I know that thru hiking the AT requires many, many, … MANY things, but as I prep to leave in March I’d love to know what some past thru-hikers consider the three most important items/concepts/ideas/practices necessary to survive the trail.
A few that I’ve heard so far: “always start the day with clean socks” and “variety is the spice of life”. Oh, and “hike your own hike” and “don’t eat yellow snow” are givens.
Wyatt (as yet trailnameless)
Be flexible. (Also known as “go with the flow”.) Don’t fight the trail, it always wins. Go light, but enjoy a few luxuries too.
Ginny
A good plan for off the trail as well:
Set your goals daily. Each day try to get half of what you want to accomplish out of the way by Noon. Then the rest is easy.
RenMan
1.)do your own thing 2.) have a sense of humor 3.) spread love and kindness along the way 4.) don’t forget the chiba
goat
It’s never as bad as it seems. Its just cold snow and death. Everyday stuff. The next day will be different. Just let er slide.
Bushwhack & Bramble
Do not make the mistake of trying to live on ramen and snickers bars. Eat good food.
Myops
I have to agree with Ginny,#1 be flexible, #2 don’t pass up the religious opportunity to take a shower, #3 sleep on any major decisions, everything looks different in the morning light, especially after a really difficult day on the trail.
Mrs Gorp
MrsGorp
Well, one of the best advice that I heeded was to keep your cold weather gear until after Memorial Day and after Mount Rodgers.
Peaks
Another pearl of wisdom:
Try to eat right on the trail. The reason that most people quit is that they loose interest in hiking. I suspect that they loose interest because they no longer have the energy to continue. They don’t have the energy because they have not been eating enough of the right foods to fuel their bodies.
Peaks
Take a good, small digital camera and write daily in a journal. You’ll have a lifetime of memories long after the hike. Enjoy!
Rainbow
It’s not that bad.
It will get better.
And even if it is that bad and it won’t ever get better, it still beats the heck out of working.
joel
1.Always keep water
2.Never pass up food
3.Dont mail winter cloths home too soon
Virginian
Take short breaks frequently, even if you’re not tired.
Be determined from the beginning.
Be generous to your fellow hikers–everything you do will come around.
0101
go light, as light as possible. any “luxury” item you could cary you could not use for even close to the amount of time that you will have that pack on your back. you will spend more time with that pack on your back then you will in your tent. so sure luxury of big tent nice, but luxury of light pack nicer 2) pace yourself, go slower then you think you need to at first. those days are long. 3) be in shape when you get out there, in other words train, now. not running, not biking, not walking to the bus, but carrying wieght over uneven terrain. even a couple hours a day three days a week makes a world of difference.
leave plenty of room in your schedule and in your mind for the unexpected, and for large-scale delight that just might change your life. rock on.
milo
1- Don’t try to eat too many Dairy Queen Blizards or ice cream in general. Heading back to the trail right away is NOT a good idea.
2-ALWAYS have plenty of Toilet Paper (and hand sanitizer). Not items you wanna run out of in the woods. This kinda goes with number 1
3-Have fun. Seriously. Don’t take the adventure for granted. Life doesn’t get a lot better. Even when you’re trudging thru the rain think of how lucky you are. I did’t realize it until I was actually done. Savor, savor.
A-Train
Hike your own hike, and enjoy it without worrying about what anyone else is doing. Its your journey and theirs is theirs…if you dont understand this, you will when see the sad little gossipy politics that do indeed go on, but you will be smart enough to just walk on by.
Always be cool to people, always treat everyone with respect, lose your prejudices if any exist. If they do, they will vanish anyway out here, but try to lose them before hand. Treat town people and local businesses with MORE respect then you normally would, even if you are already a Saint.
Remember, it is worth every bit of frustration and pain…no matter what that little naggin voice screaming about comfy beds and (Insert your favorite home vice here) are telling you to try to get you home.
plus, add together all the above posts…sure, thats more then 3, but its a big trail.
LionKing
Dear Wyatt~
1.) Being able to laugh at yourself and create your own fun is a key component to enjoying each and every day during your 2,174 mile sojourn.
2.) Remember who you are now because your hike will alter who you are at the end. Hiking the AT is a life-changing event.
3.) Keep your eyes open, your ears perked, and your stomach full!
Ladybug
1.) Always keep a positive mindset while on the trail(i.e. If it is raining day after day, then at least you won’t run out of water, or if you are going through a dry spell at least your socks aren’t wet.)
2.) Make sure your boots are well broken in.
3.) Carry a couple of quarters for the occasional roadside soda machine 
jonisonecooldude
Remember,it is a hike not a race, try to enjoy your days on the trail.
Life is good on the trail…Swamp Dawg
swamp dawg