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Hike the Appalachian Trail

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100 Mile Wilderness
Mark Kelley, aka Wayward, at the Appalachian Trail signpost at northern end of 100 Mile Wilderness on June 11th. (That clean blue jacket, hat, white pants, and new pair of boots would soon get a lot dirtier.)
Appalachian Trail southbound thru-hiker
Standing on Max Patch in October 2006.
Thru-Hike Finish and Champagne on Springer
After 165 day, on November 23rd, popping the cork to celebrate the completion of an AT southbound thru-hike. (The blue jacket and hat survived. The white pants, hiking poles, and boots did not.)

AT Adventure By The Numbers

Before we were a family, one of my adventures was thru-hiking the historic Appalachian Trail. The AT stretches about 2,160 miles from Mount Katahdin, Maine to Springer Mountain, Georgia. The path crosses 13 states as it winds up, down, and around the Appalachian Mountains.

Here are some quick facts about my adventure:

  • Hiked in 2006. Trail name “Wayward”.
  • Hiked 2,175 Appalachian Trail miles from Maine to Georgia.
  • Started at Mount Katahdin on June 11th and finished at Springer Mountain, Georgia November 23rd.
  • Journey lasted 165 days total.
  • Averaged 13.2 trail miles per day.
  • The first 275 miles of Appalachian Trail in Maine took 39 days (crawling at 7 miles / day).
  • 550 miles of Appalachian Trail in Virginia took 30 days (cruising at 18.3 miles / day).
  • Finished the trail with 10 consecutive marathon days (blazing at 26+ miles / day) I was ready to be done with it all.
  • About 250 hikers to attempt the southbound thru-hike that season. I was the 65th hiker passing through the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) in Harper’s Ferry, WV, and about the 16th to finish at Springer.
  • Cost for the trip, including airfare to Bangor, ME from Raleigh, NC, was about $5,500

Thousands of adventurers attempt the thru-hike adventure each year, and millions more hit the Appalachian Trail for day hikes and shorter camping trips each year.

I was fortunate to complete the journey, and I’m always eager to share my knowledge and passion of the Appalachian Trail to help others plan and experience the AT adventure. Here’s every blog post from my Appalachian Trail thru-hike. 

Below you’ll find backpacking tips, budgeting calculators, and checklists related to hiking the Appalachian Trail.

Photos

Appalachian Trail Hiking Tips

Giving Out Trail Magic on the Appalachian Trail – Waterville Road in Smoky Mountain National Park April 15, 2016 by Mark Kelley
Who thru-hikes the Appalachian Trail? February 18, 2016 by Mark Kelley
Budgeting Tool for Planning Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike October 4, 2015 by Mark Kelley
How Much Does it Cost to Hike the Appalachian Trail? March 22, 2015 by Mark Kelley
10 Tips for Preparing for Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike December 28, 2014 by Mark Kelley
What is an Appalachian Trail Trail Name? How do I get one? December 26, 2014 by Mark Kelley
thru-hiker preparing dinner on appalachian trail 10 Energy Foods that help hiking the Appalachian Trail December 26, 2014 by Mark Kelley
How do I get to Springer Mountain to start an Appalachian Trail hike? December 24, 2014 by Mark Kelley
Should You Carry a Gun on the Appalachian Trail? August 2, 2014 by Mark Kelley
White, Blue, and other Blazes of the Appalachian Trail August 2, 2014 by Mark Kelley

Cost to Hike Appalachian Trail

How Much Does it Cost to Hike the Appalachian Trail? March 22, 2015 by Mark Kelley

Tips for Backpacking 100 Mile Wilderness

Backpacking Gear Checklist for the 100 Mile Wilderness August 9, 2014 by Mark Kelley
water in the wilderness Filtering and Purifying Water in the 100 Mile Wilderness August 8, 2014 by Mark Kelley
How much food do you need hiking the 100 Mile Wilderness? August 8, 2014 by Mark Kelley
11 Tips for Hiking the 100 Mile Wilderness August 8, 2014 by Mark Kelley
5 Dangers that Could Kill You Hiking the 100 Mile Wilderness July 31, 2014 by Mark Kelley
100 Mile Wilderness Top 7 Things You Must Have in the 100 Mile Wilderness for a Southbound Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike July 30, 2013 by Mark Kelley

Appalachian Trail Weekend Adventures

Carvers Gap to 19E Appalachian Trail Weekend Hike – A Great North Carolina Weekend Hike July 30, 2013 by Mark Kelley

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