According to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, in 2017, an estimated 3,735 hikers embarked upon the epic 2,200-mile journey, traveling from Georgia to Maine.
Known as NoBo (Northbound) thru-hikers, many of them begin their journeys on the spring equinox. They gather at Amicalola Falls State Park, the location of the AT’s southern terminus, with backpacks, trekking poles and faith that they will be among the few to finish the trail.
Of the thousands that start each spring, only 20 percent will finish.
On March 20, we put a photographer on the trail to capture the first few steps of this season’s aspiring thru-hikers.
Bob GarveyBob Garvey