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Congratulations to These 2026 Appalachian Trail Finishers (Part 1)
Every year, thousands of hopeful thru-hikers set off on a journey of nearly 2,200 miles. The Appalachian Trail stretches from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. Hikers encounter unforgettable scenery ranging from sprawling mountain vistas to dense forests. The trail is as challenging as it is beautiful, pushing hikers to their limits both physically and mentally.
Of all the ambitious hikers who embark on this trek, less than half will successfully complete a thru-hike. Finishing the AT is a life-changing accomplishment that requires physical determination, mental toughness, and a little bit of luck. Hikers from all walks of life are impacted by their time spent on the trail, and we are thrilled to spotlight the incredible hikers who completed the AT in 2026!
Have you just finished your AT thru-hike? If so, please celebrate your finish with us by submitting a photo through the form below so we can feature you in a subsequent post. We can’t wait to share your incredible achievement!
Sunrise
Finish date: August 5, 2026
“Go Hokies!” -Sunrise
Freight Train
@igbrown07
Finish date: August 1, 2026
Crush
Finish date: June 8, 2026
“Always will be grateful for the Kids Out Front: Cliffhanger, Soggy Waffles, Cat-sith, and Crush, and all the support we received along the journey!” -Crush
PipSkweek!
@pipskweekhikes2maine
Finish date: July 23, 2026
“Unofficially the official tallest to thru-hike the AT. 7 foot tall and no it is not easier.” -PipSkweek!
Sis
@hikingonaprayer
Finish date: August 4, 2026
“I came to the trail looking for an adventure. I’m leaving with memories, lifetime friendships, a greater appreciation for the simple things, and a renewed faith in what is possible when we trust God and keep putting one foot in front of the other. ” -Sis
Mainer
@rickrogers61668
Finish date: July 28, 2026
Lucky Dog
@sridharsaraf
Finish date: July 11, 2026
“There’s more to life than work, paying bills, and dying.” -Lucky Dog
Birchwood
@birchwoodhikes
Finish date: June 15, 2026
“Summiting Mount Katahdin was touch and go the morning I did it due to rain, dense fog, and a probability of lightning. Climbing up the Hunt Trail portion of the AT, I sat at tree line for some time until I felt comfortable that any lightning in the area had stopped and the remaining two miles of exposed trail to the northern terminus would be relatively safe. The dense fog on Katahdin that day obscured any views, but was a fitting symbol of my thru hike started in the dead of winter with its own weather uniquenesses.” -Birchwood
Joey
@joeyfelton_
Finish date: July 19, 2026
“For months, I daydreamed about completing the A.T. on a beautiful bluebird day. When the day finally arrived, it became evident that my completion photo might look a little different than I had imagined. Scrambling up and down Katahdin in inclement weather reaffirmed my belief that the adventure is more important than the photo-op. I had a blast!” -Joey
SLiNky
@slinkyhiker
Finish date: July 19, 2026
Butterfly
Finish date: August 4, 2026
Upside
Finish date: July 26, 2026
“Best wishes and thank you to the many hikers and supporters who helped me along the way!” -Upside
Bull
@charleypavlick
Finish date: July 31, 2026
Prophet
@stevemillermd1
Finish date: July 20, 2026
Scat Pack
Finish date: July 23, 2026
“It’s not about the miles or mountains, it’s about the people and Appalachian culture you experience along the way.” -Scat Pack
Peaceful
Finish date: July 18, 2026
Juicebox
@bartleson.emily
Finish date: July 12, 2026
Bearcat
@nateopichka_at
Finish date: August 6, 2026
Doublepack
Finish date: August 6, 2026
“My son surprised me the night before my summit by flying out to summit with me. I sectioned hiked from 2012-2026 and he invited me to hike with him on that first section in 2012 getting me started.” -Doublepack
Pips
Finish date: July 30, 2026
Congratulations to all the 2026 AT finishers — your achievements are remarkable and worth celebrating!
Did you hike the AT this year? Sign up here to be notified when the 2026 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Survey opens for submissions.
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