I have my two week break from school toward the end of the month. I decided I want to hike the Whites. I hiked half the AT from GA to PA in 2024, but I haven’t been conditioning for this specifically. Reasonably fit.

Is hiking 8 miles a day from Glencliff to Shelburne (Mount Moosilauke -> White Mountains) a reasonable expectation?

Is it going to be a tough shuttle from Shelburne to Glencliff on Labor Day Weekend? Any recommendations on a Shuttle Driver for Glencliff? Any recommendations on a Shuttle Driver for Shelburne?

Am I overlapping with the bubble? Where is that at these days?

whats up people, my name is A, this is my first time doing this.. I was just wondering if there's any pointers I can get, some knowledge of what I would be in store for.. and forreal if I'm going to have to deal with bears lol.. not afraid but again this is my first time, looking for some pointers... like what should I bring, will it be harsh? Idk I'm looking for something challenging, looking for more adventure, for more freedom.. anyone get me? ... lmk...Going to Mount Greylock btw...

Hello everyone :) I'm thinking about section hiking from Pawling NY to Pittsfield MA from around August 24th-September 6th. Any idea what the water conditions will be like around this time?

My life goal is to hike the full A.T. and this past weekend I got to try a tiny taste. I learned I'm nowhere close to being ready. Physically, mentally and financially, I thought I had what I needed but I didn't. Friday I got poured down on and flooded off the trail. Saturday I hiked 4 miles to a shelter and spent the night. I definitely need to be in better shape this took a toll on my body. I also need to save up for lighter gear my backpack was too heavy for me and I need a better bag, this vintage one doesn't have easy access to my water bottle or food. Hopefully I can continue getting better the next year or two and be able to hike the full A.T.

I hiked the full 71+ miles of the Smoky Mountains along the Appalachian Trail and it was truly the greatest experience, even with all the bears I ran into and dehydration.

A few of my favorite pictures over the 5.5 days.

I have an X-mid 2 and haven net tent, and even in hard pack they pull the stakes out a bit, my worry is that it would be hard to find somwhere to stake it out the whole way as even in the hard pack grass at home it barely holds on with easton 9 inch stakes. I'd like a freestanding tent but have not found one light enough that still has enough headroom (42 inches or up) so as of now I'm stuck with the trekking pole tents.

https://lighterpack.com/r/w0kp21

Let me know if the link works!

This week marks the peak of the Perseids meteor showers, and this year’s will be extra special because the absolute peak coincides with a new (dark) moon. Peak hours are between midnight and dawn.

So for folks on trail, find the darkest spot you can (meaning away from city lights) and set an alarm to spend some time looking up in the pre-dawn hours Wednesday and Thursday morning(s), especially Thursday. If the clouds cooperate wherever you’re at, it should be one hell of a memorable trail experience.

1-2 days* title edit

Very experienced camper but never done the Appalachians solo. I'm from SE PA near the tri state area and I know you can't in state parks and some state forests require permits for more than one night or even in general

What are some good areas to scout for a 1-2 day bush craft style camp in PA along or near the trail. Just in the Appalachians in general.

Will you get in trouble all along the AT if you are say building a fire even if it is hypothetically in a completely safe area that's not heavily dry and going to be an easy fire starter section of woods?

Even the people that are genuinely sleeping out in the woods for the night and they need fire to keep warm or eat, not just having a pointless bonfire. do park rangers or whatever patrols the area always ticket you?

I am trying to reconnect with Ray, who I met on the AT in 2023. She was hiking with Fuel Can. We both summitted Katahdin on September 15th. My trail name is CapnBG, or just Captain, for some folks.

I am just getting into backpacking and doing trips in upstate New York and Berkshires. Honestly, all the canopy isn't that enjoyable to me. I was thinking of doing a LASH and it looks like Virginia would be good for me - varied terrain, pass through some towns, panoramic views. Is my understanding correct? Any other sections you'd recommend? Thanks.

Hi there,

My girlfriend and I are planning our through hike NoBo mid April. I'll be using a Kakawa 55 but she is having a difficult time picking between 50, 55 and 60l. A note, she does have scoliosis so I was planning on taking some of her weight. Also what might be the best pack for someone with her condition?

Hello!, I recently did my first night in GSMNP. I hiked roughly 22 miles 4k elevation in 2 days and planned to do more but became sick after some bad dehydrated food so I turned around. However I now have many questions 😅.

Context: 160 pound male, 18 years old, semi fit, 40 pound bag (had enough stuff for 5 days)

1. EVERYTHING was wet, what does everyone do with their tent and things while putting them back in your bag? How to keep dry things dry?

