Are You Ready for a Big Hike? Besides Gear, Consider These Steps

How do you get ready physically for the demands of an extended backpacking trip? The goal of just doing a trip is the first step to starting the process.

Here are a few tips I’ve used to begin the process and get myself ready for that next great adventure.

Set a Goal

More than anything, a backpacking trip is a mental venture. You can do the physical preparedness as best you can in gear and meals, but it’s the enjoyment of reaching a goal and enjoying the journey that ultimately leads to success. So spend some time thinking about your hiking goals. Where do you want to go? How much time do you have to hike? Go over some trail guides and seek the advice of others on social media as to the trails that might work. Check out YouTube videos. Make notes and look over your personal calendar. Check also travel arrangements and anything needing to be done with the job or the home. With the goal in mind, you can now begin to work toward it. Sharing about it in social media forums also helps set the goal before you.

Getting in Shape - Diet

 If you are one of those that may need to shed a few pounds, start by choosing good foods now. There is no need to do some kind of diet fad. In fact, doing that and then eating junk on your hike can cause major issues.

Veggies, especially the green types, lean meats and fish, whole wheat products, and drinking plenty of water are good choices. Try to cut down on refined sugary products and useless carbohydrates like white breads, crackers, muffins, things that will spike your sugar levels. Also, when you feel full, stop eating. Don’t take the second helping. Controlling portions helps. Look into intermittent fasting. A few pounds shed now is less that needs to be carried on the trip.

Getting in Shape - Physical Activity

If you have never engaged in physical activity, start slow. A walk around the neighborhood for instance. Take the stairs at work instead of the elevator. Park a good distance away from where your need to go and walk there instead. Walk as much as you can and slowly increase the amount of walking you do. I’ve heard of some walking up and down bleachers at school stadiums, etc. if there are no hills in your area. You can also load up a day pack and head for the hills. Every step helps.

I do day hiking in nearby Shenandoah to prepare. But any place where you can walk will do.

If you have trails to walk, try to get out on weekend and enjoy a few mile hike, increasing the mileage as time goes by. Later on, you can load up the backpack you plan to take and carry it. I’ve been seen carrying my backpack on trips around the neighborhood. I also alternate jogging with hiking or cross-training. One day I'll hike 8-10 miles, the other days I am out jogging 2-3 miles. You can also alternate with other sports, like biking, swimming, etc. I have to admit I am not a treadmill person, but if this is what you have to work with, then use it. But stay as active as you can.

The Big Day Arrives!

Don’t worry if you are not in great shape. The trail will do it for you in no time. Keep your miles low and the weight in your backpack low. Start out slow. Realize that aches, pains, and blisters are all part of doing something your body is not accustomed to. You will adapt. Most of all, enjoy the journey, whether on your own or with family or friends. Take lots of pictures and share about your trip. 

Get Out of the Box and Explore

Blissful Hiking Adventures Podcast Show Notes

Get Out of the Box and Explore – An Interview with Hiker Blissful

In Episode Two, Lauralee Bliss, trail name Blissful, shares with listeners her motivation for hiking and exploring the trails. This interview was conducted by WhiteFire Podcasts about long distance hiking adventures and other interests with valuable lessons learned along the way.

What are the differences between hiking the Appalachian Trail vs the Florida Trail?

The Appalachian Trail or AT is widely recognized, being next to many major

metropolitan areas of the east coast, with books and movies about it. It has plenty of mountain adventures and is good for short term hikes. And it was the hike Blissful did as a long hiking adventure with her teen son.

The Florida Trail is a low elevation trail with flora and fauna inherent in a southern state. It gives a different perspective of wilderness set in swamp, palm trees, palmettos, with fauna and flora all its own. It provides good long-distance adventure in the winter. Blissful gives examples of the challenges found in a solo hike.

What is your background?

Lauralee Bliss, trail name Blissful, grew up in the Catskills of New York with a mountain in her backyard. Blissful enjoyed traveling in the family RV to destinations where great hikes abounded, including the Appalachian Trail. She lives the adventure rather than just talking about it due to a goal driven mentality and seeing a dream fulfilled with no regrets.

How did you accomplish your hikes?

Read about it, set a plan into motion, hear from others who have done it in podcasts such as this, on hiker forums like in Facebook, in chats, in webinars and other video platforms. Learn what gear will work and what won’t. Read a lot, a dream a lot, then do it.

