Is hiking the Appalachian Trail right for you?
Taking on a journey stretching well over 2,100 miles, covering fourteen states (from Maine to Georgia) by foot is no simple stroll where at the end of the day a comfortable bed and hot meal would await you. Instead, hiking the Appalachian Trail can be an endless battle with all the elements of mother nature: whereas in one state spring would have sprung already with wildflowers dressing the forest floors and insects buzzing through crisp air, on other parts of the trail it [the weather conditions] would be smothering heat, but meanwhile a few states north the rain would fall endlessly with gusts of cold wind, and snow would blanket the pathways of the trail and more than likely blizzards would ensue. When hiking the Appalachian Trail you’ll want to be prepared in more ways than one, you will
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want to be physically and mentally prepared, and you may also need to be financially stable before setting off on this expedition. Although there have been several books written on the very subject of hiking the Appalachian Trail, no amount of knowledgeable books can physically prepare a person to be thrust into wilderness, where mornings and days are spent trolling through undaunted trails, climbing up and down lengthy mountains, and crossing countless hills. All that walking can take a hard toll on the body: muscle soreness, blisters, and stress fractures can be the result. Plenty of stimulating exercise should be performed, it’s best to start exposing yourself to a variety of terrain before setting off. Other good ideas can include: breaking in your hiking boots, physical training, and practicing carrying extra weight in a backpack. Blackwell#2 When one considers the task of completing the AT, walking hundreds of miles is to be expected, but what one fails to realize is the weight of all the needed supplies along the journey on your back can make the trip seem almost unbearable. It’s amazing how fast a few lightweight items such as, aluminum cookware, a sleeping bag, a tent, and water bottles can quickly get heavy. Bill Bryson, author of A Walk in the Woods, admitted that hiking the Appalachian Trail could provide a guidance to getting his body back in shape. Bryson emphasized, “It was hell. First days on hiking trips always are. I was hopelessly out of shape-hopelessly. The pack weighed way too much. Way too much. I had never encountered anything so hard, for which I was so ill prepared. Every step was a struggle” (50). It’s a good idea to get yourself in the best physical shape that you can, it’s best to go on smaller hiking trips that can lead up to tackling the Appalachian Trail. Bryson suggests that on average an individual can cover up sixteen miles on a daily basis. This is typically not a simple task, because you have to remember that not all the trail is the same level or even if the entirety of the trail will be passable. There will likely be detours and like Bryon in A Walk in the Woods, more than likely you’ll have to climb over and under a few fallen trees, or perhaps waddle your way across a flowing river while carrying extra weight on your back as he [Bryson] and his friend Katz had to do. Hiking the Appalachian Trail is not a race for who finishes first, so you can stop or give up whenever you choose to do so. This expedition must be steadily paced, being careful not to strain your body. The simplest of incidents such as a tick bite or twisted ankle can become deadly in the wilderness. Bryson acknowledges that every year thousands of hikers set off on the very mission of completing the full walk from Georgia to Maine, but only a small percentage Blackwell#3 complete even a minor portion of the trail. Some backpackers start off in high hopes, but more times than none, those hopes seem to soon fade. There are many stories of backpackers who admitted that the trail was more than they had expected, some may last a few days, others can only stand a couple weeks, but for those that stick it out for months seem to return to society differently than they had left. Too much seclusion can not only begin to wear a person down physically, but it [seclusion] also has its way of altering their mental capacity. Spending the better part of your day in no man’s land is one thing, where you have daylight guiding your way, but spending the night in open wilderness is another situation of its own, because nighttime in the woods really has its way of rattling someone’s nerves. Strange noises in unfamiliar places can quickly heighten the senses. The sudden snap of a fallen branch can darn near make you jump out your skin, as Bryson illustrates, “Instantly every neuron in my brain was awake and dashing around frantically. . . .” That kind of nonsense can sending you running for modern society. He adds that even though on any given day hundreds of other hikers can be on the Appalachian Trail at the same time, you can go miles and hours without seeing another person. The forest has its way offering the deepest solace known to man, an opportunity to reconnect with the earth and to become one with nature, it [the forest] also presents the chance to disconnect from technology and experience clairvoyant solidarity. Many people don’t have the mental ability to adopt to that level of isolation for long periods of time. That’s why it’s best to have a walking partner and besides it’s much safer. It takes nerves to sleep next to complete strangers, never knowing anyone’s true intentions but your own. Bryson commented on how several murders have reportedly occurred on the Appalachian Trail and in my opinion that’s not Blackwell#4 very surprising, because people are far away from help with no way to call for help. The amount of murders change depending on the source and who was considered a hiker. He also emphasized, there have also been known disappearances since the opening of the Appalachian Trail, some simply lose their way and become disoriented or fall ill along the journey. At other times along the journey people stop into a small town to refresh and simply decide to stay and start up a new life. Even though it doesn’t cost money to walk the actual Appalachian Trail, there will be cost along the way, but way before someone can even begin to go on this expedition they have to ask themselves whether or not they can financially afford to take this trip. It’s best to save up money in advance and buy necessary supplies little by little along the way. Something else someone may want to consider is if they will have to take time off from work responsibilities and the next thing to contemplate is the distance you are from the Appalachian Trail entrance, because you might have to travel by plane, bus, or car in order to reach a part of the trail. Bill Bryson traveled all the way from New England to begin his journey with his friend Katz, who came from Des Moines, Iowa. However, in my opinion, the most expensive part of the hike is the price for the proper hiking equipment. The prices are astonishing, especially when everything requires some further component, as Bryson writes about his time in the equipment store: “If you bought a sleeping bag, then you needed a stuff sack for it. The stuff sack cost $29. I found this an increasingly difficult concept to warm to” (13). It’s not wise to go hiking on the Appalachian Trail in regular clothing and shoes, good hiking boots and insulated clothing will be required. When going on Blackwell#5 this expedition, you’ll want to pack clothing for at least two different seasons: warm and cool. You will also need first aid kits and other skin protector from the sun and bugs. Also, when hiking the Appalachian Trail you will need to have plenty of food to survive on, but you have to remember there aren’t any microwaves or stores in the forest, so choose wisely at the types of food that will keep for long periods of time. Be sure to pack foods that offer lots of protein and energy. And of course you may want to take a break from hiking and go into town to refresh at a hotel, have a hot meal, and rejoin modern society, if only for a little while before setting back off into the woods. The amount of money and supplies vary depending on how long you plan to be on the Appalachian Trail. When truly considering to hike the Appalachian Trail, you should not simply set off into the wilderness without some serious planning beforehand.
