate those things are.
Appalachian Tater
10-18-2007, 00:12
If they are using a wheel then it is an accurate measurement. I used to survey land many years ago and I was amazed how accurate those things are.
Except going up and down rocky mountains! They work great on relatively smooth surfaces. How well do they work on the cobblestoned portions in PA? I believe that some of the regular poster here have participated in the measuring process, maybe they will see this thread and comment. It would be interesting to know if sometimes they use string instead.
Flush2wice
10-18-2007, 00:13
who cares?
SGT Rock
10-18-2007, 04:12
I thought the latest was done using a GPS and 3d positioning.
warraghiyagey
10-18-2007, 04:18
It was and they found the trail length is exactly a hundred and eleventy niner miles long.
shelterbuilder
10-18-2007, 06:30
BMECC uses a wheel, and I know that some of the younger folks in the club laugh and snicker when one of the old-timers brings out "the wheel". It's old and it looks funny, but the darn thing works...even on the rocky sections.
nitewalker
10-18-2007, 08:14
2175 give or take 5 to 10 miles....i have yet to find a tape measure that stretche 2175 miles if any of you find one let me know...peace