Other Appalachian Trail guidebooks tell you about notable scenery, trail history, or changes in terrain. This one tells you exactly what you need to know to prepare for and complete a long-distance hike on the Appalachian Trail. From determining a budget, preparing an itinerary, and packing gear to resupplying, using bounce boxes, and staying on schedule, this book will help any hiker to make certain their long distance trek is a success.
How to Hike the A.T.
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Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Michelle Ray has been an avid hiker for over fifteen years and has logged thousands of miles on the Appalachian Trail. She is a member of the Appalachian Long Distance Hiking Association and works as a field editor for the Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers Companion. She lives in New Hampshire.
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More About the Author
Michelle Ray has been an avid hiker for more than fifteen years and has logged thousands of miles on the Appalachian Trail. She is a member of the Appalachian Long Distance Hiking Association and works as a field editor for the Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers Companion. She lives in New Hampshire.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
58 of 60 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Michelle Ray's "How to Hike the A.T." is the most comprehensive book I've read on the subject. I could have used her advice back in 2003, when I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail myself. Aside from the logical layout of chapters, there is an index, and even a few pages on trail terminology. After reading this book you will not only be prepared, but begin to feel like a long-distance hiker. I was particularly impressed that she devoted a final chapter to: Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking. If you are thinking about this, you need to do it right, and she covers the basics. The book also includes lists of trail organizations, and suggested resources, including the written media and Web Sites.
For anyone thinking about a long hike, or who wants to learn about hikers and the culture, this is the place to begin.
For anyone thinking about a long hike, or who wants to learn about hikers and the culture, this is the place to begin.
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By jane austen
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Michelle Ray's AT guide book is the most current, concise, and entertaining resource for anyone even considering hiking the Appalachian Trail. She has put a tremendous amount of research into this book. What's more, she manages to convey a sense of adventure and excitement with all the information and advice. She brings not only her own experience as a thru-hiker, but, as a librarian has managed to compile a wealth of information in a very readable fashion. There are lots of books about the AT, but this one should be the prospective hiker's main standby. It is light enough to carry in your backpack. Frank "The Walrus" Miller, Havre, MT
41 of 49 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This guide to how to prepare for a Thru Hike is one of the best I have seen, except for one chapter, Chapter 5, Getting Your Gear On, The Pack.
Little is more important than sellecting a good pack. The author does not fairly state the advantages and disavantages between internal and external packs. To say that the external frame pack was used mainly between the 50's and the 70's on the AT is totally misleading and incorrect. External frame packs have been the backbone of hiking the AT. They still should be considered, when choosing a good durable, sturdy, highly useable, yet comfortable pack for a thruhike.
For good reading, to help you select the best pack for your Tru Hike, I would recomend, Long Distant Hiking, Lessons from the AT by Roland Mueser, Backpacker & Hiker's Handbook by William Kemsley Jr. or The Appalachian Trail Hiker by Victoria and Frank Logue,
After becoming well informed, go to a GOOD pack shop and try on the various packs you read about. Don't be pressured into buying the pack that the salesperson is currently pushing. Know for your self what to look for in a good pack and why. Your salesperson may be into the current fad of Ultra Lite Backpacking, but is a super lite, one large pocket frameless pack, your best choice for a tru hike?.
The rest of the book is very well written and I recomend it highly.
Little is more important than sellecting a good pack. The author does not fairly state the advantages and disavantages between internal and external packs. To say that the external frame pack was used mainly between the 50's and the 70's on the AT is totally misleading and incorrect. External frame packs have been the backbone of hiking the AT. They still should be considered, when choosing a good durable, sturdy, highly useable, yet comfortable pack for a thruhike.
For good reading, to help you select the best pack for your Tru Hike, I would recomend, Long Distant Hiking, Lessons from the AT by Roland Mueser, Backpacker & Hiker's Handbook by William Kemsley Jr. or The Appalachian Trail Hiker by Victoria and Frank Logue,
After becoming well informed, go to a GOOD pack shop and try on the various packs you read about. Don't be pressured into buying the pack that the salesperson is currently pushing. Know for your self what to look for in a good pack and why. Your salesperson may be into the current fad of Ultra Lite Backpacking, but is a super lite, one large pocket frameless pack, your best choice for a tru hike?.
The rest of the book is very well written and I recomend it highly.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Hiking the AT
Pretty complete guide to long distance hiking. Would apply to any long distance hike. Doesn't go into detail about the AT specifically.
Published 4 days ago by Gregory Smith
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good reference
Michelle does a great job of getting into the details of hiking the AT. This is a good resource for how an experienced hiker would do it. Read it.
Published 2 months ago by Pipes
1.0 out of 5 stars
buy and learn almost nothing
While there certainly are some books that provide some keen insight and strategy to hiking the AT or long distance hiking/backpacking in general I did not come away impressed with... Read more
Published 3 months ago by godfather
4.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable and Informative
Gives a good overview of the Trail. Covers all the bases of equipment and environment. Easy to read and understand.
Published 4 months ago by Richard Schissler III
5.0 out of 5 stars
How to Hike the AT: Nitty-gritty details of a long distance trek
Amazing book about the AT from a womans perspective. A lot of details about food choices, resupply, and training/packing tips.
Published 4 months ago by Nancy J Hart
5.0 out of 5 stars
Warts and all ...
What ... you didn't think that hiking a 2,000+ mile trail through woods and across streams, fields and ridge lines was the same as backing your car up to a "camp site" and... Read more
Published 4 months ago by William G. Canaday
5.0 out of 5 stars
Well digested material!
This book distills the knowledge from hundreds of product reviews and forum entries into an easy to read primer or reminder for the person about to undertake a long hike on the... Read more
Published 5 months ago by R. Allnutt
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely a fantastic practical resource chocked ful of information...
Absolutely a fantastic practical resource chocked full of information regarding the practicalities of thru-hiking the AT. Read more
Published 5 months ago by debra3gsd
5.0 out of 5 stars
Getting ready for the AT
Very helpful trying to get a feel for the trail and this helps. We will keep reviewing this book for on going tips that are useful.
Published 6 months ago by donna
5.0 out of 5 stars
The most practical book I have found yet!
Over the past months I have been reading everything I could get my hands on concerning the Appalachian Trail. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Roy E. Row
