Hiking the Appalachian Trail

I plan to begin hiking the AT next spring. I'll be doing the first part in sections; I live in SC so i'll be in driving distance of the first part of the trail. I plan to do the first 30 miles with a girlfriend to begin with. We want to start with a small section to get a feel of what we're up against. I didn't think much of doing the first 30 miles until I began to get warnings from my friends about how dangerous it is, so I want to make sure I am completely prepared.

I welcome all tips: gear, tent advice, conditioning exercises, safety(especially considering we are two girls going at this alone).

Any and all help would be most appreciated

 

This is an interesting thread! I'd love to hike the AT- maybe a good spring break idea for next year!

 

Im gonna keep an eye on this. Im also in SC. We're getting ready to do a few short backpacking trips in the blue ridge to prepare for a longer trip next year.

 

Been on my things to do list for some time. Its a good idea to read up on it a little before you go, also there is a video on PBS called Appalachian Impressions that is really good.

 

get yo research on

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Walk_in_the_Woods

 

This is a really good book

 

Sounds awesome. You should bring a cell phone just in case of emergency. Even if you don't get a signal everywhere it's good to have.

 

squeal like a piggy.....squeal like a piggy

 

that book sounds awesome! i think a trip to the bookstore is in order

where in sc are you? My favorite trail off the blue ridge parkway is the art loeb trail at black balsam off mile marker 419..its beautiful. I've never hiked the whole thing but I think its like 20 miles long, a good trail for a two night backpacking adventure

 

Just outside Charleston, what about you?

That trail looks good. Its really close to another trail we were thinking about doing soon http://bp2.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip.aspx?tripId=392540

We try to stay close to Asheville, since we have friends there and can use it as a home base.
We are getting ready to do this http://bp2.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip.aspx?tripId=40828 Its short but should be a nice leisurely trip and it has waterfalls.

 

i live in charlotte,nc and plan on hiking the AT next spring also.i have been reading other forums about the AT...i watched the Lion King's vid about his ADT trip it was awesome....Good luck

 

I live in Greenville....I wish i lived in charleston! thats my second home. I've been to the black balsam area a million times and I've never hiked that first trail you linked, i don't know how I've avoided that...I think i'll try to do that one next time I go camping.

 

haha I do everything I can to get away from this place, don't like it that much.
If you do that trail before us, let me know how it is!

 

I talked to a friend about that trail yesterday and he said we have hiked part of it. Its a dirt and gravel road for a portion of it, not very fun...but I dont know if it turns into a trail or stays a dirt road the whole way through.

 

here is an idea for a tent. a hammock tent, it will be light weight and small so easy to carry

http://www.gadgetgrid.com/2007/04/17/hammock-tent/

 

whoa the tammock is freakin awesome! do you have any idea how much those cost? I didnt see any prices on that page

 

From the description it seems like the road ends at about 4.5 miles and it gets more challenging. The route had you taking part of the art loeb trail on the way back too.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Hennessy-Hammock-Rainfly-Explorer-Expedition/dp/B000XTLWTG"]Amazon.com: Hennessy Hammock Hexfly Rainfly For Asym Explorer Deluxe or Expedition - Hex Rain Fly: Sports & Outdoors

http://www.imaginegear.com/Hennessy-Hammock-SCOUT/Camping-Gear/Hammocks/-p7672135.html

make sure you bring a sleeping mat to keep you from getting cold. even in a regular tent its a really good idea.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ga-93U54vAw"]YouTube - Hennessy Hammock Review and Demonstration envirosponsible

i think tent hammocks are awesome but im cheap so i just use an ultra light hammock with a poncho over it kinda like this.



its a lot less expensive. my set cost about $25 but i dont have a net to keep the bugs away.

i want to remind you to make sure there are no dead or hanging branches above you and no leaning or dead trees around you when you set up camp. ive had a couple very close calls from falling branches and trees in the middle of the night. its really scary when it happens cuz its so loud it sounds like a thunderus roar when a big tree falls.

also id highly recommend you get something like this

i have this one its the kabar kukri and it has helped out so much while out in the woods. its great for chopping but a lot lighter than an axe so it would be a lot better for a hiking trip. its has been really helpful in chopping fire wood especially when it had been raining because the outer layer of the wood would be to wet to start a fire so the outer layer would need to be chopped away to reveal the dry wood underneath. this one is $40 about and its worth it. its a lot better quality then the cheaper machetes ive tried. cold steel has a cheaper one but its not nearly as good in quality. so id go with this one. this shape is also very versatile.

what all are you planning to pack and how much dose it weigh?

 

all i can say is good luck, very much so

and also i love the art loeb trail, was there over labor day...got jus under 2 gallons of amazing blueberries (not exactly where on the trail i was though )

anyway sorry to spam this thred, i wish you oh so much luck. good knives, hell even pepper spray may not be a bad idea, just a thought though

 

My main tip is waterproof all your electronics!! ziploc bags are perfect for cameras and cell phones and GPS. yes, bring a gps too.

If your side of the mountains are anything like the cade's cove/abram's falls side of the mountains It can rain or stop raining with no notice and you will need to be prepared for that. I don't know how long you're gonna be hiking, but make sure you have enough battery power on cell phone, camera, enough memory card space on your camera. It would suck to get all the way out there and not be able to take pictures.