Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to thru-hike the entire trail?

It takes most hikers between five and seven months to complete the entire trail.   I will have a 6 month window to finish because Baxter State Park, where Katahdin is located, closes around October 15th.

Will you be hiking alone?

Yes and No.   Three friends, Larry, Phillip, and Jonathan, will start the trail with me and hike as far as Neels Gap.   My oldest sister, Kathy, is planning to hike with me for a month starting mid May.   Later, Larry and Jonathan plan to join me again somewhere in Virginia for about one week.   A few others have mentioned an interest in meeting me to hike a few days along the way.  My nephew, John, and another friend named Jim plan to meet me at Baxter State Park to finish the hike with me.

How much will your pack weigh?

Gear List

How much food will you carry at one time?

Normally, I'll be carrying a 5 or 6 days food supply; only rarely will I have to carry more.

How will you resupply?

I will resupply in towns along the trail.   Many of these towns are within a few miles of the trail, but sometimes I'll have to hitch a ride to town. A few times I will resupply using mail drops.   By the way, I've listed my expected mail drops so people can mail me letters or snacks if they wish :) Mail Drops

What will you eat?

Cooked food will be meals that involve boiling water and throwing in the ingredients.   Things like Ramen noodles, Lipton pastas, Rice-a-roni, instant potatoes, etc... Other foods: Peanut butter, gorp, flower tortillas, bagles, english muffins, cheese, summer sausage, snikers, cliff bars, granola bars, and whatever else I learn to use along the way

How far will you hike each day?

I expect I'll be hiking most of the day.   I'll probably start out hiking about 10 miles/day but hope to eventually average about 15 miles per day.

Will you take any days off in town?

I will take some "zero days" in town.   I know when it comes to marathon training it is very important to take rest days so I intend to do the same on the trail.   It will probably be something that develops as I go along but I'm guessing I'll take rest days about every other week.