Thru-hiking the MST is not just a stroll in the woods - the trail will test you mentally and physically. We offer this workbook as helpful, up-to-date information as you plan your MST thru-hike or start section hiking the trail. The workbook includes advice and recommendations about hiking direction, best time of the year, fitness levels, first aid, food purchases, and approximate costs. Turn your dream of hiking the MST into a reality - a well-planned trip will lead to success and adventure!

Currently, the MST is 50% natural footpath and 50% backcountry roads or NC-DOT bike routes and offers a unique walk across the state of North Carolina. In fact, this nearly 1,000-mile trail is the only official walking route across North Carolina. The FMST is working to remove the hiker from roads as much as possible and offer more natural footpath in the future. In the meantime, use this workbook as well as Allen de Hart's guidebook, Hiking North Carolina's Mountains-to-Sea Trail to plan your trip.

Read also: Saftey Tips for Hiking

Read also: Suggested Backpacking Equipment

Direction and Time

The ideal time to hike this trail is the spring or fall when temperatures are not extremely hot or cold. Starting your trip in the spring at Clingmans Dome in the Smoky Mountains allows you relatively cool temperatures across the state. Typically a spring trip could begin as early as April and as late as May. The possibility of snow could be an issue in the month of April. Starting the trail in the fall would allow you cooler temperatures too and, as a bonus, excellent view of the colorful fall leaves. By the time you reach the coast in the fall, temperatures should still be favorable.

Based on past MST thru-hikers, it typically takes 2-3 months or 55-70 days to complete this adventure. It could be shorter if you decided to bike the roadways. Make sure you plan for days off though, or what are better to referred to as "0 days" due to the fact that you are hiking 0 miles that day. Your body will need rest, and you should plan to be off the trail a day or so. Some hikers take days off for bad weather and also to see attractions in the area.

To plan specifics for hiking the MST, you will need to purchase Allen de Hart's guidebook, Hiking North Carolinas Mountains to Sea Trail. This is the only book that details the trail across the state and includes maps and trail descriptions. After reading this book, you will have a good estimate of how many miles you can travel in an average day. Most hikers start out hiking 10 to 12 miles a day, depending on their physical condition (see also the fitness section). It would be wise to create an itinerary through calendar system such as MS Outlook, a Time Runner, or just copy a hanging wall calendar, and then pencil in where you plan on stopping each night. You may run ahead or behind schedule, but you still need to have a plan of attack before hitting the MST. For safety reasons, be sure to share your itinerary with several people.

Logistics will be an everyday issue while on the trail. The best way to change plans or coordinate food or supply drops is to carry a cell phone. Currently Alltel has the best statewide coverage for a MST hike. This cell phone can also serve for emergency purposes. Remember to cut the phone on and off to save battery life. The option of voice mail is also a nice feature to consider.

Solo or Hiking Partner(s)

Hiking alone or with a hiking partner(s) is really a personal preference. A solo hike can and has been done on the MST, although, having a partner has its advantages. Planning and logistics can be easier when shuttling cars, and it is always safer to have a partner when hiking any trail.

Fitness

As they say, "trail legs" are hard to get and easy to loose. Exercise such as walking, running, biking, cross-country skiing, and weight lifting will benefit you immensely before starting your trek. At a minimum, you will need to start an exercise program 3 to 6 months before hitting the trail. This is an excellent time to kick the smoking habit months too, if necessary. Hikers are strongly advised not to smoke! In preparation for your trip, take several day hikes to break in your boots and weekend backpacking trips to make sure you have the right gear and your body is becoming conditioned. When you begin hiking the MST, stretch your legs well before and after a day of hiking. After about 2 weeks of hiking, you will feel the "trail legs."

First Aid

It is recommended that you attend a first aid course offered by a local YMCA or Red Cross Center before begin a long distance hike. Several books are available in bookstores about wilderness first aid, although hands-on classes are the best. We will only highlight a few first aid issues here.

One of hikers' worst nightmares is feet with tons of blisters. Always break-in your boots properly and carry "mole skin" or duct tape for wrapping your feet.

The importance of treating all drinking water cannot be stressed enough. Acquiring giardia from untreated water will put you off the trail for weeks. Plan your water stops frequently to avoid dehydration. It is only when you have enough water in your pack that you are truly self-sufficient. Water sources along the MST are easy to find and document in de Hart's guidebook. Another way of staying healthy is to wash your dishes properly.

You will encounter insects along the way, especially in the coastal section. Make sure you have adequate bug repellent. Snakes are often seen but bites are rare, unless provoked. Bears are another animal to be concerned with in the mountains and the costal section. In fact, the state's largest bear weighing 880 pounds was shot near New Bern, NC about three years ago. Make sure you hang all food and anything with an odor to avoid attracting unwanted visitors. Bear spray is recommended for your MST trip.

