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