What I learned about hiking the AT

Pack Weight:

Ultralight thru-hikers carry 18 pounds or less including food and water

Regular hikers should carry no more than 30 - 35 pounds including food and water

Shoes:

Full leather boots are not necessary on the AT unless you have really weak ankles and, in time, they will get stronger allowing you to switch

High or low cut soft sided hiking boots are fine on the AT and easy to break-in

Trail runner type sneakers work on the AT as well

WaldiesTM Clogs protect the toes from being stubbed and are light-weight and cushioned

Foot Care:

Carry three pairs of SmartwoolTM or comparable hiking socks:

Use two pairs to switch during the day to keep feet dry

Keep third pair as dry for use on a cold night in sleeping bag.

At first sign of a sore point stop and treat (duct tape) before blister develops

Also salt bath works well at hostel

Jury is still out on liners

Stoves:

Nothing boils water faster than a Jetboil Stove

Nothing weights less than a alcohol stove but nothing slower boiling water

Water:

Carry two liters and refill often

Gravity feed filter bladders & pump filters connected to a bladder are slick

Sources are amply available along the trail just manage your supply

Community:

There is a whole world of long distance hikers reconnecting along the trail each year

Even without cell phones word travels fast on the trail

Mountain Crossings Outfitters @ Neels Gap is a great source of help for Northbounders as it is the first outfitter and only outfitter the Trail passes through

Ms. Janet is a real pro at running a hostel and offering insights of the hike, make sure to stop at her place. In 2010 she ran the hostel at Mt. Crossings at Neels Gap or she maybe back home in Erwin, TN

Bears:

Are very resourceful at acquiring your food bag if you

• hang it too low to the ground,
• too close to the tree trunk
• too open in the back of your truck
• leave food/candy in your tent or pack

Are known to run away unless you come between a cub and it's mother. Also, based on wind direction, bear spray maybe unless or possibly spray back at you, and it weights a lot.

The fences in front of the shelters are being torn down as folks were feeding the bears through the links. Naturally that drew the bears back each night for an encore. In the words of Jerry Lee Lewis, there was "a whole lot of shaking going on."