March 8th, 2025

The Appalachian Trail marks an iconic and historic ideal in outdoor recreation- inspiring some 4,000 hikers each year to hike the entirety of the 2,197 mile long trail within a period of about six months. The window opens at the end of February, and typically runs until the beginning of October, when hikers can expect to reach the end of the trail. There is scarcely a greater accomplishment in the world of long distance backpacking.

Today we are joined by Matt Long, who hiked the entire trail in 2005, is back on the Carolina Outdoors to give a clue into what through hiking is like. Matt is a lifetime outdoorsman, inspired initially by a poster on the wall in his geography classroom, built up by his life in Scouting and continued by his own passion and family into today.

Segment Highlights:

Through hiking, Section hiking, and ‘Continuous Section Hiking’- the difference between them all
The beauty of accomplishing the trail in short amounts of time, and the accomplishment of doing it over a lifetime
Matt’s inspiration to hike the trail and why he did it
How Matt and other thru-hikers ‘prepare’ for the trail, mentally and logistically
The importance of exercising before the journey begins
What matters more? Logistical prep or mental prep?
Budgeting concerns and situations
Bill Bryson’s ‘A Walk in the Woods’ the book Matt used and valued most in preparing for his experience.

Things You’ll Learn by Listening:

This podcast episode details essential parts of the planning, preparation, experience and aftermath of any great outdoor adventure. Matt’s stories of Appalachian Trail glory and Iron Man race prep can inspire anyone toward their next adventure, or help them remember the best parts of those already passed.

Jesse Brown’s Is your one-stop-shop for any hike you’re planning, whether 2 miles or 2,000. Come on in for your next pair of hiking boots, maps, or just plain old advice!