00:00 The Appalachian Trail is a physically demanding 2,194.3 mile hike that takes about four to six months to complete, and only one in four people who attempt it are successful.

05:42 The Appalachian Trail is a physically demanding hike with over 464,500 feet of elevation gain and loss, which is equivalent to walking up and down Mount Everest eight times.

10:45 The Appalachian Trail was completed in 1937 by Myron Avery, who mapped every square inch of it, and the first person to hike the entire trail was Earl Schaefer in 1948.

17:01 Earl Schaefer was the first person to hike the entire Appalachian Trail in 1948, completing it in 124 days and setting a high bar for future hikers.

22:25 If you want to hike the Appalachian Trail, there are books, websites, and blogs that can provide specific information on how to plan your hike, including when to start, what gear to bring, and different strategies for completing the trail.

27:17 There are 250 shelters along the Appalachian Trail that are first come, first serve, and while it's possible to plan your hike to hit one of these every night, it's a good idea to have an ultralight tent as a backup in case the shelters are full.

31:51 The average cost of gear for hiking the Appalachian Trail is about a thousand bucks, but it can vary depending on what gear you already have, and first-time hikers tend to over-purchase and over-pack.

38:11 Hiking the Appalachian Trail can expose hikers to extreme weather conditions, such as hypothermia from cold rain and wind, as well as hot and humid weather, leading to dehydration, cramping, and heat stroke. Additionally, hikers may experience weight loss during the hike, which can lead to feelings of guilt or shame when gaining the weight back after completing the trail. Hikers should also be aware of animal dangers, such as ticks and bears, and take precautions to protect themselves and their food.

42:51 The Appalachian Trail has a relatively low number of murders and sexual assaults compared to the general population, and is generally a safe and helpful community with established culture and tight-knit community among hikers and townsfolk.

47:54 Emma "Grandma" Gatewood, a mother of 11 children who endured an abusive marriage, hiked the entire Appalachian Trail by herself at the age of 67 in 1955, and went on to hike it two more times, becoming a trailblazer for women on the AT.

53:13 The youngest through-hiker on the Appalachian Trail was a five-year-old named Harvey Sutton, who completed the trail in 209 days with his parents, while another young girl named Juniper Netteberg finished it in sections within a year's time wearing a Wonder Woman costume.