What is the hardest part of hiking the Appalachian Trail?

Katahdin, the mountain you climb on your first day, is arguably the hardest climb on the A.T. It features more than 4,000 feet of elevation gain, the greatest sustained ascent on the entire Appalachian Trail. It is a scramble. Expect to use your hands as you climb over steep boulders and ledges above treeline.



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Damascus, Virginia certainly qualifies as one of the latter. This tiny locale in the southwestern portion of the state has gained the nickname of “Friendliest Town on the Appalachian Trail,” and you'll quickly discover why. The famous A.T. runs right through town, and the locals love it.

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Most of the thru-hikers seemed to be in their 20s and, usually, had just finished university. The rest seemed to be retirees in their 50s and older. So it's a bit misleading when you look up the average age of people who try to thru-hike the A.T. and see the average age is about 36-years-old.

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The New Hampshire mountains have a reputation as the sketchiest section of the trail. Erratic weather, high winds and steep, rugged terrain create the potential for hikers to get into serious trouble. “That's generally considered the most dangerous in regards to terrain and exposure,” Mr.

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Despite how intimidating that may sound, beginners can scale the Appalachian Trail's numerous mountains and treat themselves to some of the most gorgeous views on earth.

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People always ask me: “Is it safe to hike the Appalachian Trail alone?” I respond that yes, it is, but it's important to know how to protect yourself. Hiking the trail with a partner can serve that purpose, but if you're alone, consider carrying something for protection. A gun isn't the best choice.

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West Virginia. Of the 14 Appalachian Trail states, West Virginia is the shortest by far. Considering that there are only four (!!) miles of trail through the entire state, there's an incredible amount of AT mythos packed into this tiny stretch of trail.

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You'll want to note that the AT takes five to seven months to complete its 2,190 miles, while the PCT take four to six months to complete 2,650 miles of trail. That shows, when evaluating the most obvious factor, terrain, the AT is without question the more difficult of the two trails.

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Shelter life Not only are they the best places to stay dry, but they reduce hikers' impact on the Trail environment. A typical shelter, sometimes called a “lean-to,” has an overhanging roof, a wooden floor and three walls. Most (but not all) are near a creek or spring, and many have a privy nearby.

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However, travelers must expect to budget $5,000 to $7,000 for a thru-hike. This includes the trail expenses, the cost of gear, and expected expenses when visiting towns. So, on a per-month basis, travelers should expect to spend bout $1,000 dollars a month.

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Pack Weight for Backpacking and Hiking A loaded backpacking pack should not weigh more than about 20 percent of your body weight. (If you weigh 150 pounds, your pack should not exceed 30 pounds for backpacking.) A loaded day hiking pack should not weigh more than about 10 percent of your body weight.

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Halfway point on the Appalachian Trail... - Review of Appalachian Trail Conservancy Headquarters, Harpers Ferry, WV - Tripadvisor.

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Northbound (NOBO) A northbound hike, often referred to simply as NOBO, is easily the most popular choice for most A.T. thru-hikers. Northbound hikers start their adventure at the AT's Southern Terminus on Springer Mountain and hike north toward the Northern Terminus atop Mount Katahdin in one continuous trip.

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