How to Prepare for Hiking the Appalachian Trail - Camping and Hiking Gear

The Appalachian Trail is the longest hiking trail in the United States. It runs from Springer Mountain, Georgia north almost 2000 miles to Mount Katahdin in Maine.

If you hike the entire trail from end to end, it's called a thru-hike. It takes, on average, five to six months to complete a thru-hike.

Hiking individual parts of the trail over several years is called section hiking. This is a popular option for many hikers who cannot commit to the amount of time to thru-hike the trail.

However you decide to hike the trail, it's an amazing experience.

Preparation for this hike is extensive. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or a novice, selecting your camping and hiking gear and getting it organized is an important first step.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Looking for lightweight hiking and camping gear constructed for long distance hiking is critical. Fully loaded packs carried on the trail typically weigh in between 25 to 40 pounds. It may not seem like a big deal that the difference in deciding between cooking kits can come down to a few ounces, but those ounces can add up to pounds if you're not careful.

2. Purchase your essential gear at a hiking store and not at a discount or department store. Look for a sales person that has done long distance hikes who will understand the needs of a long distance hiker and can help you make good decisions.

3. Purchase any new gear you need well ahead of the planned start date of your hike. Wear your boots and break them in, pack your pack and re-pack your pack, set up and use the camp stove. Pack and unpack the mess kit and eat a meal from it. Set up the tent, if you're using one.

4. Choose your pack carefully. It's the most important piece of gear you'll purchase; it holds everything else.
   
   Regardless of whether you're thru-hiking or section hiking, don't be tempted to buy the largest pack you can find. Except for the 100 Mile Wilderness in Maine, where suppliers are few and far between, you will be carrying on average enough supplies for three to six days. Overly large expedition packs are generally geared towards extended hikes with limited replenishing options available, or for winter hiking. Large packs may be just a temptation to carry more than you need.
   
   Once you've got yours, pack your gear and carry it around...go for a day hike with a fully loaded pack. Make sure everything fits, you can actually access the items and you can repack in the field.

5. Practice with your new equipment. Make sure you know how everything works, especially if you're getting any new or replacement equipment, and particularly the tent. It may save your life if you need shelter quickly and can set up your tent in minutes. Fumbling in the rain and dark to get the tent up is not a pleasant experience.

Tips & Warnings

• Many good hiking outfitters will let you rent a pack for a weekend. It's a good idea if you have several expensive options and need to know which will work best for you.
• Connect with other hikers online to read stories, get advice and ask questions.
• The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is the go to site for up to date information on the trail. It offers a wealth of information. A link is provided in Resources.
• There are options on the trail to correct any issues you have with gear. Neels Gap, Georgia, is 30 miles into the hike and has an outfitter, so if you've forgotten something, or broken something, this is the place to take care of that. And if you've over-packed, you can ship items back home as well.
• Don't underestimate the amount of preparation that goes into hiking the Appalachian Trail. Conditions along parts of the trail can change from seasonable to deadly and being unprepared can kill you. That being said, it is also one of the most rewarding experiences anyone can experience during their life.

Resources

• Appalachian Trail Conservancy
• How to Physically Prepare for Hiking the Appalachian Trail
• REI Hiking and Camping Equipment

[leduncan]

on 8/18/2009 Great article on hiking the Appalachian Trail! I so need to get out of this house!

[copperhill]

on 6/27/2009 Another great article for any hiking enthusiast. You make me want to hit the trails!