How long can you go....

[saimyoji]

...staying on the trail? Whats the max number of days you can live on the trail without needing to spend the night in town/home? Popping in to town for resupply, then hitting the trail again is ok, so long as you don't sleep in town. Has anyone gone all the way GAME by only camping or staying in shelters? Is it much more common than I think?

The longest I've been out is a meager 5 days: camping out in Japan with a resupply trip on the third day.

[saimyoji]

I'm looking for people's experiences here, not a philosophical discussion on the theoretical possibilities of living on the trail. I know it is possible, but has anybody done it? For how long?

[northernhkr]

I once read about a guy who stayed out in the Sierra mts in California for 5 months every summer- he never left; he got packages sent to him a trail heads and spent every moment in the back country. It's totally possible, just not too comfortable. I guess it depends if you can rough it without real showers, beds, and food...

[Peaks]

Well, to give you a straight answer, the longest stretch I did between hostels or motels was Delaware Water Gap to Manchester Center, 23 days

[Blue Jay]

I've met a few guys over the years who have said that is what they have done, due to severe money limitations. A guy named Lost showed me how to dumpster dive. He said he got up to Mass. for only $300. He thought that was extravagant because once he walked across the country for that (he hitched through Iowa and Kansas). I always start out doing that, but when I get to roads the towns call to me. It's even worse now that I know what is in there. Sad to say, but last time I went through Maine I hit every one. Once I slept in beds two nights in a row, what a disgrace. I have been able to completely avoid multiple nights, but clearly towns are the addiction of the AT. Sometimes I think they kill more thruhikes than injury and homesickness combined.

[weary]

I'm looking for people's experiences here, not a philosophical discussion on the theoretical possibilities of living on the trail. I know it is possible, but has anybody done it? For how long?

I spent 30 straight days on the trail in 1991 when I walked the AT in Maine with my then 9-year-old grandson.
I wanted to minimize his town distractions so I stashed food at road crossings before we left home in mid July. It's the closest thing to a wilderness experience that I've had on the AT -- or anywhere. Jon built a fire most nights. For a month after I got home I would wake up at night thinking the red led on our bedroom VCR was a glowing coal from one of his fires.

Weary

[rickb]

For me the max was about a month-- from Damascus to Springer. And about a month again from the Cumberland Valley to Perisburg.

[Lone Wolf]

Blue Jay is right about the town stay thing. There are thru-hiker types in Damascus now that have been here 3 nights or more. Only 400 miles or so and they're wimping.

[The Old Fhart]

LW-"There are thru-hiker types in Damascus now that have been here 3 nights or more. Only 400 miles or so and they're wimping."

Lone Wolf, I know you're not wimping, but how long have you stayed in Damascus?

[Lone Wolf]

3 years, 7 months.

[A-Train]

Blue Jay is right about the town stay thing. There are thru-hiker types in Damascus now that have been here 3 nights or more. Only 400 miles or so and they're wimping.

Probably cuz they did the 50 into town no?

[Doctari]

I suppose I've stayed out of town for 14 days. I should avoid towns, cause each time I stop, it takes a full day to start up again. Almost the same as when I first hit the trail.

Doctari.

[magic_game03]

most thru's will at one time or another carry about 6-8 days worth(20lbs) because they are unsure of some resupply ahead, though I don't think any point of the AT needs more than 3-4. that is more of a beginners fear than an endurance feat. On a more euduring side, EZ1 did carry 8-10 days worth accounting for the fact that he was 81 years old and only ate about a pound of dried food a day.

[weary]

most thru's will at one time or another carry about 6-8 days worth(20lbs) because they are unsure of some resupply ahead, though I don't think any point of the AT needs more than 3-4. that is more of a beginners fear than an endurance feat. On a more euduring side, EZ1 did carry 8-10 days worth accounting for the fact that he was 81 years old and only ate about a pound of dried food a day.

I doubt if many get through the 100-mile-wilderness with only 3-4 days supply. The White House Landing helps these days. But it's still a long ways, unless you hire a drop from folks like the Shaws in Monson. In '93 I did a leisurely 10 days, mostly because I had arranged a pick up from Baxter on a date certain and was a bit ahead of schedule.

Weary

[Lone Wolf]

A-Train, doing 50 into Damascus in 24 hours is no big deal. I did 40 in less than 12 hours. Nothing to it.

[Jack Tarlin]

Weary is correct. Most folks take 6-7 days to get from Monson to Abol Bridge. Other stretches that require more than 3-4 days are (at least for most folks):

*If you don't plan to go into Franklin, you'll need 5-6 days to get from
Hiawassee to the NOC.

*If you don't go into Gatlinburg, it'll take most folks 5-6 days to get thru the
Smokies

*It takes most folks the best part of five days to get from Hot Springs to
Erwin.

*If you don't go into Roan Mt. or Elk Park, it takes 5-6 days to get from
Erwin to Kincora

*If you don't go into Troutdale, you'll need 5-6 to get from Damascus to
Rural Retreat/Atkins

*Pearisburg to Catawba takes most folks 5 days

*Glasgow to Waynesboro takes 5-6 days

*If you don't plan to go into North Woodstock, you'll want to bring at least
5-6 days of food from Glencliff

*Gorham to Andover takes 5 days for lots of folks.

*If you don't plan on going to Rangeley, you'll want 5-6 days worth to get
from Andover to Statton.


While some of these 5-6 day stretches can be broken up or avoided, there will absolutely be times when you will need to carry this much food. To say that this will only happen in the 100-mile Wilderness is, for the vast majority of folks, an untrue statement.

[Thumper 2006]

As a southbounder I was wondering if I should get supplies for the 100 mile wilderness in Medway or Millinocket, and also what is the deal with white house landing will they hold maildrop etc. Thanks

[Peaks]

As a southbounder I was wondering if I should get supplies for the 100 mile wilderness in Medway or Millinocket, and also what is the deal with white house landing will they hold maildrop etc. Thanks

If you are a SOBO, I would recommend bringing food with you from home.

PS: Not much in Medway other than a gas station and motel.

[Jaybird]

...staying on the trail? Whats the max number of days you can live on the trail without needing to spend the night in town/home? Popping in to town for resupply, then hitting the trail again is ok, so long as you don't sleep in town. Has anyone gone all the way GAME by only camping or staying in shelters? Is it much more common than I think?
The longest I've been out is a meager 5 days: camping out in Japan with a resupply trip on the third day.

my LONG stretch was 14 days...thus far...

i usually time mail-drops or town visits every 7 to 10 days....

i'm out (this section hike) for 23 days with only 1 scheduled stop in Damascus....


see ya'll out there: APR 28-MAY 20 Hot Springs,NC to Pearisburg,VA

[Jack Tarlin]

Wonderer:

*Millinocket has a large supermarket

*White House Landing will hold mail and parcels for its guests, tho you should
probably check with them first. (207)745-5116 They also have limited
food for sale, probably enough to get you from there to Monson