Hardness - Appalachian Trail

imported
#1

Is the AT. really hard? Do you think a 13 year old could do it? I have done the CT. Any advise?

Allie

#2

A 6 y/o boy thru’d the AT in 1980 with his family.

mr info

#3

Many kids have hiked the AT. I have run into a bunch of families over the years that were on thru-hikes or very long section hikes and even a group of three kids in '01 (ages 12,14,& 16) who were attempting a thru-hike. In general, the kids almost always were having an easier time than their parents!

The A.T. is neither hard or easy - those are simply human opinions & judgments. It’s what you make of it. If you thoroughly enjoy your time in the mountains & would rather be hiking than in a town, then you’ll have a blast regardless of the terrain.

freebird

#4

Thank you. I am considering hiking it with my mom in the future.

Allie

#5

In 2005 the Troll family, mother, father and 10 year old son Oblivious completed the trail. In 2007 father and son dic the PCT and this year they did half of the CDT. If the 13 year old wants to do it it will be easy for him. Check out the Troll family’s journal 2005 here.

Sleeveless

#6

My boys (currently ages 15 and 12) have both section-hiked long distances of the Southern AT. Both have done great and were much faster and less tired than their dad. We average about 12 miles a day, all during the summner (our hikes have been in July and August). They could have done more.

When he was 13, my oldest did Amicalola to Neels Gap during the brutal heat of August 2007. He handled it easily.

This year, my 12-year-old did Dicks Creek Gap (GA) to Rock Gap (NC), and had no problem.

By age 13, boys are generally “ready to go”!

Dan Roper

#7

Thank you for all of the advise. I am feeling inspired. If others can do it then I can too. BTW- I’m a girl, but I can still hike as well as any boy.

Allie