|
AT
Survey Guide
Getting
Ready
Background
Info
Making
Time
Start
Dates
Routes
Mail
Drops
Bounce
Boxes
Backpacking
Gear
Top
Twelve
Sent
Home
Best
Gear
Worst
Gear
Replacements
Top
Brands
First
Aid
Water
Treatment
Maps
/ Guides
Seasonal
Changes
Backpack
Weight
Health
Insurance
Sickness
Pain
/ Problems
Vitamins
Weight
Loss
Trail
Food
Supply
Top
5 Foods
Recipes
Danger
on the Trail
After
the Trail
End
Dates
Cost
Hiking
Again
Favorite
Sections
Biggest
Surprise
Best
of the Trail
Worst
of the Trail
Lessons
Learned
|
|
Appalachian
Trail 2003 Hiker Survey
The
majority of survey responses we received were from northbound
thru-hikers, so these results are therefore representative
of their experiences. To date we have received 49 replies
to our Appalachian Trail survey. According to the ATC, there
were 503 hikers that reported finishing the AT in 2003.
|
Getting
Ready
|
|
What
kind of person makes the decision to attempt a thru-hike of
the Appalachian Trail? Are there many plans made, or is it
done entirely in the spirit of freedom? Preparation and hiking
style obviously varies according to the individual hiker,
but some choices seem to outweigh others.
|
|
Background
Information
|
Age
|
|
Under
18 |
6% |
|
19
- 25 |
17% |
|
26
- 30 |
33% |
|
31
- 40 |
23 % |
|
41
- 50 |
13% |
|
51
- 60 |
8% |
|
Over
60 |
0% |
|
|
Sex
|
|
Male |
65% |
|
Female |
35% |
|
Occupation
|
| Appalachian
Trail hikers definitely come from all walks of life, and
we found our survey replies brought a wide variety of
careers and lifestyles. There were many of the stereotypical
responses: unemployed, graphic artists, and musicians.
There were also a surprising number of hikers who worked
in computer and technology fields. Others included an
attorney, veterinarian, geologist, financial analyst -
the list goes on. Once on the Trail, though, we quickly
learn that what goes on in our regular lives has little,
if nothing, to do with the Trail experience. |
| |
|
|
|
Making
Time to Hike
|
|
After
receiving the results from the survey, we weren't surprised
to find out that about half the people hiking the Appalachian
Trail had to quit their jobs to achieve this great accomplishment.
After all – we quit ours...
Below
is a graph showing this in more detail:
|
Student |
2% |
|
Retired |
6% |
|
Leave
of Absence |
19% |
|
Unemployed |
23 % |
|
Quit
Job |
46% |
|
Other
|
6% |
| |
|
|
Info
on thru-hiker start dates coming soon. Please check back in
a few days.
|
| |
Next > More
Info on Getting Ready
|
|
