This book is a good beginners guide to hiking long distances on three different trails in the u. Officially designated as a trail in 1978, the continental divide trail is only 73 percent complete, which means thruhikers have to get clever and watch out for private land rights along the way. At toughest of the triple crown archive whiteblaze. Download this triple crown trail pdf map that was created by the roanoke appalachian trail club. Robinson was the first person to hike the triple crown of hiking pacific crest trail, appalachian trail, and continental divide trail in one year, a. Oct 07, 2016 with a lot of hiking and running experience we decided to go for these three amazing day hikes in the same day.
The triple crown represents another bucketlist challenge that invites adventurers to navigate directly into the heart of the blue ridge mountains along the southern segment of the appalachian trailand serves as a valuable crosstraining opportunity for those interested in supplementing their running with hiking. Meet the first person to complete the double triple crown. The fact that a 70 year old woman hiked the triple crown of the long trails is outstanding. The triple crown of canmore is a hiking challenge to complete and conquer three awesome hikes in 3 days. Besides turning my hand to writing of my hiking adventures of completing the triple crown, i have been in the peace corps, a physical therapist with a specialty in pediatrics, an army wife. This hike is packed with great attractions like amazing views, tough climbs and descents, and beautiful sections of trail. This became the question hikers asked me and xana, my wife and hiking partner. Heather anderson was the first woman to complete the triple crown of hiking the pacific crest trail, the appalachian trail and the continental divide trail in a calendar year. Dear seabiscuit, the triple crown of hiking award is a distinction bestowed to hikers who have walked the appalachian trail, pacific crest trail, and continental divide trail in their entirety. Wildlife, weather, terrain, distance, culture, history and more. But while the triple crown of hiking welcomes only the hardiest thruhikers to its ranks each year, none has been a man of color. Dec 15, 2017 fowler completed the 2,168 miles of the at in 153 days, february 28 to july 29, 2001. Mcafee knob and the triple crown are part of a national park the appalachian national scenic trail that is managed collaboratively by the national park service, the appalachian trail conservancy and the roanoke appalachian trail club. An overview of the triple crown of hiking and a breakdown of the main differences between these three iconic thruhiking long trails of america.
The triple crown is an experience that features some of the best hiking in the roanoke valley in virginias blue ridge mountains update. Home guest author essays guest contributors ken holder hiking virginas triple crown with scouts by ken holder. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. If you have hiked the appalachian trail, or live in southwest virginia, you know that the triple crown refers to 3 popular hikes on the at. The triple crown is often considered the pinnacle of the thruhiking world. Add these three trails together and you have the triple crown of hiking. Besides turning my hand to writing of my hiking adventures of completing the triple crown, i have been in the peace corps, a physical therapist with a specialty in pediatrics, an army wife, a pastor of a church for 16 years, a gardener and retired. This book is recommended for people who are not in the immediate stages of planning a thru hike. Three days of difficult hiking and magnificent views awarded me a large burger, which i never set down not even between swigs of beer. Setting out to thru hike the pacific crest trail, appalachian trail, and continental divide trail in a single calendar year was an audacious goal but the 8,000 mile calendar year triple crown would be the story of a lifetime. Make it happen with aim adventure us thruhiking 101 online course.
He completed the pacific crest trail in 1970 and chronicled it in his 1971 book the high adventure of eric ryback. Mar 24, 2020 heathers book brings her struggles on the pct, both physical and mental, to life. Hiking in virginia includes three iconic vistas within reach of each other and it is possible to hike to each of them within three days. The triple crown is often considered the pinnacle of the thruhiking. Whether youre new to the world of longdistance hiking or have been hitting the trails for decades, this is a book that you will not want to put down. The journey was riddled with inclement weather, shady characters, wildlife attacks, and injuries. Heather anderson completed a calendaryear triple crown. Collectively, they are referred to as the triple crown of virginia hiking, and can be hiked in a thirtysevenmile loop by linking a few other trails. Will akuna robinson becomes 1st africanamerican man to. Known as the triple crown of hiking, the trails are the appalachian, the pacific rest, and the continental divide. Different opinions on many topics are presented by several triple crown hikers. In addition, there are many books written about each trail as well as one book about all three trails pictured below that im rather partial to. Mcafees knob by far the most popular and most photographed spot on the at it even appeared in the movie a.
