The First Step

The
First
Step
Answers to
frequently asked
questions about
long-distance hiking
on the Appalachian Trail

Published by ALDHA
The Appalachian Long Distance
Hikers Association

Foreword

Each spring during the past few years, more than 1,500 people have started out from Springer Mountain, Ga., with the dream of walking the length of the Appalachian Trail, all 2,160 miles. In 1999, that number leaped to more than 2,500. But only about one in six of those dreamers thru-hiked the trail in one year. About 15 percent complete the trail over the course of several years. Some are experienced backpackers, fulfilling a long-distance hiker's goal - thru-hiking a trail from end-to-end. Many have little or no experience in hiking, long or short distances, and may not fully understand what to expect once they end up on the trail.
This booklet is written for the second group of potential hikers, the ones with little or no experience. It is intended to give the person thinking of hiking long distances on the A.T. some tips on how to prepare for the hike and some idea of what to expect during the hike. It is not intended to instruct the reader in the fundamentals and safety of backpacking and does not make specific recommendations on hiking equipment. These subjects have been covered extensively elsewhere. Please see the appendix for a list of books that are invaluable in preparing for any long-distance hike.
Reading alone should not be the only source of information when considering a long-distance hike. Someone thinking of such a hike should talk to experienced long-distance hikers. The annual directory of ALDHA members is an excellent resource. The annual fall Gathering is also an excellent place to go just to soak up the expertise and experiences of folks like you who have just finished fulfilling their dreams on the A.T.
There are many reasons why a hiker chooses to walk five to seven months to reach the end of a trail. We hope the information in this booklet provides the solid ground on which to take that first step.
Happy Trails!!

Introduction

The Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association was founded in 1983. The purpose of the association is to:

1) Represent and promote the welfare of the Appalachian long-distance hiking community;
2) Provide service in a cooperative spirit with other Appalachian hiking organizations;
3) Provide education on the use and preservation of Appalachian long-distance hiking trails; and
4) Provide opportunities for interaction and camaraderie within the Appalachian long-distance hiking community.

More than 1,000 ALDHA members throughout the country get The Long Distance Hiker, a newsletter featuring hiking stories, poetry, news and other information on work trips, etc. We also maintain a home page on the Internet, where all the latest information about ALDHA can be found. It's located at www.aldha.org. The A.T. Thru-hikers' Companion, a trail guidebook, is written by ALDHA members and updated annually to coincide with the thru-hiking season.
Each year ALDHA publishes a directory of all members, listing their address, phone number, e-mail address, trail name and thru-hikes. This service enables those interested in hiking particular trails to connect with hikers who have traveled on these trails.
ALDHA sponsors, often in connection with local clubs, trail work trips in the spring and fall. These weekend excursions are a perfect way for members to keep in touch as well as to provide needed maintenance on the trail. ALDHA has also adopted a trail hostel each year, providing manpower and money where needed.
Each Columbus Day weekend, ALDHA hosts a Gathering of long-distance hikers, dreamers and friends. It's an informative, exciting and fun-filled three days of workshops, slide shows, music, dancing and games. A membership form is enclosed. The annual dues are minimal, and there's a separate fee for the Gathering.The Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian Trail is one of the world's longest continuously marked footpaths. Stretching over 2,160 miles from Georgia to Maine, it winds its way up and down mountains, over (and sometimes into) rivers and streams, across meadows and swamps, past small towns and villages, over and under interstate highways and even through a zoo. A long-distance journey along the trail can be as diverse as life itself.
The trail, known to hikers as the A.T., follows the ridges and valleys of the eastern Appalachians in 14 states. Credit has been given to Benton MacKaye for conceiving the idea in his youth, about 100 years ago, of building a path through the wilderness of these mountains. Work on constructing new trails and connecting existing trails began in 1923. Fourteen years later, on Aug. 14, 1937, all these trails literally became one when work was completed on two miles of trail connecting Spaulding and Sugarloaf mountains in Maine. Thus, Georgia and Maine were joined by way of a marked footpath.
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy in Harpers Ferry, W.Va., founded in 1925 as a non-profit educational organization, has been given the responsibility by federal law to maintain the lands on which the A.T. traverses. It is through the efforts of the ATC and the 31 affiliated trail-maintaining clubs and their many thousands of member/volunteers that the A.T. continues to be managed, maintained and protected. The National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service are the primary federal agencies giving support to the ATC.
ALDHA encourages those interested in hiking on the A.T. to contact the ATC and/or a trail club to become a member. Someone who realizes first hand the enormous task of maintaining the A.T. may develop a greater appreciation of the trail. In addition, the ATC publishes an informative bi-monthly magazine, holds a weeklong general membership meeting every two years and sells guidebooks, maps and other hiking-related publications and items.
The trail clubs hold outings, meetings and regularly scheduled work trips along the A.T. These clubs offer an excellent way to meet like-minded individuals and help preserve the trail. Addresses for the ATC and its affiliates are listed in the appendix.