Be sure to do research through a few books or articles on the very subject of hiking the Appalachian Trail to give yourself some mental preparations. You will have to learn how to expect the unexpected and try to remain positive along the journey. It’s a good plan to know why you want to hike the Appalachian Trail, doing so may help you at the times that you become disheartened. The first hours of hiking are always the hardest, so be sure to pace yourself and try to set daily targets to accomplish, for example attempt walking a certain amount of miles or to reach checkpoints in a timely manner. Before hiking the AT get sufficient practice wearing approximately the same weight you would carry on the trail, get familiar with all your gear. Attempt to get yourself in the best shape you can and go on smaller hiking trips that can lead up to the big one [hiking expedition]. Please budget your money wisely before and during this trip, you will be buying expensive
equipment Blackwell#6 and there will be stops along the way for showers and you may need to replenish your food supply. Lastly, but not least, when hiking the Appalachian Trail try to visualize the ultimate goal you’ll want to accomplish, this is an excellent motivator. Imagine yourself reaching a certain place on the trail and how you will feel when you do so. Even if you don’t complete the entire trail, as Bryson states, “We didn’t walk 2,200 miles, it’s true, but here’s the thing: we tried. So Katz was right after all and I don’t care what anybody says. We hiked the Appalachian Trail” (394), remain enthusiastic and try to incorporate walking into your daily life. There is the such thing as a seasonal hiker.
Aron and Chris each prepared for their journeys in many different ways. Chris only brought with him the clothes on his back, a book for identifying plants, a sack of rice, some water, and a gun. For a trip that was going to be much longer then average Chris did not plan out his journey in Alaska wisely. He also unwisely refused to accept advice from locals regarding what he would need to be prepared for Alaskan wilderness. Walt McCandless said "Chris was good at almost everything he ever tried... which made him supremely overconfident". (Krakauer 118) Aron Ralston on the other hand was quite well acquainted with the rugged regions of Utah where his journey took place. Ralston took the ordinary day to day things he thought he would need for a day trip; a gallon sized CamelBak, another gallon of water in a canteen, a muffin, two burritos, and five chocolate bars. In some other ways Ralston was well prepared by bringing along climbing gear, a head lamp, a camera, batteries, and a Lea...
He fig-ured that the normal half hour walk home might take as long as two hours in snow this deep. And then there was the wind and the cold to contend with. The wind was blowing across the river and up over the embankment making the snow it carried colder and wetter than the snow blanketing the ground. He would have to use every skill he’d learned, living in these hills, to complete the journey without getting lost, freezing to death, or at the very least ending up with a severe case of frostbite be-fore he made it back to Ruby.
To add to the difficulty of the trails is the extreme elevation changes. The re are ironically enough thirteen climbs which result in more than 10,000 feet of climb per loop. This is obviously accompanied by an equal amount of descent. One runner described it as climbing 100 floors of stairs in your first mile, going back down on second mile and continuing this for twenty miles. The course amasses an average grade of over 20% and between 50 and near 100 percent grade on the abandoned trails and bushwhacking sections. The grade is the reason that the trails have been abandoned or not built in the first pace. Each climb bears a unique name which in many cases gives a good idea of their nature.
