
How to Hike the Appalachian Trail
A Comprehensive Guide to Plan and Prepare for a Successful Thru-Hike
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Narrated by:
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John E Broussard
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By:
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Chris Cage
About this listen
If you are planning on (or just thinking about) hiking the Appalachian Trail, this book is for you.
Planning an Appalachian Trail thru-hike is overwhelming. I know. I spent months researching every question I could think of before starting the six-month journey.
Even after all of that research, there were countless mistakes I made. This book is everything I wish I would have known before starting. Inside is a step-by-step guide to efficiently plan for a successful thru-hike. Complete with personal tips and experiences.
The goal of this guide is to help you complete the 2,185 mile long adventure, feel confident in your preparation, and have a great time every step of the way.
- Learn how to budget wisely, save money, and not waste cash.
- Know how to carve out six months from your family, job, and home.
- Master a massive gear guide on everything from your spork to your tent.
- Understand clothing, layering, and materials.
- Hear about what life is really like on the trail.
- Know which direction to go, when, and why.
- Familiarize yourself with a state by state breakdown of the trail.
- Learn how to mentally prepare for the "I-wanna-quit-days"
- Understand the physical demands and methods to prevent injury.
- Prepare for the nutritional needs with favorite meals and food ideas.
- Know the real dangers on the AT.
- (Ladies) hear from AT record-holder Heather Anderson on "Female Needs".
- And a whole lot more....
Hope you enjoy!
©2017 Christopher Cage (P)2017 Christopher CageListeners also enjoyed...
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Trail journal published for money...
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Going to Maine
- All the Ways to Fall on the Appalachian Trail
- By: Sally Chaffin Brooks
- Narrated by: Sally Chaffin Brooks
- Length: 9 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
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From comedian Sally Chaffin Brooks comes a memoir about the thing she can't seem to shut up about— her life changing thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. 25-year-old Sally has no reason to upend her comfortable, conventional life to spend 5 months hiking the Appalachian Trail; no reason except that her charismatic best friend, Erin, asked her to come along. A woefully out-of-shape Sally quickly realizes she may not actually be prepared for the realities of thru-hiking— brutal weather, wrong turns, and painful blisters have her wanting to quit almost as soon as she starts.
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Must read for trail memoir lovers and everyone else
- By Christian Baer on 04-13-25
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Skywalker: Close Encounters on the Appalachian Trail
- By: Bill Walker
- Narrated by: Bill Walker
- Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
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Why would a middle-aged businessman who had never even spent the night outdoors, attempt to hike the entire Appalachian Trail? Bill Walker, a former commodities trader in Chicago and London, and an avid walker, had developed a virtual obsession to hike this historic 2,175 mile footpath in one hiking season. In the spring of 2005 he set off from his home state of Georgia, hoping to make it to Mount Katahdin in northern Maine before the arrival of winter.
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Liked the story, but the recording quality was fair.
- By D. Corcoran on 11-25-15
By: Bill Walker
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Balancing on Blue
- By: Keith Foskett
- Narrated by: Adam Stubbs
- Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
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Keith Foskett’s dream of escape started with a single step. When the long-distance hiker chose to backpack all 2,180 miles of the Appalachian Trail, he left ordinary life behind for five months. Enduring an incredible test of physical and psychological strength, Foskett was pushed to his limits....
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Another great adventure!
- By Jim Lewis on 02-20-21
By: Keith Foskett
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Where's the Next Shelter?
- By: Gary Sizer
- Narrated by: Gary Sizer
- Length: 11 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
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Where's the Next Shelter? is the true story of three travelers on the Appalachian Trail, a 2,000-mile hike that stretches from Georgia to Maine, told from the perspective of Gary Sizer, a seasoned backpacker and former marine who quickly finds himself humbled by the endeavor. If you long for the horizon or to sleep under the stars, then come along for the hike of a lifetime. All you have to do is take the first step.
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If You Liked AWOL, You'll Like This
- By Rebecca on 06-02-16
By: Gary Sizer
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Nowhere for Very Long
- The Unexpected Road to an Unconventional Life
- By: Brianna Madia
- Narrated by: Brianna Madia
- Length: 6 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
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In this beautifully written, vividly detailed memoir, a young woman chronicles her adventures traveling across the deserts of the American West in an orange van named Bertha and reflects on an unconventional approach to life
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not what I thought
- By J. Abrego on 04-16-22
By: Brianna Madia
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Walking Thru
- A Couple’s Adventure on the Pacific Crest Trail
- By: Michael Tyler
- Narrated by: William Sarris
- Length: 5 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
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Bored and fed up with life, staring down a 50th birthday, Mike Tyler was looking for a change. Life had become routinized and unexciting. Maybe it was a mid-life crisis, or maybe just a yearning for one last big adventure. Mike decides to try hiking from Mexico to Canada on the Pacific Crest Trail, just to see what happens. Mike convinces his wife, Margo, to join him. Together, they embark on a five-month hike full of anticipation. They hike through some of the most stunning and remote places in the country on a trail full of unique, offbeat characters.