Answers to frequently asked questions about long-distance hiking on the Appalachian Trail

How do I plan to hike the entire A.T.?

Don't just plan - prepare. It is easy to plan, either in your mind or on paper, to do something that may take as much as seven months. But all the planning and designing will not get you ready for what you might encounter during a 2,160-mile walk. If you think in terms of putting yourself in the proper condition (physically, mentally and equipment-wise) to meet the challenges you will find, then it will be easier to meet your goal.To learn about the challenges you may face, talk to long-distance hikers and read some of the books listed in the appendix. Join a hiking club and participate in some of their activities; you'll meet interesting people. Spend a weekend with the club volunteering to clean up and maintain a trail - no experience necessary!
I'm thinking about thru-hiking in one year, which way should I go, North or South?If you want to start your hike early in the spring or even in late winter, you'll have to leave from Springer Mountain. Most northbound thru-hikers start from this southern terminus between the first of March and late April. This allows them ample time to reach the trail's northern terminus, Mount Katahdin in Baxter State Park, before heavy snows close the trail to the summit. Snow may also be a problem for southbound thru-hikers attempting to leave Katahdin earlier than mid-May, when the park officially opens. Those leaving Katahdin after this time are also likely to encounter snow in the southern Appalachians in the fall. It is said that northbound hikers experience better weather, follow the seasons and are off the trail before hunting season starts. It is also said that southbounders have the trail to themselves for more miles and avoid the heat of the mid-Atlantic and South.
There are numerous reasons for hiking either north or south: the end of school, the start of school; a job start date, a job retirement date. Some go north to be with lots of people; others go south to avoid the crowds. Some hikers hike one half of the trail in one direction and then travel to the other end and hike in the opposite direction, going from Georgia to Pennsylvania, say, then from Maine to Pennsylvania. (Such a hike has been nicknamed a "flip-flop.") Others have gone south from Harpers Ferry to Georgia, then north from Harpers Ferry to Katahdin. Talking with hikers and doing some reading from the reference list will help you decide which way to go.
Should I hike alone, with a partner, or in a group?

If you start from Springer by yourself, in March or early April, you won't be alone for long. According to the ATC, more than 2,000 hikers left Springer in 1998 heading for Katahdin. At the beginning of the trail you might have to get used to crowds, especially in the shelters - a good reason to carry a tent.
Many hikers starting solo soon have a partner or two. And many hikers starting in groups of twos, threes and more find themselves searching for some solitude or for other partners. Don't expect your partner(s) to hike exactly like you. They may decide to go faster or slower, stay in town an extra day or find someone else with whom to hike. Be prepared; it will be another challenge of life on the trail.
What's the best way to get to the start of the trail?

You can walk, of course. Seriously, though, there are towns close to Springer and Katahdin accessible by bus, train or plane. Using one or more of those modes you'll be able to get within 25-30 miles of either end of the trail. Check the current A.T. Thru-Hikers' Companion (see appendix) for a list of shuttle services that can deliver you right to the trailhead.
If you are looking to get to another section of the trail, again the Companion is helpful. The ATC guidebooks list all the major road crossings and parking areas and will tell you how far the towns with bus, train and plane connections are from where you want to start.
How long will it take to hike the entire trail?

If you think you want to try to hike from end-to-end at one time, set aside five to almost seven months. That will require you to cover 80 to 120 miles per week. If your schedule permits, allow at least five months on the trail.
How many miles a day should I plan to hike?

