Hiking the AT at 15?

Question

I'm 15 years old and want do a solo hike for about 1/2 of the AT this upcomming summer. I have plenty of backpacking experience as I have been doing it since I was 4 or 5. How can I convince my parents to let me go by myself or possibly with a friend?

Answer 1

First of all, it's probably illegal to allow your child to go off on their own for any length of time, whether it's a trip to Hawaii or a camping trip, anyone under 18 has to have adult, preferably parental, supervision if they're going to be gone longer than the day.

I'd like to know exactly how you expect to protect yourself during your solo hike? The AT isn't just hiking and camping alone in the wilderness with nothing more than weather and wild animals to contend with, which I'm sure you could handle. But there are lots of people thru-hiking, on shorter backpacking trips and day hiking the AT. The trail passes by various residential and tourist areas and you have to visit various cities and towns to resupply. Any 15 year old simply can't be expected to deal with these human dangers alone. Even if you were packing pepper spray or an illegal firearm, it's just not safe to go alone. Most adults wouldn't feel safe doing so.

The only plausible scenario I could imagine any parents allowing is if you were going with a friend and the friend's parent or parents, preferably including the wife. I wouldn't let my kids go with any combination of teens and young adults. I'd just assume that all young people these days smoke weed and drink or worse and that'd be the focus of your trip rather than good clean wilderness adventure.

The fact that you want to go alone in and of itself seems like a warning sign to me, that you aren't really aware of or concerned with the dangers from your fellow man, and therefore are ill-prepared to avoid or deal with them.

Answer 2

Hey, a solo hike on the AT, even if it is not a through hike is a great goal for any age!

That said, I have to echo the sentaments of the others here somewhat. There have been a number of incidents along the trail over the years. 99% of the hikers might never have a problem, and most likely will not, but you don't want to be that 1% as a solo minor.

The hiking community is very strong out there. People do tend to look out for one another. But, they are not your legal gaurdians, have no real responsibility for your safety (even if they are watching your back) and might not even want to stop or inturrupt their hike to help you if need be. Something as simple as a stress fracture can totally end your hike, and many people do get stress fractures by carrying big loads over rough terrain, and if you are solo it can be logistaically difficult to get the help you need.

If you can try to look for a youth group or hiking club that is planning this type of hike do it. I know it does not have the feeling of a solo hike, but you could loosely affiliate your self with them and then at least have something in place if things go south.
Any like minded friends? If you think they can hack it and won't ruin your trip, try to get a few friends (and a chaperone) to do it with you. You would be supprised how much a friend or two will matter on those days when you feel like packing up and going home. Even half the AT is a big deal.

Answer 3

Not a good idea, maybe 20 years ago but not these days.

That said, the AT may be one of the most challenging, life altering, and fantastic experiences you can have. I know whenever I hike on the AT up here in NH, there is this rich vibe. I cannot explain it but I think it has something to do with walking the same path as so many, even a short hike on the AT equals a good day.
If you get up this way in a few years, or next summer with your folks, e-mail 'cause I'd be glad to help w/ logistics for the NH stretch.
Happy Trails!!!!

Answer 4

I think your goal is ambitious and I hate to discourage you, but I think you should wait a few years to tackle that alone.

There could be some possibile legal ramifications not only to your parents' (as Bart pointed out) but also to you. Technically the AT falls under the Dept. of the Interior and much of it crosses National Park or in some cases National Forest lands (USDA) so there are laws about "unattended minors" you could violate.

I spent a week in the Adirondacks when I was 16, but I went with a few buddies. My mom was freakin' out but my dad was pretty cool with it. But then again...we were guys and it was 15 years ago. We encountered one ranger who was a little less than thrilled that five 16 and 17 year olds were out w/o supervision...but we flashed out Eagle Scout and Advanced First Aid cards and nothing else was said.

Rather than just one friend...maybe you can snag a few friends to join you. Go out for a long weekend in June for a test run and then if all goes well, all of you head out for a few weeks later in the summer. This will show your 'rents you have the ability, but also you can see if your friends can hack it.

Failing that, your parents might let you do a summer program with NOLS or the Philmont Rayado Program. It might not be something on the AT, but you would be with a group, supervised, and chances are the parents might go for something like that.

Personally, I'm 33 and I think I'd still rather do it with a small group than by myself. You get to split up gear and it boosts your safety factor. I solo hike a lot too, but having a partner eliminates the chances of you having to go to drastic measures (ie Aaron Ralston) if you get injured.

Good Luck!

Answer 5

Howdy-

I don't know what AT the previous posters are hiking on! I finished my thru-hike in October, and it was a safe, incredible experience. As long as you keep your eyes open and are a reasonable person, you have nothing to fear. Statistically, the streets of any major city are significantly more dangerous than the Trail.

That said, I'd encourage you to start off a little light: Maybe a few weeks on Trail through whichever section is closest to you, to see what the experience is like.

Common sense rules still apply, but besides that the most dangerous things on the AT are deer ticks.

Answer 6

I do not recommend it in the least. My hiking buddies of the past have done the AT and had very hair raising experiences especially with the locals.
Because you're 15 its a safe bet you have never seen the movie Deliverance. That gives a eye opener of outsiders experience, although a fictional movie.
Never solo but if you do go, preferably in a large group. Again I don't recommend it.

Answer 7

I admire your ambition to achieve your dreams, I must state that I would not recomend you go by yourself or with a friend at that age. As a Scouter I would not let any of my Scouts attempt it w/o adult supervision. I am sorry that I can not give you the endorsement that you are seeking. I am also a parent of 4 children. One is a 21y/o girl and if she wanted to go at 15 I would not let her, even if she had plenty of experience. Now at 21 if she wanted to go there is not much I could say but she should always go with a "Buddy" for safety.
Perhaps you could find a Venture crew that is doing a "Trek" that would interest you. Maybe one that is doing the A/T. There is a Crew by us that goes on terrific treks to NM. Alaska and the Adirondacks to name a few.
Good luck with what ever you do and remember the reason your parents said no is not to be mean, it is because they care.

Bill

Answer 8

The others are right; its dangerous. Even for an adult. Too many people have been killed hiking alone in such places.

If you love your life and your parents; do not hike it alone.
I would suggest a group of 3 to 4 hikers.

Also what would you do if you just lost your footing and broke a leg out there, all alone? It just makes sense to travel in a group even if you’re an experienced adult woodsman.

Answer 9

I am not 15 but I did a thru hike of the At this year. I found the trail be be safe and your never alone out there. The hiking community looks out for one another. I am sure if you started out alone you would meet some cool people along the way.

Answer 10

if your parents have any sense, they won't let you do it.
besides in 3 years you'll be 18 and you can do literally whatever you want to.