What Happens When I Finish?

The greatest rewards are personal ones—the memories, friendships, photographs, the sense of accomplishment, and the deeper appreciation of the eastern mountains. When you finish the entire Trail, either in one season or in sections added together over the years, let ATC know: Appalachian Trail 2,000-Miler Application (PDF). The information collected through these applications helps ATC keep accurate records and up-to-date Trail statistics.

You can also pick up the application on the Trail at Katahdin Stream Campground (Baxter State Park, Maine), Walasi-Yi Center (Neels Gap, Georgia), Amicalola Falls State Park (Georgia), and the Harpers Ferry A.T. Visitor Center (West Virginia).

When you return your completed application, your name will be added to our roster of 2,000-milers. ATC will send you a certificate of recognition and a "2,000-Miler" rocker for an A.T. patch. We work with volunteer help to process the applications as quickly as we can, but please allow up to 12 weeks to receive your certificate and patch .

Our recognition policy:

• Gives equal recognition to thru-hikers and section-hikers.
• Recognizes blue-blazed trails or officially required roadwalks as viable substitutes for the official, white-blazed route in the event of an emergency, such as a flood, a forest fire, or an impending storm on an exposed, high-elevation stretch.
• Operates on the honor system.

Our recognition policy does not consider sequence, direction, speed, or whether one carries a pack.