Chris' Appalachian Trail hike, 2022
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Injuries kept me from hiking part of the Appalachian Trail (AT) in 2020, and again in 2021. Not this year. I started my hike in late February with the goal to see how far I can get. This will be my first hike since the hikes outside Santa Barbara (above) in the 1990's.
Links:
My gear list. My starting base weight (not including food) was 29lbs. Full pack weight at start was 37.5lbs.
Some of the better books about the trail:
A Walk in the Woods, Bill Bryson. The inspiration. I read this years ago.
Hellz Yeah It's Possible, Kevin Kiernan. Good advice and stories from an ex-army hiker in his 50s.
Appalachian Trials, Zach Davis. Good advice on mental, physical and gear preparation.
Some AT hiker video collections on YouTube:
Dixie Lauren Goob Brad (1h) Evan (1.5h)
Chris
Day Zero - At the Arch with Trinity, Feb 25
Part 1: February 26 - March 6, 43.5 miles, 7 Days of hiking
I cracked a tooth during dinner on Day 5 (my birthday). I hiked the remaining 11 miles over the following two days to come off trail to get the tooth fixed.
I was hiking less miles per day than expected and adjusted my goal to 'just do what I can' in 2022.
Day One - Springer Mountain
A nice view on Day 3
Near the finish on Day 7. Heading home to Dawn, cotton clothes, a shower, a razor and the dentist.
Update: Tooth pulled March 8 and stitches came out on the 15th. Returning to trail on the 19th!
Part 2: March 19 - March 26, 36.4 miles in 5 days. 79.9 miles total.
I left the trail after a crazy homeless guy came into my camp on Day 12 and threw a rock at me. Me and the other 4 hikers called the police, but the police didn't do anything other than suggest the five of us go into town for the night. This was crazy guy #3 in 12 days. Combined with the other struggles, this was enough to decide to go home.
Day 9 - Crossed first border into North Carolina
Day 11 - Another spectacular view off the trail
Day 12 - Camp site
YouTubers I met on the Trail. (Links are to their videos from the day we met.)
Popeye SomeDave (I'm at 9:44) Adventures Over 60 (I'm at 3:04) Yolo
Part 3: September 11 - 15. 33 miles in 4 days. 112.9 miles total.
I started where I left off, but by the end of the third day I was struggling, and the 6.5m downhill shuffle/stumble over rocks, roots, and boulders on the fourth day was enough to convince me I should come off the trail. I took many more photos this time, and I didn't run into any crazies.
My starting pack list. Hike Plan. Pack weight: 36.4lbs.
Day 1 - Zach drops me off.
Day 2 - Up to Wayah Bald
Day 3 - Up to Wesser Bald (and tower)
Day 4 - Down to The Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)
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