Hot Springs SOBO to Springer

[Zlabarre]

I'm getting out of the Army shortly and want to take 30 days on the AT. I've done short stints in VT before but nothing like this. I've don't a lot of strenuous hiking in the past (army) so physically I can do it. I'm worried about water and equipment. I'm going to be hanging as shelter and still haven't decided on a size or brand backpack. Any advice would be helpful!

[10-K]

Not really enough info provided to give you any advice. Maybe start at Springer and hike north to Hot Springs instead. This way you'll have a town every 30 miles or so before you enter the Smokies as opposed to only having Standing Bear Farm and Gatlinburg/Cherokee available for the first 100 miles if you started at Hot Springs.