ScottP
06-14-2011, 22:08
The most helpful thing that I found in planning my thru-hikes was chatting with people that have already thru-hiked.
Everyone has different personal situations, preferences, and styles so I'd recommend asking several people the same sets of questions. I wouldn't want anyone to think that they are prepared for a thru from talking to just me.
I was 22 when I thru-hiked the AT, nobo starting in mid-march in 2006. I'm an UL hiker, but not to the extent of being a gram weenie. I'm a faster hiker, but not to the extent that I see myself trying any sort of race-type hike.
I did about half the AT again and the PCT in 2007, and a couple more long sections of the AT and CDT in 2008 (didn't finish thru mostly because of non-hiking related medical problems and money).
I started in 2006 a month or two after my college wrestling season, and in 2007 and 2008 I started after working 80-100 hours a week (most of which was over a deep frier) overweight and out of shape.
I didn't do maildrops in 2006. In 2007 I did mail drops and cooked, and in 2008 I did mail drops and didn't cook.
I spent more money than I should have in 2006 and hiked very affordably in 2007.
I live about a hour bike ride from the AT near McAffree's Knob (SW VA) now working on grad school for forestry.
There's a lot more experienced hikers floating around on WB, so make sure you take what I say with a grain of salt.
Everyone has different personal situations, preferences, and styles so I'd recommend asking several people the same sets of questions. I wouldn't want anyone to think that they are prepared for a thru from talking to just me.
I was 22 when I thru-hiked the AT, nobo starting in mid-march in 2006. I'm an UL hiker, but not to the extent of being a gram weenie. I'm a faster hiker, but not to the extent that I see myself trying any sort of race-type hike.
I did about half the AT again and the PCT in 2007, and a couple more long sections of the AT and CDT in 2008 (didn't finish thru mostly because of non-hiking related medical problems and money).
I started in 2006 a month or two after my college wrestling season, and in 2007 and 2008 I started after working 80-100 hours a week (most of which was over a deep frier) overweight and out of shape.
I didn't do maildrops in 2006. In 2007 I did mail drops and cooked, and in 2008 I did mail drops and didn't cook.
I spent more money than I should have in 2006 and hiked very affordably in 2007.
I live about a hour bike ride from the AT near McAffree's Knob (SW VA) now working on grad school for forestry.
There's a lot more experienced hikers floating around on WB, so make sure you take what I say with a grain of salt.