How hard is it

imported
#1

Having just graduated from Highschool, two of my friends and I decide to Bicycle across America. While on this journey I picked up a few books about hiking the Appalachian Trail. When I returned back to Massanutten Virginia I begain backpacking the trails of the SNP. Which was a blast! Now I am trying to start a new journey in my life and that is hiking the AT. My longset trek is olny a week but I want and have the desire and will power to go longer. With bicycle trip under my belt I have the Mental and Physical power but I just wanted to hear some feed back from other about how hard this trail can be. Yes I am a beginner hiker, But I had no Idea how to ride a road bike when I first started my trip across country…

Dustin

#2

It’s probably more mentally difficult than physicaly difficult. It gets hard when it rains for a week (or two) straight. Or when you’re climbing spome PUDS (pointless ups & downs) with bugs in your eyes & ears.

The most “difficult” part of the trail is found in New Hampshire & Maine, but if you’re hiking NOBO, you should be physically ready for the challenge.

If you can learn to adjust to the rhythem of the trail, and enjoy the little things (sunrises, sunsets, listening to bird song, seeing a wildflower, pointless banter with some new friends) it becomes easier.

Having said that there is nothing “easy” about a thru-hike of the AT. But it is pretty simple. One foot in front of the next, and eventually you’ll get there!

Jeffrey Hunter

#3

SNP is one of the easiest sections on the entire AT. Which means that you should expect more difficult terrain elsewhere. But there’s no reason why you can’t do it, and enjoy it too. I say go for it and have a great time. If you do some training beforehand, and take care to ruthlessly minimize your pack weight, you will enjoy it more and have a better chance of going the distance.

The Hog

#4

Thanks for the feedback… I am going to give it a try but I am going to wait till the time is right for me to do it. Hopefully that time will be next march but only time will tell.

Dustin

#5

If you hiked SNP because you’re from around there, some harder sections are just north and south of there that you could try out, like the Three Ridges area south of SNP or the 45-ish miles from Front Royal to Harpers Ferry.

“How hard?” is a pretty broad question, though, and you’ll get 100 different answers from 100 different people. My answer is “Very”

0101

#6

If you want to prepare by hiking some of the tougher sections, do the 40 miles immediately south of Damascus, VA in Tennessee. Once you’re used to that type of terrain, you should be able to handle anything Vermont or Maine throws at you.

Nitsud

#7

If you can ride a bicycle across America, you can hike the AT. At least as long as the money holds out? Do try to keep the pack weight below about 30 lbs.

Bear Bag Hanger

#8

i agree w/ jeffrey & bear bag, if you can bike across country, you can thru the a.t. b/c as jeffrey said, it’s much more mental than physical.

personally, before i thru’ed, the longest trip i had ever been on was 1 1/2 weeks ten years previous. i went south and loved every minute. be careful though, long-distance backpacking can be addicting…:cheers

the goat

#9

I have ridden across the US on a bike (1985) and did the AT in 2005. The AT is harder, but the main thing is that it’s all you loved about the bike ride, but moreso - living in the now, meeting great people, being super fit, seeing beautiful country. Just do it, especially since finding the time becomes more and more difficult as you get older. Have a great thru-hike. And the Goat is right - it’s addicting, and you may be setting yourself up for a lifetime of not being able to put up with the crap of modern society - and you won’t miss it!

3 Cats