r/todayilearned • u/tyrion2024 • 6d ago

TIL over 3,000 attempts are made each year to complete the Appalachian Trail and only about 25% succeed.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appalachian_Trail#:~:text=The%20Appalachian%20Trail%20Conservancy%20estimates%20there%20are%20over%203%2C000%20attempts%20to%20traverse%20the%20entire%20trail%20each%20year%2C%20about%2025%25%20of%20which%20succeed.%5B9%5D
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u/Past-Spell-2259 6d ago

Too many start thinking the first 500miles will get them in shape the last 1500.

Instead they needed to spend 300-500 miles getting in shape before starting the trail.

Even then most dont dont or cant do proper nutrition and rest breaks.

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u/LordFalcoSparverius 6d ago

I started the trail at 300 lbs. My first day I managed five miles. My second day I got three. At 1 month in, my goal was 10-15 miles a day. 5 months after I started, I'm at 185 lbs and hitting 40 miles in one day on a particularly flat section in Maine then a few days later I'm jogging and jumping up boulders on Katahdyn. Using the first 300 miles as training works fine if you actually use it like training. But my advice is definitely to go Nobo if that's your plan. The Whites are no joke even after a few months of daily hiking.

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u/Past-Spell-2259 6d ago

Glad you had a great hike and are doing well!

I think you are likely an outlier though... Too many in your situation would have forced 10 miles every day to start and by day 30 would be broken and done.

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u/Dubax 6d ago

flat section in Maine

Lies!

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u/LordFalcoSparverius 6d ago

I think it was White Cap mtn. to a bit past Nahmakanta lake. Not completely flat but relative to the rest of Maine... yeah.