The Perpetual Tourist

For the past week, I’ve been able to venture out of my house without a heavy coat. Weather in Virginia is tricky, so it’s hard to say if I can safely pack my winter clothes in the back of my closet now, but it’s nice to have a taste of warm weather to come, anyhow. If I’ve successfully shaken the flu by tomorrow, I’ll probably go for a hike this weekend. If only I had six months free, I’d be starting the Appalachian Trail this weekend. At least I have time to tackle a familiar section of it for now.  But if you have six months of free time, here’s your chance to join the elite ranks of the Appalachian Trail 2000 milers — that is, those that hike the entire 2,175-mile trail from Georgia to Maine (or Maine to Georgia, or some other route that covers the entire trail). Most thru-hikers take the northbound route, starting in March or April at Georgia’s Springer Mountain.

75 miles of the AT lie in Georgia, and it’s a good place to get warmed up for the rest of the hike, as you’ll have some strenuous climbs, but mostly lower elevations than the rest of the trail, so you can prepare your lungs for what’s ahead. On a scale of 1-10, 10 being the most difficult, Georgia receives a difficulty rating of 6. You can find out early in your journey if you’re going to be able to handle the entire hike.

If you’re only planning a day hike, wait until the late spring and early summer months for the nicest weather and fewer crowds, as Georgia is crowded with thru-hikers and Spring Breakers in March and April.

You’ll walk through the state’s self-proclaimed hiker’s paradise, the Chattahoochee National Forest, and cross many creeks and springs, but no major rivers or lakes in this section of the hike. Don’t be surprised if you find cold weather and even snow in the higher elevations of northern Georgia, which is also subject to more rain than the rest of the state. There are bears along the trail, but there have been no reports of bears attacking hikers. However, they will steal your food if you leave it in reach, so when you camp at night, you should hang your food from the bear cables provided at each of the shelters.

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy recommends this guidebook for Georgia AT hikers. For more information about planning and preparing for a thru-hike, visit the ATC page here.