International Appalachian Trail

[whykickamoocow]

Has anyone else given some thought to extending beyond the northern terminus of the AT and instead finishing at Cape Caspe. The idea of ending up at the sea really appeals to me, and from the northern terminus of the AT to Cape Caspe is only another 700 miles. If I make it that far north I would imagine I would be in great hiking shape, so why not take advantage of my fitness and add the International Appalachian Trail to the cv.

Never been to Canada, in fact I have never left Australia before, the IAT just has an appeal to me. Obviously the path is not as well marked, and does not have the trail magic and all the extras that come along with the AT and its special sub culture, but from what little I have read it still has its own charms the IAT. I am sure as the years go on and it becomes more organised it will begin to become more popular. Might be a good contrast from the AT to the more tranquil and quieter IAT.

Well I'm certainly giving it some serious thought to add the IAT to my itenary in 2008.

[Cannibal]

I might see you there. Since I live in Florida, I'm going to do the Florida Scenic Trail first (mostly to get rid of this tire around my waist) and connect to the AT. I'm not starting in Key West as I don't care to walk accross bridges with no walkway on the ONLY highway in or out of the keys. Depending on when/if I finish, I have every intention to continue walking, at least until the water's edge. All depends on weather for me.

On bad thing: Most of what I've read about the northern "IAT" says that large stretches of it is road walking. That doesn't appeal to me very much.

[Lyle]

"On bad thing: Most of what I've read about the northern "IAT" says that large stretches of it is road walking. That doesn't appeal to me very much."

Road walking isn't all bad, it is different, and takes a different mind set. Can be very enjoyable - similar to what I would expect from a bike trip. You meet more locals, and you may be surprised at the amount of trail magic you will receive.

[Cannibal]

Don't knock it till you try it, huh? That's a valid point and I don't know what kind of roads they are. Lightly traveled roads could be OK. I just think it would be a difficult transition after spending 5 or 6 months in "the woods".

I'll give you a report sometime late 08, assuming I make it.

[JojoSmiley]

there are a few journals on trailjournals of hiking the IAT. Check them out. One of them is mine but I started in Key West so walking the roads in Canada were tranquil compared to the Keys.

[DavidNH]

I had pondered a lot originally about hiking all the way to cap gaspe. But the extra 700 or so miles would have meant having to get to Baxter by end of August which for me was just not gonna happen.

Also..based on my reading.. the IAT has most of its road walking in Maine. Once in Quebec it goes through one of the wildest portions of the east!
Also..Maine has been dragging its feet in terms of trail construction, shelters funding and such. The progress has been mostly in Canada.

David

[Jester2000]

I know someone who flipped up to Cape Gaspe from Harpers and Southbounded. This solved the problem of pace and weather, but made Katahdin just another one of the mountains you cross rather than a Terminus. Something to think about, though.

[Nest]

I've been considering the IAT. I hike fast, and am afriand I will finish the AT too early to want to come home. I assume a passport is needed for this correct? I won't lan on doing the IAT. I will get a passport if it will be required though. That way if when I get to Baxter and I still have plenty of time and want to go on, I will. The whole theme of my hike is plan as little as possible.

[Frosty]

I've been considering the IAT. I hike fast, and am afriand I will finish the AT too early to want to come home. I assume a passport is needed for this correct? I won't lan on doing the IAT. I will get a passport if it will be required though.

Right now you need a passport to fly into Canada (or into the US from Canada). No passport required if entering by land or sea, but you do need ID (drivers license will do).

Starting Jan 1, 2008 passports will be required to enter Canada (and Mexico) or enter the US from Canada or Mexico, no matter how you get in. So, yeah, if you think you might want to do the IAT, head down to your local post office and get a passport application.

[Nest]

Thanks Frosty.

Well, if I o through all of the trouble to get a passport, all the more reason to hike on up to Canada.

[whykickamoocow]

there are a few journals on trailjournals of hiking the IAT. Check them out. One of them is mine but I started in Key West so walking the roads in Canada were tranquil compared to the Keys.

To JojoSmiley, I was wondering if you could offer some of us IAT hopefulls some advice.

I'll be starting my AT in mid-march, and am only planning on getting a trailguide book, and no maps.

Is there a similar publication for the IAT?
Would I require maps for the IAT, how well blazed is it?
Do the trails pass thru the towns, or is it a case of hitch hiking into them as is the case on the AT?
Im not going to do much planning for the AT other than get my equipment worked out and other obvious details, but once that is taken care of, just a matter of walking north and relying on towns for resupply. Can a similar approach be taken to the IAT or does it require more planning?

Is there any other wisdom you can impart upon us.

[trailfoot]

Here is the IAT's web site: http://www.internationalat.org/Pages/index

another link: http://www.sia-iat.com/

and one more: http://www.iatnl.ca/

[serenityrich]

I have been strongly leaning toward doing the AT / IAT but starting in Alabama around mid-January on the Pinhoti Trail. Hope to see you all next year.

[serenityrich]

For anyone interested in the Pinhoti Trail / BMT connection to the AT, these are the sites I've used to fule my dreams. Let's see if I can do this right, I've never tried to post a link before.
Alabama Pinhoti Trail: http://www.hmtc.org/sitemap.html
Georgia Pinhoti Trail:
http://www.georgiapinhoti.org/trail_guide.html
Benton MacKaye Trail:
http://www.bmta.org/FreeDownloads.htm

[Old Grouse]

How the heck do you resupply in Newfoundland? Sealfin pie washed down with screech, I guess.

[Cannibal]

I don't know what "screech" is, but I got talked into trying Fried Cod Tongue there once. I can't really think of anything good to say about it. Except maybe when they took it away from the table!

[Old Grouse]

Screech = Newfoundland rum. http://www.screechrum.com/home.asp

You first!

[Cannibal]

After approx. 3200 miles, I bet it is the sweetest rum you'll ever taste. They have to have something to get the Cod Tongue taste our of your mouth!

[Frosty]

If you want some great maps of the Pinhoti Trail, check out Mr. Parkay's maps:

http://picasaweb.google.com/Johnsonc80

(Click on each map to open it full size before downloading, and you will get awesome resolution. They are about 1.5 meg each.

Paay attention to Solo's databook on the hmtc site. When he says there is no water in the first 14.7 miles, he is absolutely right. I hiked the southern half of the trail last March, hope to do the northern half this fall after the Gathering.

If you want his water sources in spreadsheet format, shoot me an email or PM. I have all the reliable water sources (and many road crossings) listed in a mileage chart.

For anyone interested in the Pinhoti Trail / BMT connection to the AT, these are the sites I've used to fule my dreams. Let's see if I can do this right, I've never tried to post a link before.
Alabama Pinhoti Trail: http://www.hmtc.org/sitemap.html
Georgia Pinhoti Trail:
http://www.georgiapinhoti.org/trail_guide.html
Benton MacKaye Trail:
http://www.bmta.org/FreeDownloads.htm

[serenityrich]

Thank you Frosty. I came accross Mr. Parkay's site and then lost it. This time I have it bookmarked.
Rich