The Appalachian Trail

This should hopefully be a one stop shop for any and all relevant trail information for your 2024 hike. This info is meant to be specific to this year, rather than general trail info that can probably already be found elsewhere (the sidebar/about section).

 

2024 No Stupid Questions Thread - Post where tons of people asked pre-trail questions regarding their hikes. Lots of little things in here.

 

Whiteblaze Shuttle List - Comprehensive list of shuttle drivers up and down the trail, including the ranges of where they can pick you up and drop you off.

 

Shelter List - Whiteblaze List of shelters with codes for size, tent pads, water, etc etc. Very similar to the time of layout you would see in any guidebook you had

 

Hostel List - Whiteblaze list on places to stay along the trail that aren't Hotels.

 

ATC Trail Updates - Information about trail closures, prescribed burns, reroutes, and other active events going on to keep you informed about the trail from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

 

Weather throughout the AT - Gets location from NOAA for the trail itself rather than a city nearby that may be inaccurate

 

Baxter State Park - Guides for how to approach things in Baxter State Park. There are versions available specific to a NOBO or SOBO approach (that's northbound and southbound, basically are you ending here or starting out)

 

Permit Information There are two national parks on the AT that require a permit as well as Baxter State Park (see above). Outside of that, all locations are typically fee-free if you are hiking into and through them.

 

Great Smoky Mountains National Park - This permit is a $40 fee and can be obtained up to 30 days before you enter the park, and is good for 38 days from date of purchase. Most people purchase this in one of the locations leading up to the park (Franklin, Fontana Dam, NOC). There is also a $5 fee to park inside the boundaries of GSMNP; so if you intend to have someone pick you up, make them aware.

 

Shenandoah National Park - The process to obtain a backcountry permit changed this year and must now be obtained through recreation.gov or calling (877)444-6777. According to their site, here is a cost breakdown:

Backcountry Camping Permit Reservation Fee: $6 (non-refundable)

Entrance Fee: $15 per person (foot/bicycle) OR $30 per vehicle (non-refundable) - Note, if you have an annual or lifetime pass already, you just have to have it with you

 

Some other additional useful info (also in the sidebar)

Leave No Trace

Postholer Elevation Profile (can choose trail section)

Distance Calculator Provides the mileage between two points on the AT

Amicalola Falls State Park - Not technically a part of the AT, but where many people get their start in Georgia.

United State Postal Service (USPS) - Locations can vary wildly depending on the size of the town, and are unlikely to have any weekend hours. A small town postal office might have limited hours during the week, akin to MWF 10am-2pm or something similar. If you are counting on a resupply, or ordering something to be sent ahead, BE AWARE.

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.

 

Link to Sign Up

Introduction Post

Here are the folks that are sprogressing down the trail!

 

Heather + Chuck on Instagram and Youtube - Ponies! And a quarter way into the trail, but ponies!

 

Ricky Bobby on Youtube and Instagram- First grouse thru-hiker confirmed.

 

Ben on Youtube and Instagram- I really do love the giant AT arrow on that barn. In Damascus but not for trail days, just stopping by to eat and watch the cows wade around.

 

Matt on their Personal Blog - 20 miles by 4pm, or as my fellow hikers like to call it, a Tuesday.

 

Spark on their Instagram- Water source tried to kill them, but then they aquablazed to get revenge.

 

Bartbug on their Personal Blog and Youtube - Better to stand on the bunion than have the bunion stand on your

 

Eric on their Instagram - It’s the Damascus marathon because it’s 26.2 miles of hiking and you end at the Marathon Gas Station. Just like the ancient Greeks did.

 

Riley on their Instagram - Climbing out of the NOC is probably the greatest experience on the trail. Fill up on good food on an oft used nero/zero day and then haul that newfound food baby up a steep mountain just for giggles.

 

Longwood on his Instagram - That is a comically fat bear in a tree. Baby’s are super cute though.

 

Derek on Instagram - It’s actually illegal to get a haircut while on trail. Little known fact.

 

Xander on Instagram - Foggy or Smoky, you be the judge.

 

Don’t have one yet on Youtube - Another flip flopper here, starting out at Harper’s Ferry and heading northbound.