Again, don't get carried away with exact planning of miles per day. It will only set you up for your first failure. The weather, the trail, how you feel, who you're with, what you ate for breakfast and how soon you want to reach the next town will determine how far you go each day. You may even encounter a trail crew and feel compelled to put in a day of manual labor instead of hiking. Any thru-hiker will tell you it is not necessary to hike all day, every day. Hiking is only one aspect of the trail experience.
If you prepare yourself before starting the trail and during the first several weeks of actually hiking, you will be able to safely and comfortably hike 15-20 miles a day, or more if the need arises. During the break-in period (which varies from person to person) be satisfied with 50-60 miles per week.
Don't let other hikers talk you into hiking too fast. Don't start competing with them or yourself to see how many miles you can hike in one day. You will miss a lot of the trail by racing against the clock. The slower you go the more you will see. Too many hikers burn out by being too rigid with their mileage goals. Some actually become so depressed by not being able to "keep up" that they quit. Others become physically run down or injure themselves by keeping to a strict schedule.
A good rule is to be prepared to adjust on a daily basis. If you take it one step at a time, one day at a time, you'll be surprised by what you will accomplish over the long term. Enjoy every minute of the trail; it will be over before you know it.
How safe is the trail?

Almost everyone will agree hiking the A.T. is safer than walking the streets of a large city. Incidents of violence have been perpetrated upon hikers on the trail, but these are the exceptions, not the rule. According to the ATC, there have been five trail-related murder cases, with seven victims, between 1974 and 1990. A double murder off the trail in Shenandoah National Park has not been solved and may not be related to the victims' hiking. There have also been about the same number of rapes reported on the trail. Not counting car vandalism, which mainly afflicts day-hikers or section-hikers with cars, the most frequently reported crime by thru-hikers is pack theft. For an excellent discussion on trail safety, read the A.T. Companion.
One comment ALDHA would like to make: Don't carry a firearm. They are prohibited in many state and federal parks the trail passes through. Each state has its own laws regarding concealed weapons. Unless you intend to walk the entire 2,160 miles with the gun cocked and in your hand, chances are you won't be able to get to it when you think you need it.
What kind of equipment will I need?

Everything you need will have to fit in the pack you wear on your back. So, unless you are very strong and into self-punishment, you should learn to do without, or with less. Many hikers start with a much too heavy pack and soon have to discard or send home non-essentials. A better strategy is to start with a pack weighing roughly one-fifth to one-quarter of your body weight. As you get stronger, you can increase it to as much as a third of your weight. Scheduling food resupply points closer together in the beginning can help with this strategy.
In addition to food, most thru-hikers carry, at the very least, a sleeping bag, small stove and cookset, rain gear, extra clothes and a trail guide and/ or map. Anything less may be foolish and possibly dangerous. Tents provide a good safety net for shelter from the elements, especially if the trail is overcrowded with hikers. Some northbounders forgo carrying a tent during the early months of their hike, to save on weight, then have their tent mailed to them when the bugs start to be a problem. But if you're in the middle of a large crowd, and the shelters fill up quickly, you may be out of luck.
Before buying all the equipment, read up on lightweight backpacking ("The Complete Walker III" is one good source), talk with long-distance hikers and visit several reputable backpacking stores. Most thru-hikers experience at least one major problem with an essential item. By purchasing a name brand or from a well-known outdoor equipment company, you are more assured of having defective equipment repaired or replaced. Many hikers, while on the trail, have called the place of purchase or the manufacturer and have had a replacement item waiting for them at their next maildrop. Carry the phone numbers of the stores where the equipment was purchased and numbers for the manufacturers.
What other non-hiking stuff should I carry?

A small notebook is useful as a journal for writing your thoughts and feelings. You may want to keep notes on trail and shelter conditions and report them to the ATC and trail maintaining clubs. The A.T. Thru-Hikers' Companion is compiled partly from information sent by the previous year's hikers. This is an excellent way to be of help to future hikers.
Although a camera is heavy, it will be missed if not carried, not necessarily for panoramic pictures of the scenery you'll see but for portraits of the many people you will meet, both on the trail and off.
A phone credit card makes calling home easier, especially if you can remember the number without carrying the card. A major credit card can be used for cash advances when your cash or traveler's checks run out, or for that motel room on day 5 of a rainy spell.
A driver's license or other photo ID will be needed in order to retrieve your mail at some post offices.
A health insurance card can be very useful in the event of illness or accident.
Some hikers carry paperback books to read and leave them behind at shelters or hostels for others to enjoy. Tennis shoes may be considered a luxury item, but they can act as a back-up to a blown-out pair of boots. They are nice to wear around camp while your boots are drying out. They pamper your feet while you are taking a few days off in town. Best of all, they can be used for stream fording, keeping your boots dry. (In warm weather, high-quality sandals serve a similar purpose.)
How should I get my body in shape for a long hike?

