Hi - anyone happen to know the cumulative distance climbed and lost on the Georgia portion of the AT? I’m hoping to section hike in '07 and am trying to figure out if my prep hikes are even in the ballpark with respect to average grade. Thanks!
Not So Fast
I estimated by my log from my section hiking that you would have elevation gain of 18650 ft from Springer Mtn to Bly Gap. I took 7 days to hike it, so an average of 2664ft per day if no zero days. My estimates are only from the reading of the profile map for the GA section when I hiked it in the spring and summer of 2000. I did not include the approach trail. The elevation of Springer and Bly gap look to be about the same at 3800ft +/-, so the elevation lost would be about the same as the gain. I thought the grades back then were pretty steep compared to what came later, but that may just be the result of better physical conditioning or a better mental understanding of what would be involved. Also, switchbacking becomes more prominent later. I have not hiked north of Harpers Ferry though, and understand the Whites are considerably more difficult from what many others say. If you can do 2mi per hr on the flat, and figure an extra hour for 1000 ft of elevation gain with a total daily mileage of 10-12 mi, you are plenty ready.
Cutman11
PUDS Pointless Ups and Downs! I guess it depends on your current age and condition. It seemed as if we were 500 ft up 500 down, 700 up…700 down… day in and day out. Only a couple of difficult climbs. I like GA. Flame and I have done it several times. On our first hike there we got to Hiawassee in 4.5 days (including the approach trail). Flame said that was the last time we would do that. On a june hike we saw 3 bears before we got to Blood Mt. On our thru hike most people did 7-10 mile days (it took us 8 days to get to Hiawassee, Flame was right). Section hikers were doing 10-12 mile days. Keep your pack weight down and have a good time.
Read several of the journals of people in your age, weight, and condition.
Have a great hike.
Papa Smurf
Thanks! I recently did the Knobstone Trail in southern Indiana. One source estimated about 10,000 feet in elevation gain (with a similar loss) over the course of 45 miles in three days. That would seem to be reasonably comparable to Cutman11’s Georgia figure, on a change per mile basis. Makes me feel like I might be able to do a Georgia hike after all. Anyone know if water is a problem in northern Georgia in fall?
Not So Fast