Planning on southbound next summer

[hillman]

Great forum.Anyway, my girlfriend and I plan on a southbound trip starting next summer--just wondering what guidebook and map would be a good start. Been thinking about this hike for about 10 years, and decided to quit letting opportunity pass me by. Just starting to plan has been liberating for me, and I cannot wait to quit my job...

[rafe]

Start with the websites for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) and ALDHA (Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association.) Both can be found quickly by googling.

ATC has the official, definitive maps of the trail. Not free. ALDHA has a detailed and extremely useful guide to shelters, towns, road crossings and services along the way. It's free for the downloading from the ALDHA website.

[hillman]

I actually found the answer surfing this site. Thanks though--