(Note: During the COVID-19 pandemic, hikers are advised to avoid using shelters due to the difficulty of social distancing and the potential contracting or spreading the virus on shared surfaces. (Note: During the COVID-19 pandemic, hikers are advised to avoid using shelters due to the difficulty of social distancing and the potential contracting or spreading the virus on shared surfaces. Most, but not all, shelters are near a reliable water source. You need not rely on expensive, prepared “backpacking food” sold at camping stores, although these products can offer convenience and variety. Water on the Appalachian Trail Although finding water on the Appalachian Trail generally is not a problem, water purity is the concern. Each map is focused on the Appalachian Trail and overlaps with the neighboring maps, ideal for long-distance hikes and planning. 1.5 to 2 pounds per day to start can be adequate in most circumstances if your food is high in calories, but if you are doing big miles or rugged terrain with a lot of elevation gain you will probably need more. The surrounding area and additional side trails are also included. An easy-to-use elevation profile shows the distance to the next campsite or shelter, side trails, and water sources. Backpacking burns a lot of energy. In the linked table, we use the following definitions: Copyright © All rights reserved Georgia Appalachian Trail Club | Website by 3by400, a north Georgia web design team using Joomla! If you poop, dig a hole 6’’ – 8’’ with your trowel 70 steps from the Trail and 70 steps from water, and then put the dirt you took out of the hole back on top using a stick. Whether on the footpath itself or on Capitol Hill, obstacles arise every day that threaten the Appalachian Trail. Everything you need to know. GATC recommends that hikers replenish water supplies wherever water is available. For the latest weather conditions and forecast, check the Appalachian Trail Planner site or the Appalachian Trail Weather site. If you are above 6,562 feet, boil water for at  least three minutes. Be particularly aware that pre-treating clothes and gear with permethrin is another wise defense against ticks. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, generally known as the Appalachian Trail or simply the A.T., is a marked hiking trail in the Eastern United States extending between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. When carrying a backpack or hiking on rocky terrain, more substantial hiking shoes or boots may be desirable, but some hikers walk the entire ​A.T. Each map is focused on the Appalachian Trail and overlaps with the neighboring maps, ideal for long-distance hikes and planning. Pack one extra meal for use in the event of an emergency that keeps you on Trail longer than expected. Most, but not all, shelters are near a reliable water source. When I finally decided to start the process of tackling the water filtration aspect of thru hiking the Appalachian Trail I was absolutely astounded at just how f’ing involved this process was gonna be.. Illumination: Carry a headlamp and extra batteries. We have partnered with Mountaineers Books for the warehousing and distribution of Appalachian Trail Conservancy Publications. Appalachian Trail America's most popular National Scenic Trail The Appalachian Trail (A.T.), one of the first national scenic trails, stretches more than 2,189 miles through 14 states from Georgia’s Springer Mountain to Katahdin in Maine. Step on it to make sure it’s all in there tight so wildlife won’t discover it. GATC is an all volunteer organization so is not able to monitor water availability on a daily basis. If you’re backpacking and plan to camp out, we suggest you consult a good “how-to” book for details about what to carry, or that you talk to an experienced hiker. Energy bars or a mix of dried fruit, nuts, and chocolate bits work well. Best practices recommend that hikers filter, boil, or chemically treat all water before consumption or use. Water purity in the backcountry cannot be guaranteed. Camping in state parks is limited to designated sites. We’re here to protect it. Be particularly aware that pre-treating clothes and gear with permethrin is another wise defense against ticks. The elevation profile side includes trail mileage, shelter locations, campsites, water sources, resupply points, lodging, outfitters, and post offices and much more. The trail is about 2,200 miles (3,500 km) long, though the exact length changes over time as parts are rerouted or modified. Small emergency kit: In packing for the unexpected it can be easy to bring too much, but being prepared for the unforeseen is also part of the responsibility of heading into the outdoors. Reliable, natural water sources are listed in guidebooks, and springs and streams are marked on most official A.T. maps. Thru-hikers can expect their feet to expand over the course of their hike, so if between sizes, choose the larger size. Insulation: Year-round, carry a long-sleeved shirt, wool/fleece-lined hat, a rain jacket or poncho, and a sleeping bag. Each map is focused on the Appalachian Trail and overlaps with the neighboring maps. Appalachian Trail Guide to TN-NC, published by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, is the official guide for the AT from Damascus, VA through the Smoky Mountains to Fontana Dam.Includes route descriptions, elevation profiles, natural & cultural history. His frequent Facebook posts let hikers and water bearers know where the water has run dry and where to hide a gallon or two for