I have college age kids that want to hike the Appalachian Trail this spring. They are starting out in TN-- They plan to hike for 5 days. Does anyone have suggestions? They seemed prepared but as a Mom I worry. I have always recieved good advice from this forum.
-Madtown Z

For good advice on any aspect of hiking the AT, post in

www.whiteblaze.net

I wanted to hike it, until people started getting murdered. Is that solved? Haven`t heard anything about it in a long time.

Check out the website for The Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

http://www.appalachiantrail.org

They have lots of advice and a good bookstore for people wanting to various distances on the trail.

I myself have enjoyed many very nice days and nights on the trail. In general it's very safe. Their biggest worry will be where to get water and how much food to bring. Other things will become minor, like wearing the same clothes for several clothes for days in a row.

One note about hiking in Tennesse, there are some very specific rules when hiking in the Smokies. If it hasn't changed, you must stay in designated shelters - make sure they do the research before they go.

I have hiked many portions in Tn & NC & the websites given are the best. Depending on the time of year they'll also need to be aware of bears, esp. in the Spring. One of the best stops in NC is in the Hot Springs area, that would be an excellent place to start or end. If they have some flexibility, I would certainly try to time it w/an advantageous weather forecast. Nothing worse than spending 5 days soaking wet from head to toe.

Thank you to everyone that replied! I know the guys have prepared in the event they dont have access to clean water w/ purification system & they are also prepared to wear the same clothing, etc. Of course I am worried about the bears & wildlife!

They have researched but I am now able to ask them if they have found out about the specific rules and guidelines...I will have them go to the suggested web sites.

Buy the book. Or I guess it's all online now.
Each segment of the trail is clearly described with pertinant information.
It sounds like they've researched. They'll be fine.

In addition to the excellent advice you've received, you all could read A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson.

If your children enjoy hiking, they would enjoy the backpacking adventures of Andrew Skurka. www.andrewskurka.com

We enjoy hiking but he takes it to the extreme. We heard him speak in January at the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. His planning for his backpacking trips was unbelievable--and extemely well organized. He doesn't carry a cell phone or GPS but does have some sort of satellite gizmo, about the size of a small cell phone, that automatically sent his mother an e mail every evening and included his GPS position. He took the protective skin off of it because it saved about.5 of an ounce in weight. He gave his mother a map with his locations marked daily. He would call her periodically--if she didn't receive a call, she was to call 911 and give the emergency crew his approximate location--he backpacks alone.

He had everyday meticulously planned. It was a most interesting presentation--and I was so glad none of my children had chosen to do such a thing. He spent 7 months hiking from "sea to sea" from Maine to Seattle, 4 months of that time during the winter--all alone. He had supplies boxed up and sent to PO boxes along his route. Then he did another long trek---the Great Western Loop. etc. etc..---and he loves it. I think he graduated from Duke with a double major--he's about 26.

He is backpacking right now out in the southwest--he now has sponsors. I was trying to figure how he funded these little expeditions. A couple years ago he was honored as the National Geographic Adventurer of the Year.

He has a section on his website for the Appalachian trail.

The AT runs for 69 miles through Great Smoky Mts National Park.If you have two vehicles can leave one on either end of the park. The park requires you make reservations if you are planning to stay in the shelters and some of the other backcountry sites. Tents are not allowed at shelter sites. Can make reservations up to a month in advance by calling the backcountry reservations office at 865-436-1231 (8am-6pm Eastern) The backcountry permits are free but you must reserve a shelter in advance - check out www.nps.gov/grsm, then go to plan your visit.

I was going to suggest reading A Walk in the Woods, also.

Thanks Photodog...more good informative questions for mom to ask the guys on the shelter situation. I will also suggest the Andrew Skurka book...we thought about having them take some type of special phone but they seem to have it figured out.

It's normal to be worried when your kids go off on a 5 day trip like this, but I would say just trust them. Personally, I wouldn't start sending them lists of websites and books to read unless they've asked for help. I also wouldn't start quizzing them on the rules and regs as that is their responsibility. Honestly, if my mother started asked me about the permit process and other rules for specific locations when I go backpacking, I'd be highly annoyed and it would turn into a very short conversation. I understand your concerns about the wildlife (I think most parents have those concerns) but if I were you I'd avoid going in to too much detail re: the trip planning and logistics.

#1 thing you can and should do - get their itinerary and ask them to have a plan for contacting you (either at trip end or in the middle) and formulate a plan for what to do if they don't contact you by a specified time. Having an emergency contact is important and in the highly unlikely event they don't show up at their anticipated destination, it's extremely important they leave their itinerary with someone who will contact the proper authorities in a timely fashion.

LO thanks for that link - he looks like he could/would be a great speaker for my wifes' school, which teaches kids w/learning differences.