Final Thoughts

Blissful realizes life is crazy. But you can turn the craziness about into an adventure that may seem crazy to others but actually becomes a trail to healing and learning much about yourself and others. Make life count, and when you go through those adventures, tell others. Don’t keep it to yourself. It’s not just about you.

So get out of life’s box, explore, and share it far and wide!

  

Never miss an episode! Be sure to subscribe to the Blissful Hiking Adventures podcast.

Don’t miss Episode 3 - Hiking and Exploring in our National Parks

Coming Soon – Running those Ridges, the Life of a Ridgerunner on the Trail

Also available, the Hiking Adventure series of books on the Appalachian Trail (both north and south) and the Florida Trail from these sources:

WhiteFire

Amazon - Florida Trail and Appalachian Trail

Barnes and Noble - Florida Trail and Appalachian Trail

What a Year of Blissful Hiking

2017 ended up being a year of great hiking adventures across several states!

The Florida Trail:

What began at the end of 2016 in the Great Cypress Swamp started up once more in earnest in 2017

as I continued to trek north through the state of Florida. 2017 saw me by the Kissimmee River, around Orlando, and through the Ocala National Forest to the halfway point. I also secured a book contract on this unique wander with my publisher WhiteFire Publishing who also published my AT adventures in Mountains, Madness and Miracles - 4000 Miles along the Appalachian Trail. Tentative title - "Gators and Guts to Glory, Adventures on the Florida Trail." Stay tuned.

Florida Trail Journal

Florida Trail Info

Appalachian Trail Section Hike:

I continued my quest for a third go-around on the AT with a section hike in lower PA, from Pen Mar Park to Duncannon. I also completed my 6th year as a ridgerunner and 5th year in Shenandoah National Park working along the AT.





Speaking Opportunities:

New this year - the Ranger and the Bear Children's program

Once again this year I was able to speak at several libraries about my AT adventures and developed a new children's program on the AT and backpacking. I enjoy teaching about hiking and hope for more opportunities.

Speaking Information









The Colorado Trail:

While not planned at all when the year began, by March I was seriously thinking about hiking this unique trail from Durango to Denver. I completed a thru hike of it from August 21 to September 26 with beauty and adventure all the way, meeting wonderful trail angels and hikers, as well as hiking for my first time at elevation. And using an Ursack.

Colorado Trail Journal (in progress)

Colorado Trail Info


New Gear Added:

I expanded my gear this year to include a large size Bear Vault and an Ursack for hiking in the western regions.


Goals for 2018:  Finish the Florida Trail and finish the book on it. Do more section hiking of the AT. Find future speaking opportunities. And dream big.


What are your hiking goals?

Backpacking Over Fifty

Life does not end when one reaches the half century milestone and beyond. In fact the adventure is just beginning. I’ve had several ask in forums if it’s possible to do a long distance hike in the older years. Of course! It’s never too late to enjoy an adventure and make the most out of every outdoor

opportunity. So the answer to - can I do it - is YES. Take a look at “Drag’n Fly” who became the oldest female thru hiker on the Appalachian Trail. Or “Nimblewill Nomad” who continues to meander on trails (actually hiking every one of the major trails in the US). Backpacking over fifty can have interesting challenges, but none are so insurmountable that you can’t enjoy a weekend, a week long or even a long distance trek. But it does take planning.

To begin with, getting cleared by the doctor to begin your new trekking adventure is important.

Make sure any current medical issues you are dealing with are either resolved or stabilized. One hiker had a transplant a while back and wanted to head out backpacking. Great for him but important to know when you are ready for such arduous activity. A doctor is your best source for this information and not other hikers. So too if you’ve had joint replacements, if you are diabetic, etc. All these things should be discussed with your doctor as well as any medication you may need to take. If you’ve had knee issues in the past or ankle issues, get them resolved ahead of time. It does no harm to begin your adventure by taking care of yourself at home, like doing exercises to help stretch out muscle groups and walking as much as you can (walking is less hard on the joints than running). Prepare yourself and your body for what is to come, and the hike will go much smoother.

