Are You Ready For A Hike On The Appalachian Trail?

It's always important to carry plenty of water. If you're out for more than a day and plan to get water along the way, be sure to bring a filter or chemicals to treat water you find along the Trail. Reliable, natural water sources are listed in guidebooks, and springs and streams are marked on most official A.T. maps. Most, but not all, shelters are near a reliable water source. Some springs and streams dry up during late summer and early fall, so plan carefully.

It's always a good idea to leave your hiking plans. Tell someone where you are going, the trails you are hiking, when you expect to return and your emergency plans.

Hiking boots are optional for day-hikes but recommended for overnight and long distance hikes over rough terrain. Many hikers wear trail runners or lightweight boots. The most important thing is that shoes or boots fit well and are well broken-in before you hit the Trail—nothing ends a hike quicker than blistered feet, and even minor blisters can become infected and cause serious trouble.

Hiking burns a lot of energy! If you're out for the day or the weekend, you can probably pack whatever foods you like best—even fresh vegetables and fruits. Whatever food you choose, be sure to pack out all your garbage, including items such as apple cores and orange peels. Don't burn garbage in a campfire; it rarely burns completely and will produce harmful fumes.

Carry lots of snacks, including things you can stow in your pockets and nibble while you’re walking. You’ll have more energy than if you eat just a few big meals. Energy bars or a mix of dried fruit, nuts, and chocolate bits work well. Crackers and cheese, tuna and chicken in foil packets, pita bread or bagels, and peanut butter are popular lunch options.

A blaze is a rectangle of paint in a prominent place along a trail. White-paint blazes two inches wide and six inches high mark the A.T. itself. Side trails and shelter trails use blue blazes; blazes of other colors and shapes mark other intersecting trails. Overall, the Trail is very well marked, but it's always a good idea to have a map with you incase you get off course or need to find a quicker way off the mountain.

It's always a good idea to bring a flashlight and extra batteries. You may be out longer than you expected.

Small food rewards teach squirrels and even bears to associate humans with food. When that happens, they often have to be killed to protect human safety. Dropped, spilled, or improperly stored food also attracts rodents to shelters. Even a few noodles or pieces of granola are a large meal for mice. Clean up spills completely and pack out all food scraps. If staying overnight, store all food, trash, and scented articles (toothpaste, sunscreen, insect repellent, water purification chemicals, balm, etc.) out of reach of bears and other animals. A safe distance is 12 feet from the ground and 6 feet from a limb or trunk.

Hope for the best weather, pack for the worst. Clothing to protect you from cold and rain is a must, even in midsummer and especially at higher elevations. Avoid cotton clothes, particularly in chilly, rainy weather, which can strike the mountains at any time of year. Wet cotton can be worse than nothing and can contribute to hypothermia, a potentially fatal threat. Synthetic fabrics such as polypropylene and various acrylic blends as well as wool or silk will help protect you against the dangers of hypothermia. Layer your clothes—a “polypro” shirt, synthetic fleece, and a coated nylon or “breathable” waterproof outer shell will keep you both warmer and drier than a single heavy overcoat in cold, damp weather.

Remember, hiking will make you sweat, no matter the weather. Shedding thin layers enables you to regulate your body temperature more effectively than choosing between keeping a heavy jacket on or taking it off.