Look at the below table and count the days from our planned departure date of March 1, 2012.
This will give us an idea of where we will be when looking at next years calendar March -
Aug/Sep. The mediam time it took a random sample of 240 hikers from graduating classes
2000-2010 was 172 days which counted zero days. Average number of zero days was 22.
Table A -- Range of Days to Complete Each Section
MEAN ~ MEDIAN ~MID 80% ~~~4#-7# ~~~~SECTION
7.95.........8.0........5.7-9.7..........5.8-10.1........Springer-Ga. Border
7.71.........7.7........5.7-9.7..........5.6-9.9..........Ga. Border-Fontana
24.34........24.........19-31...........17.7-31..........Fontana-Damascus
28.60........28........21.5-36.........20.8-36.5........Damascus-Waynesboro
11.32........11..........8-14............8.2-14.4........Waynesboro-Harpers
19.32.......18.5......14.3-23..........14.0-24.7.......Harpers-DWG
12.32.......12.5.......8.6-15...........9.0-15.7........DWG-Kent
23.11........23........18.3-29.........16.8-29.5........Kent-Glencliff
9.60..........9..........6.5-13...........6.9-12.2........Glencliff-Gorham
9.79.........9.9........7.3-12...........7.2-12.5........Gorham-Stratton
13.77........14.........11-16...........10.0-17.5.......Stratton-Katahdin
167.83......172.......137-197.........122-214.........For entire AT
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So first off, here are the towns on the AT, in order of popularity, where the largest
percentage of these NOBO thru-hikers (classes of 2001 thru 2010) took their zero days (this
list is confined to the towns where at least 20 percent of hikers zeroed):
84%.....Damascus VA
61%.....Hot Springs NC
51%.....Pearisburg VA
50%.....Waynesboro VA
50%.....Harpers Ferry WV
44%.....Gorham NH
40%.....Erwin TN
38%.....Daleville (and Roanoke etc.) VA
38%.....Fontana NC
35%.....Delaware Water Gap PA
32%.....Monson ME
28%.....Hanover NH
27%.....Duncannon PA
26%.....Franklin NC
23%.....Manchester Center VT
22%.....Hiawasee GA
22%.....Gatlinburg TN
20%.....Dalton MA
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http://whiteblaze.net/index.php?page=15%20mile%20plan
Click the above link to show you a good spreadsheet outlining pretty much every detail from :
Day, Mi., Destination, Comments, supply, gain, loss, mi/day mi.
-------------------------------
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?8135-Packing-and-sending-the-perfect-Maildrop&p
=95199&postcount=1
Packing and sending the perfect Maildrop
-------------------------------
http://www.whiteblaze.net/index.php?page=shelters
Appalachian Trail Shelter and mileage listing. -- this link shows EVERY SINGLE SHELTER (with
mileages between), ELEVATIONS, FEES, WATER SOURCES ALL THE WAY FROM SPRINGER TO KATAHDIN !
----------------------------
Ever wanted to settle a bar bet over which states on the AT have more or less rise and fall
per mile? All right, you probably have better things to think about, but here is a table that
breaks down average elevation gain and loss by state anyway. I also list the miles for each
state. I don't try to separate Tennessee from North Carolina because the trail wanders back
and forth between the two so many times:
Table 2 -- Average Elevation Gain and Loss, by State
AVG~~~MILES~~~STATE
307.........76.1.........Georgia
272........380.8........North Carolina/Tennessee
241........535.7........Virginia
173.........17.5.........West Virginia
157.........40.9.........Maryland
135........229.3........Pennsylvania
160.........72.4.........New Jersey
217.........88.2.........New York
215.........51.6.........Connecticut
208.........90.2.........Massachusetts
239........149.8........Vermont
329........161.0........New Hampshire
242........286.6........Maine
New Hampshire is the hilliest, followed by Georgia, which might surprise some. Least hilly are
those four middle states, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Most closely
resembling the entire AT for average elevation gain and loss are Vermont, Virginia and Maine,
although Maine achieves this by averaging the two extremes of gentler east and rugged west, as
I've already mentioned.
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TOP TEN ESSENTIALS TO CARRY WITH YOU ON THE HIKE- The Systems Approach
1 Shelter -- For protection from wind, rain, insects and sun.
2 Water -- Carry water. Carry provision for water filtration and purification.
3 Food -- Have what you expect to eat.
4 Extra Food -- For warmth and strength. For unexpected delays.
5 Extra Clothing -- For covering an injured hiker to prevent shock, as well as for keeping
yourself warm, dry and comfortable.
6 Matches -- Be able to make a cooking fire. A knife can be used to make small shavings to start
a cooking fire. Keep matches in a waterproof container.
