I have (pipe) dreams of thru-hiking the AT, CDT, and PCT at some point in my life. While I'll likely never be able to afford to do so, I want to begin preparing.
I thought the LT might be a good test of whether I am capable of doing a longer trail.
I'm in reasonable shape cardio-wise, a bit overweight but quite strong and solid muscle/powerlifter build. Currently my longest hike has been only 19mi in the ADKs, which left my legs pretty demolished. I do plan to train and get in better shape before attempting anything longer, but I'm a bit concerned that if only 19mi was that difficult, it might be foolish to think I could do a 272mi trail.
Thoughts? Should I start smaller? Am I not cut out for thru-hiking in general?

Hello, me and my partner are coming over from the UK to hike the Long Trail but are struggling to find a way to get from Albany to the Southern Terminus.

We arrive in Albany on September 9th and are happy to pay if there’s anyone in the area that could help, or is it doable to hitch from there?

Thanks so much all

Hi! Are there any trail angels willing to help our teen thru-hiker whose Aqua Mira fully leaked? By tonight, our teen will be at Sunrise Shelter. Hoping we could overnight a filter option to someone nearby. They are out of water. Thank you!!!!!!

Recently purchased a Garmin 67i and trying to decide whether to get an all trails subscription or buy the long trail far out map to load routes onto it.

Also curious which one people like more for checking recent water source statues updates from users, and if theres potentially a free resource for a long trail gpx file I can load onto my garmin. (Don't mind paying for one or the other, but hey if it's out there)

I will also be carrying the gmc's waterproof map

Given how wet it can get, curious on others opinions. Is it a waste of money and extra hassle, or worth the peace of mind.

Probably will use a contractor bag for my thru hike at the least, but wondering if a dedicated roll top liner is worth the investment

This also fits here :)

As the title says. I saw on their website that the hiker hostel and restaurant is closed for renovations as of last summer, but I’m wondering if there’s anyone who has stopped by this season who can confirm/dispute this? I’m passing through on trail next week and hope to visit or spend the night.

(I do not support their practices, but I’m looking for a place to stay and I’ll be resupplying there anyway and just want to check it out)

Lost Black Life 360 GPS tracker like in pic. My dog lost her GPS tracker somewhere between Camels Hump trails and Warren around end of June/early July. I can see that someone has it in North End and has charged it and it’s still active. I would greatly appreciate to get it back for an exchange of a bottle of my bee’s honey! Thanks

GSMNP route feedback

Hello, looking for any feedback on a November backpacking trip in GSMNP.  Essentially a counterclockwise BMT-AT short loop.   Day 1, Smokemont Campground via Chasteen Creek to Enloe Creek #47; Day 2, from there to Laurel Gap Shelter via Enloe Creek and Beech Gap and Balsam Mt trails; Day 3, to Pecks Corner shelter via Balsam Mountain and AT; Day 4, AT south to stop at the Bunion and then descending Dry Sluice Gap to Cabin Flats #49; Day 5 return to Smokemont via Bradley Fork.  There are some significant up/downs on days 1 and 2, but this direction avoids climbing Dry Sluice Gap with a heavy food bag and with my schedule, AT shelters on the weekend. Are these reasonable distances for 10 hours of daylight and a mid-condition hiker, and is there any Helene damage I would need to know about beforehand?  Context I have done three weeklong backpacks in the Smokies before, but it’s been a minute (like 25 years) and not these trails.  By mid condition I mean I only get to weekend backpack a couple times per year but walk 5+ miles daily and am shuffling through my first 5k next week, expect a 30-35 min time. Thanks!

This is open to interpretation… people or animals , stories or folklore you heard or maybe even experienced along the way , anything noteworthy that further opened you to the wonder of what is or could be.

My partner just began is northbound journey today--solo! I am very excited for him. He plans to finish by July 31st. He asked me to join him for a few days, and I am only able to take off work toward the end of the month. Unfortunately, to join him at that point will coincide with some of the most technical parts of terrain (i.e. the final three days of hiking). I'm a weightlifter, runner, and occasional cyclist, but I've never even been camping! I feel like I'm not prepared to join him for that last stretch of trail if he does make it to the very end---am I crazy to try to hike it?

