Tripple crown

“I keep hearing about this tripple crown combination of hikes. One of course being a thru hike on the A.T. I was wondering if anyone in here ever met anyone who has done this. Realisitcally...How long would it take to hike all three? I know the A.T. is approx 6 months with plenty of time to spare but what are the other two and how long would each take you. Im just curious but I been reading more about it and that its quite a feat .”

“depends on how fast you can hike. long-distance hikers can usually clear 20 or so miles a day if they're packing light. i have yet to bag any of the long trails (i have to wait until my son is a little older), but i did meet Brian Robinson, the lunatic super-hiker (and i mean that in a good way) who did all 3 of the trails in 1 calendar year. didn't really talk to him, but his dad was really nice. http://royrobinson.homestead.com/triple_crown.html”

“you would have to be wealthy to do it....


that counts me out”

“or else sell off everything you own, or else do it in-between moves or career changes. that's when we plan on trying it. a few years to go.”

“I know quite a few who have done the triple crown, including me. I only know one who has done all three in one year, (Brian) but I also know another couple of guys who attempted it (ran out of time on their third long trail), and one who did two of the three (AT and PCT) in one year. For most folks, doing it in three separate years works best - you can enjoy the experience a lot more if you don't have the requirement of 35-40 mile days. It seems that a lot of those I know who have done all three do a long hike every other year. i.e. AT 98, PCT 2000, CDT 2002. That gives your body a chance to heal, the mind a chance to regain enthusiasm for hiking day after day after day, and the bank account a chance to build up. Contrary to popular opinion, most long distance hikers aren't rich. We just make hiking a priority. Instead of frittering funds on movies, cars, clothes etc. we save it for the next long hike. I've known repeat hikers who work as bartenders, house painters, manual laborers, etc. I am a secretary - and I've managed four long hikes and am saving and working for our next one. No family funds, just what I've managed to earn and save. Of course, if hiking is the priority, forget having a career - but I was never very ambitious that way.”