is it possible to hike the AT in 4 months that the time i have. i know it is fast.
luke kaim
Time - Appalachian Trail
system
#3
i talked to a 50 or so year old ridge runner who did it in 3 months, he just didn’t stay in every town and stuff like that, so i guess it can be done
clong
system
#4
56 days is close to the world record (unrecognized). It can be done in 4 months though if you got the physical attributes and 200% more important, the mental attributes. That’s about 18 miles a day. Including time you have to spend in town for drops, food, gear repair etc.
Shawn P
system
#5
I did it in 4 1/2 months on accident. I am pretty sure I could have trimmed off 15 days somewhere.
Its all in your heart and head. And remember your achy feet are far from the heart.
Officer Taco
system
#6
Well, it’s possible to do 18 miles per day, day in and day out, especially in the Mid Atlantic states. But, I wonder how much you will enjoy it.
Now, if the average duration is 5 1/2 months, it usually includes 3 weeks of zero’s. So, actual hiking time is say 4 3/4 months. If you only have 4 months available, then it probably means hiking more every day than the average hiker (totally possible), and few if no days off. Again possible. You will need to be injury free, have good weather, and be in physical condition to hike when you start. In short, you need to be very realistic about what you are getting into.
Peaks
system
#7
why why would you want to rush something like this man take your time or do it another time don’t rush thru it.18 per day ok do it but you will miss on alot of things possibly getting injured, If you don’t make the 18 you will be beating yourself up gee why on earth would you want to do that. plus no way you are doing 18 in the beginning or in maine. sllllllllllllooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwww down my friend enjoy it we already rush thru life as it is.
john
system
#8
Of course if you’re willing to put yourself through the physical rigors, there’s no doubt a 4-month finish is possible. The major downside I see (aside from the tough physical demands) is that you will largely miss out on what is, to my mind, the best part of the trail: the people you meet out there. You’ll be moving at such a quick clip you won’t have much time to make friends, and those you do make you’ll have to leave behind.
The other thing is, you’ll be travelling through places you’ve never been before, and perhaps won’t see again. It’s wonderful to be able to blow off a day in a beautiful spot without having to count the miles.
Not everyone hikes the AT for the same reasons. Some people do it for the pure physical challenge. If you’re one of those folks, go for it. But if you’re looking for a more varied trail experience, maybe put it off until you can give yourself more time.
camera1
system
#9
go out in shape and focused and give it a go. many have done it.
but it may not be your style. in which case enjoy the four months wherever they take you. maybe skip from harpers ferry to pawling NY (easy train acess).
milo
system
#10
do it in two years… if you look at what most thru hikers say they would have done different… they say TAKE MORE TIME… why do you want to rush? I never understood that mentality. If you rush you will miss beautiful camp spotsd along the trail… you will not develop a bond with anyone else… Last year Day Tripper and I skipped a few small parts of the Trail and kept running into a couple hiking. They were on a budget and having a miserable time. Everytime we saw them they were complaining about having to hike the AT… It was like they had someone whipping them to keep pace.
Aswah
system
#11
Its very possible and I met many folks who were going at this pace. Even a couple guys on a 3 month pace. This isn’t however the norm. This speed is looked on as fast or crazy.
If you can get a lot of out the trail at that pace, and that makes you happy, well then, go for it. But if you find it seeming like a chore, slow down and just hike until your deadline and finish it another summer. I don’t judge anymore. Some people find peace in hiking 10 miles a day. Some folks can only enjoy the trail at 25-30 miles a day.
I agree that the social aspect is the best part of the trail. But that isn’t important to some people. I made great friends and believe my trip to have been better for it.
Saying that, you don’t need to bust out of the gate doing 20 miles a day and you don’t necessarily need to be doing huge miles at all. Its about staying consistent, for me atleast. Why do a 30+ mile day if your gonna need to sit in town the next 2 days recovering? Find a pace that is comfortable and try to match that everyday and not spend a lot of time in towns. Many thru-hikers take as much as 2 MONTHS in zero/town days. Many of these folks could have hiked in 4-5 months otherwise.
Good luck!
A-Train
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#12
I was on track to finish in 4 months in 2003…this is the time frame my boss gave me and I tried to keep it because he was actually paying me for the time away. The result is I ALMOST got there, had to drop out in NH 380 miles short after the knees wouldn’t bend any more. DON’T DO IT, it isn’t fun, you outrun almost everyone you meet, the calendar becomes your enemy, you suffer a lot of extra physical pain. I refuse to take less than 6 months to do the trail in 2005. Optional advice from having been there.
swift
system
#13
Pony Express shows the following statistics for his Thru hike in 2004:
Trip Miles 2183.20
Total Number of Days 73
Total Number of Zero Mile Days 3
Total Number of Hiking Days 70
Average Miles per Day 29.91
Average Miles per Hiking Day 31.19
Average Miles per Week 209.35
Number of days in Trail Towns 3
Number of nights in a Shelter 58
Number of nights in a Tent 5
Number of nights in a Hotel 5
Number of nights in a Hostel 4
Number of nights in a House 1
Number of Day Hikes 0
Longest Day 65.60
Shortest Day 1.2
Number of Days over 20 miles 64
Number of Days between 15-20 2
Number of Days between 10-15 2
Number of Days between 5-10 1
Number of Days between .1-5 1
Longest section with no days off
Miles: 1315.9
Days: 40
Most consective days off 0
Magic also had a fast hike last year. He left after Officer Taqco and finished before him. He did a poor journal though. Pony express did a fair write-up of his hike. Slow down and smell the rhododendrons!
Ed Wright
system
#15
Hey Luke, you just HYOH, ya know. I would definitely be interested in hearing your thoughts tho, after you try this…and I would also listen to the thoughts of others too. Good luck in whatever you decide to do; it’s not my idea of a good time, but it may be yours! :cheers
leah
system
#17
time is money, money is time. that IS the harsh reality.
like many others, i too chose the 4 month deal. wanted to in fact, even before i embarked, i declared i wanted a fastpack approach. moreover, i wanted to test myself in a myriad of capacities (which i was wholly successful at).
i found/continue to find, there is a distorted philosophy amongst hikers who elect a more relaxed approach, to those who support this “speedy” approach. one warped theory being that typically speaking, you can’t wholly develop trail friendships and such due in nature to sustaining an “unreasonable” pace. i found the exact opposite to be true.
granted i was unable to develop MANY friendships, but the few which i did make, were intimate in their own right and are lasting, as i attest to a near 3 years later.
recognize that balance can BE achieved if you are willing to accomodate for it. in short, i strongly feel that, contrary to “popular belief”, that it IS possible to achieve a healthy balance (hike and rest/socialization), even at a 4 month pace.
bottome line: what you wish to make time for, you WILL make time for.
leslie
system
#18
A few people will tell you that its not just about getting from one mountain to the next but about the people you meet. I remember more about the nights at the shelters and visits to town than some sections of the Trail. I took six months. I was happy enough to average 12 miles a day but wish I had taken more time. It was enough of a physical challenge without trying to race, but hey go for it. I think you will enjoy it even more if you can fall in with someone who can keep up with you…
N Harrier
system
#20
this may be dumb but any ways you dont run a maraton to talk to the preson next to you you run it to see how fast you can go. i dont undersand why people say to take more time.
luke kaim