How to Hike the A.T.: The Nitty-Gritty Details of a Long-Distance Trek [Paperback]

Michelle Ray (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 31, 2009

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.

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.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Stackpole Books (January 31, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811735427
• ISBN-13: 978-0811735421
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #15,962 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #11 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Hiking & Camping > Excursion Guides
  • #27 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Hiking & Camping > Instructional
  • #37 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Nature Travel > Adventure

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

44 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent how-to book for Appalachian Trail, January 16, 2009

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Raymond K. Anderson - See all my reviews
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This review is from: How to Hike the A.T.: The Nitty-Gritty Details of a Long-Distance Trek (Paperback)

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.

35 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A mostly well written how to guide, August 10, 2009

By 

Robert Whitney "Roberto" (Deltona, Florida USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: How to Hike the A.T.: The Nitty-Gritty Details of a Long-Distance Trek (Paperback)

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.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Current, concise AT guide book, January 11, 2009

By 

Mariann Miller "memline" (HAVRE, MT USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: How to Hike the A.T.: The Nitty-Gritty Details of a Long-Distance Trek (Paperback)

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