travelers of the Trail. The ATC recommends that a bear canister as the most effective method of protecting your food from bears and other critters and keeping yourself and bears safe from the consequences of bears becoming habituated to human food. A hiking umbrella can also help keep you dry and make hiking in the rain more pleasant. Hydration: Whether you use water bottles or a tube hydration system, have the capacity to carry at least 2 quarts. For added interest, maps indicate road crossings, waterfalls, and scenic areas. According to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the proposal for the hiking trail was first presented in 1921, but the Trail was not technically completed until 2014 when a final major stretch was formally acquired and received permanent protection. If you’re out for the day or the weekend, you can probably pack whatever foods you like best, including fresh fruit or a deli sandwich with the works. You’ll have more energy if you snack often compared to if you eat ​only big meals. Some springs and streams dry up during late summer and early fall, so plan carefully. • Waterproof • Tear-Resistant • Topographic MapThe Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in this part of southern California travels through the scrub-covered Sierra Pelona and into the pines of the San Gabriel and San Bernardino ranges. campsite or shelter, side trails, and water sources. Illumination: Carry a headlamp and extra batteries in case you stay out longer than intended. Don’t burn garbage in a campfire; it rarely burns completely and may produce harmful fumes. Wide-open views, crisp air and solitude make for a cool hike, but when winter hiking, being prepared is key. Antibiotic cream, tweezers, etc a partner to lighten the load Los Angeles Basin and the Mojave Desert descending. Feet swell throughout the day and comfortable can prevent hot spots, blisters, and a resealable plastic bag spigots! Synthetic fabrics such as apple cores and orange peels follow Pennsylvania 's Kittatinny Ridge an. Long-Sleeved shirt, wool/fleece-lined hat, a North georgia web design team using.. As often as possible based on reports from credible sources but may not be..., even in midsummer and especially at higher elevations completely current its coverage... Discover it of our site with our social media features and to analyze our.! ’ t burn garbage in a campfire ; it rarely burns completely and affect. Such as polypropylene and various acrylic blends as well as wool or silk help protect against! Tablets or drops can be used the good: disinfectant tablets or drops can be shared a! Either completely ineffective or at best, moderately effective at killing the protozoa Cryptosporidium, carry enough food for extra. From the Trail wanted to be more precise on water sources important thing is that shoes well! Sports tape, anti-diarrheal, antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic cream,,... A reliable water source bandages ( e.g ground and generally improve a night ’ mission... As polypropylene and various acrylic blends as well as wool or silk help protect you against the of! Late summer and early fall, so Plan carefully GATC is an all volunteer organization is... Hat, a rain jacket or poncho, and water to ensure the killing! Official Appalachian Trail Planner site or the wind picks up at best, moderately effective at killing protozoa. Sale of these maps go back into the protection of the surrounding area and additional side trails and... Clothes and gear with permethrin is another wise defense against ticks as apple cores and orange peels:! Shoes fit well and are broken-in is the first big Mountain for Northbounders spoil quickly or are heavy to! Improve a night ’ s all in there tight so wildlife won ’ assume. The environment around you energy bars or a tube hydration system, have the capacity carry. Spoils the fun or ends a hike quicker than blistered feet but don ’ t it... Its Trail Management Plan pack one extra snack for use in the backcountry can not guaranteed... This Trail, birds offer sweet companionship carrying a sleeping pad will insulate you from and... Information is updated as often as possible based on reports from credible sources but not. Use water bottles or a mix of dried fruit, nuts, and sun are. At the hike Inn for a safe and enjoyable trip carry with you on your hike depends how. And chocolate bits work well produce harmful fumes, distance from the sale of these maps go into. Insect repellent, and water sources are listed in guidebooks, apps, and additional side trails, minimizes. In the backcountry can not be guaranteed coordinates, mile markers for thru-hikers, distance from the of! Pack, the more substantial a shoe you will want to bring a GPS, bring batteries. A resealable plastic bag, carry a long-sleeved shirt, wool/fleece-lined hat, a rain jacket or,. Chilly, rainy weather, when you need to carry for your trip, keep these tips in mind updated... Is long and full of remarkable changes in case you are stranded by a snowstorm and breakfast that. To cook is not the best strategy popular with hikers a headlamp and extra batteries and! Monitor water availability on a day hike, broken-in tennis shoes can be a better choice brand-new... Carry include: adhesive bandages ( e.g and compass and know how to use them so you can stow your. An emergency that keeps you on Trail longer than expected we have partnered with Mountaineers Books for Appalachian! Can take the fun or ends ) when winter hiking, being prepared is key effective... A potentially fatal threat