Thru-hiking
Encyclopedia
Thru-hiking is the process of hiking
a long-distance trail
from end to end. The term is most commonly associated with the Appalachian Trail
, but is also used for other lengthy trails and long distance hikes, including the Pacific Crest Trail
and the Continental Divide Trail
. Thru-hiking is also called "end-to-end hiking" or "end-to-ending" on some trails, like Vermont
's Long Trail
. Section hiking, on the other hand, refers to hiking a complete trail by hiking all of its individual sections, not in continuity or, necessarily, in sequence.
One famous thru-hike involves the story of Lillian Alling
, a young 27-year old Russian immigrant living in New York City, who became homesick and decided to return to her family in Russia. Lacking funds, but armed with a strong will, she chose to walk the 12,000 miles to Russia, traversing Canada and into Alaska. She was last seen preparing to cross by boat at the Bering Strait
to Siberia.
After the completion of the Appalachian Trail, a thru-hiker named George W. Outerbridge completed the first section hike of the newly completed AT in 1939; trail promoter Myron Avery
had previously section-hiked during the process of trail blazing
.
In 1948, Earl Shaffer
became the first to have publicly thru-hiked the AT. A 1994 report claiming that a group of Boy Scouts had done so twelve years earlier has never been adequately documented and is considered highly suspect in most hiking circles (see Appalachian Trail).
A number of thru-hikers have achieved a measure of celebrity in backpacking culture. Perhaps the most famous was Emma "Grandma" Gatewood, who first thru-hiked the trail in 1955 at age 67, with what even at that time was considered extremely inadequate gear, including sneakers rather than boot
s and a blanket
rather than a sleeping bag
; she later completed a second thru-hike and a full section hike and is recognized today as a pioneer of ultralight backpacking
.
Thru-hiking a trail is a long and difficult journey: An AT
thru-hike, for example, takes on average 5 to 7 months, covering over 2,100 miles. Thru-hikers typically organize supplies for the journey far in advance, and have friends and family mail packages to predetermined stops along the way, to be picked up as poste restante
. These caches-via-mail are usually referred to as "mail drops."
Many people without time or interest in thru-hiking instead choose to section hike a trail, completing it piece by piece, often over many years.
With the rise of backpacking
in the United States
, thru-hiking has become a minor industry. Thousands of hikers attempt to thru-hike the AT every year, although by some estimates fewer than 20% complete the entire trail. Roughly 150 end-to-end the (much shorter) Long Trail, and about 180 thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail, each year. Some dedicated thru-hikers complete a trail more than once; about 30 have reported hiking the AT at least three times. Lee Barry became the oldest to thru-hike the AT when he completed a thru-hike (his second) in 2004 at age 81.
In recent years, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
has reported completion rates around 25%, after several years under 20%. They attribute this to slightly lower numbers of hikers, as well as better gear, and thanks to the internet, information about gear, causing fewer hikers to start with 60 to 80 pound packs and drop out a few miles in.
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
a long-distance trail
Long-distance trail
Long-distance trails are the longer recreational trails mainly through rural areas, used for non-motorised recreational travelling ....
from end to end. The term is most commonly associated with the Appalachian Trail
Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, generally known as the Appalachian Trail or simply the AT, is a marked hiking trail in the eastern United States extending between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. It is approximately long...
, but is also used for other lengthy trails and long distance hikes, including the Pacific Crest Trail
Pacific Crest Trail
The Pacific Crest Trail is a long-distance mountain hiking and equestrian trail on the Western Seaboard of the United States. The southern terminus is at the California border with Mexico...
and the Continental Divide Trail
Continental Divide Trail
The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail is a United States National Scenic Trail running 3,100 miles between Mexico and Canada. It follows the Continental Divide along the Rocky Mountains and traverses five U.S. states — Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico...
. Thru-hiking is also called "end-to-end hiking" or "end-to-ending" on some trails, like Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
's Long Trail
Long Trail
The Long Trail is a hiking trail located in Vermont, running the length of the state. It is the oldest long-distance trail in the United States, constructed between 1910 and 1930 by the Green Mountain Club...
. Section hiking, on the other hand, refers to hiking a complete trail by hiking all of its individual sections, not in continuity or, necessarily, in sequence.
History
Thru-hiking's origins date back many years, when long-distance foot travel as a means of transportation began to merge with hiking for its own enjoyment and as a means of seeing the world.One famous thru-hike involves the story of Lillian Alling
Lillian Alling
Lillian Alling was an Estonian immigrant from Russia who tried to return to Russia from New York, USA mostly on foot.-Description from a book by Calvin Rutstrum:The following is an excerpt from Calvin Rutstrum's :...
