Appalachian Trail 2016

appalachian trail 2016

This page is dedicated to all those who plan to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail in 2016.  Information includes a list of 2016 AT blogsthru-hiker marketplacegear lists, and more. If there is anything that I have overlooked, or that you would like to see included on this page, please e-mail me at theGoodBadgergmail.com

I also suggest to bookmark this page as I will be updating it with more information.

Check out the Appalachian Trail 2013Appalachian Trail 2014, and Appalachian Trail 2015 pages too.

To stay informed about news surrounding the AT, subscribe to the Appalachian Trials Newsletter.

If you’re thinking of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2016 or will be following closely the thru-hike of a loved one, you should check out Appalachian Trials.  It’s the only resource to help hikers with the mental/emotional portion of thru-hiking the AT – the most difficult aspect of the trail.

List of 2016 Appalachian Trail Blogs / Websites

If you are planning on thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2016 and would like your blog included on this list, please e-mail me at theGoodBadgergmailcom.

– Check out the Appalachian Trials Bloggers

More coming soon…

Thru-Hiker Partner Marketplace

Either leave a comment at the bottom of this page or Tweet with the hashtag “#AT2016” to be listed below.



Also check out the Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers Class of 2016 Facebook Page to find others who are leaving the same time as you!

Appalachian Trail Articles and Resources

The Thru-Hiker’s Code of Conduct

– The Best Towns to Send Mail Drops on the Appalachian Trail

– How many mail drops should you send on the Appalachian Trail?

A Guide to Sending Mail Drops on the Appalachian Trail

The AT Guide vs. The Thru-Hiker’s Companion

How to Avoid Contracting Norovirus

How to Pick Your Big 3 (Sleeping Bag, Shelter, and Pack)

How to Preserve and Maintain Your Backpacking Gear

– How old is too old to hike the Appalachian Trail?

– How to keep your iPhone charged on the Appalachian Trail

– Lyme Disease on the Appalachian Trail

3 Actual Threats on the Appalachian Trail

11 Black Bear Safety Tips

– Pre-Appalachian Trail Anxiety

– My Appalachian Trail Gear List

Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker’s Gear List

–  215 Summit Photos from 2014 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers

Nervous About Your Upcoming Thru-Hike? Good.

– Appalachian Trail Angels and Trail Magic

– The Virginia Blues

– Dealing With Challenges on the Trail

– Hiking the Appalachian Trail with a Dog

– Warning Signs that You Might Be Hiker Trash

– Hiking the Appalachian Trail Alone

The Best Appalachian Trail Videos

The Best Appalachian Trail Books

– 28 Damn Good Reasons to Thru-Hike the Appalachian Trail

– 6 Advantages of Being A Section Hiker

– SOBO vs. NOBO Thru Hikers: The Tiny Differences & The Immense Similarities

4 Reasons to Hike SOBO

– 10 Tips on How To Stay Warm While Winter Backpacking

– The 5 Most Common Injuries on the Appalachian Trail – And How to Avoid Them

A 2014 Thru-Hiker’s Before and After Gear List

A Thru-Hiker’s Guide to the AMC Hut System

– How to Make Your Own Esbit Stove

– 13 Reasons Why You Should Take Time Off Of College to Thru-Hike the Appalachian Trail

Eating Gluten Free on the Appalachian Trail

How to Avoid Weight Gain After Your Thru-Hike

– Grandma Gatewood’s Walk

Recommended Books

– Appalachian Trials

– AWOL’s AT Guide (2016 version not available yet)

– A Walk in the Woods

– How to Hike the AT

Grandma Gatewood’s Walk

Becoming Odyssa

Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide

(Non AT related)

– A New Earth (Audiobook)

Appalachian Trail Hostels

(From South to North)

Top of Georgia Hostel in Hiawassee, GA

– The Blueberry Patch in Hiawassee, GA

– Serenity Chalet (two miles out of the NOC)

– Aquone Hostel in Nantahala Forest, NC

– The Cabin in the Woods at Stecoah Gap, NC 143

– Standing Bear Farm at Green Corner Rd, TN

– Elmer’s Sunnybank Inn in Hot Springs, NC

– Uncle Johnny’s Nolichucky Hostel in Erwin, TN

Greasy Creek Friendly in Bakersville, NC

Mountain Harbour B&B in Roan Mountain, TN

Roan Mountain B&B in Roan Mountain, TN

Bob Peoples’ Kincora Hostel in Hampton, TN

– Woodshole Hostel at Sugar Run Gap, VA

– Bears Den Hostel & Trail Center in Bears Den Rocks, VA

– Brook Falls Farm, in Middleville, NJ

– Green Mountain House in Manchester Center, VT

– White Mountain Lodge & Hostel in Gorham, NH

E-mail me at [email protected] to be listed here (please include a link to your hostel)

Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Gear

This section is dedicated to helping you find the right gear including tips on how to save money.

Check out the template Appalachian Trail thru-hiker gear list.  We also have a host of articles full of great gear advice.