There is no better way than to put on your boots, load up your backpack with what you think you'll want to take on the A.T. and go for a hike. Start with short distances first and not just on level ground. There is an extra benefit to this conditioning process. After a few miles with the pack, which mysteriously grows heavier each hour, you will discover that you are carrying at least one item you can do without. The lighter the pack at the beginning of the hike the less strain on your body as well as on your spirit.
Stretching exercises before hiking seem to help some hikers avoid common injuries such as shin splints, sprains and knee problems. Again there is plenty of material already written on this subject.
Are there any other things I can do to help me prepare for my hike?

A variety of workshops are given at the annual ALDHA Gathering. Recent workshops have covered such topics as equipment and food tips, women and backpacking, psychological and philosophical aspects of hiking, wilderness medicine, and packing maildrops. Members of the current year's class of thru-hikers usually conduct a workshop for the following year's class of thru-hiker wannabes. And as mentioned before, just talking informally to some of the hundreds of people who are there will be enormously helpful.
Check with local colleges, hiking clubs and backpacking stores. They often sponsor hiking-related classes or outings. Join an online discussion group via the Internet, where you can communicate on a daily basis with like-minded souls all around the world. You can even pay to attend a five-day program geared specifically to preparing dreamers for an A.T. thru-hike, conducted by the Appalachian Trail Institute. Although it's not affiliated with the ATC, details are sometimes available through the ATC office.
Do I have to be careful drinking the water?

While it is true that not all hikers treat all the water they drink, it is, unfortunately, also true that more than a few get sick as a result. To be most safe, you should treat all the water you intend to drink. Even high in the mountains, water sources may be contaminated. There are three basic methods of treating water: purification tablets, filtering and boiling. Tablets are not intended for long-term use because of possible side effects. They are more appropriate for short-term or emergency use.
Of the three methods, thru-hikers tend to rely on filtering most frequently. Both filtering and boiling are subject to some controversy. Experts differ in their opinions regarding the length of time water should be boiled and the effectiveness of filters. You will want to read more about this subject before your hike.
What will I eat for 6 months and where will I get it?

Weight is the ultimate consideration in deciding what to take to eat. Ease of preparation is the next concern.The commercially prepared dehydrated foods sold in backpacking stores are lightweight and easy to prepare but are very expensive. Consequently, not many long-distance hikers use them extensively. Instead, thru-hikers seem to eat a lot of packaged rice or pasta with sauce combinations, macaroni and cheese, tuna fish, bread, crackers, cheese, peanut butter, candy bars, instant breakfasts, oatmeal and gorp.
Some hikers dehydrate vast quantities of foods ahead of time and use the post offices to resupply. Others rely solely on stores along the trail. Both have their drawbacks.
The A.T. passes near, and even through, a number of towns, but they are generally small, meaning high prices and limited selections in grocery stores. Buying or preparing at least some of your food before leaving home and having a friend mail it to you can be helpful. Packages (and other mail) should be sent to you in care of General Delivery and labeled "Hold for AT Hiker" so that the postmaster will hold it longer than the usual 10 days, in case you are behind schedule. On the other hand, you don't want to be too dependent on your maildrops. Lost or damaged parcels and the limited operating hours of small post offices can be problems.
Food (trail cooking, good nutrition, packaging ideas, etc.) is another important subject to read about. You can also get a lot of good advice from other long-distance hikers. Food is a favorite topic at the annual ALDHA Gathering.Keep in mind that experts say long-distance hikers burn 3,000 to 5,000 calories a day, but only when they are hiking. The rule of thumb is that you'll gain a pound of weight back for every day you're not hiking, assuming you keep feeding your hiker hunger pangs. Hikers who come back from a week off the trail will typically weigh 7 pounds more than when they left.
How do I find out where the towns and post offices are located?