 

These folks are either off trail or haven’t updated in awhile. Give them a look-see

 

Hobear on Youtube and their Personal Blog

 

Explorgaytion on Instagram

 

Chris Kelley on their Personal Blog

 

Happy Mother’s Day y’all. It’s been real nice the last couple weeks so I hope everyone’s been getting outside.

Caught a ride from this fellow AT hiker 2 days ago. He was getting back on trail to thru hike. He'd currently be hiking to Damascus with his neice. Description: a Texan who looks like a viking driving a dark gray Ford Super Duty (photo attached). If anyone finds him tell him -- huge thanks dude. Sad we didn't catch your trail name. -Hilly Billy

Hi folks,

I’m joining a friend for the 100 Mile Wilderness in late September/early October. I have most of my gear and food planned, but I can’t figure out what I will need for clothes. As a Maine native, I know that late September can still be pretty warm but I’m worried about not packing enough layers. I have a 20 degree sleeping bag, but what do you usually sleep in? How many layers do you wear during this section? Did you feel like you packed too many warm clothes toward the end of the trail?

Thanks!!

So my old summer camp buddies and I were planning on doing about a week long hike combining some of our favorite hikes from the good ole days. We were planning to start on Art Loeb at Graveyard Fields in Pisgah then continuing on the AT where it joins near Newfound Gap and eventually ending in Hot Springs. The problem is despite all of us swearing up and down that we remember a trip starting on Art Loeb and ending at Newfound Gap I can’t seem to chart it out on my maps. Anybody here that’s done a similar hike or are my friends and I going senile at 30?

Hi - It’s me again; The Tick Worrier (if I ever thru hike, can that be my trail name?). I’m curious if you change into your nighttime clothes before bed every single night no matter what. That is, if it’s raining and freezing and you’ve done all you can to just set up camp and eat supper in a freezing rain, do you always then get into your tent, take off ALL your day clothes, and then get into your warm night clothes? The logistics of all that undressing and re-dressing (and then doing it all again in the 20-degree rainy morning) seems like a lot. But isn’t it 100% always necessary in order to not track dirt and sticks and ticks and bugs into your sleeping bag? Maybe my trail name should just be The Worrier.

Howdy Y’all,

I’ve been planning my second section-hike of the AT that would take me from Blue Ridge Gap to Clingmans Dome next week. I’ve got everything ready gear-wise, but as the dates have gotten closer it’s looking like the entire duration of the hike will take place during rain showers and partial/full thunderstorms.

I realize that’s what I get for planning a trip at this location this time of year (the GSM are smoky for a reason), but I can’t shake the feeling that I’m just not going to have a good time hiking for a week in the rain.

I just wanted to get some of y’all’s opinions/advice on the matter, and see if y’all had a “date of no return” when you pulled the plug on your plans due to weather. Thanks!

My current job pays really well and I love it and am really passionate about it. Throughout my life I've been a chronic job hopper because I never found a job that I was happy to wake up and go to work to, so I kind of struck gold with this job, and I pretty much have everything to lose.

However.. I am absolutely itching to thru hike; I've been prepping and saving and it is all I ever think about. Not only do I want to do it as soon as possible just because I want to, I think if I don't do it asap (2025) then I'm just gonna keep putting it off then suddenly I'm 40 and still haven't done it.

If anyone's been in a similar situation did you regret quitting or was it worth it and you got back on your feet after?

Newbie hiking with son for about 80 miles. Starting prob at standing bear. Where can I park safely. I don’t mind paying some. Coming from Texas. Any recommendations. Thank you.

I plan to join my bf on the trail for about a week on the AT possibly in NJ or maybe further North depending on where he is (we hike a lot at home too so this is not just AT specific) but it will be late June/early July I’m thinking a regular bra is NOT what I want on trail, I hate wearing it when hiking the mountains here in NC for a day. Is a sports bra a better option? If so what are the best options for them? I’ve never owned one that fit me properly (either too tight or too loose or too heavy for summer) there are so many options I just need suggestions on where to shop or maybe what type is best. ** For context I do get overheated easily and need something that won’t contribute too much to helping me overheat.

As far as underwear goes I usually wear cotton, is that a bad idea on the trail for a week? Should I do a polyester quick dry? Someone in my hiking group mentioned wearing men’s boxer briefs or biker shorts ?

