KarenWoo

We have a good friend who hiked the full-length of the AT, and he was in his mid-70's at the time!!!! His plan was to be a thru-hiker but it didn't work out that way. He started at the beginning of the trail in Georgia, and he had to be helped off the AT in the Berkshires in Massachusetts because he was ill. Turns out he had Lyme's disease. So the following year he resumed the AT in the Berkshires and hiked all the way to the end. A major accomplishment for someone his age, IMO. Obviously, our friend is an avid hiker and was in shape to tackle the AT at his age. Previously he and his son hiked Mt. Kilimanjaro. He also used to do rock climbing and ice climbing.

Gretchen

We loved camping of all kinds when our kids were home. I had a funny magazine article that described two couples who were planning an AT hike--the men would backpack and the women would meet them at the end of their trek after spending THEIR days at White Sulphur Springs! So the guys went to the outfitters and found all these wonderful light weight items for their backpacks. Lesson learned--many light weight things add up to one heavy pack!!
And I have heard camping described as spending time somewhere less comfortable than any third rate motel.
We did some backpacking and enjoyed picking wild blueberries to put in morning pancakes--no restaurant offering ever tasted better!! But mostly "out of car doors" camping and I wouldn't trade those memories for anything!!
I still have the hiking stick DH used with the worn spot down around his knee where DS held on. DS was amazed the next year when his hand didn't "fit" there but was above it. "I must have grown, Dad".

kybourbon

**I was smuggled in to Le Conte by a dear group of friends. My mother had just died after spending her last months with us. They had reservations which was for the entire lodge and asked if I'd like to go along. We hiked up the less vigorous trail. I stayed in the cabin while they had dinner. AND we were visited by a bear. We tied the door closed with pantyhose--do not ask me wha nay one of us had that available. I have NO idea!! It was and is a great memory.**

I certainly didn't leave any pantyhose at LeConte.

**The bunks are very basic though.**

The bunks in our cabin at LeConte were a double on the bottom and single over top. I see they have now tacked on a fee if you have an empty spot in your cabin. We didn't have to pay that.

**We’ve hiked Le Conte twice the past five years (via Alum Cave trail) and would love to stay at the lodge someday. Had to chuckle at Kyourbons review of the lodge**

Box wine never tasted so good. LOL. Some people carried their own bottles of wine up. I was thankful the llamas carried the boxed wine for me!

A friend's husband had standing reservations every year for opening/closing dates at LeConte. Can't imagine wanting to do that. I'm on your mom's side - electricity/heat/AC/running water/private bathroom/wifi. I had a hotel in Gatlinburg while we were at LeConte because I wasn't supposed to be on the hike. We were thankful for their hot tub and pool when we got back down the mountain. My electric went out for 4 hours this morning just to remind me I don't want to go back to LeConte.

Gretchen

I still don't know who hadthe pantyhose but you do need to know kthat this was 42 years ago. LOL

Underhill

A classic book on walking the trail: Bill Bryson's "A Walk in the Woods."

starrs

A new book, just out in June = The Appalachian Trail: A Biography
I know nothing about it but will probably add it to Audible. Was in a literary email this week.

rupertsaccount

After reading Cheryl Strayed's memoir I really wanted to walk the Pacific Crest Trail. Now I'm wondering if the Appalachian may be even better. Looks like they're both solid hit outs.

starrs

I've started listening to the AT book and it's a series of biographies of people connected to the AT. I'm finding it fascinating.