There are three excellent sources. Each section of the ATC guidebooks contains a paragraph on public accommodations and supplies. The ATC Data Book (a must to carry) is an easy-to-read mileage listing of all features on the A.T., including shelters, campsites, water sources and road crossings. It also notes stores, post offices, lodging, etc. And of course the A.T. Companion has indispensable information on what towns have to offer in the line of food, lodging, laundromats, post office hours, etc.
What kinds of animals will I see?

If you hike quietly and by yourself, especially in the early morning and late evening, you stand a good chance of seeing everything from mice to moose, with deer, bears, snakes, foxes, coyotes and turkeys in between.
Of course, the greatest concern seems to be about bears, snakes and mice. There are no grizzly bears on the A.T. The black bears in the protected parks (Great Smoky, Shenandoah) have become accustomed to being fed by ignorant people. Thus, they pose somewhat of a problem to your pack full of food, and to you, should you be wearing your pack. In the Smokies, the shelters are fenced in to keep the bears out.
Poisonous snakes (rattlesnakes and copperheads) are rarely seen. There are plenty in some areas but they can usually feel the vibrations from your feet hitting the trail well in advance so you may just catch a glimpse of a tail slithering into the bushes. Read the guidebooks for warnings about snakes and stay on the trail. Do some research on their habits so you will feel more at ease while hiking in their territory.
Mice can damage your pack as they eat their way into the food. You should hang your food and pack separately at night. It is also a good idea to open all the pack compartments. There really is no way to keep a curious mouse out of your pack - it's better if he comes in through an open door than if he opens a new one himself.Remember, wildlife should be left alone. After all, they had no voice in deciding that a trail would be blazed through their home. The least we can do is respect their rights.
One further caution on the subject of animals: it may come as a surprise but one domestic animal causes more concern to hikers than any of the above-mentioned wildlife. Dogs are frequently encountered on road walks, and some are not friendly.
Speaking of dogs, is it OK to bring mine along?

Depending on who you talk to, yes and no. Women who hike with their pet dogs say they feel safer. Men who hike with dogs say they like having their faithful friend at their side. But ask those hikers without dogs, and you get a different response, usually negative. To quote from the A.T. Thru-Hikers' Companion:
"If you choose to hike with your canine companion, treat your dog like any other backpacker. That means, bury his waste as you would your own, and carry a water bowl so your dog won't have to drink directly from a water source. You are responsible for your dog and you will be held responsible if he decides to steal another hiker's food or flop his wet body on another hiker's equipment. Keep your pet under control in camp, on the trail and in towns. Dogs have a tendency to stir up trouble, not excluding skunks, snakes, and porcupines. Barbed quills should be removed from a dog's nose only by a veterinarian. If your dog has never walked on rugged trails before, closely monitor the pads of their feet for torn flesh, bleeding and other sores. When it warms up, you'll have to constantly check for ticks. It's best to keep your dog on a leash at all times. Leashes are mandatory in Shenandoah National Park and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, along the Blue Ridge Parkway, and in the Harpers Ferry and C&O Canal national historical parks. Dogs are required to be on a leash through much of Maryland as well. Most post offices will allow only guide dogs inside the building. Dogs are outright prohibited in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Bear Mountain Zoo in New York, and Maine's Baxter State Park. And, many hostels and other accommodations don't allow dogs either. Shuttle services and kennels are available near the Smokies and Baxter Park."
Where will I sleep?

Although there are more than 200 shelters along the trail, they are not spaced exactly one day apart. If you don't mind setting your daily mileage based on the spacing of shelters, that won't be a problem. But if you want to hike farther or shorter distances than shelters allow, you should bring along a tent or tarp. If shelters are crowded, or if the mosquitoes and no-see-ums are out in force, or if you've fallen in with a thru-hiker who snores, you'll have to tote a tent.
A sudden change in weather will also make you appreciate the fact that your house is on your back.
With regard to shelters, most are three-sided lean-tos with wooden floors and room for six or more to sleep. Many have built-in bunks. Some are deluxe: room for 20, skylights, fireplaces or wood stoves, front porches with swings, doors and windows, even a solar shower here and there. Others lean more toward the rustic side: dirt floors, leaking roofs, gaps in the walls, even a few of the old "baseball-bat" shelters that have peeled saplings laid side by side for the floor. But after hiking all day in the rain, any shelter is welcome. And in foul weather, remember, there's always room for one more. Privies also run the gamut, from open-air "chums" (just a seat over a hole in the great outdoors) to architectural wonders.
If you are utterly disgusted with what you feel is a filthy, rundown camping area, don't complain. Make a point of leaving it better than you found it. When you finish with your hike, join a maintaining club and become a member of the shelter crew.
Don't make the mistake of believing a thru-hiker never gets off the trail. The towns with their motels, inns and hostels will lure you in, and rightfully so. That, too, is part of the A.T. experience.
What is the weather like on the trail?