Hi friends,

I'm currently attempting a NOBO/skip-flop thru and am starting to realize how many rivers the AT crosses and/or parallels.

I'm a big river guy (paddling, conservationist, etc) and I am curious to hear about your favorite experiences and/or locations where the AT goes over/along a river -- be it in town, or in more remote areas.

Grateful for your insights - especially anyone who has friends who play/work/live on the river who would be willing to give me an up close experience with it (i.e. has boat and gear I could potentially use/river-related trail magic). Stories, photos, suggestions all welcome.

Thanks so much!

Like the title says I’ll be hiking from Davenport gap to Fontana dam in the Smoky Mountains. I’m looking to park at Fontana dam and then shuttle to Davenport gap. Does anyone have experience parking in that area? Is it easy to park overnight at the dam?

And if you have any shuttle service recommendations I’d love to hear about those.

We are section hiking the AT and are currently 575 miles through.

Basically from Waynesboro VA- NY/CT border (with exception of about 22 mile gap).

We intended to hike the entire AT with zero nights spent on the trail camping or in a shelter. We carry our own food and water for the day and do between 8-16 miles at a time. Is it impossible to complete the entire trail with zero nights spent in the woods?

Edit*** additional context: we accidentally stumbled upon the AT two years ago in the Delaware water gap. We are in our early 40s and have kids and multiple work and business dynamics. A ton of the trail is accessible in 2 hours or less so up until now which is about 575 miles we haven’t HAD to camp, and in very many cases been able to given the schedules. We sought this goal out to complete the AT to make a commitment to a common goal and a balanced life away from the rat race.

i was riding my bike in hot springs and met a thru hiker named Sweet Potato at the fire tower on april 2. she was by herself. Hoping her journey is going great ! when i meet thru hikers i never forget them and think about their journey. If anyone sees Sweet Potato tell her the girl on the bike at the fire tower in hot springs says hello.

Greetings. I’ll be traveling the AT next year probably be starting in the winter nobo then a turn around.

I expect to work as I travel - manual labor- in the towns along the way. Does anybody have any experience or know any of the areas around the trail?

So my boyfriend is getting ready to leave Daleville Virginia to get back on trail in the next day and we’re not 100% sure where he will be come memorial day weekend, but I was thinking of taking my kids to see him but instead of spending money that we don’t have currently on a hotel, I was thinking of camping. Are there any decent places that One can go camping, if the boyfriend is walking anywhere from 10 to 18 miles a day after taking a Nero and a zero any suggestions as to what town area he would be in by next weekend ??

Let me know how I can help. Monday morning and Thursday mornings...I can help. Some weekends. AT about 25 min from my house. I ha e been saying for yrs I would like to help through hikers. This is the yr!!! Send me messages when you are near

I wanted to share some thoughts about being the one left behind while your person is off thru hiking the Appalachian Trail. I thought that maybe some of you could relate and it might be helpful for others when they decide to hike in the future. Currently my husband and my son are thru hiking the trail. Their trail names are Gear Magnet and Landline in case you've come across them. They are 48 and 17 years old. They actually started hiking on February 11 and anticipate being finished by about June 20th-ish.

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Jeff (Gear Magnet) has wanted to do a thru hike for many years. He is the main income producer in our family so he truly never thought it would be possible for him to take off work for so long. A lot of different things fell into place the last couple of years that ultimately led to this dream to become a reality. I am most definitely the kind of person that will encourage a dream. So, I certainly will support my husband in his. He worked hard so I could stay home and homeschool my son so the least I could do was be 100% behind this adventure. Then, it happened to work out that Gavin (Landline) graduated high school early and wanted to go too.

To be honest, it's been harder than I thought staying home. We have a small farm and managing it has been more tiresome and sometimes overwhelming than I ever thought. I've realized how much they truly help around the house, and I am going to be more grateful for them when they come back home.

We've had a lot more expenses than we ever expected but it's ok - who needs retirement. lol.

They've met so many interesting people on this journey. There has been so much kindness shown to them that Jeff's faith in humanity has increased dramatically. The hostels have been exactly what they needed when they needed it. Shuttle drivers have stepped in and helped when needed. Friends and family have even sent money when unexpectedly they needed a motel room or new shoes.

