Hi All - I'm trying to get my kids (10F, 8F, 6M) into hiking and backpacking. For spring break we are going to be staying outside Banner Elk, NC, doing some day hikes to start and then spend 2 - 4 days on the trial.

In speaking with some shuttle services, there is a nice little section 13 Mile from 19E (US 19E (Bear Branch Rd) Parking Area - Latitude36.1781467277 - Longitude-82.0122170405) to FS293 just past Roan Mountain that doesn't look to strenuous and in the forest that I wanted to try to cover in 3 - 4 days. I was planning to doing the near by peaks as day hikes beforehand. On this, I plan to carry most of the weight (45-50lbs!), with the oldest two just carrying sleeping bags/food/water/clothes and the youngest just carrying food/water.

However, I'm reading online it might be best to park and hike into a shelter, set up a base camp, and then just do some day hikes blue blaze trials with no weight to keep it easier / fun.

Given that, what are your thoughts? Also, if you think the base camp idea is best, will that piss off thru hikers? What is the base place to do this base camp shelter with the most diverse hikes (one day go north, next day go south, or access nearby trails off the AT)

Thanks!

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My relative is graduating college and his plan is to hike the trail. Any suggestions on a graduation gift for him? I was thinking of an REI gift card.

My partner and I started the trail near the beginning of February (we have a deadline otherwise we wouldve started later). We took it really slow for the first three weeks and honestly didnt ramp up our pace to surpass 13 miles until the middle of the Smokies. We enjoyed ourselves a lot the first month, which I know is the “honeymoon period”.

Honestly its been really lonely so far. We even heard this year has been slower compared to previous years but the only time we really see anyone is when they pass us - and this is where I feel like I am failing.

I feel like we arent going fast enough. We try to always do 13-16 mile days but mostly everyone we talk to are doing 20+ even 30+ mile days. Is this normal??

And then I feel even worse for comparing myself to them and not “hiking my own hike” good enough. We recently met someone who was super vocal about how many miles they did and boasted pompously over and over again about their mileage and a whole group of people started also chiming in with their high mileages. Its starting to feel like everyone we meet, thats all they care about.

I guess I am wondering if a majority of people on the trail are like this? It didnt seem that way at first but now it seems like mileage is all anyone (who we’ve encountered in the last week or two) cares about.

Edit: We are about 30ish miles into Virginia.

I have some food basics that I like but Im confident Ill get bored of them. What are yalls favorites? lightweight, carb heavy and good tasting?

I have a humble question that I can’t find answers to online. I have been planning a proposal at the top of a mountain. She knows about it. We’re a few days out and she had an unplanned surgery. She isn’t sure if she’ll be able to make the hike and is heartbroken. So I offered to get one of the external frame packs that has a seat-like bottom for the parts of the hike that she can’t do. I have some military experience with rucking and have rucked weights close to her own before. Would it be feasible to carry her on the pack or is it a silly idea?

Heya folks,

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Avid hiker/camper/backpacker and aspiring thru-hiker here in Rockland County NY. Harriman is basically my backyard and the AT goes right through it. My friends and I plan on setting up a pop-up tent with a table to welcome thru-hikers with some NY Pizza and Bagels as a little NY'r trail magic on the newly re-routed Anthony Wayne bridge over the Palisades Interstate Parkway. It'll be on a weekend in mid-April. Do you folks currently on-trail or off think that'll be a good time for us to be there?

Hello, my friend and I are planning a 2 night 3 day back packing trip along the AT for late May, but we are unsure what section to do. Distance to the trail is somewhat important and since I live in Western Mass and they live in Albany, we were planning to do a portion within Massachusetts. However, one of the concerns is the steepness. She doesn't do well with super intense steep ascents because of a breathing issue. I was hoping that someone could recommend a 30 to 50 mile stretch within the general southern new England region that is relatively flat. Thanks.

Id be grateful if anyone knows where swimming opportunities may be on or near trail and which are recommended. I realize this would vary over years dependent on rainfall and temperature, etc.