Steep and Cheap offers the best discounts.

The Clymb also has some awesome daily gear deals.

If you live near an REI, definitely check out their Garage Sales.  You won’t find better deals anywhere.  If you don’t want wake up before the sun to score this cheap gear, be sure to check out their online Outlet.  We also share worthwhile gear deals on the Appalachian Trials Newsletter, if you’re not already subscribed.

*NOTE* REI has implemented a one-year return rule on all items.  Still a terrific store, but something to consider for those who shop purely for the terms of service.

Stay in the Know

Join the Good Badger Facebook Page (the author)Appalachian Trials Facebook Page (the book) and the Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers Class of 2016 Facebook Page (your community) to stay current on any updates to this page and all other things dealing with the 2016 Appalachian Trail.  If there’s anything else you’d like to see on this page, let me know!  We can make it happen.

And this is awesome…

)

Green Tunnel from Kevin Gallagher on Vimeo.

What else would you like to see on this page? Let me know by dropping me a note at theGoodBadgergmailcom.

Comments 24

  • Kara : Aug 26th

    Where is the best place to start looking for a partner?

    Reply
    • BigB : Aug 27th

      Get on the trail!
      #thetrailshow

      Reply
    • Adam : Sep 6th

      Hi Kara,

      I, too, am looking for trail partners for 2016. Thus far I haven’t come upon any websites dedicated to introducing prospective thru hikers.

      What is your age / experience level, and how much of the AT do you plan on hiking?
      Feel free to reach out via e-mail @ [email protected]

      Reply
  • Steve : Sep 12th

    anybody know the RSS feed link for this page

    Reply
  • BaxterBill : Sep 18th

    Please note that the video at the end of the page shows people popping the cork on champagne and spilling it all over the mountain. This is a direct violation of the rules of Baxter State Park, and the video should be removed so as not to promote illegal activity by 2016 thru hikers in Baxter State Park!

    Reply
  • Half Slow : Dec 2nd

    Is it possible support an AT thru-hiker at trailheads with a vehicle or RV? Hiker cannot carry much more than 3 days of food and gear, and has special diet requirement. Thank you for your advice and all you do for the community.

    Reply
  • Aaron : Dec 20th

    I’ll be thru hiking nobo in 2016, but I’m not sure when I want to leave or method of transportation I’ll be using to get to springer. Though I’ve mostly backpacked solo, I think having someone to start with would be a pleasant relief.

    Reply
    • Drew : Jan 3rd

      Howdy. I may be willing to join. I am flying in from California and it will be a big change. I think navigating to the start of trail and hiking mostly together day 1 could be a nice transition. We’ll speak closer to go time and sort things out! Whereabouts will you be coming from to head to Springer?

      Reply
      • Aaron : Jan 31st

        Hey drew, I’ll be at hiker hostel on feb. 24, and leaving for amicola on the 25, I decided to bus to Georgia. How goes it for you man?

        Reply
  • Jonathan Necco : Jan 1st

    Hey everyone. I’m in the midst of planning my 2016 thru-hike (I’ve posted this on the gear page as well). I’m going to hit an REI garage sale tomorrow and was wondering if there’s anything I should avoid there. I’ve seen people buying tents there before and thought it would be a great opportunity to get a tent on the cheap. Thanks in advance!

    Reply
    • Jonathan Necco : Jan 2nd

      Well I went and it was mobbed. Doesn’t matter though. I picked up the exact tent I wanted (REI Quarter Dome 1) for $46! They claimed the crossbar was broken but it wasn’t. Just pitched it and it’s in perfect condition. Go me!

      Reply
  • Haley and Ben : Jan 4th

    NOBO pair from Maine starting February 23, 2016!

    Reply
  • Christian : Jan 4th

    Thank you Zach, for adding my blog to the list! Durchwanderer.de is in german, but hopefully some other germanspeaking people will like it. 🙂 The AT-fever is getting stronger and stronger… Counting the days to start NOBO on march 21st. See you on the trail!!!

    Reply
  • Sandra Moore (Kennedy on fb) : Jan 25th

    Hi Badger: I am so grateful to you for giving me the pleasure of reading Appalachian Trials, the book. I follow you and your bloggers daily and have been learning so much. I had a great list of things to do before my hike and it makes me feel better knowing that those are also on the lists that I have seen.

    I am doing a Section Hike only from MD/PA line South to HF. I have multiple heart problems but two are very severe, (meaning very dangerous,) and my Docs have told me that there is nothing left to do for me, other than the meds I take for the diseases and the pacemaker that I have (on my 3rd one). Funny…a pacemaker is the “Cure” for one of the diseases but isn’t working on making this better…it has gotten worse (went from bad to worse in 10 days). They have given me the “go ahead and live your life to its fullest” speech, so hiking the AT has been on my Bucket List since the 80’s. In my 20’s it began to get worse and now in my 60’s…well, we will see how things go. I am an Optimist so I will never give up!!!!!

