Appalachian Trail

I began section-hiking the Appalachian Trail on October 12, 2007. The Appalachian Trail, or simply The A.T., is a marked hiking trail in the eastern United States, extending between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. Along the way, the trail also passes through the states of North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire.

Appalachian Trail Map

Appalachian Trail Miles Completed: 1611 of 2190 (73%)

Facts about the Appalachian Trail:

  • Length: 2,181 miles

  • It takes approximately 5 million footsteps to walk the entire length of the Trail

  • Lowest elevation: 124 feet (Bear Mountain Bridge over the Hudson River in NY)

  • Highest elevation: 6,625 feet (Clingmans Dome in Tennessee)

  • The Trail was completed in 1937

  • Elevation change: 90 miles

  • Hazards: severe weather, American black bear, wild boar, Lyme disease, steep grades, limited water, poison ivy, and venomous snakes

  • From 1936 to 1969 only 61 people completed the Trail

  • Ten people completed the Trail in 1970

  • About 30 people have hiked the Trail three or more times

  • "Northbounders" hike from Springer Mountain to Katahdin in one continuous journey; they represent more than 65% of the hikers who complete the entire Trail.

  • "Southbounders" hike from Katahdin to Springer Mountain in one continuous journey; they represent 10% of the hikers who complete the entire Trail.

  • "Flip-floppers" complete the Trail in one trip, but with an alternate itinerary; they make up about 5% of the hikers who complete the entire Trail.

  • "Section-hikers" complete the Trail in more than one trip; they represent about 20% of the hikers who complete the entire Trail.

  • 488 people completed the Trail in 2006 (334 Northbounders, 28 Southbounders, 25 Flip-floppers, and 101 Section-hikers)