Appalachian Trail map – click for PDF Click here for a PDF of the Appalachian Trail Map
Click here for a JPG of the Appalachian Trail Map
The Appalachian Trail (fondly known as the A.T.), is a popular journey for thru-hikers, section hikers, and recreational day trippers. (If you don’t know what thru-hikers and section hikers are, check out this Ask Hiking Lady page on thru-hiking). The idea of the Appalachian Trail was thought up in 1921, and by 1937 private citizens built the 2,175 mile long trail! Impressive!
This Appalachian Trail map captures some of its massiveness – it extends all the way from Georgia to Maine, passes through 14 states, and numerous ecological zones.
Other fun facts about the A.T.:
Hiking Lady’s Recommended Books & Movies about the Appalachian Trail
Have you hiked parts of the A.T.? Are any Hiking Lady readers thru-hikers of the A.T.? Please share your stories and comments below!
Happy Trails!
The DuPont State Forest is located in western North Carolina, about 30 minutes southwest of Asheville – it’s just south of the more popular Pisgah National Forest. The DuPont State Forest has nearly 100 miles of trails and is often referred to as the “land of waterfalls.” In the 10,000 acre tract of land, there [...]
Keep yourself hydrated with the environmentally friendly Klean Kanteen stainless steel water bottle, which now comes in a variety of colors.
Hikers love the 18 oz bottle for its compact, easy-to-carry size.
Hiking Tents Features
Hiking has become a favourite pastime for people of all ages. Whether alone, or with friends, backpacking can be a fun and adventurous way to spend a weekend. It gives you a chance to escape the madness of the city, explore natural surroundings and get some great exercise to boot.
If nature and the great outdoors appeals to you and you enjoy hiking long distances with overnight stays, then it is time to start looking at hiking tents, as they are an important piece of your hiking gear. Adventure hiking and backpacking off the grid and in the wilderness will require hiking tents which provide a comfortable balance between weight and packing capacity. Make sure to prepare yourself for the worst possible type of weather you’ll encounter.
The type of backpacking tent that you choose will depend largely on how you plan to use it. If you are going on a solo summer hiking trip, a small and basic tent may be right for you. A small tent doesn’t allow much room for moving around or storing supplies, but it is easier to carry and set up.
Hiking tents are rated by the number of people they can accommodate. When they say it’s a 2-person tent, they mean 2 people and nothing else, so it is usually better to get a tent that can accommodates one extra. Consider the length and width of the hiking tents you’re looking at. If you’re 6 feet tall you’ll want at least 7 feet to stretch out length-wise and 2-3 feet of width depending on how much you move in your sleep. The best hiking tents would always be the ones where you can sit up erect without your head touching the top of the tent. For two man tents, consider the location of the door before your proceed with your purchase.
Furthermore, when the time comes to assemble your tent, you want it to go up quickly and easily, especially at the end of a long, tiring day of hiking. Worse yet, if it is raining or snowing, you really want your tent to go right up so you can get inside, stay dry and get warm.
Condensation is an age old problem of tents. Double-wall tents with a waterproof outer fly and a breathable inner tent give better protection against condensation. Single walled tents use vents, mesh and waterproof, but breathable fabrics, to achieve the same.
The color of the tent will determine the light color, and brightness inside the tent. Orange, gray, green, and blue gives a dimmer light, while yellow, white and cream are brighter. For snowy conditions bright colors like yellow and orange will make sure that your tent stands out in the snow.
Keep your tent as dry as possible. If it gets wet, spread it out in the sun to dry the first chance you get. If it’s still wet when you get home, hang it up to dry completely before you pack it away. Putting a tent away wet is a sure recipe for mold.
Hiking is an adventure! However, choosing the right tent will make all the difference for you, so make sure to consider climate, ventilation, price, staying dry, and tent design when tent shopping. When you’re snuggled up warm and dry in your tent, you’ll be so glad you did!