Wanting to start section hiking the AT

**WesArnold** · 10-08-2014, 20:22

Originally Posted by dakotaross

And why would you want to stay at a shelter?

I don't. I just know there are certain parts of the trail where you are supposed to stay in the shelters. It seems thats only in the smokeys though now that I'm learning more.

**dakotaross** · 10-08-2014, 21:07

I would go over to Whiteblaze.net, from whence we're sprung. Don't get me wrong, we're crazy happy to help and not only with hanging, but I think you'll be able to search and find anything you're wondering about over there real easy.

**Bammacker** · 10-08-2014, 21:26

That sounds like a lot of fun, Wes. I've always wanted to do that, but the wife only allows me 4 days max. Maybe when the kids are a bit older I can have a week. Have fun!

**WesArnold** · 10-09-2014, 07:30

Originally Posted by Bammacker

That sounds like a lot of fun, Wes. I've always wanted to do that, but the wife only allows me 4 days max. Maybe when the kids are a bit older I can have a week. Have fun!

For sure! I didn't ask the wife's permission. Lol. I said, "I'm doing a week a year. You can go if you want." Went over better than expected. Haha

**backpacker** · 10-09-2014, 08:00

Originally Posted by WesArnold

So I've read that a lot of people call ahead and register at shelters ahead of time. What happens when they're full? What options do you have then?

I wouldn't recommend sleeping in the shelters on the AT, they are not that comfortable. Just sleep in your hammock.

**ChrisP** · 10-10-2014, 11:50

The AWOL guide is great as is the AT Companion. I used the companion to follow along with my dad's progress, posting updates as needed. You need a permit for the Smokies and it is only good for a certain period of time once you get it (10 days?). Camping is only at designated areas. Don't worry about the other shelters. If they are full, there is plenty of tent or hammock space nearby. Not all shelters are the same too. I was a frequent lurker on White Blaze before I found this place.

**DanglingModifier** · 10-10-2014, 12:46

Originally Posted by backpacker

I wouldn't recommend sleeping in the shelters on the AT, they are not that comfortable.

I second using the shelters only as Plan B. I found the very active rodent community to be very off-putting in the AT shelters. That, more than the hard floors, is really what made them uncomfortable for me.

**gunner76** · 10-10-2014, 13:06

I highly recommend Joyce and Sally's shuttle service

Very nice ladies. I have used them in the past.

**WesArnold** · 10-10-2014, 13:16

What's the "ballpark" estimate for the shuttle services? Do they go by the mileage? How does it work?

**lazy river road** · 10-10-2014, 14:50

IMHO (for what it's worth) your looking at the big picture instead of the individual colors of the picture. Let me explain. You stated that you have only done 1 to 3 night trips (similar to how I started). I as well want to thru hike / section hike the whole trail. Instead of trying to wrap my brain around how to hike 2,000 miles. I started off with 1-2 day trips, then 3-4 night trips then seven night trips up to a 30 day trip where I thru hiked the long trail. This was a 2 year learning experience and am still learning. The point to my ramblings is instead of trying to start off with the big picture in mind start off by coloring in the pieces. Such as doing some research on a section that interest you go out and hike it for however long you have. I started off by hiking some of the easier sections of the AT and worked my way to the harder ones. The issue with section hiking only 7 days or so out of the year is you never achieve getting into thru hiker shape. This will make every section difficult (in theory some are easier then others) and unless you are a daily runner it limits the mileage you can hike per trip. Trying to section hike the trail 7 days at a time over the years is going to require lots of money and traveling epically if you try and piece it toogether in order. As for data books, AWOL is a good one, the AT data guide is also good and each section has their individual books and maps as well. You can also down load it from some where. Also when I started off I choose sections that had easy bail out opportunities and plenty of water. My body was not in shape to start at Springer and deal with the ups and down. I would cover such little mileage I chose falter sections so I was able to hike further. Obviously HYOH no one size fits all so you know what works best for you so a lot of it is going to be trial and error. Good luck on your hikes I hope my ramblings helped.