The Number of People Who Have Completed the AT Trail

The 2,200-mile long Appalachian Trail, commonly known as the AT Trail, runs from Georgia to Maine. Thousands of hikers visit it each year because it is one of the most famous and difficult long-distance hiking trails in the entire globe. How many have actually finished the trail, though? The solution is not obvious.

A segment of the Appalachian Trail is hiked by around 3 million people each year, according to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the group in charge of administering and safeguarding the trail. Only a small portion of these hikers, however, finish the entire trek. Since not all hikers register their walks or record their completions to the ATC, it is difficult to pinpoint the precise number of people who have finished the AT Trail.

About 20,000 hikers had finished the full trail as of 2021, according to the ATC. However, as many hikers opt not to report their accomplishments, this figure is probably greater. Additionally, some hikers finish the trek more than once, which might skew the statistics.

Darwin Onthetrail is among the most well-known walkers to have finished the AT Trail. He is a well-known blogger and YouTuber who posted videos of his 2015 thru-hike on his channel. Many hikers have been motivated to undertake the trek by Darwin’s films and blog articles. He also earns money via his blog and YouTube channel, although the precise sum is not made public.

Mostly Harmless Hiker is another well-known hiker whose real name is still a mystery. His stunning photos and motivational story helped him establish a sizable social media following after he finished the path in 2018. Sadly, in Florida’s Big Cypress National Preserve, Mostly Harmless was discovered dead in 2019, and his real identity is still unknown.

And finally, you might be curious about slackpacking. Slackpacking, a phrase used to describe hiking without a full backpack, describes this type of hiking. Instead, hikers bring only the necessities, such as water, food, and rain gear, leaving their bulky gear at a basecamp or hostel. Although slackpacking can make hiking simpler and more pleasurable, it is not regarded as a legitimate thru-hike because hikers do not always carry all of their gear with them.

In conclusion, it is challenging to estimate the number of persons who have finished the AT Trail, although it is generally thought to be approximately 20,000. Many individuals have attempted the AT Trail as a result of hikers like Darwin Onthetrail and Mostly Harmless Hiker, whose experiences and stories have contributed to the trail’s rich history. Although slackpacking is a well-liked method of hiking the path, it is not regarded as a legitimate thru-hike.