Minimal Planning?

[cabbagehead]

You don't need to do more than 10 hours of planning to prepare for an AT hike.

Here's what you need:

- Intelligence gathering equipment: This could be maps, a compass, a guidebook, and/or a GPS. The goal is to figure out where you are with respect to important resources (food, water, showers, shelter, a laundromat, small outfitters, and large outfitters) and decide where to get the resources. An AWOL guidebook is probably all you need for this. You might also be able to get a phone GPS.

- shelter

- water

- anything that prevents/reduces foot pain, back pain, or knee pain: poles help

- bug protection

- rain gear: Waterproof it because waterproof rain gear is often not waterproof enough.

- clothes: that which prevents hypo/hyperthermia, and protects from bugs

- a few days of nutritious food and that which protects it from animals

- If you cook cabbage you will definitely need a stove.

- Long handle spoons are great for everyone.

- a tiny knife

- a fire starting device

- a sleeping bag and drybag

- a pad/hammock

- money

- a pack

[rwaeger]

Thanks everyone for the input! The statement of it being a 2,200 mile hike broken in to a few days at a time really made sense to me and makes me more confident in planning as i go. As far as gear, home issues, and conditioning I'm pretty certain I'll have those things taken care of prior to leaving but of course will be ready for any surprises that can occur over a 6 month time frame.

[plurpimpin]

I start my ME-GA hike in 30 days and most of my planning was just getting to the trailhead in baxter. Other than that my only planning is my first resupply, from there on I will be using the Data book and figuring out things as I go.

You're better off spending your time dialing in your gear than planning an itinerary.

[Montana AT05]

The more I plan for a long distance hike (I've done three on the AT and two elsewhere) the less chance I have of finishing and enjoying myself.

Just head to the trail and stay flexible on everything but finishing your walk from end to end.

[kidchill]

Other then gear and training...my plan is to NOT plan! Most important thing is WATER!! I'm starting SOBO in July so I was kind of freaking out about the 100 mile wilderness and was trying to come up with the best plan of attack. I took out my guidebook and realized it's relatively flat, and said screw it. I can make White's Landing in a few days with flat terrain...I don't really know how people can sit there and plan their entire trip (not bagging on them, it just doesn't seem feasible for me). I feel as though there's too many variables (true terrain elements, weather, other hikers, body aches/pains, etc.). So, I'm gonna wing it...Hell, I'm still not sure if I'm just gonna hike up Katahdin and back down the same path or venture out onto Knife's edge...I'll figure it out when I summit

[Live_for_hiking]

Most of my planning for 2013 is front loaded.

1. Resign from my job and assist with the transition. 2 months. (Boss already knows)
2. Reduce, simplify, my home and prepare it for going into storage.
3. Make travel arrangements. I think I'm going to take an overnight train.
4. Visit with friends in GA.
5. Pick up denatured alcohol and 4 days of food. (days of food will be variable depending on resupply distance).
6. Start hiking. Review Data Book daily to plan out water resupply.
7. Figure out next resupply town once I arrive at Neels. Buy needed food. Substitute Neels for name of next resupply town.
8. Repeat 5-7 as needed.

[perrymk]

Hike your own hike, plan your own plan.

When I go on vacation I do what I call “flexible overplanning.” That is, I plan more than I feel is going to get done on the chance something might fall through. For example, I was ferry-hopping southeast Alaska a few years ago. On a planned stop in Juneau I had a list of sites to see. No way was I going to make it to all of them. When I got to one particular museum I found it closed for renovation. I have no idea why I didn’t learn of this in advance (on the internet, etc.) but I didn’t. So I went to the next site on my list and still had a great time.

I’ve had a map of the AT on my office wall for more than 10 years. I have another 8 years to go until retirement and a thru hike. That’s the main plan. I also plan on limiting my mileage for the first week or so. While I am in fairly good condition, I suspect enthusiasm may take over and cause me to push too hard too soon. But after the first week I only hope to get at least 100 miles per week done, more if I can. I plan on a few stops. I am looking forward to visiting the AT museum and Harper’s Ferry. I plan on using mail drops, ideally in towns that the trail passes through. I plan on more time on the trail than in town, but when in town I plan on hotels rather than hostels. I plan on saying no to requests to come to my room (sleep, shower, whatever). I plan on having adequate funds to support my hike in a manner that suits me. I may not be able to swing the full time support vehicle; that part of my plan seems to be changing already. Based on a recent thread, I plan on carrying treats to give away. Call it trail magic or moocher magic or whatever; it won’t weigh much. Maybe small bags of M&Ms or peanuts or something.

Threads like this help me adjust my plan. Parts of my plan are still in the works.

Finally, if things don’t go as planned, I plan to be flexible.

[Papa D]

I helped a successful South bounder plan his hike in a weekend - - I've noted that some people plan every step of the trip for months and years and then quit after less than 100 miles - - you need the following (and in this order:

1) The WILL to hike and keep hiking
2) The physical - mainly aerobic conditioning to perform #1
3) The time that it will take to hike
4) Decent lightweight backpacking equipment* and trail information - - the Thru Hiker's Companion or AWOL's guide
5) Money - - probably between $4000 and $6000 depending on your speed and lifestyle on the trail.

*try to source your equipment from a small local outfitter store - not REI (if possible) and certainly not a big box like Bass Pro Shops or Dicks Sporting Goods - - don't take too much stock in what salespeople tell you unless you know that they are a bona-fide long distance hiker.

Have fun

[English Stu]

I did 700+ miles on my first AT section hike Daleville VA to Springer. I had to learn quickly, I saw a bear within 3 hours and sat out Hurricane Ivan's rain spin within days. From the UK bounce boxes are not on and too much hassle when I got to understand the US postal system.

I also have done the JMT, which I totally winged re permits and resupply i.e I just turned up.

I did both the hikes without a lot of planning, just an understanding of what I was getting into. I did do a 100 miler before each to get some confidence for multiday tarping, walking and eating.

Big lessons were to be flexible on mileage and time, travel light, learn to manage food,water,fuel and take a zero day a week to enjoy the hiking towns and have a rest.

I usually set several targets so you always go away achieving something, even if things change. With my first hike I set three targets -200 miles completion,get through the Smokies and Springer. I found that after I replied Springer 100 times to the question 'Where are you heading' there was nowhere else I was going.

[Jim Adams]

Get a data book and lock the door behind you!

geek