This study evaluated pack weight to understand the limits of long-term load carriage. Participants were Appalachian Trail hikers who attempted to complete the entire trail in the 2012 season.
This study examines pack weights and how it affects a hiker’s ability to complete a long distance trail, such as the Appalachian Trail (AT). This study also reviews injuries sustained in previous studies by AT hikers and attempts to provide additional data for this domain. The factors that can influence a hiker’s endurance are also explored. The primary focus of the study was to collect survey-based data from hikers to identify pack-load limits for long-distance hikes like the AT based on pack weight and load percentages of total body weight.
Published June 01, 2013
Teaching Kids to be Great Trail Stewards
Trails are an important resource, but sadly we are increasingly seeing trails abused by littering and vandalism. American Trails has created a packet to teach kids to be great trail stewards so the next generation of trail lovers can help lead the way towards better care for our trails.
The Power of Trails for Promoting Physical Activity in Communities
Promoting physical activity among children and adults is a priority national health objective in the United States. Regular physical activity lowers the risk of chronic diseases and is an important strategy for reversing the obesity epidemic.
Green Schoolyards for All Children
A growing body of scientific evidence suggests that the creation of nature-rich urban environments, including schoolyards with natural play spaces and gardens, can help improve physical and mental health, cognitive skills, creativity, and social bonding.
Investigating the Thru-hiker Experience: A Study on the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail
The phenomena of thru-hiking has been on a dramatic rise, spurring hikers to venture onto increasingly remote and challenging trails over extended periods of time. Despite the recent popularity of thru-hiking, the field remains relatively unstudied. In recreation, the expectations held beforehand have been linked to perceptions after an activity, but this has not been explored in thru-hiking.
