Hiking the Appalachian Trail is an impressive endeavor that many people decide to undertake. However, before you set off on your Appalachian adventure, you need to think through what you are going to do. While the trail is very friendly to hikers and includes many stations and natural camping spots, it's still important to be prepared, from mapping out your route to packing the right supplies. Here are a few tips to help your trail trip run more smoothly.
Deciding Upon a Distance
The first order of business should be to decide how far you are going to go. The trail stretches from Georgia to Maine and passes through a dozen other states in between. It is entirely possible for an experienced hiker to get through the entirety of the trail, but you'll need to carve out as much as half a year to do it. Most hikers who intend who hike it all the way through begin in early spring and end in late summer. You might also decide to hike the entire trail but do it over a period of years, each time coming back to your previous ending point. You might also choose to simply hike a portion of the trail, which is divided into many smaller sections.
Familiarize Yourself with Terrain, Flora, and Fauna
To greater enjoy your hike, you should familiarize yourself with the types of plants and animals that you may encounter. The trail is home to more then 2000 endangered or threatened species of plants and animals, as well as thousands of other more common species. Some, such as the American black bear and the copperhead, are dangerous, so you should keep an eye out for them and plan to keep your distance. It's a good idea to purchase a trail guide so you can read up on this wildlife, and you may want to bring a camera so you can capture some photographs, though bear in mind that bulky camera equipment could slow you down considerably. A small handheld camera and a pocket notebook would be logical accompaniments for this hike.
Packing the Proper Food
Food is an important consideration when hiking on the trail. Even if you're only planning to be on the trail for the day, you should pack several bottles of water and at least two pounds of food. Packing extra would be wise in case something happens and you get stuck. For more than a day of hiking, about two pounds of food a day is ideal, and it should be non-perishable. Snacking throughout the day is advised to help you keep up your metabolism and avoid feeling weighed down by a heavy meal. Be sure to put any waste back in your backpack and dump it in the garbage facilities at the next station. You can also have new supplies of food mailed to you at the various stations.
These are just a few tips to make your hike along the trail go more smoothly. The trail was designed for hikers to enjoy; with a little preparation, you can do just that.