I've gotten to go visit them more often than initially expected because of all the farm products I've been selling recently. It's truly been a blessing. But the planning has been difficult at times. Just trying to estimate where they may be on a certain date, finding a place to stay on short notice, and then making the drive is pretty exhausting sometimes. I told them from the beginning that if it is too hard for them to see me go then I won't come but they just keep telling me to come.

I know this will be an experience they will never forget - and I won't either. I'd love to answer any questions you may have from the support person's perspective.

So my current bag is of okay quality and has held up over several years of heavy use, but it was $40 and I’m sure, could be better suited to me, affordably. There’s nothing wrong with it and I still use it but it is a bit heavy and basically just has a chest and waist buckle for support. About 40L I think. Much better for slacking or shorter trips. I have bad back pain, posture, and a history of a fractured hip and vertebrae. I’m working on slowly training and fully assembling my pack still, but that begged the question, if I want something better where do I go and how do I get fitted? I’ve got several outdoorsy shops around and my budget is as cheap as humanly possible for something that will last a season or two of light use. I’m a recent college grad living paycheck to paycheck. I’m not thru hiking with this bitch or anything either. Less than like, 50 miles tops at a time. I usually just go on weekend or overnight trips with even less mileage. I’m male but I’m 5’3 and 125lbs is that helps.

I have a rapidly approaching section hike from Deep Gap to Springer. I have been incredibly excited and impatiently waiting. But for the past two days, I’ve just been scared. You know that gut feeling that says “Don’t do that”? I believe in that. But I also know this asshole named Anxiety, and he tricks my gut sometimes.

Pros: I’m in good physical condition. I’m active and hike frequently. I’ve successfully done shorter solo AT section hikes. Those hikes were through the Roan Highlands and Rock Gap to the NOC. I exerted myself but I did not struggle with those hikes. I reached my pre chosen campsite early every day and wished I had planned to hike longer distances.

Cons: I’m a very petite 49 year old woman. I weigh about 20 pounds less than I did on my last section hike. I’m strong but would be no match for an animal or human. My other section hikes were around 30 miles over 2-3 days. This is going to be 85 miles over 6-7 days. I fall at least twice per hike, every hike. This is just how it is. I have trouble keeping my weight up during normal life and I am worried about a drop in weight and electrolyte imbalance while eating trail food for a week. (An out of place pro to this is that I’m an RN so I have a very good understanding of managing hydration and electrolytes.)

Brand new fears I’ve never had before: It will be too hard. I’ve read so much about how hard Georgia is. I didn’t worry about North Carolina being too hard. Bears. I never worried about bears until now. Snakes. I overcame my fear of snakes early in my hiking days, but it’s back with a vengeance. Ominous signs from the universe in the form of places named Blood Mountain, Slaughter Creek, Devil’s Kitchen, and Buzzaes Knob. And for the first time in my life, I am scared of other people. I’m afraid I’m going to run into someone dangerous this time.

I would love for you to share all of your positive experiences with the Georgia section. Help me get my gumption back, please!

Hey everyone,

Long story short my life just got completely turned upside down, and now I have nothing and I'm completely fucked. I am not in a good place.

With nowhere to turn and nothing to live for, I figured maybe I'd get back on the trail for a bit.

I have some things working against me that'll make this trip difficult so I wanted to get some input from you all. The three big questions I have now are:

1) Where is the bubble? I want to be around people. I'm not going to be a negative Nancy and vent about my life situation, I just don't want to be alone.

2) How much are you currently spending per month? Finances are going to be tight, I'm going to need to keep it as close as possible to 1k or under per month. Possible in 2024?

3) Anyone hike with sciatica or lower back pain? My back is fucked. I feel great when I am standing and when I am walking. I've got a good pack that fits me right, truly I only feel pain when I wake up in the morning and when I get up after sitting for awhile. In my current city I have walked up to 10 miles a day without issue, it's just getting up after sleeping is real bad.

Thanks for the insights.

I remember seeing an article that either plugged this app or there was an ad for it on the page. Its purpose was for people to take pictures of plants for scientific purposes. I figured if I’m outside anyway it is an activity, might as well participate, however I cannot remember the name.

Has anyone heard of such a thing?