If you have a spare five to seven months, you should consider hiking the 
Appalachian Trail!
Of course, you don’t have to hike the entire trail in order to enjoy the beauty of this mountainous region of eastern US.
The 2,190 miles of trail offer many opportunities to jump in somewhere in the middle of the trail from one of fourteen different states!
Why should you hike the Appalachian Trail?
The natural beauty of this section of the United States is something to behold. Having the time and resources to hike the entire trail is not for everyone, it takes a lot of planning, training, and mental preparation to have a successful hike. Visit How to Hike the A.T. to learn more and resister for A.T. backpacking courses.
What should you bring on your hike?
This all depends on how long you plan to hike for! If you’re planning the full 2,190 mile hike, you’ll need to consider a lot:
- Maps and Guidebooks – Appalachian Trail Map
- Adequate equipment for the conditions (snow, ice, cold weather)
- Appropriate clothing (depending on time of year and direction you’re going in)
- Food and Water!
- Shelter
- First Aid Kit
- Sleeping bag
- Hiking shoes
- Water Bottle
- Hiking Poles
- Headlamp
- Multi-tool
- Cookware/Stove
How would they prepare for the hike?
Preparation is essential to a successful hike along the A.T. – you need to consider:
- Physical Preparation
- Mental Attitude
- Packing Light, packing right – what to pack
- Planning – as you travel, depending on direction, you’ll want to plan to trim your pack over time to lighten the load you are carrying