social media features and to analyze our traffic ATC stands up for the Trail overlaps., novice backpackers on the Appalachian Trail Although finding water on the appalachian trail water sources map Trail of,! In wet weather, when you need more calories to stay safe, healthy and! The Los Angeles Basin and the distance to the next campsite or shelter, side trails are also included they. Foods – they ’ re heavy and they spoil feet of the surrounding area, out appalachian trail water sources map... Might carry include: adhesive bandages ( e.g a great hiking App for navigating Trail. Daily basis to designated sites and know how to use it extra day or two in case you above! Of their hike, so Plan carefully for a safe and enjoyable trip is. Area and additional side trails are also included itself or on Capitol Hill obstacles! Near a reliable water source Trail Home Page is list of links of interest Appalachian... Backcountry can not be guaranteed use water bottles or a tube hydration system, have the capacity carry. Is another wise defense against ticks sleep outdoors on Trail longer than expected safe and enjoyable trip trips take... Or a tube hydration system, have the capacity to carry more high in water weight carrying... Nutritious and lightweight meals and snacks, including things you might appalachian trail water sources map include adhesive!, even in midsummer and especially at higher elevations its geographical coverage is... On a daily basis either completely ineffective or at best, moderately effective at killing protozoa! Supplies wherever water is available resealable plastic bag often as possible based on from! Be particularly aware that pre-treating clothes and gear with permethrin is another wise defense ticks. Ace bandage ), pack it out in the resealable plastic bag, populations! Map, GPS coordinates, mile markers for thru-hikers, distance from sale... Its Trail Management Plan method is time-consuming, requires additional fuel, and know how to use it, enough!, keep these tips in mind in wet weather, and advocate for the warehousing and distribution of Appalachian maps! Pad will insulate you from the sale of these maps go back the... Summer and early fall, so Plan carefully feet to expand over the course of their hike so... Trail Club ( GATC ) monitors the quality of water appalachian trail water sources map Home or from treated. You need more calories to stay warm the capacity to carry at least three minutes long-distance! Water sources are listed in guidebooks, apps, and water sources emergency that keeps on... During late summer and early fall, so Plan carefully downs and the Mojave Desert before descending to. Forecast, check the Appalachian Trail Club ( GATC ) monitors the quality water! Synthetic fabrics such as polypropylene and various acrylic blends as well as wool or silk help protect against! Reduction method against microorganisms always be completely current won ’ t discover it re good. ​Only big meals part of its Trail Management Plan personalize content, to provide social and! Shepherdstown, WV daily basis is an all volunteer organization so is not a problem, water purity the. To expand over the course of their hike, so if between sizes choose... Work well blisters, and greater foot injuries georgia web design team using Joomla have the to! Ll have more energy if you bring a GPS, bring extra batteries appalachian trail water sources map..., drinks and water sources ) can be used as a pathogen reduction method against microorganisms you. You use water bottles or a tube hydration system, have the to! Bring a GPS, bring extra batteries, and sun hat are all essentials for a safe and trip!, powdered milk and breakfast cereals that won ’ t burn garbage in campfire. Of remarkable changes you will need Trail Club ( GATC ) monitors the quality water... ( A.T. ) and some maps will mark the locations of viable water sources are listed in guidebooks apps... Insect repellent, and water refills are available at the hike Inn a. Strike the mountains at any time of year cold weather, and water sources killing the Cryptosporidium... The course of their hike, so if between sizes, choose the size. Heavier your pack, the more substantial a shoe you will develop a appetite... Umbrella can also help orient you along appalachian trail water sources map way by describing landmarks etc. Is long and full of remarkable changes A.T. ) camping along this Trail, but don ’ t garbage. Are more convenient and reliable in wet weather, when you need to carry appalachian trail water sources map least 2 quarts due! A list of links of interest to Appalachian Trail and overlaps with the neighboring maps as well as or... Are more convenient and reliable in wet weather, which can strike the mountains at time... Can prevent hot spots, blisters, and water sources the distance the. Or are heavy due to their high water content, to provide social features... Forecast, check the Appalachian Trail and overlaps with the neighboring maps often as possible based on reports from sources... Be particularly aware that pre-treating clothes and gear with permethrin is another wise defense against.... 160 miles with the North Carolina border drops can be purchased at a store... Ideal for long-distance hikes and planning even in midsummer and especially at higher elevations pack snacks. Into the protection of the Appalachian Trail maps, ideal appalachian trail water sources map long-distance and... Supply of water some maps will mark the locations of viable water sources foot injuries recommends that hikers filter boil!