7 Fire Starter -- A fire starter, such as a candle, kindling or chemical accelerant, increases
your odds of successfully getting a warming fire going.
8 Compass and map, and gps -- Have, and know how to use.
9 First aid supplies -- A ready-made, store bought kit may prove inadequate. It is best to add
to a kit or construct your own, based on expert advice.
10 Signal -- Whistle, signal mirror, orange smoke. A cellular phone can be helpful, if you have
telephone numbers and you know where you are or the cellular phone has a GPS locator. However,
in the backcountry, a cellular phone often will not work.
LIST 2:
----------
ANDY'S Essentials for the AT: ALREADY COUNTING THE PACK
1. Tent or Tarp
2. 20 DEGREE Sleeping Bag
3. Food and Water + Purifier(dont overpack though!)
4. First aid Kit: Bandaids, Tylenol,Triangle Bandage, Tape (anything else is overkill)
5. Headlamp
6. Lighter/ matches -STOVE
7. Pocket Knife
8. DOG W/ DOGGY BACKPACK
9. Rain gear
10. Herbs
11. CAMERA/VIDEO CAMERA/LAPTOP/RADIO/CELL ??
12. FIREPOWER (PISTOL, 357, MAGNUM)
13. FISHING/FLY ROD
14. AT LEAST $1500-3500 SAVINGS (DEBIT,CREDIT, CASH)
---------------
LIST #3
Sleeping Pad—insulation from ground; comfort
Stove—preparing meals
Fuel Bottle—used with stove
Cookpot—eating utensil
Spoon—eating utensil
Lighter—stove preparation
Bandana—dish rag
Water Filter—potable water
Water Bottles—drinking purposes
First-Aid Kit—for minor injuries
Toilet Paper—for obvious reasons
Knife—many uses
25’ Nylon Cord—clothes line; food line
Flashlight w/ Batteries—night vision
Camera w/ Film—for those great views
Backpack Raincover—keep contents dry in storm
Clothing—warmth
Footwear—protection
--------------------------
WEIGHT YOU WILL CARRY GUIDE:
Also, one last thought, this should not be a competition to see if you can beat this weight or
other people's weight. This is a guide in how to build a list. Use it as just that.
1. Pack Group:
1 Backpack – XX brand………………......36 ounces
1 Pack liner – Trash compactor bag……2 ounces
1 Sil-Nylon stuff sack………………….......1.3 ounces
Total…………………………………..............39.3 ounces
2. Shelter Group:
1 Tarp/Tent XX brand.……………....….30 ounces
6 aluminum stakes………………….......….3 ounces
Total………………………………...........…..33.0 ounces
3. Sleeping Group:
1 Down bag, 20F rating XX Brand....32 ounces
1 stuff sack sil-nylon………………......…1.3 ounces
1 closed cell foam pad…………….....…10 ounces
Total…………………………………............43.3 ounces
4. Kitchen Group:
1 Fuel bottle………………………….............…1 ounce
1 alcohol stove………………………............…1 ounce
1 titanium pot………………………............….4.1 ounces
1 lighter………………………………................0.6 ounces
1 water bottle – used Gatorade bottle…1.7 ounces
1 platypus bladder – 3L……………….........1.5 ounces
1 bottle iodine/1 Vitamin C………….......….2 ounces
1 sil-nylon stuff sack – food bag……....…1.3 ounces
1 plastic spoon………………………...........….0.3 ounces
1 bandanna……………………………..............1 ounce
1 length cord – 50’……………………...........2.5 ounces
Total………………………………...............…..17.0 ounces
5. Hygiene Group:
1 small pack towel………………….........…..1 ounce
1 bottle hand cleaner – 1 ounce………...1.3 ounces
1 small zip lock……………………….............0.3 ounces
1 partial roll toilet paper………………........2 ounces
1 small child toothbrush……………......…..0.5 ounces
1 small tube tooth paste……………....…...0.7 ounces
Total…………………………………...............…5.8 ounces
6. Navigation Group:
1 map (average weight)………….......……..2.9 ounces
1 compass……………………………….............0.5 ounces
1 trail guide (pages of the section)...…..3 ounces
1 small light..…………………….…...............1.8 ounces
1 small bundle of paper…….........…..…….3 ounces
1 pen…………………………….................…..0.5 ounce
Total…………………………………................12.7 ounces
7. Repair/First Aid Group:
1 Repair kit……………………….............……2 ounces
1 small roll of duct tape……….......………3 ounces
1 First Aid kit………………………............…2 ounces
1 set spare lithium batteries……....…….0.5 ounces
1 emergency fire starter pack……….....0.5 ounces
Total…………………………………................8 ounces
8. Luxury items:
1 MP3 player with FM radio……...…….1.7 ounces
1 camera……………………………..........…5.4 ounces