Sunburn can easily ruin portions of a long-distance trip. Apply sunscreen often to ensure proper protection. Some brands of sunscreen now come with insect repellent for the bugs, which is helpful.

The concerns of frostbite, hypothermia, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke are real issues you must be aware of depending on the time of year you hike to MST. It is recommended that you familiarize yourself with signs of each of these conditions, and always make sure someone knows your general location on the trail.

Food

Food is one subject that raises a lot of questions when planning a long distance hike. A typical hiker will burn 4,000 to 6,000 calories a day on the trail. Therefore, large quantities of food are key! You will almost certainly lose weight on this cross-state adventure, although you will gain lots of muscle. Currently, there are three ways to get your food while hiking the MST. Choose the one or more that will work best for you and plan your trip accordingly.

One way to obtain food along the MST is to restock food supplies from local stores and gas stations you will pass along the MST. You will be able to purchase fresh food, although this can be very expensive. These small stores mark-up their products more than major food chains since they cannot buy in bulk. Sometimes the selections can vary, and if the store is closed when you arrive you will not be able to shop. Hiking into town can tack on additional mileage at times, and on the way back you have added more weight to your back as well. De Hart's guidebook lists the local stores and restaurants along the way with their distances from the trail.

Another way to obtain food is to ship your food to a post office close to the MST - see the post office list and mailing information in de Hart's guidebook. The post offices near the MST (listed west to east) are: Cherokee, Linville, Blowing Rock, Glendale Springs, Thurmond, Ararat, Danbury, Walnut Cove, Stokesdale, Belews, Altamahaw, Cedar Grove, Butner, Youngsville, Black Creek, LaGrange, Dover, New Bern, Arapahoe, Willston, Davis, Stacy, Cedar Island, Ocracoke, Hatteras Village, Avon, Salvo, Waves, and Rodanthe. This option requires a family member or friend to ship packages to the indicated post office at specific time intervals. In addition to food, clean clothes and extra gear can reach you through this system. In return, you are able to send home items you do not need anymore such as camera film or dirty clothes. This type of system is very common along the Appalachian Trail. Remember that post offices are open Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and closed on major holidays, so plan accordingly. The cost of shipping is another item to factor into your budget.

Lastly, you can obtain food along the trail by having family or friends make supply drops. Arrange ahead of time, or via cell phone, a time and place to meet along the trail or a nearby by road. Family or friends can arrive with another week or so of food for you - and a few treats to eat right away (e.g. cold soda or chocolate bars). In addition, you may have friends that plan to hike with you on certain sections. They can assist you by bringing food and additional gear too.

Along with this option, you could arrange for your vehicle to "follow" you across the state with food and gear. Once every five to seven days, arrange to meet a friend who can give you a ride to your vehicle. Simply replenish your supplies, and then move you vehicle to the new starting point on the MST. If you choose to do this, always make sure your vehicle is parked in a secure place. This option necessitates that you to carrying a cell phone so that pick-up times and locations can be changed if necessary.

The types of food a thru-hiker eats can vary a great deal. Most thru-hikers use dehydrated meals and prepackaged foods that can be purchased in bulk from suppliers. Super centers like Sam's Wholesale, Costco, or BJ's warehouse are good places to buy food in bulk for your trip. Dehydrating food yourself is rewarding yet time-consuming option. Several books have been written on backcountry cooking and food, and we encourage hikers to read these and experiment. Believe it or not, some people hike with canned goods. For long-distance hikes, this is a bad idea due to the excessive weight and bulk of canned goods.

In addition to food, you may want to consider a daily multivitamin tablet if you do not already take one.

Cost of a MST Thru-hike

Planning a budget for a thru-hike is a must. A typical MST trip can cost between $1,500 and $5,000. Items to factor into your MST budget are health insurance, gear, food, gas, hotel/motel costs, shipping costs, phone cards or cell phone bills, mortgage/rent, income, etc.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

Answer: You can camp at the Blue Ridge Parkway designated campgrounds ONLY! De Hart's guidebook will tell you where camping is available along the MST.

Answer: No. In some places along the MST, firearms are not allowed.

Answer: Typically people are friendly along the MST, although you will need to use common sense.

Answer: Answer: Dogs are occasionally a problem along the NC-DOT bike routes.  Dogs may get startled by bikes or strangers with poles and although it is rare, may attack.  If you see a dog while hiking or biking talk
to the dog in a soft friendly tone and pause for a few moments before proceeding.  To a dog you may appear threatening as you barrel down the trail towards them. If you feel threatened by an off leash dog and the
owner is present, simply ask them to please leash their dog. If you are attacked by a dog you can protect yourself with your hiking poles or bear
spray.

Answer: YES, the scenery along the way is great and you will want to have photos of your adventure.