New to the trail, any advice?

imported
#1

i am a beginner hiker, but i’m very inspired to hike at least part of the AT this season. i have been considering starting in harpers ferry in may and hiking through to katahdin. i’ve heard that this might be good because it gives me a gradual start, but i still get to cover a good amount of the trail. i don’t have much around the way of mountains to practice on where i live (south-central indiana), though i do have some good hills and i walk for a few hours every day. does anyone have any advice about how to prepare for a long hike, or where and when to start? i’m also still working on finding good people to hike with. i would appreciate all advice. thanks a lot.

annie k.

#2

Harpers Ferry to Katahdin is half the trail. I did it, and it is nice because you are out there for 3 months or so. That was enough for me at that time. Others do the trail in thirds, roughly either Springer to Pearisburg, Pearisburg to Bear Mountain, or Bear Mountain to Katahdin. The choices are yours.

Conditioning? The best conditioning is backpacking itself. So, on your daily walks, put on the backpack with 30 pounds in it. Other good conditioning is running and biking. I have always felt that biking was good for the knees. Almost anything that gets your lower body moving and gets your heart rate up is good conditioning. Some climb stairs with a pack on. Others use a treadmill with a pack on. The main point is to do something rather than sit on a couch.

Where and when to start? The options of where are limitless. People start or leave the trail at almost every road crossing between Springer and Katahdin. When? There are some things to avoid if possible. First, Katahdin basically closes in mid October. So, if that is your goal, you need to be there well before hand. Also, in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, expect frosty mornings anytime after mid September. Likewise, in June, the streams in Maine are still high with snow runoff, and black fly season. So, I would avoid New England in May and June. Starting at Harper’s Ferry in May is good, because you will be with the earlest of the thru-hikers. These are the guys that weathered the winter storms down south.

I wouldn’t worry about finding good people to hike with. They will discover you along the trail.

Peaks

#3

The most important thing is not to worry. Harpers Ferry is a very good place to start. Most people obsess about gear and fitness, you don’t need to. You need a sleeping bag and some type of pad, as light a weight tent as you can find, some type of stove and food, non cotton clothes, some type of water purifier and container, TP, and a pack with a hip belt to put it all in. Just be good to yourself and don’t push your body on the trail, fitness and joy will come to you quickly.

Blue Jay

#4

Harper’s Ferry is a good place to start. AMTRAK trains stop
there every day, so it’s easy to get to. The girls at ATC HQ
are very nice and knowledgeable.

The hike north isn’t too
difficult until you’re passed Duncannon. But even then it’s
relatively easy until MA or VT. You’ll have plenty of time
to ‘get in shape’ in MD. Just start out slowly, maybe go
shelter to shelter for a week or so. The shelters in MD are
incredibly nice, except Devil’s Racecourse.
If you decide you don’t like hiking, there are some larger
towns just off the trail in southern PA. Gettyburg and Waynesboro
come to mind. You should be able to get a bus(or taxi) to
Lancaster or Harrisburg, then catch AMTRAK back home, if you
like.

Enjoy your hike!

Scamp

Scamp

#5

I’ve hiked for over 40 years and the best prep Flame and I did for our hike was first reading as many journals as we could. They tell you the problems hikers encounter the first several weeks of their hike. Bad knees, too much weight, too many miles, changing partners, too much food, wrong food, dealing with hitching, hiker friendly towns. Don’t go to an outfitter and buy a lot of gear. Read the journals and see what works and what doesn’t. Harpers Ferry would be a good place to start. You want be able to stay up with thru-hikers when they hit WV. They are making some good miles and have their trail legs by then. But when you pick up speed in about 4 to 6 weeks you will hook up with another hiker or two. Good luck. The people and towns are a great part of the trail.

Papa Smurf