Appalachian Trail Conservancy
(Formerly the Appalachian Trail Conference)

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) is a volunteer-based, private, nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation, management, and promotion of the Appalachian Trail as a primitive setting for outdoor recreation (on foot) and for learning. ATC is both a confederation of Trail-maintaining clubs and an individual-membership organization.

If you're interested in the Appalachian Trail and hiking or thru-hiking the AT, then this is the best place to start. While not a complete resource for the novice, it's the center of the AT universe.

Link: www.appalachiantrail.org

WhiteBlaze.net

WhiteBlaze.net is a community of Appalachian Trail Enthusiasts. That's what the website says. In my opinion, it's a community of really interesting people, with a wealth of info about the AT and hiking. This website is the best place to discuss anything related to hiking or thru-hiking the AT, including equipment, places and faces along the trail. For example, I was interested in finding the provider with the best phone service along the length of the AT. First I discovered how opposed some people are cell phones on the trail, and then found the answer to my question, without even asking a question, but rather simply searching the site.

Link: www.whiteblaze.net

The Appalachian Trail Home Page

This site provides a lot of great information about the AT and AT hikers.

Link: www.fred.net/kathy/at.html

American Hikers Society

This organization is a great advocacy site, representing the interests of American hikers and the hiking community. The Trail Finder area is a very cool way to explore America's trails.

Link: www.americanhiking.org

Online Gear Sources

These websites were my sources for most of my eqiupment. My online shopping experiences were excellent and without disappointment. See my equipment list for more details on what was purchased where. Click for equipment list.

REI - Outdoor Gear, Clothing and Gifts for Hiking, Camping, Skiing & More
Link: www.rei.com

Backcountry.com - Skiing, Camping, Hiking and Backpacking Gear
Link: www.backcountry.com

Nike - Excellent Technical Apparel & Hiking Footwear (Awesome website, tech support chat, phone support!)
Link: www.niketown.com

pRana - Excellent Technical Apparel (Awesome website)
Link: www.prana.com

Amazon.com - More than enough great books to satisfy the need to know hot to thru-hike the AT.
Link: www.amazon.com

U.S. Cavalry - The only place I could find a knife with a blade longer than 2", and a Leatherman Titanium.
Link: www.uscav.com