How and Why

Many people ask us about food. What will we eat? The answer we will simply eat whatever we get our hands on. If the typical person consumes 2000 calories a day, a thru-hiker will consume anywhere from 4000 to 6000 calories a day. Heavy carbohydrates such as rice and pastas, and fatty foods such as peanut butter and cheese will be our staples.

Many people ask us about sleeping. Where will we lay our heads at night? For the most part, the AT has shelters that are spaced about a day’s hike apart. On days when we are not in a shelter, we will sleep in our tent.

Many people ask us about re-supplying. How will we get more food, gear, and clothing? The AT crosses through (or passes close to) many mountain towns along its length. We will either have someone mail us food and gear to these towns, or we will purchase it while passing through. This procedure is easier in the south, where towns are about a week apart, but it gets harder in New England where towns are sparse. And yes, we will bathe in these towns about once a week.