Here are some responses that I received regarding librarians on the
Appalachian Trail. Thanks to all who responded (and I didn't get any
thru-hikers or 2000 milers! You could be the first of us to blog it!!! I
received one response from someone in NY who has done half and plans to
complete it this summer, though. Let's all wish him fun and luck! :) )
I've not hiked the entire AT, but I am a day hiker as we have several
trails in our area, including the AT that goes through our county. I think
it would be an incredible trip. The AT goes through Johnson County,
Tennessee, which is where I live, and also a very quaint little town called
Damascus, VA not far from here. It is very friendly to hikers and a great
place to visit. They have a small public library and several bed and
breakfasts and outfitter stores. I would recommend making a stop here.
Let us know how you do!
About 2 years ago, I section hiked the first southern half of the trail
from Springer to the Shenendoah valley. I'm planning on picking up from
there in May/June of this year. I'd be happy to answer any specific
questions you have. I had a wonderful time, especially in the first few
states. I didn't go off the trail very much (maybe once every 9 days or
so), but I highly suggest that, while in the smokies, you completely
bypass Gatlinburg. I went down for a day to be greeted by thousands of
tourists who were getting their pictures taken next to cardboard
pictures of bears and trees. Tennessee is unbelievable (especially Roan
Mountain area. In Virginia, you go through the Grayson Hignlands, which
is full of wild horses for about 5 days of the walk. And oh, Max
Patch...wild strawberries as far as the eye can see. I was almost gored
by a steer up there.
As long as you know that everytime you wake up, something new and
different will probably happen to you, you'll be fine. Of the 96 days I
spent on the trail, my journal reminds me that 62 of them were at least
drizzly if not pouring. Occasionally the hike feels like a boring 9-5
job (if you can believe that) but as a whole, it is full of some of my
best memories ever. No need to worry about finding someone to hike with.
You will defintely end up hiking with someone if you start out alone. I
am still in weekly contact with 3 people that I walked with for over a
month.
I can't say enough about the trail though. Well blazed, well maintained, the
fellow-hikers are awesome, and you don't have to think about anything except
where your feet are going the entire time you're on it.
You just have to read A Walk in the Woods before you do anything on the
trail!!! My husband and I started hiking, then heard about the book and read
it out loud whenever we were in the car. I have never laughed so hard! We
started tackling the trail from the south and are hiking segments. We do day
hikes and of course then have to hike back to our starting point. We had
plans to hike more but then overseas trips for him cut all of it short and
we haven't gotten back to it lately. But I am not too fond of roughing it so
I am not the one to ask. I do love to hike and will hike from early am to
late in the day.
You have to eat at the Dillard House if you hike near it! We hiked 19 miles
one day and then went there to eat. I have never eaten that much at one time
in my life!!!! It is so pretty. We did not have a digital camera then, I
would definitely use the one we have now like crazy. Blood Mountain actually
has cabins that are really nice right there on the trail!
Section hiking is the way most do it. A little bit at a time. I did a very
little bit at a time in Shenandoah as I was taking photos and walking in
both directions.
A few things I know:
The bears are most dangerous in New Jersey.
Hiking is roughest in New England.
Although people hike seperately, they tend to meet up again and again at the
trail shelters and such.
At the halfway point (in Pa.), hikers stop and eat a half gallon of ice
cream.
There are places that people have supplies mailed to them.
Contact the PATC for maps and other info.
http://www.patc.net/index.htm
http://www.appalachiantrail.org
Most of the hikers I encountered were either college age or retired age.
Some were only going as far as they could based on their time availability
I may be a bad person to answer this question for you. I hiked part of the
trail over my Fall Break in college. I talked my then boyfriend, now
husband, to join me because it was a cheap trip and I thought it would be
fun.
I grew up visiting Nat'l parks and hiking day trails and I didn't think this
would be bad. Boy was I wrong!
We went in the Fall. Visibility of the trail path was low, leaves were
everywhere. I looked down the entire way so that I wouldn't trip on roots
burried under leaves. Fog was all over so you didn't get much of a view off
the trail.
We had an orientation meeting before the trip and based on what they told me
I got a mental picture - Boy was it wrong!
They told us barely anyone would be on the trail at this time. When we got
to the starting point so did a bus load of boyscouts. At the first shelter
on night #1 there were 3 other groups there with at least 10 people in each
group. The shelter was obviously taken over VERY quickly. They also told us
that the shelter was by running water so I envisioned a creak. No, it was a
puddle, I kid you not. Kinda hard to dunk you water bottle in and then
purify with tablets. No, our group shared a water pump that had to
constantly be cleaned out because it was clogged with mud from our puddle.
The trip just started out on the wrong foot too. We had to drive 4 hours to
the starting point, we got lost twice, and we had to wait to leave the
parking lot for our guides boyfriend who was an hour late. Needless to say
we got a late start. We had to cover 7 miles uphill before nightfall and I
was winded!
At the end of the trip my group decided to go eat at Outback for Sunday
brunch. Here they are all dirty sitting with the nicely dressed coming out
of church. Todd and I decided to go the fast food route. We both went into
the bathroom and I looked like Bigfoot. I had leaves in places I didn't know
existed.
It is humorous now but it wasn't then. I kept telling him to put me out of
my misery but he refused to let me die before we made it back to the van!
I know you must think I'm prissy. I don't think I am. The whole trip was
just NOT what I expected. I'm not sure how much hiking you do...that's why
I'm writing this...to prepare you.
That being said here are some tips.
* Where comfy boots
* Bring a water purifer and tablets.
* Be prepare to carry some extra water.
* Don't go to Outback straight after walking out of the woods you just spent
a few days in.
* Give yourself plenty of time.
* Go before the leaves start falling. It was nice to have cooler weather but
we were still sweaty.
Don't let me discourage you. If this is a life-long dream go for it. Just be
more prepared. Do some research but don't make a mental picture in your head
or you may be disappointed.
Hi - I am reading IN BEAUTY MAY SHE WALK, by Leslie
Mass, an educator who hiked the AT at age 60. Very
inspiring. Check out this website for more info on
what she's up to now:
http://www.wildsideadventures.com/
Of course, I have done more research on my own on the topic, so here is a
list of appropriate titles that I found:
Bill Bryson’s A Walk In the Woods (just for fun)
2005 Thru-Hiker’s Companion
In Beauty May She Walk, Leslie Mass
someone from FLA recommended a good book, but I deleted the message. I
couldn’t find it in google book search. I believe the title was How High
the Sky or Close to the Sky…
White Blaze Fever
*** there are many blogs and personal journals on the web. These look like
really good resources:
http://www.trailjournals.com/
http://www.fred.net/kathy/at.html
http://www.appalachiantrail.org/site/c.jkLXJ8MQKtH/b.872747/k.CC17/Links.htm
I personally plan to try to get as far as I can this summer, with the short
summer break. If you are planning a trip and are starting at Springer, let
me know and we can look out for each other.
Peace,
MDavis,
media specialist
Comer GA
bluehilda@hotmail.com
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