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Journal
| About Downunda | Trail
Facts | Hiking the Trail |
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Trail Facts
In most places the trail is easy to follow as the entire trail is marked with white blazes, these are 2-inch wide by 6-inch high rectangles painted on trees and rocks. Typically, the trail is a one-person wide track and large sections of it are strewn with rocks, boulders and tree roots. This can make hiking very hazardous as when the trail is wet or covered with leaves hikers can expect to slip over occasionally. Where possible the trail has been blazed to follow the ridge line of the Appalachians so this means that hikers are continuously ascending or descending steep mountains, this aspect of the hike is often the cause of much discussion between weary hikers at overnight camping spots. The sections in Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina in the south and the White Mountains in New Hampshire in the north are noted as being the most difficult, with Pennsylvania having a reputation for the many rocks buried in its trail surface. The trail is maintained throughout its entire length by numerous hiking clubs. These folk relocate sections, repair washouts, remove blowdowns and occasionally build new shelters. A long-standing joke is that the trail maintainers of Pennsylvania spend their time strategically placing rocks on the trail. As the majority of the trail passes through forest there are many wildflowers, birds and animals to be spotted. Chipmunks, Squirrels, Skunks, Raccoons, Snakes and Moose (Maine) are often seen, Black Bear are common in the forests throughout the length of the trail but few hikers get to see them. Also seen or heard of occasionally are Wolf, Coyotes, Lynx or Bobcat. A much-talked about treat is hearing the haunting call of the loon, found on the lakes of Main. Terms and Definitions |
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| 2000 Miler | Either a thru-hiker or a section hiker who has hiked the entire Appalachian Trail. | |
| AT | Appalachian Trail. | |
| Bald | A mountain top with no trees. | |
| Bearbagging | The practice of storing food and anything that smells of or like food in a bag, and at night hanging the bag over a tree limb that a bear can't reach by climbing or stretching. Other items that must be put in a bearbag include toothpaste, soap, deodorant, and scented sunscreen. | |
| Blowdown | A fallen tree across the trail. | |
| Day Hiker | Carries very small or no backpack. | |
| Flip-flopper | Hikes part of the trail going south to Springer Mountain, (or north to Mount Katahdin) then returns to starting point and hikes north to Mount Katahdin (or south to Springer Mountain). | |
| NOBO | North Bounder (A person hiking from South to North) | |
| SOBO | South Bounder (A person hiking from North to South) | |
| Section Hiker | Attempts to hike the entire Appalachian Trail in a series of connected hikes. | |
| Slackpacking | Hiking without your backpack. Typically, someone drops you off at one place in the morning and picks you up somewhere else later in the day. | |
| Style | A set of steps for passing over a fence or wall. | |
| Thru-hiker | Attempts to hike the entire Appalachian Trail in one continuous hike. | |
| Trail Angel | A kind-hearted individual who performs a good deed (for example, gives a ride into town or back to the trail) for a hiker. | |
| Trail Magic | A tradition where food is prepared and served as a pleasant surprise to hikers as they come along the trail. | |
| Trail Name | A unique name that is bestowed on AT section or thru-hikers. The trail name is usually awarded by other hikers and is often based upon some personal characteristic or quirk that has been observed. | |
| Trail Register | Usually found in shelters. Hikers use these notebooks to write messages for others that will come after them… tales of woe and lots of humorous and interesting anecdotes are to be found here! | |
| Vegemite | A unique Australian table spread made from a yeast extract. Vegemite is black in colour and has a salty and somewhat bitter taste. Babies are introduced to it as soon as they can eat solids. It's the food that makes Australians the wonderful people they are! | |
| Yogi-ing | The art of getting others (often picnickers or day hikers) to offer food to you without actually asking for it (as in Yogi Bear the cartoon) | |
| Zero Day | A no-hiking day. | |
| Weekender | Hiker out for 1 - 4 nights. Carries backpack but is usually wearing jeans or other non-thru-hiker clothing. | |
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The Appalachian Trail (AT) stretches 2,168 miles from Springer Mountain in northern Georgia USA to Mt. Katahdin in central Maine USA. As the trail winds through the Appalachian Mountains it passes through 14 states, 8 national forests, 6 national
parks and several state and local parks.