Hiking the Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian National
Scenic Trail, is a footpath in the eastern United States for
outdoor enthusiasts, extending about about 2140 miles
from Maine to Georgia, along the crest of the Appalachian
Mountains. The trail passes through 14 states and is
maintained by 34 different trail maintenance organizations.
It is the longest marked, continuous footpath in the world,
at some points reaching elevations of more than 6000 feet.
Wooden signposts and white paint marks on rocks and
trees are placed along the trail. Construction of the
Appalachian Trail was begun in 1922 near Bear Mountain,
New York. By 1937 the footpath, extended from Mount
Katahdin, in Maine, to Mount Oglethorpe, in Georgia, and
was ready for use. Later, (after 1937) the trail officially
ended at Springer Mountain, 10 miles northeast of Mount
Oglethorpe. In 1968 the Appalachian Trail became part of
the National Park System and was officially renamed the
Appalachian National Scenic Trail. To hike the
Appalachian Trail, it is suggested to shop around for a
good pair of hiking boots, a tent, and a sturdy backpack.
Hiking the distance mentioned above obviously requires
excellent footwear, and a light pack. Figure in fatigue and
you need a comfortable tent to sleep in at night. Good
boots are "solid" on the bottom, so that you cannot feel rocks
or stones through the soles. If you can press in the bottom
of the sole with your thumb, the soles are probably too soft
to give your foot proper protection. The top of the boot
should be stiff to hold the ankle in place and provide it with
good support. While it's possible to treat non-waterproof
fabric boots with liquid silicone, it generally doesn't
waterproof the boot enough to be useful. Stick with leather
boots that can be treated with Sno-seal, beeswax solution,
or other waterproofing solutions. Feet change over time, as
do shoes. Wearing a pair of shoes and/or hiking boots
changes the shape of the shoe to fit your foot.
Scenic Trail, is a footpath in the eastern United States for
outdoor enthusiasts, extending about about 2140 miles
from Maine to Georgia, along the crest of the Appalachian
Mountains. The trail passes through 14 states and is
maintained by 34 different trail maintenance organizations.
It is the longest marked, continuous footpath in the world,
at some points reaching elevations of more than 6000 feet.
Wooden signposts and white paint marks on rocks and
trees are placed along the trail. Construction of the
Appalachian Trail was begun in 1922 near Bear Mountain,
New York. By 1937 the footpath, extended from Mount
Katahdin, in Maine, to Mount Oglethorpe, in Georgia, and
was ready for use. Later, (after 1937) the trail officially
ended at Springer Mountain, 10 miles northeast of Mount
Oglethorpe. In 1968 the Appalachian Trail became part of
the National Park System and was officially renamed the
Appalachian National Scenic Trail. To hike the
Appalachian Trail, it is suggested to shop around for a
good pair of hiking boots, a tent, and a sturdy backpack.
Hiking the distance mentioned above obviously requires
excellent footwear, and a light pack. Figure in fatigue and
you need a comfortable tent to sleep in at night. Good
boots are "solid" on the bottom, so that you cannot feel rocks
or stones through the soles. If you can press in the bottom
of the sole with your thumb, the soles are probably too soft
to give your foot proper protection. The top of the boot
should be stiff to hold the ankle in place and provide it with
good support. While it's possible to treat non-waterproof
fabric boots with liquid silicone, it generally doesn't
waterproof the boot enough to be useful. Stick with leather
boots that can be treated with Sno-seal, beeswax solution,
or other waterproofing solutions. Feet change over time, as
do shoes. Wearing a pair of shoes and/or hiking boots
changes the shape of the shoe to fit your foot.