The book, The Trail, takes place on a portion of what is called the Appalachian Trail. From start to finish, the Appalachian Trail is roughly 2,200 miles in length, and starts in Springer Mountain, Georgia, and ends in Mount Katahdin, Maine. For Toby’s specific portion of the hike, he was hiking 400 miles from his grandma’s home in Norwich Vermont, to Mount Katahdin, which is one of the 4 trailheads. Throughout the Appalachian Trail, there are things called shelters, in which people that are hiking the trail can stay at. These shelters provide warmth, food, and company, which are all things that a majority of the hikers are craving. Not
Bill Bryson uses his experience on the Appalachian Trail to show how different your expectations can be compared to the reality of the situation. Bryson believed that he was fully prepared for the hike and that it would be exciting but, in all actuality it was very difficult. He also believed that the hike would be stimulating for the mind but, at times it didn’t require a lot of thinking or attention. His experience and the background research he provided created an image for his audience so they could understand the point he was trying to make. These elements served as evidence in the book and was very effective because it was abundant and meaningful.
Is Bill Bryson, the author of a Walk in the Woods, an Appalachian Trail hiker? To most people, the only type of AT hiker is someone who hikes it all at once, also known as a “thru hiker.” Bryson has hiked a large amount of the AT, along with Katz, and has come across many obstacles along the way. He has encountered a bear, obnoxious hikers, and especially harsh weather conditions. None of these hurdles have seemed to stop Bryson. They have reduced his progress but have not stopped him completely by any means. Critics have expressed their irritation with Bryson and his negativity towards all of the impediments on the trail. For example, one critic said, “As a hiker laying in a strategy to thru-hike the AT in a couple years, I was looking forward to a light and lively tale. Boy was I disappointed. Grumping about the cold, rain, mud, vermin, tourons, monotony, ugly people and places, and an inept hiking partner didn't let up.” (Anonymous: A Protracted Whine. Book review of A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. November 2, 2007) Although many tough critics do not consider him to be an AT trail hiker, he should be considered an AT hiker because he has hiked most of the trail and has written a best-selling novel to inform people of his long, vigorous journey.
“In an hour and 40 minutes they run more than 15 miles over uneven red clay, dodging small herds of cattle and donkeys laden with sacks of potatoes…The route climbs more that 3,000 feet, from and elevation of slightly more than 6,500 feet at the river to nearly 10,000 at the peak, where oxygen is precious and a cruel wind slices across the face of the hill.” (Layden, par. 2)
Many people would argue the Underground Railroad was a great strategy because of the benefits it brought. Even though the Underground Railroad was a strong, high risk for the slaves, it also helped many slaves too. The slaves would sing songs along the trails as they escaped to their freedom and they would be sent to different conductors along the travel. Different conductors would led them in the way they needed to go to successfully get freedom. They would use the stations to help them hide or eat. They would have to travel long distances barefoot and deal with severe temperatures. They were constantly on the run from slavecatchers and their dogs.
When hiking alone it is easy to get lost if you do not know about the location you are hiking in. In the text, “Hiking Alone in Canada” the author Shelly Barclay wrote, “If you are tempted to venture into unfamiliar territory without planning, remember that your expected two-hour hike can turn into days if you get lost. Some of Canada’s trails go on for thousands of miles, branching off in many places through areas that do not see people for long stretches.” This quote means that if you go hiking into unknown areas that your hike can become much longer than expected because of getting lost and not knowing where to
The weather that Americans traveled through caused more problems than good. The Oregon Trail isn’t a flat trail. There are many hills and mountains that need to be climbed and rivers that need to be crossed. During the time on the Oregon Trail, the weather could make those obstacles a deadly scene. When climbing mountains, the dirt path could be soaked with water. The amount of rain or snow that had fell made it hard for some of the ox to pull the wagons up the hill. Americans would have to get out and help push their covered wagon up these steep hill. This caused many injuries and death in some
Climbing Mount Everest is no easy task and is a dangerous expedition. This is not a sporadic decision and takes lots of training and preparation. When researching I assumed and discovered that you should train for months. Climbing Mount Everest is strenuous and in order to climb it a person needs to be in good shape. Although it is costly it is important to find a tour group. Saving up and signing up is the most ideal because it is dangerous and the guides do know what they are doing. Packing light is not a good idea because climbing Mount Everest requires many materials. However, over packing would wear you down and become too heavy on your back. Similar to the activity we did in class what seems necessary to pack might not be useful
“The lake or the cliffs?” I asked, gesturing to the singing frogs behind me and the rocky face that we had nestled our tent under the previous night. We had been hiking a long time the night before, at least twelve miles. We still had a long way to go too. The stretch that we were completing started just at the Connecticut border and wound its way down through the mountains of New York and into New Jersey before finally ending at the border in Pennsylvania, the most famous of East Coast trails.
During winter vacation, I usually take a skiing trip to a cabin in the Washington State Wilderness. Loaded with everything from Monopoly to a waffle iron, my backpack shields me from snow dripped by evergreens. It never actually skis, but my backpack wouldn't dare miss a downhill ski trip in the Rockies of Idaho. I leav...
One of the most enjoyable things in life are road trips, particularly to the Colorado mountains. Getting to spend time with your family and friends, while being in a beautiful place, is irreplaceable. The fifteen-hour road trip may feel never-ending, but gazing at the mountains from afar makes life’s problems seem a little smaller and causes worries to become a thing of the past. Coming in contact with nature, untouched, is a surreal experience. My family trip to the Colorado mountains last summer was inspiring.
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