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.

Life after the Trail is difficult for many. It can be hard to adapt to the normal structure of life after spending six months in the freedom of the woods. Some people decide on a new path for their life at the end of the Trail, some go back to the jobs they left, and some just turn around and keep on hiking. No matter what a thru-hiker decides to do, one thing is certain - through what they've gained, lost, learned and unlearned, a part of them has changed forever.

Info on thru-hiker end dates coming soon. Please check back in a few days.

Estimated Cost

Simply put, you can spend as little or as much as you want on a thru-hike. It all depends whether you'd like to spend lots of nights in a hotel, or lots of time digging through hiker boxes for free food.

Amount Spent on AT Thru-Hike (in dollars)
< 1000	2%
1000 - 2000	8%
2001 - 3000	31%
3001 - 4000	33%
4001 - 5000	11%
5001 - 6000	4%
> 6000	11%

Another Thru-Hike

Some people just can't get enough of hiking. Many begin planning another thru-hike while still on the AT, often to attempt a different long distance trail.

Would you thru-hike the Appalachian Trail again?
Yes	54%
No	11%
Maybe	35%
Are you considering hiking another long distance trail?
Yes	59%
No	11%
Maybe	30%