Going to tackle my number 2 of triple crown on the Appalachian Trail! May 6th tentative start! Would love any gear suggestions or recommendations for my setup! Would love to get a warmer quilt and lighter shelter but most affordable weight savings preferred with what I already have! I may be missing a few small things here and there but would also love suggestions on things I may be missing as well!

https://www.packwizard.com/s/seDr4Zx

What section of the AT (let's call a "section" roughly 150-250 miles) would you say is the prettiest in early September?

I was thinking possibly smokey mountains National Park or Shenandoah. Maybe Damascus or harpers ferry even.

Anyone else registered their hike on the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and have issues?

Each time Ive tried to register my hike, it deletes my start point. Also, it seems the site doesn’t consider hikers being dropped off at trailheads and will not allow you to start at various trailheads due to parking capacity.

Is it just me, or is this site/registration useless? My first AT hike, trying to do all the suggested things.

I posted this to u/hammockcamping and they told me this might be a better place to post this.

I know this is last minute but I am going to be leaving in a few weeks for the AT. I was planning on doing it next year but a few things came up and now it is do it this year or not at all.

I am thinking of getting a 30* superior gear hammock, as this is the only degree hammock that they have in ultra light, and I am just wondering what top quilt I should get for this. I really don't want to be cold but at the same time I do not like being super hot while sleeping. The under quilt is sown in the hammock so I wont be able to push it away to cool down. What degree top quilt would you recommend?

I do know that all this is very person to person but any recommendations would be great!

Adding this because people think I have never hammock camped before -- I have worked at a summer camp and slept in a hammock for 2 months ever summer for the last 7 years. I just never used any quilts because its Florida in summer.

hey yall! this is my pile of gear for the trail! i have a few last minute purchases to make (bear canister, propane, trail gaiters, smart bottles) and i was thinking about adding my crazy creek to the pile as well. Would love some feedback on what I should leave behind and if I need to add anything too!

Update: MotslyRight is picking me up 8pm from the REI on Friday March 29!

Hey! I am starting the AT next Sunday, March 31. I'm taking a bus into Atlanta and then the MARTA train up to the REI (in north Atlanta called Sandy Springs) and from there uber. I have messaged a bunch of people who shuttle hikers between Atlanta and Amicalola or Springer Mountain and they are quoting me around $100. Uber is like $80 and if there is anyone else out there planning to head Sunday I would love to carpool. Please message me- thanks!

I have some family down near Charlottesville and they were hiking near the AT this past weekend. They got bit by a bunch of chiggers. All over their body and face so bad they called out from work. Just wanted to give ya all a heads up for that area.

Inspired by u/109thbeads's question, but wondering in terms of the entire trail, not just GA

I just bought an EE 40° synthetic revelation for the AT. Starting around May 15th at southern point of Shenandoah and going all the way to Katahdin or until I run out of my trip savings.

Is that warm enough? Wasn’t really planning on bringing a base layer. Maybe for the first few weeks and then send it home.

I have an EE 10° down Enigma with draft collar 950fp and it’s fantastic. Used it in the Smokies in January and February.

Thanks!

Has anyone used something like the MK II Survival System - Walking Stick or the Crawford Survival Staff? I am curious how useful it would be on the trail.

Where did you stay, and how much did you pay for both the stay and the ride? What time did you start hiking?

Welcome to week 3, where it’s been snowing in Maine and New Hampshire, raining down in Georgia and Virginia is on fire. We’re getting into the thick of hiker season now and I am your cohost for this year’s Redditors on trail, Dex.

Feel free to sign up now even if you’re not going to be on the trail for a while yet. We won’t start posting your updates until they become trail related. There are a handful of people that have signed up that either have their profiles private, or did not include their Reddit account, making it impossible to reach out to them. I can’t message a person that doesn’t have an account to send to.

Oh and to the person that signed up, but put N/A for social media links, we’re following you in spirit.

Link to Sign Up

Introduction Post

Here are the folks that are showing progress!

Chris Kelley on their Personal Blog - Out of Georgia and trying Ramen bombs! Love ‘em (as Chris does) or hate ‘em, they’re a thru hiker staple for a reason!

Heather + Chuck on Instagram and Youtube - They’ve made it through their first hundred miles and are taking a few days in Franklin to get over a little bout of trail-flu. Not a bad town to be on the mend in!

