Hiking the Appalachian Trail

Appalachian Trail, white blaze on post

Hiking the Appalachian Trail, in sections or in one long trek, will richly reward you. What follows is the first chapter from my trail journal, 1001 Miles on the Appalachian Trail. It covers the first 315-mile section hike from Damascus, VA, to the Nantahala Outdoor Center in Wesser, NC. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed hiking it. -Chef Glenn

The meals mentioned in the journal are all included in my book, Recipes for Adventure: Healthy, Hearty & Homemade Backpacking Recipes.

Low Gap, TN, to Nantahala Outdoor Center, Wesser, NC, 315 miles, Southbound

MAY 23—JUNE 19

Low Gap, TN, to Double Springs Shelter

Double Springs Shelter to Vandeventer Shelter

Vandeventer Shelter to Laurel Fork Shelter

Laurel Fork Shelter to Moreland Gap Shelter

Moreland Gap Shelter to Mountaineer Shelter


Appalachian Trail, Mountaineer Shelter


Mountaineer Shelter to Mountain Harbour Hostel

Mountain Harbour Hostel to Overmountain Shelter

Overmountain Shelter to Greasy Creek Friendly Hostel

Greasy Creek Friendly Hostel to Beauty Spot Gap

Beauty Spot Gap to Uncle Johnny’s Nolichucky Hostel


Ray-way tarp set up in the rain.


Near No Business Knob Shelter to Bald Mountain Shelter

Bald Mountain Shelter to Hogback Ridge Shelter

Hogback Ridge Shelter to Flint Mountain Shelter

Flint Mountain Shelter to Hemlock Hollow Hostel

Hemlock Hollow Hostel to Hot Springs, NC

Hot Springs, NC, to Walnut Mountain Shelter

Walnut Mountain Shelter to Groundhog Creek Shelter


Stecoah Gap View, Appalachian Trail

Great Smoky Mountains National Park to the NOC

Standing Bear Hostel to Tricorner Knob Shelter

Tricorner Knob Shelter to Icewater Spring Shelter

Icewater Spring Shelter to Double Spring Gap Shelter

Double Spring Gap Shelter to Spence Field Shelter


Deer grazing in front of Appalachian Trail Shelter


Spence Field Shelter to Fontana Dam Shelter

Fontana Dam Shelter to Cable Gap Shelter

Cable Gap Shelter to Locust Cove Gap

Locust Cove Gap to Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) Wesser, NC


Sunrise on the Appalachian Trail from Dragon's Tooth in Virginia.

Sunrise from Dragon's Tooth, Appalachian Trail, Virginia

View photos from my next hike in Virginia: Damascus to Waynesboro, 382 miles, Northbound

View photos of Appalachian Trail Virginia

1001 Miles on the Appalachian Trail


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1001 Miles on the Appalachian Trail

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Recipes for Adventure: Healthy, Hearty & Homemade Backpacking Recipes. The Ultimate Guide to Dehydrating Food for the Trail.
Recipes for Adventure II: The Best of Trail Bytes. Adventures in Dehydrating Backpacking Food.
Action Guide: Dehydrating 31 Meals. Step-by-step instructions.
Backpacking Chef Menu Planning & Food Drying Workbook.
1001 Miles on the Appalachian Trail.

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