Be prepared for a variety of weather from Mother Nature. Heavy snows can fall even in April in the southern Appalachians. Blizzards have closed places like the Smokies, forcing thru-hikers to abandon their tents and other belongings so they could be airlifted out to safety. In the mountains, a combination of cool temperatures, rain and wind can be a recipe for hypothermia any time of year. Learn how to avoid this potentially fatal condition and be aware of its symptoms and treatment.
In the middle Atlantic states during summer, temperatures can soar to over 100 degrees. Springs will dry up and water will be scarce along the ridges. You must be careful not to become dehydrated. Learn how to prevent and treat hyperthermia.
Farther north, in the higher elevations of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, snow can fall as late as June and as early as September. In the White Mountains of New Hampshire, a severe snowstorm can occur at any time. For the most part, a thru-hiker's main concern is not to get too wet for too long while the temperature is falling.
Don't let this scare you away from the trail. If you spend 180 days on the A.T., about 120 will be very nice days, weatherwise.
Should I know how to read a compass or map?

A basic understanding of the compass is helpful. The entire trail is blazed with 2-by-6-inch white marks on trees, poles and rocks. Rarely are the blazes more than a quarter mile apart and most are much closer. The ATC and AMC guidebooks and maps are very easy to read and give plenty of landmarks for which to watch. As long as you stay on the trail, it is difficult to become lost.
Once I finish, how do I get home?

After 2,160 miles and six months, you will find a way. The question should be, how will I adjust to coming home? We hope that the time you spent on the A.T. will prepare you for that.
One way to follow up a thru-hike is to attend ALDHA's fall Gathering, where you can enjoy a homecoming of sorts with all the great folks you met during your hike and impart some of your newfound expertise to next year's class of Appalachian Trail dreamers.

APPENDIX

The Appalachian Trail - State by State

STATE
Georgia
Tenn./ North Carolina
Virginia
West Virginia
Maryland
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
New York
Connecticut
Massachusetts
Vermont
New Hampshire
Maine
TOTAL MILES
75.4
374.2
546.1
2.4
39.8
232.1
73.6
88.2
51.4
89.1
146.0
160.6
281.4
2,160.3

Popular Trail Towns
Many small towns are located close enough to the A.T. for hikers to get mail, supplies or special treats. The A.T. Thru-Hikers' Companion has information describing services and prices in lots of them. Below is a list of some of the towns that long-distance hikers find especially convenient or inviting:

Hot Springs, N.C.
Damascus, Va.
Pearisburg, Va.
Waynesboro, Va.
Harpers Ferry, W.Va.
Duncannon, Pa.
Delaware Water Gap, Pa. Kent, Conn.
Cheshire, Mass.
Manchester Center, Vt.
Hanover, N.H.
Gorham, N.H.
Stratton, Maine
Monson, Maine

Appalachian Trail Conservancy

Washington & Jackson Streets
P.O. Box 807
Harpers Ferry, W V 25425
(304) 535-6331
Note: The ATC's information specialist is Laurie Potteiger, a 2000-miler herself.

