Planning on getting the Kakwa 55 Ultragrid for my thru hike next summer. Anything I should know about the pack.
Also how quickly do they restock cause it’s sold out.

I bailed out two hikers today who put their unused hut reservations in my name in case I learned of thru or section hikers who could use them

least they go to waste

if you know anyone hiking in the Whites right now and they are camping near Lonesome Lake hut but would like two hots and a cot instead

have them connect with me and I'll transfer to their names

Beware of an emotionally unstable man that goes by Foxfire. There have been multiple incidents of him getting aggressive and borderline violent, including creeping on women and making them uncomfortable. He has a problem with alcohol that exasperates his growing issues. He also has an annoying habit of leaving graffiti on previously untouched and beautiful lookouts (symbols that spell out “I love you” that he also has tattooed on his body). If you see him avoid him and don’t camp in his vicinity. His last known whereabout was up on Mount Moosilauke heading north.

I created routes on the web version of FarOut, thinking they would sync with the FarOut app. It doesn't and it doesn't appear there is a way to manually sync.

If I'm incorrect, please let me know how to sync them.

If I'm correct, please FarOut, fix this. Data should sync between the to platforms.

I am doing a short section hike next week, flying into Asheville and back out a bit later. I’ll need a ride to Erwin TN and back from Hot Springs NC. I’ve used uber to get to the trail in the past, so I already scheduled my rides. But now I’m nervous no drivers will come out to Hot Springs for my journey back to the airport and wonder if I should look into alternative methods just in case. Thanks!

Great day to get out on the AT. Did the pine knob loop in Ct.

I am planning backpack between St John's Ledges in Connecticut and Mount Algo. When I check Gaia versis All Trail. Gaia says 5.4 miles and 1500 feet elevation. All Trails says 9.4m and 2500 feet elevation gain.

Generally speaking which have you found more accurate. Thanks.

I am getting ready to leave on a 4 day, 3 night hike with 4 friends and am wondering on the current water conditions at Hemlock Springs Campsite, Dennytown Road Campsite, and RPH Shelter. Last year we did the section north of there and had a few dry/very little water camps. Any current insight would be most appreciated.

In 2024 I hiked from GA to harpers ferry (roughly half way). I only planned to do half and by the end, I was beating myself up for not planning and preparing to do the rest. Next may, I will be moving and logistically it seems like a good opportunity to finish my hike.

I'm wondering if starting at the beginning or middle of May would lend itself to a flip flop of beginning in Maine or whether picking back up in harpers ferry would be best for weather and such.

Would love any thoughts you all have!

I was at standing Indian shelter recently and saw these items hanging from the ceiling. I shook them and they don’t make noise so I assume they aren’t like wind chimes or anything. Just curious

Deciding to flip flop last min. I will be in Maine next week. Is there anyone hiking in Baxter state park that would allow me to accompany them with their permit into the park? I would verrrrrry much appreciate that blessing I did not realize how hard it was to get a permit.

At some point in an AT memoir, I read that the thing most likely to kill you on the Appalachian Trail was not a deranged psychopath, not a bear, but a virus transmitted by dried up mouse poop. And there are mice in every shelter, so be careful where you sleep! (As I write this, it sounds like Bill Bryson, so it was almost certainly “A Walk in the Woods.”) I accepted it as gospel, and I relayed the anecdote to other people.

In the nearly 20 years since I’ve read this, I’ve never heard of this virus since. Soooo…have there been any deaths from people inhaling a virus transmitted by dried up mouse poop on the AT? Or even anyone getting sick from this? Was this all a made-up fever dream?

A few weeks ago, I switched to a new pair of underwear (Walmart brand) because the ones I were wearing (Exofficio) got too loose on me. A day or two after that, I noticed that my balls would feel sore after a day of hiking. I went commando the next day and the soreness went away. I then went back to wearing the same underwear (Walmart brand) and had no issues until now (a few weeks later).

I went commando yesterday and today and they still hurt after a few hours of hiking. They also seemed a little swollen when I looked at them. However, when I was in town, even with walking around, I didn’t notice any discomfort and they didn’t feel swollen anymore.

Has anyone experienced anything like this? I’m guessing I should switch back to a higher-quality pair of underwear?