Gear. It’s doubly important that you are carrying the least amount for a safe venture, especially as we age. While many of us can no longer just sleep on one of those simple pads, thankfully gear manufacturers are coming out with lightweight gear that helps reduce the pack load. Consider one of the 3 inch inflatable pads for instance. Or maybe even hammocking. Older bodies tend to get colder too, so make sure you have proper layers for hiking. Get checked by a good shoe professional when it comes to footwear. Poor footwear will quickly cause issues in the knees and hips—both major flair-ups for older hikers. A pair of trekking poles goes a long way to helping manage those hills and give balance. I have been known to carry more for comfort’s sake than a thirty year old. I have inflatable pillows for instance (Exped and Klymit make good ones). I carry more in my first aid kit than many. For instance, aspirin tabs are a good idea to help against heart attacks. I have discovered Penetrex and carry this on my hike for joint aches and pans. Watch taking lots of NSAIDS (like Advil) that have been known to cause ulcers and even other side effects in older people. Once you have all the essentials together, then check out backpacks. Get the one that is comfortable for you, not the one that is necessarily ultralight.

Food and Fluids. It’s most important that you drink lots of water on hikes. Water lubricates joints which can ache more often and become stiff. Carry a good water filtration system (I use the Sawyer Squeeze). I also am doing things differently with food. Much of the typical backpacking food contains way too much salt and sugar. For an older hiker, this can effect blood pressure and diabetes. Be sure to read the labels. Prepackaged foods also contain additives that cause issues – like MSG. Create your own meals and ship them out in mail drops (see food prep ideas). Use a guidebook to help you plan. Buying on the trail, unless it’s a big food store, limits you to more of the high salt and sugar products.   

Goals. We are not 20 anymore. I happen to be fiercely competitive and always want to do what everyone else is doing or what I have done ten years ago—in miles and goals. I’ve learned the hard

way it’s not a good idea. It can lead to overuse injuries that can wreck your hike. What you may have been able to do long ago is not the same now. Maybe twenty mile days were easy, but now fourteen is the max. Great! It’s your hike, your adventure, take it at your pace. Be kind to yourself. Take in the moment, rest by a stream, meet new friends, enjoy the scenery.

Make the most of the time you have in the great wilderness with the realization that you can do it at any age. 

Guest Blog: Letter of a $1000 AT Thru Hike

Enjoy this guest blog from "Sleepwalker" on how he did his AT (Appalachian Trail) thru hike for $1000!

Greetings from the ether. 

My trail name is Sleepwalker, for obvious reasons. I’m a trail Legacy as my father thru hiked also.

This also means I grew up knowing about the AT and backpacking in general. I didn’t like it much as a kid, but I think that was because I was being forced, because as soon as I went out a few times on my own or with friends, I discovered a thorough joy for it. I was getting bored of college or maybe I was just lazy. Either way, I decided I wanted a reason my parents could appreciate to take time off and hiking sounded reasonable to me. Since I had money saved up, I was fortunate enough to be able to decide to do a thru hike the December before I left. I’m 20 at this point in time so money saved up means I had around $1000 to spare. Now most people would say this isn’t enough, but I did a lot of math (which I’m not horrible at) and I kept coming up with the same answer: this IS possible.

I already had a lot of the gear I needed from growing up in a hiking family so my expenses pre-trail were low. In fact the only things I had to get were a sawyer squeeze ($50), a tent ($100) and a cook kit ($10). Living in Pennsylvania, having family in Harrisburg, and going to school at Shippensburg (yeah, you missed it if you thru hiked) gave me great confidence that even if I didn’t finish, I’d at least be able to hike home and be alright. Of course this is a hilarious joke, because I wasn’t going to fail. I’m not the type of person who could tell all their friends and family that I was going to do something epic and then fall short. 

When I got dropped of at Springer Mountain I was super confident. When I reached the NOC, I started to get worried. I was eating too much money and my mile-droppings weren’t large enough. Financially and temporally (oh, yeah I started on May 15th) I was not going to succeed. Well, for better or for worse, my hiking partners dwindled to none by Fontana Dam. I decided the day Gandalf left me there that I was just going to blast up that damn hill and run to Katahdin and make it anyway. Turns out that’s a mighty climb and for someone who had only slept in a bed once since starting, my 20 year old bod got pretty worn out. Luckily there were two more things that kept me going: Ramen noodles and Argo. Since I only had $1000 to do the hike on, Ramen was pretty much what I ate, day in and day out. I must say, going in for a resupply and having to budget really isn’t easy. I wish I could lay out a solid plan as to what you can really afford to eat with that little money, but that solid plan will come out the other end anything but solid. 

