Did you know the Appalachian Trail begins in our north Georgia mountains? Starting at Springer Mountain it stretches 2,180 miles to Mount Katahdin in Maine. The trail is the longest footpath in the United States. We here in Georgia have 75 miles of the trail to enjoy with the highest point in our state being at Blood Mountain at 4,461 feet.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.
North Georgia Mountains Outdoors blog sponsored by High Flight Designs. All information and photos posted on this blog are copyrighted by High Flight Designs and may not be used without prior written permission.
