How many days?

imported
#1

I have 12-14 days to walk on the LT in august. My plan is simple walk at my own pace and stop after two weeks even if far from the border (come back in october and finish).

I usually hike on the AT in Maine and average 15 miles a day. Can I expect the same on the LT 15-20 miles per day.

I have one part of my brain thats saying “enjoy the hike dont set any goal” and another part hoping to kick my ass and finish the trail in two weeks.

Which one is right the eco-groovy one or the goal setting one?

Storm

#2

Just read an article in Appalachia an AMC publication about
a couple that did the Long trail in 13 days. But like you are thinking the end statement was if they were to do it over they would take more time.

FLETCH

#3

I did the long trail in 14 days with 2 resupply stops one in rutland and the other in the town before the raod walk can’t think of the name off hand. It was a great trip went really lite and fast pushed some sections especially the southern half that I had done many times before, so it can be done then again I am a trail runner and run 6 days a week. The nothern half above Brandon Gap does get rough though Have fun!!!

Larry Helfant

#4

When I was thruhiking the AT last year I met alot of people in Vermont who were doing the LT. Seemed like most of them were in poor physical shape, atleast compared to us NOBOs. I watched more than one LT hiker struggle to keep up with us as they had to finish the trail in two weeks. They didn’t seem happy and most of them probably didn’t finish in time. Maine was tough for me though and usually kept me under 15 mile days. My advice: don’t expect to finish in one two week shot.

Pus Gut

#5

Storm, there’s no “right,” right? It’s what you want to do. It’s your vacation. But you knew that.

Are you doing the entire Long Trail, or just north from Maine Juntion, where the AT splits off? You could easily do the latter in two weeks as play, based on your comments.

If you currently do 15 miles/day of the southern Maine AT, you should be able to do the same on the LT. People can do do the LT in two weeks, but they are charging hard over some lovely terrain. If that floats your boat, go for it.

I myself found the northern half tough, very tough, in fact, but it was my first long distance hike and I was just a baby adventurer.

Jan

#6

Plan on doing half the miles per day you think you’ll do; you’ll enjoy the trip more; and you’ll have a few days off at the end to go to the movies and relax before you go back to work.

Simmer

Simmer

#7

hi there,

i E2E last oct. I planned on 10 miles a day. previously i had backpacked a week on the AT in connecticut and other small trips. I found that most everyone that completed the hike around 24-30 days. The people that hiked fast and that were busting out consecutive 20 mile days had some feet that were just chewed to hell. They were also young folks and had time constraints and the goal was the finish. Basically they rushed. I had my 20 mile days and my 3 mile days. I would definately advise against goretex footwear.

There are some superb places that call you to take off your pack and watch. Rushing a long hike will hurt you in the end. but since you say you will restart in oct i would suggest a southbound hike. then in october you can get the southern sections done in relatively friendlier weather areas. Last year i was on camels hump when the winds in the valley reached 70 miles per hour. I practically floated off the hump!

buen camino!
sine

sinenomine

#8

hi!
I just completed the LT (NOBO) this summer, and i think i did it in 24 days, with one zero day and a handful of re-supply days. I felt that doing 10-15 miles a day was really comfortable and allowed me to take my time in places that i really enjoyed. Along the way i did meet a guy that was trying to finish the entire LT in 10 days. I’m 99.9% sure that he accomplished that goal too. If you’re really looking to attempt to finish in two weeks I would do what this guy did and really fly through the southern section (the day i met him he was on mile 35 out of 38) so you can do shorter hikes through the tougher, harder terrained northern section.

But my personal advice is similar to what sinenomine is saying…there are some really beautiful places that just shouldn’t be rushed through. If i were you I wouldnt rush it, don’t kill yourself because then you won’t appreciate the LT and you wont have fun. The guy i mentioned earlier did not seem to be enjoying himself, and he must have been really hurting.

I hope you pick a plan that works out for you!

-Ivory

Ivory