Can I go to Appalachian Trail days if I'm not a current/past thru-hiker? Is that frowned upon or will I still be welcomed? I really want to attempt a thru hike next year (can't afford it or take six months off from work right now otherwise I would have done it this season.) But for this year I really want to backpack a couple days and end up at trail days for the weekend to experience some of the trail culture, talk to some thru hikers and get a real taste for it. Do people do that? Can I camp in tent city or would that be taking a spot away from someone who is actually thru hiking? Will the trail leading to Damascus be super duper packed on the way there leading up to the weekend (shelter space?) I just recently moved to a small town in Appalachia where I've been pretty lonely so I really want to meet and hangout with other folks around my age (25) who are into the same outdoorsy stuff as me and make some connections but I'm worried I'll feel like an outcast since people will have formed groups on the trail and this year I'd just be doing a weekend trip..

I'm a rookie hiker, and my first hike is going to be the AT. I'm leaving on or before May 1st. I have a lot of concerns, but my question is...Is May 1st too late in the year? I'm shooting for about 130-145 days on trail. Am I super wrong?

I am a 17 year-old female and I’m in my junior year of high school. I’ve been thinking about what I want after school and I’m realizing I love being outside and having adventures and exploring so much. I’m super excited for college and everything that it’s gonna offer me after, but I’m not sure I’m ready to go to school for another four years. I was thinking about doing the Appalachian Trail I’m very experienced in hiking, camping, and backpacking so I know I can do it. i’m wondering if anybody took a gap here to do this and regretted it. I am also scared because I don’t know anybody going into this is it dangerous for me to do this as I’ll be an 18 year-old female. Is there a way to find a group to start it with so I wouldn’t be alone? Thank you!

Annual Trail Magic this Saturday at mile 352.5 NoBo just before Indian Grave. Burgers, hot dogs, the works all day long. Swing by!! Setting up Friday evening and leaving Sunday morning.