Appalachian trail 2015

It's tough. Straight up.

1) No training needed. The Southern portion is relatively easy compared to places like PA and NH. You'll get into shape as you go.

2) Pack weight is critical. Lots of people start with very heavy packs. I've seen some 35-40+ lb packs. You want everything ultra light weight. You'll learn quickly what you need and don't need, but start with very light weight stuff. No extra clothes, no tent (stay at the shelters), etc. You'll have a chance to go off trail to resupply, so no need to carry a ton of stuff.

Will you have family/friends meeting you at road crossings along the way to help you resupply? Simplifies things, but might stand in the way of some trail magic.

Spend a weekend reading this site:

whiteblaze.net

Then post any questions you have. That site is full of previous thru hikers.

I did it when I was about your age. I don't know that I would necessarily call it "life changing," but 30-odd years later, I still have great memories of the experience(s). No regrets!

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy has a website you should check out, and if you're thinking of hiking the whole trail, you should consider joining the organization, get their newsletter with information about current issues with the trail, etc. And has been mentioned, look at whiteblazes.com for some accounts of current hikers. Read some of the books on planning a trip. Google "Warren Doyle" and check out his website. There are different approaches to thruhiking in terms of how you pace yourself, how much you carry, how you manage food, etc., and you would need to figure out what makes sense to you. You can also get some good advice from those resources on how to prepare. I'm of the mind that the better prepared you are to start, the better your chances of finishing. And, fyi, the Southern third is actually pretty challenging: lots of up and down. It's the middle third where you can cruise. Good luck if you decide to do it!

If you haven't seen it, also check out this guy's website:

http://andrewskurka.com/

Lots of tips and tricks there, including detailed gear lists. You don't need to carry more than about 20lbs of stuff (excluding food and water, but including your clothes).

I'm older, and I regret that I never did something like the AT at your age (although I'd prefer the PCT). Start preparing now, and do it.

Thanks for the replies guys! I live in Maine so my family probably wont meet me anywhere in the beginning portion. I have been trying to figure out how and where exactly people go about sending them selves supply packages.

Also, go to TrailJournals.com, and read through some journals of people who have done this.

Resupply on the AT is very easy, as every few days you go through a town or can hitch to one. There are just a handful of places you might need to mail yourself stuff.

The biggest piece of advice I'd give you is if you have never hiked in the rain, for multiple days, I wouldn't attempt the AT. You WILL get rained on about 33% of the days you are out there.