Appalachian Trail Extended Backpacking Trip

Things to know

• What’s included?

  What you get on this adventure:

  • • An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • 6-day Appalachian Trail extended backpacking trip
    • Backpacking gear
      • Backpacks (lightweight 60L packs)
      • Tents (either a one-person tent or a two-person tent if you’re sharing with a partner or a friend)
      • Sleeping bag (20-degree synthetic sleeping bag with sleeping bag liners)
      • Sleeping pad (closed-cell foam pad—excellent combination of weight and durability)
      • Trekking poles
    • Bunkhouse lodging the night before the hike (Day 0) and on Day 4
    • Community gear (water filters, camping stoves and fuel, bowls, utensils and cups; trowels, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer; first aid kit; navigational aids)
    • Food while you’re on trail, from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 6 (including dinner in town on Day 4)
    • Transportation between the meetup location and the trailhead
    • All necessary backcountry permits

  What’s not included:

  • • Transportation to/from Hot Springs, NC
    • Personal items (clothing, shoes, headlamp, water bottles…)
    • Dinner on Day 0 and breakfast on Day 1
    • Optional town breakfast on Day 5
    • Inflatable sleeping pads — available for an additional fee
    • Guide gratuities — optional
    • Travel and medical insurance — optional
• How fit do I need to be?

  If you’d like to join this Appalachian Trail backpacking trip, you should have previous hiking experience as well as good fitness. This means that you’re active 3-5 times a week (like walking for 30 minutes) or you’re someone who works an active job. It’s also useful if you’ve already backpacked or camped before, but it’s not required.

  Over 6 days, you’ll cover approximately 50 miles (80 km), and you can find day-by-day distances in the itinerary. Keep in mind that you’ll be carrying a 25-30 lb backpack, including food and water.

  Hikers joining this trip should be confident enough on trail that they could spend some time separated from their guide if needed (for example, if the group separates because hiking paces are different).

• What do I need to bring?

  You will receive a detailed packing list for this Appalachian Trail backpacking trip a few weeks before the trip, but here’s a good overview of what you need to bring:

  • • Comfortable hiking clothing (synthetic or wool rather than cotton)
    • Comfortable trail shoes (better than heavy hiking boots)
    • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
    • Spare clothes for layering
    • Waterproof rain jacket
    • Beanie and lightweight gloves
    • Personal medication
    • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, etc.)
    • Headlamp or flashlight — available to purchase at a discounted rate
    • Inflatable pillow — available to purchase at a discounted rate
    • Stuff sacks — available to purchase at a discounted rate
    • Sunglasses
    • Camera — optional (but recommended)

  You will not need a new set of clean clothes for each day, make-up, hair products, scented products or deodorant. Just bring a toothbrush and toothpaste and enjoy going all natural for the trip!

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and pricing

  • • For this Appalachian Trail backpacking trip, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 6:1.
    • It takes a minimum of 2 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 6 participants for group tours.
    • Private trips are offered year-round.
    • The tour is confirmed at the latest 30 days prior to the departure date. The trip is bookable up to two weeks before the departure date.

  Appalachian Trail backpacking trips can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the Appalachian Trail backpacking trip on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
    • Families with kids younger than mid-teens are encouraged to book a private trip.

  If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to your Appalachian Trail backpacking trip, you first have to get to Hot Springs, NC. To get there, most people fly into Asheville Airport (AVL).

  You’ll meet your guide a day prior to your hike (on Day 0), in the afternoon/evening. The exact point is Blue Ridge Hiking Company’s Appalachian Trail-er Bunkhouse (200 Lance Ave, Hot Springs, NC 28743), also your lodging for the night.

• Safety measures and insurance

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, we partnered up with Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

  Redpoint tailors their insurance packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

  Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s insurance. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  Deposits
  Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.

  Cancellations
  Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.

  Basic

  • • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If canceled 60 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If canceled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

  Flexible

  • • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If canceled 60 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If canceled 30-59 days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If canceled within 29 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

  Super Flexible

  • • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If canceled 30 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If canceled within 29 days of departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.

   

  Early Bird booking

  Want to be the first one to know when we publish new dates or secure your spot well in advance? Select a future month that suits you best and lock in your Early Bird spot in time with just a 10% deposit.

  As soon as our guides publish new tour dates, you’ll be the first one to know. We’ll hold your spot for 2 weeks until you choose the date that suits you best.

  More about how Early Bird bookings work below:

  • • Only a 10% non-refundable deposit must be paid upon booking, but this deposit can be transferred to any other 57hours adventure in case the dates don’t end up working for you.
    • Once our guides publish new tour dates, we’ll reach out to you so you’ll be the first one to choose from newly released dates.
    • When you pick your date, you’ll confirm your booking by paying another 20% of the total trip amount (amounting to the standard 30% deposit).
    • Once the trip has been confirmed, the regular cancellation policy (found above) applies.
    • The remaining balance is due 90 days before the trip.