I'm a complete newbie to the AT and to hiking and live in Germany.
Since I watched a TV program about the AT a few month ago I have a dream... I want to thruhike! Today I finished the final examinations of my apprenticeship as a bookseller and decided to start planning. A will not be able to start for the next about five or six years because my children are six and ten years old and I would not stand leaving them with their dad for half a year.
I do not have any piece of gear yet and therefore I would like to know wether it is wise to start buying gear now and complete the gear over the next years whenever I have money left or to just save the money and buy the gear just before the departure to have the newest, lightest things.
First option is a lot more fun... And I'm pretty sure I will get a hammock as a birthday present (was dreaming very loud with husband around).
I hope my english isn't too bad - didn't practice since I left school.