The more I read about shelters and people, the more I think about stealth camping. My plan would be to go a mile or so past a shelter and mark the trail on the gps. Then walk into the woods a few hundred yards wherever the trees are thick and set up camp. Cook on my little stove before dark so the flame doesn't show at night.A cool accomplishment. I'd sure like to do parts of the AT. I definitely need to spend some trail time in deciduous forests at some point. I don't think the AT thru hike is my cup of tea though, a little too social and populated for my taste. The idea of staying in trail shelters gives me the heebie jeebies a bit.
My long trail ambitions are limited to the Idaho Centennial Trail, and perhaps the John Muir.
Go solo that is the only way I can every imagine doing this. Having reading many accounts of through hiker seems that most do it this way. They do find people on the trail that they get along with and hike with them for some time but groups change up quite often it seems.I'd like to hike the whole trail at some time in my life but I don't know who I'd want to hang out with for 6 mos straight.
That's the way it works. Even the folks who start with a group often end up with different folks before it is over. Only around 10% that start actually finish so the chances of everyone in your group making the entire trip are pretty slim.Go solo that is the only way I can every imagine doing this. Having reading many accounts of through hiker seems that most do it this way. They do find people on the trail that they get along with and hike with them for some time but groups change up quite often it seems.
I'm not a fan of shelters anywhere. They tend to be animal and litter magnets. Luckily on much of the AT you can camp pretty much anywhere, you aren't always limited to staying in, or near shelters.A cool accomplishment. I'd sure like to do parts of the AT. I definitely need to spend some trail time in deciduous forests at some point. I don't think the AT thru hike is my cup of tea though, a little too social and populated for my taste. The idea of staying in trail shelters gives me the heebie jeebies a bit.
My long trail ambitions are limited to the Idaho Centennial Trail, and perhaps the John Muir.
Hello Rayne. I was hiking the AT NOBO bck in July-August when i slipped down mossy rocks. got torn miniscus in my right knee. Waiting for the healing to be complete so i can finish to maine then start SOBO. I made it from Delaware Water Gap- Gr8t. Barrington,Mass. I plan to finish the AT. I also want to Hike the Continental Divide & The (PCT)-Pacific Coast Trail. Great that your friend completed the AT. God BlessA friend of mine has finally completed hiking the Appalachian Trail. It took him about 2 years due to an injured ankle received while hiking. I like the fact that this one can be done in stages rather than all at once.