Hiking Partners?

imported
#1

I’d love to thru-hike or hike a good portion of the AT. How should I go about finding a hiking partner or two?

Tracy

#2

Tracy,

Just start walking the trail. First time I did, I ran into someone I have now hiked several times with. Kind of tough to get folks lined up and schedules to match prior to a hike. Chances are, if they are already hiking at the same time as you, you are already on the same wavelength as far as hiking goes.

Fritz

#3

In 04 I found a hiking partner on Whiteblaze, otherwise this site would be good. It’s a little soon to advertise for partners yet, but later you’ll start to see more popping up.

Otherwise Fritz is right. In 05 I wasn’t even looking for a hiking partner but had one only three days in. Especially if you leave during peak times you’ll be seeing a lot of the same people at every shelter you stop at. You’ll be surprised at how many cliques start forming that you’d be able to team up with if you wanted.

Plus women, particularly younger ones, never have any problem finding plenty of guys who’d be happy to hike all day with them.

0101

#4

I sent you an email

fatback

#5

When I hiked, I got a partner at the last moment (I wasn’t looking for a partner, it just happened). We still packed separately, which is the wise thing to do as Paul got injured real quickly and had to leave the trail. Other than that, if you have no issue hiking solo, at peak times, the trail is crammed full of hikers so finding a partner is real easy, I ended up getting new “partners” every 3-7 days.
So pack solo and if you can’t find a partner, no worries as its real easy to find one once hiking.
TB

TurkeyBacon02

#6

especially in the beginning, people do a lot of planning in the shelters at night. You’ll hear a lot of “We’re going to try to hike to X.” Usually that’s a shelter. So you’ll usually know where your friends are going. People also like to go into town in groups, so you should have no problem there. Just say “Anyone want to split a room in town?” and you’ll find plenty of hands raised.

Now, if you’re looking for a hiking partner who will be beside you the entire day, wait at the top of hills for you and such, well that’s near impossible to find unless you’re already married to them. The actual hiking is usually still solitary.

0101