Throughhikers
A throughhiker is an individual who hikes a long-distance trail in its entirety, typically in a single direction and often within a single calendar year. This is distinct from section hiking, where a trail is completed in segments over a longer period. Throughhikers aim to complete the full mileage of a designated trail, such as the Appalachian Trail (AT), Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), or Continental Divide Trail (CDT) in the United States.
The journey of a throughhiker is characterized by sustained effort, requiring significant physical and mental endurance.
The experience of throughhiking is often solitary, though hikers may form temporary communities with others on