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Just Eh...
- By Carrie Ann on 07-18-22
By: Michael Tyler
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The Unlikely Thru-Hiker
- An Appalachian Trail Journey
- By: Derick Lugo
- Narrated by: Derick Lugo
- Length: 7 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
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Derick Lugo had never been hiking. He certainly couldn't imagine going more than a day without manicuring his goatee. But with a job cut short and no immediate plans, this fixture of the New York comedy scene began to think about what he might do with months of free time. He had heard of the Appalachian Trail, but he had never seriously considered attempting to hike all 2,184.2 miles of it. Suddenly he found himself asking, Could he do it?
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On My Feet All Day
- By bannedbum on 08-21-21
By: Derick Lugo
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Hiking Through
- One Man's Journey to Peace and Freedom on the Appalachian Trail
- By: Paul Stutzman
- Narrated by: Mike Chamberlain
- Length: 9 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
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After Paul Stutzman lost his wife to breast cancer, he sensed a tug on his heart - the call to a challenge, the call to pursue a dream. With a mixture of dread and determination, Paul left his job, traveled to Georgia, and took his first steps on the Appalachian Trail. What he learned during the next four and a half months changed his life and can change yours as well. In Hiking Through, you'll join Paul on his remarkable 2,176-mile trip through 14 states in search of peace and a renewed sense of purpose.
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Interesting
- By Max on 03-08-16
By: Paul Stutzman
What listeners say about How to Hike the Appalachian Trail
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- D Hostetler
- 10-08-18
Must ready anyone hiking Appellation Trail or any other trail
I have hike Georgia to Taylor fairy West for Virginia I’m planning start In Maine in next two years. I found my self shaking my head yes to about everything he said I did Clark’s hammock if you set it low put poncho on the bottom like a under quilt put you mattress on top of the poncho you can stay warm I use toe sock liners and darn tough socks and never had a blister scouts honor if you follow his recommendations you should have a great hike
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- Dom Webster
- 09-17-19
a solid review of planning a through hike
pretty straight forward review of things you will need and why. I like the pretty unbiased reviews
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- Anonymous User
- 06-29-23
Great information
I enjoyed the information given about the trail and preparations around it. The stories of the the trail were ok but the value lies more in skills to go on a thru hike as the title states. Good overall was worth a second listen listen for sure.
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- Tracy
- 04-12-18
Exactly what’s missing from all the personal hiking account stories
Like anyone who is considering a thru hike, you listen to account after account of other people’s hikes hoping to gleam enough information to avoid all the rookie mistakes we hear about so often. Finally, this book gives you both an account of the thru hike with all the specifics you really want to know, especially about gear and what to pack. As a female, I can’t thank Chris enough for getting invaluable input from a pro on the facts of a female spending 6 months in the woods. Facts that no one really likes to talk about: periods, underwear, and grooming. I will listen to this book again and again as I get closer to my thru hike! This one book alone made me feel more prepared thank the other 3 I’ve listen to so far.
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9 people found this helpful
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- Heidi
- 01-23-20
AWESOME BOOK FOR THE A.T.!!
This book has everything you need and want to know about hiking the AT and much much more!! Great for males and female hikers. High recommend this book!! Thank you for all your amazing tips and preparing for thru hiking knowledge Chris!
John has a great voice to listen to :)
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- Mario V.
- 02-16-18
Good book. good narrator.
The book itself was very informative. I have been wanting to hike the A.T. for quite some time now. Because of work and everyday life I can't thru hike it. after hearing this book which by the way the narrator's tone and pace kept me very much wanting to finish hearing it to the end; I now feel confident and not so bumbed that I can complete the trail in sections during work vacations and weekends. Thanks for the info Chris and Heather and thanks for reading the book John.
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4 people found this helpful
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- rosemarie
- 12-07-20
exciting book and encouraging
loved it. cant wait to go myself. retired with PD but hitting the trail myself
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- Bryan Bonner
- 06-23-18
All you need to know is right here
Very comprehensive guide to what you need to know for any kinda hike on the AT.
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- Terry L. Pruitt
- 07-27-24
Distinct how to guide to through hiking on the AT.
This book is focused on practical lore associated with through hiking but with enough story telling to keep it interesting. The strength is in giving solid, first-hand experience advice. Many books are written as travel memoirs, but this one is written as how to with some memoir type writing interspersed.
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- Pierce5
- 09-10-18
This read answered my questions and concerns
In 2010 I decided I wanted to become an avid hiker. Due to circumstances beyond my control I had to abandon that lines go along with the equipment that I have accumulated. Fast-forward to September 2018. While tent camping with friends someone looked at me and said let’s start hiking the Appalachian Trail! It was like music to my ears. This book has been and will continue to be a reference point, resource guide and all around AT Bible!
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2 people found this helpful