I love my job as a Ridgerunner for the Applachian Trail Conservancy! While doing my job, I get to walk on the wonderful, beautiful Appalachian Trail every day! And that’s not even the best part. The best part is that I get to meet people at trailheads who are just considering walking this path. They’re so eager and curious to explore this legendary path.
When I speak with them, all the memories of my months of hiking come back in a flood of grandeur. That feels great! Then, I encourage them to join me, keeping three things in mind:
For your first hike:
1. Make it EASY! Choose a path that’s simple to walk. Ask for a suggestion from another hiker, check a guidebook, or check a map with elevation information.
2. Make it SHORT! Go out for a couple of hours, then a day, then an overnight. Work up gradually to a week.
3. Keep it FUN! Take along food you enjoy, a liter of water for every four hours, and come back BEFORE you’re tired.
Get started gently on your treks and you’ll be building up to longer, farther, and continually better walks. I’ll see you on the trail!
Be sure to read my previous post “A ‘Thru-hike’ beings with short walks”!
Great advice! Congrats on becoming a Ridgerunner, it sounds like a great job!