Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker's Companion (2019)

The champion of Appalachian Trail guides for long-distance hiking for more than a quarter-century! With professionally crafted elevation profiles, 50 updated maps, and comprehensive tables for more at-a-glance information on-trail.

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association collaborate each year on a guide especially designed for potential thru-hikers who want the basic information for a five- to six-month trek in the woods, at a reasonable price, but also want the adventure of finding out the extras for themselves. A favorite of section-hikers, too.
Still the only such guide written by volunteers for which all the proceeds are returned to the Trail by these two nonprofits.

With fact-checking research by more than three dozen thru-hiker volunteers in 14 states, backed by the first-hand information of the trail's volunteer and staff maintainers and managers and extensive information from the 2019 A.T. Data Book. Equipment-makers' toll-free numbers, post office hours, much more included.

Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association

ALDHA is an organization of past, present and future hikers of the Appalachian Trail.  It was formed in 1981 by previous thru-hikers of the Appalachian Trail but soon become a "users groups" for backpackers and hikers of all the U.S. scenic trails and most major hiking paths abroad.

Robert Sylvester The Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association, formed in 1981, is the only organized users' group for the Appalachian Trail, meeting annually for a three-day festival but also engaged in volunteer projects such as shelter work trips and hostel repairs. Sylvester leads a team of 40 volunteer field editors who contribute annual updates for the Companion.