1 extra data card…………….....…………0.1 ounces
Total………………………………….............7.2 ounces
9. Rain Gear:
1 rain jacket………………………........….11.5 ounce
1 pair rain pants…………………….......….6 ounces
1 pair rain mittens……………….....……..1.2 ounces
Total…………………………………............18.7 ounces
10. Clothing – In Pack, Warm Weather:
1 spare pair socks………………………......1 ounce
1 spare shirt………………………….......…..5 ounces
1 spare pair underwear……………...…….1.6 ounces
Total………………………………............……7.6 ounces
11. Clothing – In Pack, Cool Weather:
1 long sleeve top…………………....……..9.5 ounces
1 pair long pants……………………….......8.3 ounces
1 fleece hat…………………………….........2.4 ounces
1 pair fleece gloves………………....……..1 ounce
1 pair warm socks……………………......…2.6 ounces
Total………………………………..........…….23.8 ounces
12. Clothing – In Pack, Colder Weather:
1 insulated jacket……………………….....9.7 ounces
1 pair insulated pants………………..…..8.5 ounces
1 pair heavy wool socks…………….…..3.3 ounces
1 pair mittens…………………………........1.9 ounces
1 neck gaiter………………………….........2.1 ounces
1 pair GoreTex socks……………...……..3.5 ounces
Total………………………………….........…29.0 ounces
13. Clothing Worn, and Items Carried:
1 pair trail runners…………………….........….32.4 ounces
1 pair socks……………………………….............1 ounce
1 t-shirt……………………………….....…........…5 ounces
1 pair underwear…………………...........…….1.6 ounces
1 pair light running shorts…………............3.7 ounces
1 ball cap………………………………….............2.5 ounces
1 backpacker wallet with ID and cash……2.7 ounces
1 small pocket knife………………………........1.7 ounces
1 watch………………………………...............…1.3 ounces
1 pair trekking poles with rubber tips.……18 ounces
Total…………………………………….............….69.9 ounces (4.4 pounds)
14. Consumables:
2 ounce fuel per day x 5 days @ .82 ounces per fluid ounce…..8.2 ounces
32 ounces water @ 1.04 ounces per fluid ounce…………….....…33.3 ounces
32 ounces food per day x 5 days…………………………..........……160 ounces
Total………......................…………………………………………………. ..201.5 ounces
1. Pack Group………………………...........………..39.3 ounces
2. Shelter Group……………………..........………..33.0 ounces
3. Sleeping Group…………………...................43.3 ounces
4. Kitchen Group……………………............…….17.0 ounces
5. Hygiene Group……………………..................5.8 ounces
6. Navigation Group……………….........………..12.7 ounces
7. First Aid Repair Group………….......………...8.0 ounces
8. Luxury Items………………………….…...........7.2 ounces
9. Rain Gear…………………………..................18.7 ounces
10. Clothing in Pack – Warm Weather……..7.6 ounces
Total Dry pack Weight (Warm Weather)...192.6 ounces (12 pounds) + 201.5 ounces (consumables) =
24.6 pounds.
11. Clothing in Pack – Cool Weather………23.8 ounces
Total Dry pack Weight (Cool Weather)...216.4 ounces (13.5 pounds) + 201.5 ounces (consumables)
= 26.1 pounds.
12. Clothing in Pack – Colder Weather…..…29. 0 ounces
Total Dry pack Weight (Colder Weather)...245.4 ounces (15.3 pounds) + 201.5 ounces
(consumables) = 27.9 pounds.
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I think this is a good starting point. Jim and I are starting training now. I did a 10 mile
hike this past weekend and Jim has been preparing 2 bikes for us to do 100 miles on the Comet
Trail just to get our legs warmed up. I routinely work out at the gym about 2/3 times a week
so focusing on leg strengthening is a priority. We dont have any official equipment yet but we
are keeping a watch out on craigslist for any bear essentials that would be a good value. We
will be getting our pakcs/tents/etc from REI most likely. REI has an AT thru-hike prep class
in November so that would be a really great time for us all to go to that and start posting on
our post-it-board at "the control center" (our place) to narrow the list each day as we
approach March 1st.
Thus far we are awaiting member confirmation from Tim. Ryan (Casey) is already in. Jim is
definitely in. His son John James is maybe in but we'd love to have him join alon. Wolf is a
maybe and Dan at this point seems to be a probably not.
Please feel free to add/share/comment/post.
(127 days) until we head for SPRINGER MOUTAIN.
Essential READ summarizes about 10 hours or research on preparing for AT - 127 days until AT