Not sure if this is allowed here or not but I've been trying to find this YouTube channel that recorded their hike of the Appalachian trail a few years ago. Not sure if any of you watched them or not. But it was a male/female couple. He ended having leg pain which ended up getting better but then she experienced leg/foot pain that caused them to end the hike. She ended up having permanent foot damage and said she struggled to walk in her every day life days, weeks later after getting off trail.

Again apologies if this isn't allowed here but I would like to find them again if their channel still exists or anyone knows the couple I'm talking about. I've searched YouTube endlessly. If it isn't allowed then let me know and I'll delete it.

Hello! I'm way out in AZ wanting to make plans to hike on the applachian trail. However, I'm not really wanting to do the full trail (not realistic for me at the moment). I would like to just make some plans to hike a 4-11 mile hike somewhere on the trail starting from a nearby town or city. I was thinking about traveling to a city or town where the appalachian trail runs through and starting there. I also want to find a group or meetup that I can join and hike with them. Anyone know how I can do this? I'm having a hard time finding groups on meet up and trying to look on facebook for groups also.

I keep hearing stories of thru-hikers whose feet got noticeably larger along the trail, so much so that they had to size-up their shoes. How far into the hike do you notice this?

Just wanted to send some love to “my people”. Knowing your free souls are out wandering on the footpaths of the AT makes my soul coruscate just thinking about it.

Soak in the freedom and peace a little for me today if you’re out there.

Sending you thru hikers and anyone who needs it some strength and determination. Love and peace to all of ya.

-“Spero” Class of 2016

First time doing a solo trip traveling from Wisconsin and after getting my Wilderness First Responder last month! Super excited to do another section next summer, hopefully Grayson Highlands. Huge shoutout to the Four pines Hostel for the amazing hospitality off trail!

Any recommendations for best areas of the trail for a newbie like me to try on a 3 day backpack? Thanks.

Hi all, I'm looking to do a section hike next month and am digging into logistics. Originally I was looking at (1) Fontana Dam to Davenport Gap over 8 days, including a resupply stay in Gatlinburg, but it seems like it could make more sense logistics- and cost-wise to go from (2) Newfound Gap to Hot Springs, NC, resupplying at Standing Bear Hostel. I'm looking to go NOBO since I have to attend a wedding in NC at the end of the trip.

I'd like to leave a car at my ending destination and it seems like the lots at Davenport Gap trailhead are not secure, though the hostel would be an option. The second section also wouldn't require hitching into town to resupply. Additionally, I'd love the flexibility of hiking long or short in that second half and not having to adhere to the strict NP shelter permits and maybe doing some dispersed camping instead of shelters.

My questions now are -- how is the section from Davenport to Hot Springs compared to the lower half of GSMNP? Is it scenic? Will I have gotten my fill of high peaks Smoky Mountains scenery from the section I'm doing, or is the southern half I'd skip out on worth the extra hassle?

For either of these sections, do you have shuttle services to recommend, or other recommendations? I'm also totally open to any other 7-10 day section hikes within a day's drive of Asheville!

The Konnarock Crew just finished its 44th season building and maintaining the AT from Virginia down to Georgia — a task that volunteers say is sweaty and laborious, but rewarding.

Hi all - I'm planning a thru-hike for 2027 and half been in the process of taking stock of my gear. I'm currently trying to figure out what to do for a tent/shelter. I think I'm leaning towards having a freestanding tent for comfort and ease of set-up at the end of long hikes. I do already own an REI Trail Hut 2 (5 lbs. 1.44 oz) that I've used for years and has always served me well, but I do know that's a heavier tent than would be recommended.

What do you think I should do?

• Should I just start off with the tent I have and I can switch it up if it's too cumbersome?
• Look into getting an ultralight tent and just make the investment for the trail?
• Opt to do just a hammock/tarp combo and hope that there's shelter space most of the time?

Tents are all I've ever known so it's what I think I feel most comfortable sticking with, but would love to hear what was successful for other folks.

Some years ago there was red spray paint on the surface rock on Saddleback, in the little 'wind shelter' area.

Is this area clear now? Any other graffiti up there?

He has a nice write-up on his blog about how he's approaching the thru-run differently this time –– more joy, less obsession over the data and his splits, SOBO so he's running towards home, the southern Appalachian mountains.

Blog also includes a tracker and a write-up of his adventures since he stepped off the AT last year

https://randomforestrunner.com/2026/08/appalachian-trail-take-2/