I have a dream to hike the triple crown but my age is creeping up on me. A mini version w hen many readers of this site think about taking a thruhike, i imagine they dream about completing one of the big three of americas long trails. Triple crown hiking the blue ridge mountains in roanoke. I have been a lot of places and done a lot of things. Excitement was running high, and i could tell the guys wanted to finish together because they were hiking behind. In 2018 i will be working towards completing the triple crown in hiking for the us in a record time. Heather anish anderson, who achieved hikings triple crown, will give a talk oct. How heather anish anderson finished the triple crown in a.
Jun 12, 2017 what are the triple crown of hiking trails, and what are the major differences between them. The triple crown represents another bucketlist challenge that invites adventurers to navigate directly into the heart of the blue ridge mountains along the southern segment of the appalachian trailand serves as a valuable crosstraining opportunity for those. Both are bookended by snowcatching mountains in the north and harsh drylands in the south. Dear snorkel, what are the triple crown of hiking trails, and what are the major differences between them. Robinson was the first person to hike the triple crown of hiking pacific crest trail, appalachian trail, and continental divide trail in one year, a total distance of over 7,000 miles. Why i gave up my triple crown to hike the pacific northwest trail.
The appalachian trail, pacific crest trail and continental divide trail or at vs pct vs cdt. Mar 01, 2001 this book is a good beginners guide to hiking long distances on three different trails in the u. Oct 06, 2019 shes the ultimate hiker a whopping 30,000 miles since 2003. Thruhiking either trail requires hikers to maintain a high enough. A book detailing my hikes on this mini triple crown is available here. Below is a list of waterfall hikes in virginias blue ridge. Fowler honed his skills and his strength first by hiking 64 of the 100 highest peaks in new england. Crucial tips for hiking the triple crown of virginia.
Nov 26, 2018 make it happen with aim adventure us thruhiking 101 online course. She faced dehydration, heat exhaustion, extreme weather, mountain lions, hunger, and selfdoubt. Nov 20, 2018 the triple crown is often considered the pinnacle of the thru hiking world. Mcafee knob and the triple crown roanoke appalachian trail club. In 2016 i am doing the triple crown of hiking by doing the appalachian trail, pacific crest trail and continental divide trail for suicide prevention. The appalachian trail, pacific crest trail, or the continental divide trail. How heather anish anderson finished the triple crown in. Oct 16, 2017 this 9yearold completed thru hiking s triple crown christian thomas, a. An overview of the triple crown of hiking and a breakdown of the main differences between these three iconic thru hiking long trails of america. Hiking virginas triple crown with scouts by ken holder. Heathers book brings her struggles on the pct, both physical and mental, to life. Buddy backpacker, finished the continental divide trail on september 18. Hiking the triple crown of virginia in three days 57hours. Mar 05, 2019 heather anderson was the first woman to complete the triple crown of hiking the pacific crest trail, the appalachian trail and the continental divide trail in a calendar year.
The triple crown is a fabled summit in sports, a seemingly. This seattle woman trekked 8,000 miles in 8 months to hit. It was one of bergers earlier works, hiking americas triple crown 2001, that first introduced me to the idea of one day hiking the big three of american long distance hiking i. Sep 16, 2019 but while the triple crown of hiking welcomes only the hardiest thruhikers to its ranks each year, none has been a man of color. Mcafee knob and the triple crown roanoke appalachian. Jan 25, 2017 why i gave up my triple crown to hike the pnt so when are you hiking the at.
This book gives me hope that i will be able to have big adventures when i retire. Due to the impact of covid19 and issues with overcrowding on trails, the appalachian trail conservancy has asked everyone to stay off the. Hiking adventures to the triple crown i began in 1990, the 8,000 plus miles of hiking at the age of 47, the appalachian trail, the pacific crest trail and the continental divide trail, finishing in 2012 at the age of 69. Mile for mile, the at gains and loses nearly twice the vertical footage of the others. Why i gave up my triple crown to hike the pnt so when are you hiking the at. That being the case, i thought id put together comprehensive lists of what id take if i was to thruhike those three trails again in 2017. If you ever thought about hiking one of the long trails or any trail for that matter, i highly recommend this book. Triple crown hikers who have trod all three long trails concur. Longdistance hiking guidebooks for the pacific crest trail and continental divide trail, pct, cdt. But that shouldnt discourage anyone from attempting the longest trail in the triple crown series. One womans journey along the triple crown of hiking.
