
Hikers that complete the entire trail in a single season are called "thru hikers". Those that traverse the trail during a series of separate trips are known as "section hikers". In 1948, Earl Shaffer of Pennsylvania completed the first documented thru hike. In 1998 Shaffer again hiked the entire trail...when he was 80 years old!
The trail is much more frequently hiked south to north than vice versa and those hikers are referred to as GAME (Georgia - Maine). Those heading south are called MEGA (Maine - Georgia).
Hikers typically begin the trek in March or April and finish in late summer or early fall, usually taking 5 to 7 months to complete the journey.
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