Ricky Bobby on Youtube and Instagram- First hiker in history to take a photo at 100 miles and not take it of Albert Mountain Fire tower

Ben on Youtube and Instagram- You know what you need? Some gear. Let me show you my specially made items that wick all that sweet sweet moisture away.

Hobear on Youtube and their Personal Blog - VERY SOON

Derek on Instagram - Okay I see you with your 16.85lb base weight with the classic gear flatlay. Also congratulations on the NH Winter 48 just ahead of the 2’ of snow northern New England got this week!

Explorgaytion on Instagram - Done with the approach trail on a beautiful day! They’ve got some great clips of details on trail: bark, rhododendron leaves, flowers, fungi and more!

Matt on their Personal Blog - He’s got a great gera setup posted and a great awareness of what he might want to switch out. I’m excited to see the verses of the trail song as he adds to them!

Spark on their Instagram- They’ve made it over Blood Mountain, gotten trail magic, and gotten their trail name! Spider Legs gave them some good advice that they’ve taken to heart by taking a lot of photos of all the amazing people on trail!

Good luck to all of our early starters. Updates will start coming in as more people get out there and start moving along!

Hi! So my brother, friend, and I are making plans to do the 100 mile trail up in Maine and I was curious about bringing my dog. She's 4 years old, 55-60lb and a lab mix with tons of energy. Based on people who have had experience on this trail would it be bad to bring a dog on it? Feasible? It would be maybe end of spring we'd be going.

Thank you!

Edit: I think there seems to be some confusion on it being my first time and whatnot with my dog, we've both done long trips, not 100 miles but around 60ish in both high heat, rain, snow storms, and minus 0 temps with no major issues (although her rolling in the mud and shaking on me wasnt to fun 😂). She also typically and surprisingly has energy after alot of hikes we do so endurance isnt an issue imo for her. I'm more just curious about terrain, is there alot of climbing, going deeper rivers etc that would make it hard for a dog to traverse.

I’m starting my 2024 flipflop in the Shennies April 4 at Elkton Va Swift Run Gap. What’s the best way to track the wildfires in the park? I e seen reports there are fires in the northern section of the park. Is there a good website or way to monitor the trail for current conditions?

TLDR: New to backpacking, think I want to thru-hike the AT in 2026, want to do a shorter thru-hike of the FHT this summer to see if I like backpacking enough to do 2190 miles...but I'm either missing gear or have terribly heavy gear. How do I do this without breaking the bank?

Hi guys! I have been devouring this sub (as well as /Ultralight and /hammockcamping) for the past 2 months since I decided that thru-hiking the AT is officially on my bucket list. There's still a lot of ground I have to cover before I get to Amicalola (mainly wife-convincing getting better at backpacking) so I think April 2026 is my target date. I've only been on one backpacking trip before--a weekend on the AT back in 2017--but I grew up a Boy Scout so I camped a good bit. I want to do a trip that's more than a weekend to test myself to see if I truly love backpacking (because if I don't love it on a good day, there's no way I'm gonna make it to Katahdin).

Since I'm in upstate SC, I figured I should try to thru-hike the Foothills Trail! I have some old gear---a ridiculous 80L pack, a way-too-heavy mummy bag, a crappy stove and pot, a 10ft hammock even though I'm 6'3"---that I could make work just for this initial foray into backpacking. I'm trying to see what I can get away without buying at first. Then after this trip, if I loved it, I can splurge and buy quality stuff that will hopefully last me on my thru of the AT. The other thing I'm trying to balance is I don't want to use the gear that I know is terrible because that may contribute to me not enjoying myself (this pack + sleeping bag alone already weighs 10.6 lbs). Do you guys have any tips for how to complete this 5-6 day hike through the foothills without spending too much, but also without knowingly making myself miserable?

Edit: Thank y'all for all the replies! Reading through them, I got some good ideas but also realized that I actually know that I do enjoy backpacking (because I enjoy both hiking and camping). It's really just the aspects of thru-hiking or extended backpacking that I'm unfamiliar with/unsure about.

More context for anyone else who comes along: I'm a 25m, 6'3", 175. Here's a lighterpack of what I currently have + a few things I think I need to do this hike: https://lighterpack.com/r/vg3jhv (I'll take more accurate measurements of hammock + cooking gear when I get home)