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
46 of 48 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.
38 of 44 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.
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
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
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Not what I expected
As someone starting to think about doing a thru hike of the AT, I was hoping for detailed information on the trail, and the shelters and towns along the way -- Towns with the best... Read more
Published 1 month ago by William Moser
great starting point
If you are an experienced hiker this book will most likely not be very helpful. However, if you are in my boat and have a moderate level of hiking experience(3-5 day hikes) it was... Read more
Published 3 months ago by elizabeth
General HIking information, not very AT specific
This is not a bad book, but I just wanted to say that I found it overlapped a lot with all the other "how to hike long distance" books and was not very specific to the AT. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Suzy
An easy read with lots of inside info
I am preparing for an extended walk along the AT next year. To get up to speed on what I need to know I bought this and some other books. Read more
Published 7 months ago by durk
Not worth it.
Shipped in excellent condition, but to be honest, the book was a bit boring. I bought it to enrich my knowledge of the AT as I was planning for a trip, but I only got a quarter of... Read more
Published 8 months ago by bweiss
A Great Escape
I have always wanted to hike the AT, but have never had the time due to school, work or family obligations. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Andrew J. Stunich
lacking real info
This book lacked in telling "how to hike the AT." I got more from the complete Idiots guide to backpacking. Basic coverage of this book is just use common sense. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Gator B
Michelle Ray's "How to..." is excellent.
Very informative book. Covers everything from trail culture traditions to gear, food to health. I like her "Less is more" philosophy. A must for someone planning to hike the AT. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Michael D Edwards
excellent read
A little out of date but an excellent read for persons interested in doing a thru hike.
Published 21 months ago by Mrs. Sandy Plummer
Hiking the A.T.? Read this book!
I am Definatlly not an experienced hiker, but I will tell you that I got alot from this book. It answered questions I didnt know I should ask. Read more
Published 24 months ago by Average Guy
Inside This Book
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Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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