throughhike

A throughhike is a long-distance hiking expedition that covers an entire established trail in a single continuous journey. This means starting at one end of the trail and hiking all the way to the other end without significant breaks or backtracking. The goal is to complete the trail's full mileage from start to finish within a single hiking season.

Throughhiking is distinct from section hiking, which involves completing portions of a trail over time, or thru-hiking in reverse, which is sometimes referred to as a "reverse thru-hike" or "thru-hike southbound" (SOBO). The concept is most commonly associated with famous long trails like the Appalachian Trail (AT), the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), and the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) in the United States, often referred to as the "Triple Crown" of thru-hiking.

Throughhikers typically carry all their necessary supplies, including food, water, shelter, and clothing, in a backpack. They resupply their provisions at towns or designated points along the trail. The duration of a throughhike can vary significantly depending on the trail's length and the hiker's pace, often ranging from a few weeks to several months. Throughhiking demands significant physical and mental endurance, careful planning, and a deep connection with nature.