The Handy AT Thru-Hike Calculator

This is an applet I put together to help me with planning for an Appalachian Trail hike. It computes estimated finishing dates based off a starting date, estimated number of miles per day, and number of days off (i.e. zero-mile days). Estimates are based on a 2,160 mile total.

It will automatically re-compute the applicable fields if you change a value (or when you leave the field for the miles per day or days off entries).

I'm planning on putting together a few other helpful pieces of software particular to planning an AT thru-hike, and perhaps backpacking in general. If you'd have any interest in using anything like that, let me know.

You don't seem to be capable of running java, or maybe your browser can't handle the tag.

Why don't you send me an email if that's the case.

About this applet...

This is a relatively simple applet I wrote using the Java programming language. I tested it on IE 5.x and Netscape 4.7x, both on Win98 and Linux. If you're having problems running it on another platform or browser, let me know and I'll see what I can do.

I teach a number of classes for our local branch of Penn State (at the Abington Campus), including a course in Java software development. I also do software consulting and happen to think that Free Software is a very good idea. This software is released under the GNU General Public License. To that end, I have included all of the source code on this site. Feel free to check it out. The applet is in ATDateApplet.java, the data object used is in ATThruHikeData.java and a small application to test that is in ATTest.java.

If you have any questions or problems, feel free to email me.