Daily mileage per section during thru hike

[Tenderheart]

I was feeling a little down today and going through some old stuff. I found my itinerary for my thru hike and I had actually been anal enough to keep up with daily mileage by section. Folks are always asking about this, so have at it.

GA: 11.2
NC/TN: 17.1
VA: 18.2
MD/PA: 17.7
NJ/NY: 19.7
MA: 15.5
CT/VT: 17.2
NH: 15.0
ME: 14.4
Overall: 16.8

I intentionally started slowly and picked up the pace out of Hot Springs. I was 52 yo at the time and a distance runner. Hope this helps.

[bgood360]

Thanks. Good stuff.

[WanderWoman]

Sorry to hear that you were a little down today Tenderheart. Chin up, things are going to get better for you. Remember, glass half full.

[Tenderheart]

Sorry to hear that you were a little down today Tenderheart. Chin up, things are going to get better for you. Remember, glass half full.

Good to hear from you, WW. I think we met somewhere in North Carolina. PM me if you please.

[WanderWoman]

You have a good memory Tenderheart. NC had some wonderful trails as I recall.

[Kerosene]

Just for kicks, I did a quick calculation of average daily mileage for my various AT section hikes over the past 4 decades. I'm in my mid-50's now and just have Maine to go. I covered most of the Mid-Atlantic states in the 70's, usually with companions, while VA and TN were solo for the most part. In the 70's I was carrying 40+ pounds as a 15-25 year old, while now I'm carrying about 25 pounds but the knees have started to go. I'm typically out for 6-10 days at a stretch and trying to get in backpacking shape those first 3 days.


ME




NH

11.8



VT

11.9



MA

15.9



CT

11.6



NY

11.8



NJ

12.5



PA

13.0



MD

12.3



WV

13.0



VA

15.3



TN

16.8



NC

10.8



GA

13.6




The overall average is 13.3 mpd, but that will likely drop as I slog through the wilds of Maine over the next few section hikes.

[takethisbread]

Interesting . I'm sure it will be different for everyone, and I couldn't begin to get my average. But I hike by this rule; hike no less than than 15 miles per day anywhere south of the whites and most of the time do 20+. From the whites shoot for 15 but be content with 12. Of course given reasonable conditions.
Rain/snow ect can cause a day to be cut considerably short.

[Blissful]

Average of 15 in NH?? Wowsie....