Hiking adventures to the triple crown i began in 1990, the 8,000 plus miles of hiking at the age of 47, the appalachian trail, the pacific crest trail and the continental divide. This book is the story of mary, who, starting at age 65 and retirement, began hiking the triple crown, which consists of the appalachian trail, pacific crest trail, and the continental divide trail. In virginias blue ridge mountains there lies three iconic vistas in a twentymile stretch of the appalachian trail. Some four and a half years after finishing the 12 long walks of which the calendar triple crown constituted the last three hikes the pct, cdt and at continue to be the trails i am asked about the most. Appalachian trail, pacific crest trail, continental divide trail. Once youve finished the book, your bucket list may be a little longer. In keeping with the conversational approach of the pct book, the cdt book is presented with a little help from my friends. Dont forget to also refer to our list of hiking tips and, if youre interested in more hiking options, check out the virginia triple crown. Oct 17, 2018 this book is the story of mary, who, starting at age 65 and retirement, began hiking the triple crown, which consists of the appalachian trail, pacific crest trail, and the continental divide trail. Roanoke waterfall hikes visit virginias blue ridge. We started with tinker cliffs, then on to mcafee knob, and finally dragons tooth. Section hikers backpacking blog hiking and backpacking for beginners and experts. The triple crown of hiking informally refers to the three major u.
Heather anish anderson was already an accomplished triple crown hiker, having completed all three of the longdistance hiking communitys top trails by the. Karen berger strategies for success and enjoyment on your lonmgdistance hike. One person hiking the triple crown with the support and active participation of others in their age group creates the opportunity to inspire millions. Fowler completed the 2,168 miles of the at in 153 days, february 28 to july 29, 2001. Hiking guides product categories triple crown outfitters. Book giveaway free outside, jeff garmires account of his.
Brian robinson is a competitive distance hiker and longdistance runner, holding multiple worldfirsts and ultramarathon world records. This 9yearold completed thruhikings triple crown christian thomas, a. This seattle woman trekked 8,000 miles in 8 months to hit a. After nine days on the cdt, she was off again to the pct to meet a permit start date of may 22. Over the past several years i have made my way to each of them individually, the last being dragons tooth this past fall, but never all three in one trip. With a lot of hiking and running experience we decided to go for these three amazing day hikes in the same day. If youre planning on tackling any of these trails, specific books. It was on this thruhike, the first of his life, that the idea of hiking the triple crown was born. It seemed reasonable we had hiked the pacific crest trail already and even while we were in the thick of the continental divide trail, it was assumed what would follow. Several cdt hikers contributed their thoughts to both the planning and town guide sections of the book. A beautiful coffee table book that features americas 11 national scenic trails. Mcafee knob, dragons tooth trail, and tinker cliffs. After my first thruhike of the pacific crest trail in 2011 i have gone on to complete the pacific northwest trail 2014, calendar year triple crown.
Pacific crest trail 2,654 miles 4,270 km, between mexico and canada following the highest portion of the sierra nevada and cascade range and traversing washington, oregon, and california. Dont forget to also refer to our list of hiking tips and, if youre interested in more hiking options, check out. May 18, 2017 some four and a half years after finishing the 12 long walks of which the calendar triple crown constituted the last three hikes the pct, cdt and at continue to be the trails i am asked about the most. For an elite few, there is an even more impressive triple crown to be had. Shes the ultimate hiker a whopping 30,000 miles since 2003. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from may until september. Hikers can choose which overlook to start at and which direction to go. Her fiance, who had proposed as she started the at, is working on his own triple crown, and shed orchestrated her schedule to hike the trail straight through with him. My book explains the physical challenges of myself, a retired us army veteran, who teamed up with my friend, tom knoll, a retired us marine veteran, to help raise a million dollars for our beloved charities. Reading this book has inspired me that its still totally possible. Buddy backpacker, finished the continental divide trail on september 18, becoming the youngest person to complete all. Mar, 2019 chiappetta adds, one person hiking the triple crown can inspire thousands. I was surprised when i read this in the new nat geo adventure the stairmaster while shorter in length and lower in elevation than its peers to the west, the at nonetheless packs a vertical wallop. As the name suggests the trail goes through the appalachian mountains, but going through picturesque towns and near beautiful rivers and lakes is part of this hiking too.