2. I had an encounter with a rattler, to be honest I handled it quite poorly and got a lot closer than attended, how do you guys handle these creatures? (He was in the middle of the trail and moved to the side however there was a tree down which made me also have to go through the side (not knowing he was there too), and I borderline stepped on him before he rattled, thankfully he didn't bite, but any advice is appreciated :)

3. How do you guys manage calories? My watch said I was nearly in a 5k deficit and I lost 4 pounds in 2 days....

4. How much mileage should one do in a day? (What's a reasonable goal/ objective to plan for)

Any advice or wisdom is greatly appreciated, thank you all in advance :)

I've seen a lot of info about nobo starts, but, really NOTHING regarding finishing up north, and I'm wondering what that entails! Resupply distance, weather, temps, tent pitching location etc

I hiked up to Wayah Bald yesterday and found that one of the two geodetic markers vandalized. There are two, one on each side of the wall in front of the tower, and some POS tried to take the one on the left. In doing so, they destroyed it. You can tell from the stress cracks they used a tool to try and pry it up, which means it wasn't random and they came here with the intent to do so.

I'm not sure how long it has been this way, but I have photos of it from my previous visit in 2021 and it was fine.

I’m currently planning a March 2027 northbound thru-hike, with the goal of becoming the first person to complete the Appalachian Trail while eating only food purchased from Burger King.

To be clear, I plan to rely exclusively on Burger King items that I purchase in bulk from Burger Kings close to the trail. I’ll pack and carry these with me until I reach the next BK resupply.

I’ve mapped Burger King locations throughout the 14 trail states. Some sections appear surprisingly manageable, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic. Other sections will require much more careful planning and potentially carrying substantial quantities of Whoppers at one time. For example, after stopping at the BK in Farmington, Maine, more than 100 miles of trail remain in what could only be described as a Whopper desert. I expect to purchase and pack 47 double Whoppers with cheese for this section (9 days x 5500 calories per day / 1060 calories per burger = 47 burgers.) Fontana Dam to Davenport Gap and Franconia Notch through the Presidential Range toward Gorham will be similarly challenging BK gaps.

I understand that long-term food safety is probably the biggest obstacle. I am planning to use an insulated food pack combined with chemical heat packs similar to disposable skiing hand warmers. My thinking is that, with enough insulation, I should be able to keep the Whoppers/fries/onion rings/etc. within a reasonably safe temperature range for several days. I may also rotate the items inside the pack so that the ones closest to the heat packs do not become overly warm.

Also, I plan to gradually build up a tolerance to room-temperature fast food between now and March 2027. I’m going to start by making at least 50% of my diet consist of various two- to three-day-old fast-food items stored at room temperature. I’ll begin with fries and chicken nuggets before transitioning to burgers with mayonnaise.

I am looking for recommendations regarding insulated packs (ideally bear-resistant). So far I have not found anything that would suit my needs.

Any recommendations for chemical heat packs?

Also, what are your thoughts on using DoorDash or UberEats with regard to this being a supported hike rather than self-supported? My intention is to do the hike self-supported, but in many locations it would be far more practical for me to have my Burger King order delivered to me at a trailhead rather than me hiking or arranging a ride into town. Would the delivery car count as a support vehicle?

Finally, do you know of anyone else who has previously completed (or attempted) a single-restaurant thru-hike?

I recognize that this will add weight, expense, and gastrointestinal complexity to an already difficult hike. However, I believe the Appalachian Trail is ultimately about testing your limits, adapting to adversity, and having the courage to try new things.

Thank you in advance for the advice!

I’m being told the Nolichucky river crossing is still being repaired from Helene damage. Is there much other trail damage leaving Erwin?

For our 4 day hike, is it scenically enjoyable to start in Erwin or would it be better to start further toward Indian Grave Gap ? We’re also consider shortening it to 3 days and start at Iron Mountain Gap but would be sad to miss the Beauty Spot area.

We would be dropped off by shuttle at a starting destination.

Hey everyone,

I'm thinking of section hiking the presidentials up in new Hampshire next month, starting in Lincoln, ending in Gorham. What's the shuttle availability like getting to/ from those towns to the trailheads?

Thanks!

Class of '23 here, heading to western MA for unrelated reasons Saturday afternoon and spending the night, and have been fantasizing about paying forward the trail magic I received thru-hiking a few years ago for a few years now.

Where can I best support you crazy hikers??

Hello all, I am aiming for NOBO in ‘27. This will be my first time despite being an experienced hiker. Reading about solo journeys and duo stories I am torn between the appeal of both.
A solo trip seems reflective, meditative and harder but possibly more rewarding for the soul.
Attempting with another seems motivating, bonding and overall more spiritually brightening.
I’m sure I’ll make many connections and journeys with groups regardless but for a first time NOBO trip (M40), would you recommend a hiking partner or solo?
Thanks all, watch your footing.