Hiking 101

So what is the Appalachian Trail?

The Appalachian Trail (AT) is the world's hiking-only footpath, at 2,198.4 miles (official 2023 distance). It goes from Springer Mountain, George to Mount Katahdin, Maine, crossing through 14 states and with elevation gain equivalent to hiking Mount Everest from sea level and back 16 times.

My first backpacking trip was freshman pre-orientation at Dartmouth College, September 2014. The brown sign at left says "Appalachian Trail". At the end of the trip, I said (in reference to thru-hiking), "I could do this someday."

Recommended videos (shout-out to Dixie at Homemade Wanderlust)

A Day in the Life of a Thru Hiker

Most Common Questions Non Hikers Ask Thru Hikers

Thru Hiking for Friends and Family

Backpacking 101 playlist - I created this list ahead of leading a beginner trip. Feel free to skip around to whatever topic you're curious about. Not specific to thru-hiking.



Glossary

Approach Trail:  in Amicalola Falls State Park is the 8.8 mile, 1907 foot climb to the actual start of the AT on Springer Mountain.

ATC: The Appalachian Trail Conservancy, a private charitable organization based in Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia entrusted with coordinating and leading the conservation and maintenance of the Appalachian Trail. Their website is appalachiantrail.org.

Bear: The Appalachian Trail has black bears. They are a low to medium risk when treated properly. They are easier to scare off than the bigger western grizzly bears.

Bear bag: a nylon sack which holds all food. At the end of the day, food, trash, and supplies with odors go in the bag. The bag is tied to a rope and lifted high overhead on a tree limb. 12 feet above the ground, 6 feet from the trunk, and 6 feet below the limb. This takes some skill and the right kind of tree to do properly.

Blaze: a trail marker. On the AT, the main trail is marked by 2″ x 6″ white blazes.

Bounce: send gear or food ahead via mail to avoid carrying them.

Cowboy camping: camping under the stars with no tent. Good if it doesn’t rain or mist or fog and if the insects aren’t bad.

Day hike: hiking for a day and not camping.

Dispersed camping: Camping away from an established camp site or shelter. By LNT practice, it is OK if done on a durable surface with minimal damage to vegetation, preferably somewhere others have camped before. On such a well-traveled trail as the AT, there can be many unofficial sites. Also known as stealth camping. Not permitted in all areas.

Flip flop: Hiking the trail in non-continuous sections. A popular flip-flop on the Appalachian Trail is to start about halfway at Harper's Ferry, West Virginia and hike north to Mount Katahdin, then "flip" back to Harper's Ferry and hike southbound to Springer Mountain. This allows scheduling flexibility, reduces crowding, and can be used to avoid extreme heat or cold.

LNT: Leave No Trace, the ethic and practice of minimizing our impact in wild spaces. It is explained and taught through the charitable organization by the same name whose website is ltc.org.

Mile marker: miles covered from the southern end, Springer Mountain, Georgia (since I am NOBO). Does not include the Approach Trail side trails to some peaks, side trails to water supply, side trips to towns for food, side trips to… (You get the idea).

Mini bear: any critter smaller than a bear that can be a pest by going after food or smell-able supplies. Raccoon, mouse, skunk, etc.

Nero: Near Zero. An easy day, when very few (definitions may vary!) miles are hiked.

NOBO: Northbound thru-hikers going from Georgia to Maine. This is by far the most popular way to complete a thru-hike.

Section hike: walking ~50 miles or more, but less than the entire trail. Some people section hike the AT a week or two at a time across many years.

Sleeping Quilt: A sleeping bag in the modified mummy bag style, except it has no back to it. The idea is that the back has no function since its insulation compresses when lain upon and serves no purpose. The sleeper using a quilt lies directly on the air mattress with the quilt on top and on the sides. Straps connect the quilt to the mattress so as to reduce drafts. Doing this reduces weight and bulk, and it can feel less restrictive than a mummy bag.

Slack Pack: Leave most of gear to hike faster/easier. Reunite later via a guide or shuttle driver.

SOBO: Southbound thru-hike. Starts later, maybe May to July, and continues later in the year as the southern trails remain passable.

Thru-hike: walking an entire trail in one year.

Trail Angel: A person who provides some relief to hikers at the trailside unexpectedly, for free, and because they care. It can be food, water, beverage, rides, etc.

Tramily: Trail Family. People you meet on the trail who quickly become good friends.

Zero: Day off, in which no trail miles are hiked.

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