A.T. Maintaining Clubs

Maine Appalachian Trail Club
P.O. Box 283
Augusta, ME 04330

Appalachian Mountain Club
5 Joy St.
Boston, MA 02108

Dartmouth Outing Club
P.O. Box 9
Hanover, NH 03755

Green Mountain Club
RR1, Box 650, Route 11
Waterbury, VT 05677

AMC - Berkshire Chapter
Greylock Visitors Center
P.O. Box 1800, Lanesboro, MA 01237

AMC - Connecticut Chapter
Greylock Visitors Center
P.O. Box 1800, Lanesboro, MA 01237

New York-New Jersey Trail Conference
232 Madison Ave., Room 802
New York, NY 10016

Wilmington Trail Club
P.O. Box 1184
Wilmington, DE 19899

Batona Hiking Club
514 Inman Terrace
Willow Grove, PA 19090

AMC - Delaware Valley Chapter
1180 Greenleaf Drive
Bethlehem, PA 18017

Philadelphia Trail Club
741 Golf Drive
Warrington, PA 18976

Allentown Hiking Club
P.O. Box 1542
Allentown, PA 18105

Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club
P.O. Box 14982
Reading, PA 19612

Brandywine Valley Outing Club
P.O. Box 134
Rockland, DE 19732

Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club
Box 610001
Harrisburg, PA 17106 Cumberland Valley A.T. Management Association
P.O. Box 395
Boiling Springs, PA 17007

Mountain Club of Maryland
802 Kingston Road
Baltimore, MD 21212

Potomac Appalachian Trail Club
118 Park St. S.E.
Vienna, VA 22180

Old Dominion Appalachian Trail Club
P.O. Box 25283
Richmond, VA 23260

Tidewater Appalachian Trail Club
P.O. Box 8246
Norfolk, VA 23503

Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club
P.O. Box 3012
Lynchburg, VA 24503

Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club
P.O. Box 12282
Roanoke, VA 24024

Outing Club at Virginia Tech
314 Bruce Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24060

Piedmont Appalachian Trail Hikers
P.O. Box 4423
Greensboro, NC 27404

Mount Rogers Appalachian Trail Club
Route 7, Box 345
Abingdon, VA 24210

Tennessee Eastman Hiking and Canoeing Club
P.O. Box 511
Kingsport, TN 37662

Carolina Mountain Club
P.O. Box 68
Asheville, NC 28802

Smoky Mountains Hiking Club
P.O. Box 1454
Knoxville, TN 37938

Nantahala Hiking Club
173 Carl Slagle Road
Franklin, NC 28734

Georgia Appalachian Trail Club
P.O. Box 654
Atlanta, GA 30301

Suggested Reading
Listed below is a number of books providing background material that the prospective long-distance hiker may find helpful and entertaining. Most are available in libraries, bookstores and/or outdoor stores. Many are also available through the ATC's "Ultimate Trail Store" (mail-order service) at an ATC member discount. Contact the ATC for a list of current titles.

The Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers' Companion, written and edited by ALDHA members (published annually by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy). This spiral-bound book includes all the detailed information on services that are available in trail towns, plus interesting tidbits about the places in between.
The Appalachian Trail Data Book, edited by Daniel D. Chazin (published annually by the ATC). A must-have for any backpacking trip on the A.T., with mileage distances between shelters, springs, roads and other landmarks, listed both north to south and south to north, with distances to hiker services at each major road crossing.
The Appalachian Trail Backpacker's Planning Guide by Frank and Victoria Logue (Menasha Ridge Press, 1990; 189 pages). A couple who thru-hiked the A.T. in 1988 answer numerous questions posed by beginners. Frank is a past coordinator of ALDHA and Victoria is past newsletter editor. Their book fills in all the details on subjects that are only touched upon in this pamphlet.
The A.T. Workbook for Planning Thru-Hikes by Christopher Whalen (ATC, 1998; 70 pages). Checklists, worksheets, maildrops, etc., covered in this handy rip-out-the-pages workbook.Advanced Backpacking: A Trailside Series Guide by Karen Berger (W.W. Norton, 1998; 224 pages). An ALDHA member who has thousands of miles under her belt imparts the wisdom of those miles with detailed information that will help any hiker, anywhere.
Ultimate Guide to Backcountry Travel by Michael Lanza (Appalachian Mountain Club Books, 1999; 288 pages). Covering everything from gear to gorp to grizzlies, Michael Lanza uses colorful stories about personal experiences to pass on his expertise.
Walking the Appalachian Trail by Larry Luxenberg (Stackpole Books, 1994; 238 pages). A unique way of looking at thru-hiking: through the thoughts and words of those whose lives have been changed by it. The author, an ALDHA member, interviewed hundreds of hikers, from the famous to the not-so-famous, to paint a picture of the people, places, history and sociology of the A.T.
Long-Distance Hiking: Lessons from the Appalachian Trail by Roland Mueser (Ragged Mountain Press, 1998; 180 pages). Based on questionnaires of many of his fellow hikers from his time on the A.T., the author gauges the opinions of 2,000-milers on a variety of topics, from equipment to food, personal hygiene to sex, all in scholarly fashion.
Walking With Spring by Earl V. Shaffer (Appalachian Trail Conservancy, 1983; 152 pages). The first person to thru-hike the A.T. recounts his groundbreaking trip from Georgia to Maine in 1948, with pictures of an earlier trail.
Appalachian Hiker III, The New Appalachian Trail by Ed Garvey (Menasha Ridge Press, 1997; 306 pages). Twenty years after his first thru-hike, Ed Garvey set off to tackle the A.T. one more time, at age 75. This is the story of his attempt, with updated information from his 1971 book, which is now out of print.
A Woman's Journey by Cindy Ross (Globe Pequot Press, 1982; 127 pages). Past coordinator of ALDHA (1987-89) relates her 2,100-mile, two-year adventure in the late 1970s, focusing on the psychological aspects of long-distance hiking.
Underfoot: A Geologic Guide to the Appalachian Trail by V. Collins Chew (ATC, second edition, 1993; 237 pages). A scholarly effort at documenting the age and history of the ground you walk upon from Maine to Georgia, drawing similarities between sections of the trail and well-known geologic features around the globe.
The Complete Walker III by Colin Fletcher (Alfred Knopf, 1987; 668 pages). Called the definitive work on camping and hiking by the Sierra Club, with information on everything about hiking.
Blind Courage by Bill Irwin (WRS Publishing, 1992; 204 pages). A first-hand account of a blind man's 1990 thru-hike on the A.T.
The Appalachian Trail Reader, edited by David Emblidge (Oxford University Press, 1996; 382 pages). An anthology of excerpts from classic literature as well as trail journals of modern-day thru-hikers, covering everything from the reverence of the natural world to the romanticism of the journey.
Dry It - You'll Like It by Gen MacManiman (MacManiman Inc.). How to dehydrate all types of foods, from apples to zucchini.
The Well-Fed Backpacker by June Fleming (Vintage Books, 1986; 181 pages). Meals for year-round hiking, including drying techniques.
Gorp, Glop and Glue Stew: Favorite Foods from 165 Outdoor Experts by Yvonne Prater and Ruth Mendenhall (Mountaineers Press). Recipes and tips for easier cooking on the trail.

Video Library
Most of these videos are available through the ATC's "Ultimate Trail Store."
Trailside Series by Backpacker Magazine (each episode 28 minutes long). Executive Editor John Viehman explores a variety of outdoor adventure sports, but the videos dealing with thru-hiking the A.T. are the ones to watch for. Reruns often air on Public TV, but cassettes are available through Backpacker.
Five Million Steps: The A.T. Thru-hikers' Story by Lynne Whelden (75 minutes). Documentary of 16 thru-hikers on the A.T.
How to Hike the Appalachian Trail by Lynne Whelden (3 hours). Lengthy interviews of thru-hikers offering their tips on how to prepare for a trip and what to expect once you're out there.
Lightweight Backpacking Secrets Revealed by Lynne Whelden (2 hours). Another video on how to hike the A.T., this time focusing on those hikers who know how to travel light.
North to Katahdin by Tim Hogeboom (28 minutes). Professional video explores the challenges, beauty, triumph and reflection on the A.T. from the long-distance hikers' viewpoint.

Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association

Membership in ALDHA is open to all; there are no prerequisites to join. An up-to-date registration slip with information about dues is available online. You can contact us at:

10 Benning St., PMB 224
West Lebanon, NH 03784 E-mail: aldha@aldha.org
Web site: www.aldha.org

T.... H .... E ............ F.... I .... R .... S .... T ............ S .... T .... E .... P
1st edition, 1989
compiled and edited by
John Vincent & Joan Wentworth 2nd edition, 1999
updated and paginated by
Bill O'Brien & Henry Edwards

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Trailhead
New Boots � Gathering � Grapevine � Springer Fever
A.T. Companion � Headlamp Material � Work Trips � Side Trails