Plan Ahead and Prepare

Planning ahead, and being prepared is the backbone of a Leave No Trace trip on the AT. This includes looking at time, energy, terrain, weather, shelter and gear. Avoiding survival situations lessens impact. Desperation can encourage the selection of the unethical campsite, poor conduct or the abandonment of gear.

Being prepared with the proper gear helps to keep you comfortable, which in turn allows time and energy to do things correctly in the backcountry. Proper gear includes clothing, boots, shelter and food.

Maine weather can be wet, windy and cold even in the summer months. Insects such as black flies and mosquitoes can be atrocious. Rain/wind gear and bug protection will help to keep you comfortable, and committed to leaving no trace.

You take your chances relying on provided lean-to's for shelter. In Maine they are generally designed for six to eight people, with no reservation system. They are "community space" and may overfill in inclement weather. Being prepared with your own shelter gives you more control in any situation and may provide a good night sleep in comfort.

Knowing the terrain, your ability level, and staying within that range will help achieve a successful experience. The AT in Maine is a narrow forest footpath, cleared for visibility and ease of passage, but not improved beyond the point of being safe for a competent hiker.

MATC, AMC and Baxter State Park all manage sections of the AT in Maine. Know the different regulations, fees and permit systems for the area you will be traveling in. There is a maximum limit of a three-night stay at any site, on the AT in Maine. This keeps the resource available for all users. If you are planning on having a campfire, make sure you will be in an area that allows them. There is a Volunteer Registration System for organized groups of 6 or more. The number is 1-207-265-MATC. Please call with your itinerary before you head into the backcountry. Guide book and maps for the AT in Maine are available in bookstores, outdoor gear shops, or can be purchased through:

        Maine Appalachian Trail Club
        P.O. Box 283
        Augusta, ME 04332

Questions to ask for preparedness:

Am I self sufficient (shelter & cooking supplies)?
If the weather changes do I have proper gear?
Do I know my route and its topography?
Have I planned enough time to do this route?
Have I called in my group's itinerary?
Do I know the regulations where I am going?

Last updated May 20, 2006, by MATC Webmaster Terry L. Karkos.
Text copyright © 1999-2006 MATC member Heather Mirczak.