Book excerpt: Thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail can be one of the most rewarding and powerful things you do in life. Overcoming the challenges of a thru-hike requires a lot of research, planning and dedication, so we put together this guide to help get you started. Bob Olson always had a love for anything to do with being outdoors and had enjoyed many hiking and camping excursions, but he was ready for more! After signing up and completing an Outward Bound trip, he decided he was ready to tackle the over 2,175 mile Appalachian Trail from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mt. Katahdin in Maine. How was he going to tackle the trail with a job and family at home in South Carolina that he could not leave for five to six months? The answer was to section hike it over the course of 158 days spread out over 13 years! In This Appalachian Trail Hiking Guide, "Big Bob" Provides: - Step by step descriptions of many AT landmarks - Valuable planning tips - Dos and Don'ts - Suggestions on how to divide your hike into sections - A valuable backpacking packing checklist