Fitpacking

If you have ever dreamed of hiking the 2175 mile long Appalachian Trail, that runs from Georgia to Maine, thru-hiker season is a great time to check it out. Popularized by Bill Bryson in A Walk in the Woods, we will start our hike in Virginia and experience 4 states in a single trip, VA, WV, MD & PA.

We will meet many thru-hikers on our trip and visit the Appalachian Trail Conference Headquarters in Harper's Ferry West Virginia.

If you are curious what hiking the Appalachian Trail is all about and want to get an idea of what it entails, this is the trip for you. We will teach you everything you need to know to undertake a thru-hike of the AT. See a conveniently located, wild and beautiful landscape and lose weight, or more accurately improve body composition, and give the AT a try.

The Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiking Primer Fitpacking Trip will be from May 26 - June 3, 2012.

Our journey will begin in Snickers Gap, VA and head along the VA/WV border for many miles before crossing the Shenandoah River into Harpers Ferry. From there, we'll cross the Potomic and spend the rest of our trip in Maryland, except for the final 0.1 mile in Pennsylvania. Proposed Itinerary

Weather is always an important concern when backpacking. Historical October weather averages in the 70s & 80s during the day and the 50s & 60s at night. Rain can happen at any time, so make sure to be prepared for that.

Please note: This can be a fairly dry section of trail, so be prepared to carry a gallon of water when we find it.

Steve Silberberg, lives in Hull, MA and has many years of backpacking experience over a variety of terrains and guides most Fitpacking trips. He is a SOLO certified Wilderness First Responder, Leave No Trace Trainer, and Certified Food Handler.

Jeff Wagner lives in Roswell, GA and thru-hiked the entire Appalachian Trail in 2008 (Trail Name: Jukebox). He guided the 2010 Shenandoah National Park, the 2011 100 Mile Wilderness and the 2011 AT Primer Fitpacking trips.

Here is a list of equipment we suggest you bring. The list is extensive and can seem daunting, but please don't let this deter you from the trip. You can rent top notch quality gear for reasonable prices from Lower Gear. It may also be possible for us to provide some gear for you at a nominal fee if you let us know far ahead of the trip. Unfortunately, we're not in the gear business so the selection of our available inventory is unpredictable. Please feel free to discuss any gear with us before the trip.

You will be doing the cooking on this trip with our guidance. Bring your stove and fuel of choice. On the first day at the hotel, we'll present you with an array of backpacking foods and you determine what you carry.

We don't believe in austere eating regimens. Backpacking is a rigorous, rewarding activity. You must feed your body in order for it perform. Your body will dictate that you eat often, so it's important to have fuel to feed it.

Expect this to be a moderately strenuous (but certainly doable) trip. There are a lot of ups and downs on some days and the daily mileage will be in the 8+ mile range. The days are long since there will be 15 hours of light during the day in which to get in our mileage.

$1075 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a hotel room with another trip during hotel nights. You will be responsible for transportation to and from Dulles Airport (IAD) as well as personal equipment and any restaurant meals or dinners.

Covered expenses include 2 nights lodging, 7 days of trail meals, ground transportation, permits, fees and awesome guides.

Important Note