Warm up for AT thru hike

imported
#1

I really want to thru hike the AT, but wanted to know a good warm up trail before doing so. I was looking at thru hiking the Long Trail. How much prep work do I need before taking on the AT?

I am in good physical shape. I have camped outside for a weeks on end, but as far as hiking, I have not done anything more than day trips- not more than 20mi.

Now I am reading what literature I can from trail journals to A Walk in the Woods. I still need to get most of the gear and I mainly wanted to test that out, particularly my boots and pack, before hitting the AT.

Donny

#2

Get as much information as you can on hiking the AT. I have found that reading the trail journals is a wonderful education of what people experience, types of equipment, what the hardships are, how a person needs to plan. Boots and a good pack are certain of primary importance. Those feet are going to carry you all of the way. Picking the right time frame to start and finish are also important. Think light on equipment, boots should probably be 1/2 to 1 size larger to allow for plenty of room in the toe. Good luck. I hope to join you one of these years.

Moon Man

#3

The Long Trail would be an excellent test for your thru hike. 270 miles of trail will likely take 3 or 4 weeks. It will force you to resupply and spend a lot of nights camping, preparing meals, and walking. The Long Trail is tough, like compressing the AT. Lots of ups and downs, narrow trail with roots, rocks and mud. Bugs, stream crossings, rock scrambles, a few really nice views and a lot of walks in the woods. A great way to gather information is to attend a hiker get together like the Ruck in PA on Jan 27-29 I believe, or ALDHA’s Gathering in October or Trail Days in Damascus VA in May. Get on a mail list like AT-l visit/join Whiteblaze.net. Enjoy the planning it is half the fun.

Gabby Art

#4

The Knobstone in Indiana is much like Georgia. If you’re in the area. I did it a few years ago and it was very close.

http://www.in.gov/dnr/knobstone/

Bushwhack

#5

Donny-
When I started my thru-hike in 03/04, I had never slept out in the woods in my life. I had a 63 pound backpack. I was 50 pounds over-weight. I made it to Katahdin 5-3/4 monthes later. And I was not the only novice to do so. Along the way, I met many people- many more experienced than me. Some made it to Maine. Some didn’t.
My point is that for most people the knowledge and experience to complete a thru-hike are acquired during the thru-hike. Prepare as much as you can, get the gear, do the training; but know that the only required and necessary prerequisite to hiking the trail is your intense desire and commitment to do so.
Good Luck! Keep on hikin’!
Remy. :cheers

Remy

#6

Like Gabby Art said, the ALDHA Gathering, which is October 5-7 next year, is
a great event to attend. It is something I always look forward to. It is most always Columbus Day weekend, barring conflicts. It will be at Gettysburg College next year. It is a great place for information and inspiration. People are more than willing to share their experiences and help you out. It is a great place for dreamers like us.
Also, like the PA Ruck, there is a Southern Ruck. which is at the NOC in
North Carolina. Next year, it is January 12-15. I personally have not attended, but it sounds like a good forum for information and inspiration as well.

gamtns2000

#7

I totally agree with Remy. Read lots of trail journals, visit the forums here and on White Blaze. You will work your way into top hiking condition on the trail. It sounds like that isn’t really a concern.

I think the biggest thing for success is your burning desire and commitment to the hike and reading journals will help give you a reality check.

My camping experience was very limited but I live in NH and had lots of day hiking experience in the Whites. I did a lot of equipment research the year before my hike but didn’t try it out before I left. I guess I was lucky that it all worked.

Sleeveless '05

Sleeveless

#8

You should read Walking on the happy side of misery by J.R. Tate. His trail name is Model T. It is a great read. Read everything you can get your hands on, like someone stated trail journals are really good. Look through completed hikes and search back a few years to find some great ones. Look up Messenger. I actually had him and Braveheart stay with my family for a night when they passed through our town on their hike. His journal was really good. Good Luck.

DALE

#9

You should read Walking on the happy side of misery by J.R. Tate. His trail name is Model T. It is a great read. Read everything you can get your hands on, like someone stated trail journals are really good. Look through completed hikes and search back a few years to find some great ones. Look up Messenger. I actually had him and Braveheart stay with my family for a night when they passed through our town on their hike. His journal was really good. Good Luck.

DALE

#10

If you are going to do the Long Trail, you might as well do the Appalachain Trail. Once you get past the first few days of hiking, it becomes 90 percent mental and 10 percent physical.

nrkybill

#11

I am halfway through my deployment in Iraq. I have nothing but time on my side to read up on all these journals and books. Dale, Ill put Walking on the Happy Side of Misery on my hit list. I wont be able to go to any of these hiking gatherings until some time after I get back. And by then I hope to be hiking! Thanks for that website Gabby Art. Very detailed. And thanks for the motivation Remy, Sleveless and nrkybill. I am leaning to just starting off my hiking experience at the beginning of the AT trail.

Donny