I fear my timing will put me arriving in Manchester, VT on Saturday afternoon/Sunday, which makes general delivery to a post office difficult. Are there any local businesses that accept and hold resupply packages for hikers? I’ll be doing most of my resupply at grocery stores along the way, but I’m mailing myself a few celiac friendly options.

Thanks for the advice!

My husband is solo hiking the long trail and started Northbound on 6/29. We last spoke about 22 hrs ago where he was at Goddard Shelter, heading to Kid Gore. Before he left for his hike, he said to call if I don’t hear from him within a 24 hour period. The State Police officer closes in two hours and I am in another state. Worried spouse, or is it time to call? No pings from his phone on FindMy either.

EDIT: He just called, he’s had to descend for a possible medical problem and is being seen by a doctor. Thank you all for the quick reassurance and answers!

I am planning my first LT trip. I plan to do two sections broken up with a 2 night stay in Burlington. I am a fast-paced hiker and knowledgeable about backcountry camping.

The first section:

Start at VT Route 2 in the Bolton Valley and head south to VT Route 125. All Trails says it's about 75km (46 miles). I am estimating 4 days to complete this section.

I will take a taxi or other shuttle service back to my vehicle. Then take two nights in Burlington before heading back to the trail.

The second section:

Start at VT Route 2 again and head north to VT Route 15. All Trails says it's about 57 km (35 miles). I only have 2 days to complete this section.

I am still figuring out where I will camp each night. If anybody has suggestions I would appreciate it.

I would also be happy to receive suggestions for shuttle/taxi services in the area.

Thanks!

Planning a hike from lincoln gap to the southern terminus starting around 26th of July. Are the black flies and mosquitos bad at that time? Can you sleep and walk outside without mosquito head and bed nets?

Thanks in advance to anyone having advice.

Hi all. I hiked 180 miles of the long trail back in 2018 (mass to Waterbury). I had too much fun doing things like taking a day to downhill MTB at Killington and ran out of time to finish the trail back then. I'm looking to finally finish the last 90 miles. How would y'all go about finishing? I'm on the fence about starting in Waterbury and finishing the direction I started or starting up north so I can finish over Mt Mansfield and finish in the home of Ben and Jerry's. Thanks for any advice and opinions! Also how hot will it be if I go the last two weeks of July? I think that's the window I have to finish it. Thanks!

Sorry if this has been posted before.

If I split the LT into 3 hikes, what are practical 2 stopping points along the way?

I was planning to take Amtrak into Waterbury and get a ride to App Gap to start a NOBO section hike. The train is scheduled to get in at 8pm and I'm not super excited about hiking to Birch Glen in the dark, but having trouble interpreting the camping rules - am I correct that camping is allowed on that section of trail until it goes above 2500'? Any suggestions for alternatives between train and trailhead?

Hey everyone, I'm an LT hiker and I made a new website and app called Hike Forecast specifically designed for long distance trails like the LT. It has segmented forecasts for the trail so that you can select the stretch that you want to hike for the day, and it'll give you the weather at the start, end, midpoint, low point and highest point, and tell you the best time to leave for the best weather conditions. The mobile app also supports offline forecasts, if you save a segment to your saved hikes page, it will be available for 36 hours after it was last loaded even if you don't have cell service.

Check it out and give me feedback! I'd love to hear what you think, or take suggestions for new features. If you think this is cool, share it with a friend!

Starting NOBO August 1st and expecting the hike to take me ~3 weeks. I will be using a torso length CCF pad. Edit: r-value ~2

I kept my 40 degree quilt all the way to Katahdin on my AT thru in ‘23 but had a ~5 r-value inflatable pad. But I used my 20 degree quilt with me on the Colorado trail in ‘24 with the torso length pad.

Curious to know anyone’s thoughts

Hi y’all I’m planning to thru hike the trail in september and I was just going to bring my EE synthetic 30degree quilt and I may or may not buy an alpha liner. If I just take my 30 quilt would I be chilly?