Bruce Martin McLaren

Adventures on the Appalachian Trail

 
 
 
In 1989, I hiked the entire Appalachian Trail (AT), from Georgia to Maine.   The AT is over 2,000 miles long and typically takes 5 to 7 months to complete.  I started my hike in late March, 1989 and finished in late September, 1989.  Only about 1 in 5-10 people who start the AT actually complete it (See "difficulty of the AT").  There are many lonely hours, bad weather, and physical problems to overcome.  On the other hand, there are glorious sunsets, fresh air, and many friendships made with fellow hikers.

This was truly the adventure of a lifetime for me (although I hope they'll be some more before it's all said and done...).

I enjoy sharing my experiences and reliving my hike from time to time, so please send Email if you'd like to know more about it.  Below is a photograph taken early in the adventure.   In April I was hit with about a half-foot of snowfall, and I slept with just a tarp over my head!  This photo was taken at Carter Gap on April 6, 1989.
 
Bruce on the AT

Camping in the Snow of Carter Gap
And here are some other photographs from the trip:

 
[ Back to Bruce's Home Page ] 
[ The Appalachian Trail Conference ]  
Send email to bmclaren+@pitt.edu