    I am doing this hike as cheaply as I can, due to all of my medical costs each month. I am leaving from Montana via Amtrak. I was going to do this in May but that isn’t a choice any longer. So, I am leaving home on the 28th of February. Waiting to buy my ticket until Amtrak transfers my husband’s points to my account. My husband will be off on his annual GUYS ONLY ski trip to Utah for 5 -7 days at the same time. He is not a hiker and doesn’t want to be??? Imagine anyone not wanting to hike?? Cannot imagine this in any way!

    Any suggestions? I am a new longer distance hiker but have had lots of general trail hiking experience when I lived in the Teton Mountains for a while. But, any help would be of great value to me. I am choosing not to increase my weight by not carrying a stove or a tent or a lot of anything except my very necessary emergency supplies, and some food. I have an Aquamira water bottle and I see that there are quite a few sources of water available on the section that I am doing. I am wondering if you have every used the Guthook App for any section of the trail? It was recommended to me, but everyone recommends something and not everyone has the experience that you have! I am sleeping in my hammock and will wear long undies and wool socks and hat the entire way, depending on how fast I hike. I will also wear my rain pants and the same clothing on Amtrak…Yep, I may stink but who cares about that. This is a once in a lifetime Dream Come True for me!

    Thanks in advance for any information that you can give to me or suggestions. I have no one to hike with so that is a small concern also but do have emergency whistles and GPS and compass and cell phone if I need to get service if any emergency arises.

    Montana

    Reply
  • Amy : Feb 13th

    Hi, looking for someone to finish the Trail with. I’m starting up again in Delaware Water Gap, PA in early May and giving myself three months to get to Maine. I’m a 34 yo nurse and I did the first half of the trail in 2013.

    Reply
  • James : Feb 16th

    Lots and lots to read prepare and think about working on getting the last of my gear ready thinking of starting in GA nobo end of march.
    Looking forward to it yet nervous 🙂

    Reply
  • Paul Monsen : Feb 22nd

    Hi,
    I’m planning a 6-7 day section hike in mid-May with my daughter. We were originally planning on doing the Smokies but I’ve been told that if you are not a thru-hiker you are required to make reservations and stay in a shelter each night. I prefer to sleep in my tent plus I don’t like the idea of being on a set schedule……2 questions.
    1) How strictly do they enforce it and will we be ok setting up a tent instead of staying in the shelter?
    2) Instead of the Smokies we are now considering doing a section either in the Nantahala Nat’l Forest or the the Roan Highlands…..any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.
    Happy hiking!
    Mr Mepps

    Reply
    • Aaron : Feb 23rd

      Mr mepps, unless something has changed since last year, this is untrue, they have campsites for reservations as well, and when you reserve a shelter it’s up to you weather to pitch a tent or stay in the shelter. If I may suggest a route: start at clingmans dome, stay at silers bald, then take the ridge trail and Jonas creek trail stay at campsite 71 ( really neat old chimney, and weird concrete structures), then take spring house br. Trail and forney ridge trail and then stay at campsite 68 (this is a must! One of the best campsites on the east coast, absolutely beautiful, it comes with it’s own swimming hole!) hope this helps,
      Happy hiking

      Reply
      • Aaron : Feb 23rd

        Also, if you didn’t want to deal with reservations, which I was never ask for proof of by anybody, check out Grayson highlands, not the smokies but an unique environment in in it’s self. The balds provide some of the best cowboy camping I’ve experienced

        Reply
        • Paul Monsen : Feb 23rd

          Thanks for suggesting the Grayson Highlands…..we’re hoping to cover 50-60 miles, where would you suggest I start and which direction should I hike?

          Reply
      • Paul Monsen : Feb 23rd

        Hi Aaron,
        Thanks for the info on the smokies, I had a hunch I was mis-informed…..we are planning a thru-hike in 2018 and my daughter has never been on the AT so even though your route sounds incredible I would like my daughter to get a good taste of life on the AT so I want to stay on the AT….any thoughts?
        Thanks!
        Mr Mepps

        Reply
  • Angie : Feb 23rd

    Past hikers – Future hikers and anyone in-between!

    What is your experience with cell reception on the AT? (I’m just curious; incase of an emergency is there any?)
    Is anyone bringing a satellite phone? (I have not seen this included in any gear list thus far)

    I am probably over thinking….the trail goes through many towns, plus there are many people hiking the trail, if something bad were to happen maybe it’s close enough to a town that my hiking partner can leave to get help…

    Any comments / thoughts? (….I need to worry less…..)

    Reply
    • Rick : Jun 4th

      Cell reception is often spotty to non-existent. One recommendation is the Spot Gen 3 Satellite Tracker. It offers a web site for family and friends to track your progress real-time using Google maps and the ability to send out an alarm if you become, hurt, incapacitated or lost. Attaches to your backpack. About $150 on Amazon. My granddaughter is currently on the AT SOBO and it is working perfectly. Good Luck!

      Reply
  • New Freedom Farm : Apr 13th

    We are in Buchanan VA we would like to help transport hikers, do laundry assist in anyway.

    Reply

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