, a young 27-year old Russian immigrant living in New York City, who became homesick and decided to return to her family in Russia. Lacking funds, but armed with a strong will, she chose to walk the 12,000 miles to Russia, traversing Canada and into Alaska. She was last seen preparing to cross by boat at the Bering Strait
Bering Strait
The Bering Strait , known to natives as Imakpik, is a sea strait between Cape Dezhnev, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia, the easternmost point of the Asian continent and Cape Prince of Wales, Alaska, USA, the westernmost point of the North American continent, with latitude of about 65°40'N,...
to Siberia.
After the completion of the Appalachian Trail, a thru-hiker named George W. Outerbridge completed the first section hike of the newly completed AT in 1939; trail promoter Myron Avery
Myron Avery
Myron Haliburton Avery was an American lawyer, hiker and explorer. Born in Lubec, Maine, Avery was a protégé of Judge Arthur Perkins and a collaborator and sometimes rival of Benton MacKaye. He was president of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club from 1927 to 1941 and chairman of the Appalachian...
had previously section-hiked during the process of trail blazing
Trail blazing
Trail blazing, or trailblazing, is the practice of marking paths in outdoor recreational areas with blazes, markings that follow each other at certain — though not necessarily exactly defined — distances and mark the direction of the trail...
.
In 1948, Earl Shaffer
Earl Shaffer
Earl V. Shaffer , was an American outdoorsman and author known from 1948 as The Crazy One for attempting what became the first documented hiking trip over the entire length of the Appalachian Trail...
became the first to have publicly thru-hiked the AT. A 1994 report claiming that a group of Boy Scouts had done so twelve years earlier has never been adequately documented and is considered highly suspect in most hiking circles (see Appalachian Trail).
A number of thru-hikers have achieved a measure of celebrity in backpacking culture. Perhaps the most famous was Emma "Grandma" Gatewood, who first thru-hiked the trail in 1955 at age 67, with what even at that time was considered extremely inadequate gear, including sneakers rather than boot
Boot
A boot is a type of footwear but they are not shoes. Most boots mainly cover the foot and the ankle and extend up the leg, sometimes as far as the knee or even the hip. Most boots have a heel that is clearly distinguishable from the rest of the sole, even if the two are made of one piece....
s and a blanket
Blanket
A blanket is a type of bedding, generally speaking, a large piece of cloth, intended to keep the user warm, especially while sleeping. Blankets are distinguished from sheets by their thickness and purpose; the thickest sheet is still thinner than the lightest blanket. Blankets are generally used...
rather than a sleeping bag
Sleeping bag
A sleeping bag is a protective "bag" for a person to sleep in, essentially a blanket that can be closed with a zipper or similar means, and functions as a bed in situations where a bed is unavailable . Its primary purpose is to provide warmth and thermal insulation...
; she later completed a second thru-hike and a full section hike and is recognized today as a pioneer of ultralight backpacking
Ultralight backpacking
Ultralight backpacking is a style of backpacking that emphasizes carrying the lightest and simplest kit safely possible for a given trip. Base pack weight is reduced as much as safely possible, though reduction of the weight of...
.
Today
Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, generally known as the Appalachian Trail or simply the AT, is a marked hiking trail in the eastern United States extending between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. It is approximately long...
thru-hike, for example, takes on average 5 to 7 months, covering over 2,100 miles. Thru-hikers typically organize supplies for the journey far in advance, and have friends and family mail packages to predetermined stops along the way, to be picked up as poste restante
Poste restante
Poste restante or general delivery is a service where the post office holds mail until the recipient calls for it...
. These caches-via-mail are usually referred to as "mail drops."
Many people without time or interest in thru-hiking instead choose to section hike a trail, completing it piece by piece, often over many years.
With the rise of backpacking
Backpacking (wilderness)
Backpacking combines the activities of hiking and camping for an overnight stay in backcountry wilderness...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, thru-hiking has become a minor industry. Thousands of hikers attempt to thru-hike the AT every year, although by some estimates fewer than 20% complete the entire trail. Roughly 150 end-to-end the (much shorter) Long Trail, and about 180 thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail, each year. Some dedicated thru-hikers complete a trail more than once; about 30 have reported hiking the AT at least three times. Lee Barry became the oldest to thru-hike the AT when he completed a thru-hike (his second) in 2004 at age 81.
In recent years, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of the Appalachian Trail, which runs from Maine to Georgia...
has reported completion rates around 25%, after several years under 20%. They attribute this to slightly lower numbers of hikers, as well as better gear, and thanks to the internet, information about gear, causing fewer hikers to start with 60 to 80 pound packs and drop out a few miles in.
See also
- HikingHikingHiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
- Long-distance trailLong-distance trailLong-distance trails are the longer recreational trails mainly through rural areas, used for non-motorised recreational travelling ....
- Hiking equipmentHiking equipmentHiking equipment is gear or equipment that one takes along on an outdoors hiking trip. While hiking is considered different from backpacking , the equipment is of necessity of a shorter term more practical nature for such a walk...
- Backpacking (wilderness)Backpacking (wilderness)Backpacking combines the activities of hiking and camping for an overnight stay in backcountry wilderness...