Young Hikers - Appalachian Trail

imported
#1

I just got back from a short three-day hike with my dad and friend to see if I am prepared for a thru-hike. I still don’t know if I’m ready but I do know that I want to gwt back out there asap. The problem is, Im fourteen and have other things in the way like school and money stuff, (but I know almost everyone has problems like these). I started to wonder about how many other people my age have attempted a thru-hike. Has anyone heard of young hikers trying this? Does anyone know how young the youngest succesful hiker was? Im interested to hear any input.
Elliot

Elliot M-N

#2

A family made a successful thru-hike last summer, with some very young children. I’ll be someone can let us know exactly.

I don’t recall seeing any solo thru-hikers younger than about 17. Will you be going with your dad? Regardless, if you tackle a thru-hike, you’ll probably find the greatest challenge is mental.

Good Luck!

Colter

#3

I agree, 17 seems to be the youngest age for solo thru-hikers. In 1999, Algae and Paranoid finished high school a semester early so they could start their hike in March. They were both 17 and saved all through high school for their AT hike.

We think that next year, when Noid hikes the CDT at age 23, she will be the youngest triple-crowner. Not sure, but we think so.

yogi

#4

An entire famile finished a sobo hike in 2001 I think with several children of all ages.

Tribes

#5

I looked it up on the ATC’s website and six years old was the age of the youngest thru hikers. The first was in 1980 and another in 2002. I once saw a great picture from 1998 of that years oldest thru hiker, Earl Schaffer, 79, and youngest thru hiker, 4x4, who was 8 and hiking with his mother and four siblings.

Celt

#6

Wasn’t Hungry Howie like 16 or so?

Lil Rebel

#7

I think Howie was 17, but backdraft was 16. In 2001 there was a few young kids, 2 sisters and a brother, dont know if they finished. I also believe the local authorities in several areas were concerned about there welfare. I think 14 is to young to go without adult supervision.

Chef

#8

The rooms were so much colder then
My father was a soldier then
And times were very hard
When I was young

I smoked my first cigarette at ten
And for girls I had a bad yen
And I had quite a ball
When I was young

My faith was so much stronger then
I believed in fellow men
And I was so much older then
When I was young

E Burton

#9

My brother solo thru-hiked the JMT at age 13. You might want to consider trying a shorter thru-hike like that (220 miles) before attempting something longer on your own. But don’t let anyone discourage you from your goals, even if school and finances keep you from achieving them for a few years. Good luck!

JMT Hiker

#10

I was 17 in 2000 when I thruhiked the trail. I’d never done anything more than a 2-3 day hike in my life. There are ways to get around your obstacles if you really want to. I used a little loophole that allowed me to get out of school six months early to go hike. While me buds were scraping through their final exams, I was walking to Maine!

Depending on many factors about you, it may be fine for you to hike the trail. To show initiative like you have, I would say that there’s a good chance you can do this. If you’re willing to put in the effort to learn what you need to know, and the time to earn the money you need…I think by that time you’ll have a better idea for yourself.

Happy Trails - Howie

Hungry Howie

#11

i saw four wearing diapers into damascas in 2000…pigpen, sweep, jimbo and the dude…but seriously…go for it…be focused and responsible and i’m sure you will succeed…young men like backdraft and hungry howie make the case for young hikers…i’m 51 and proud to have known them both…

fausa

fausa