Ramen, pepperoni, mashed potatoes, raisins, granola bars, oatmeal, crackers, cheese, tortillas, knock off pop tarts, the occasional live chicken and before you do the shopping, take a half gallon of chocolate milk to pound town. Now even with that you must be wondering how to make the rounds. Well I may or may not have shoplifted two whole pizzas from a pizza buffet in Pearisburg, Virginia after eating my fill. Some other less than elegant things I had to do include: raiding the hiker boxes for hopefully not so expired food, working for stay… everywhere, carrying someone else’s pack on top of mine in exchange for food, and smiling a lot. I’m a food whore, I admit it. Naturally you have the startup energy that just living uses up so ideally you also need to make a thru hike take less time because you’ll need to eat more the longer you take. This is where Argo comes into play! It turns out when you’re a 20 year old, rarely seeing women, and you’re horny as hell, the promise of a “fine lookin’ thru hiker lady up ahead” can really get you moving. Who would have known? I eventually caught up to her and some other May starters who were also moving fast and I must admit, their companionship was a great motivator for me. I never felt like quitting but my fast pace was certainly not easy, even for me and great hikers were what kept me trucking. If I were to summarize the keys to doing a thru hike cheap, they would be:

1.    Hike fast

2.    Eat cheap food aka hiker box food

3.    Make friends

4.    Work for stay everywhere

5.    Become someones trail slave

6.    Become a breatharian

I hope this can help someone who doesn’t think they have the funds for the funs on the AT change their mind. I ended up paying for some hostels and I used some money on gear that broke. Your gear might not. I could see someone totaling $700. It’s also crucial to keep your mind in the right place. The beginning is very discouraging, but trust me, if you really want Katahdin, you will get there!

Much love,

Sleepwalker

Related Bog:

Thru Hiking the Appalachian Trail on a Budget 

When Plans Change....

One unhappy hiker. Me on the trail  in '07 with a calf injury

 Inevitably it happens. You are hiking along. You trip over a root. Down you go with an agonizing pain in your ankle. Or knee. Or calf. I can’t begin to tell you how often it has happened to me. In the picture above I am on my northbound hike of the Appalachian Trail with my son, and I felt this sickening pain in my right calf. I knew I needed to get off to have it checked and see what can be done. There’s the pain of the injury. But there is sometimes an even greater pain. Of having to leave the trail and seek medical attention. Of wondering if your hike is doomed. Of having to cope with changes to your plans.

These are the kinds of situations hikers deal with. Thankfully with my calf injury, I was only off a few days. But up in New England later on, I suffered an ankle sprain that forced me off the trail for two weeks. Maybe I needed that initial calf injury to build up the faith inside me that would see me back on the trail when the ankle was ready, determined to complete the journey I had begun.

Many times it's not only injury that causes hikes to change but other things beyond what we might expect or anticipate. Just last week I had planned a three day backpacking trip with an old friend and her husband from my 2007 journey. On Saturday I was all set to go, backpack loaded and ready, only to find out my husband was in desperate need of another soul to help fill a huge gap at the concession stand his Boy Scout troop mans at the football stadium. Several had backed out at the last minute, and he was looking at a shortfall. I looked longingly at my backpack but realized there was a bigger picture here. Many times my hubby had gone out of his way to see my dream fulfilled, meeting me at odd places to help me out, etc. How could I just up and leave him now?

So now I look to heading out on Sunday instead for just an overnighter. Better than nothing. I shouldered my backpack and met my friends. It was a dreary day for hiking, but we were glad to be together. My hubby even met us to offer some surprise trail magic along the way. Only we arrived at Hightop Hut to find it a very dark and cold place with a chilly wind blowing. I was pretty cold but WAS determined to spend the night and even set up my tent. But my friends were anxious, it seemed, to get into a warm place (they never did get out their gear for the night) and my house is but a stone's throw away from the hut. So my plans changed once again as I packed up my backpack and got a ride with a kind couple who were out climbing Hightop Mtn that day to pick up the couple’s car and head for my home. Thankfully I was able to day hike again with my fried later that week, but the three day, two night excursion I had planned turned instead into two day hikes.  

Even today I had planned a big day hike to cover several trails in the Hazel Country of Shenandoah National Park (my goal is to hike every single trail in the park proper). I started out to do it, but after a few detours, realized quickly my goal would not be reached. I felt achy and tired. I came home, feeling somewhat defeated I had not done what I’d set out to do. 

I think at times I am just too goal-oriented to the extent that it can take the joy of a trip. Goals are fine. But there is more to a hike than getting from Point A to Point B. It’s being with friends, enjoying the beauty of early fall in the mountains, enjoying the hike for the hike itself rather than merely the goal. And knowing that plans can and do change and to simply go with the flow and enjoy whatever time you have.