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. 

Can’t Backpack Right Now - 7 Things You Can Do Instead

Ok, if you are like me right now with the pandemic, watching your hiking plans evaporate for the time being, wondering when you will be able to hike again, here’s some things you might do to lessen the hiking blues.

1. Get outside anyway. Even if it’s landscaping like planting, starting veggie containers, walk the dog or walk yourself in parks or other areas that are open. It's important to get out for mental and physical wellness. Sunshine and fresh air are necessary. Exercise as best your can.

2. Take the time now to do a gear inventory. Start sorting out your gear closet to give away or sell. There are many used gear places to sell gear on the Web and on Facebook. Some require you to sign up.

Gear trade 

Backpacking Light Used Gear Forum 

White Blaze Gear forum 

On Facebook : Bearfoot’s Hiking Gear Flea Market 

Backpacking Gear Flea Market 

Give away used gear in good condition to needy local scout troops or other youth groups in the area. 

3. Throw out gear that is not usable. Expired food, medicines. Other unnecessary items. Make a list of what you may need in the coming months for your trip.Take time to scan the Internet for updates to your gear. Check out hiking forums for what’s good and what’s not.

4. Take out some maps and books and decide where you want to venture when trails open. See what time you have this year for a hike. Start nurturing those hiking dreams. Or read other adventures out there - I  have books out on the AT and the Florida Trail!  

5. If you have a dehydrator, its fine to start dehydrating some foods and creating recipes. They can safely be stored in your freezer until you are ready to go. Check out forums for backpacking recipes.

6. Check out some interesting hiking movies out there. Some out there right now like what the Backpacker Magazine Poll says about fav and not so fav hiker movies. 

7. Be a part of online hiking forums and in social media. There are many new faces out there who want to learn from those who have been there. Use your experiences to help others discover the treasure of hiking. But please, don't debate other plans or disrespect or argue with fellow hikers. Now is the time to support. Be a friend of the trail and of other fellow hikers. We all need it right now! And if you are feeling real blue, please call a friend. Don't drown it in alcohol and drugs which will make things worse. Stay positive and focused.   

The good thing is, the trails will still be there as will some great hiking when the opportunity comes again. And it will...

5 Ways to go-fund Your Long Distance Hike

I just saw a post on a Facebook group of two hikers that set up a fundraiser on GoFundMe so folks can donate to their upcoming long distance hike. I must say, it raised my ire. To ask for money to fund a hike when there are people that need the cash--their house burned down, their loved ones are facing incurable illnesses, they have fallen on bad times—seems selfish and immature to me. It shows a lack of discipline, determination, and independence. It also shows a lack of planning for a venture.

A hike is not a necessity. It isn’t something one must do to survive. It is, for all intent and purpose, a trip for pleasure. Some say a vacation even. I myself waited thirty years for the funding and the right time to do my hike. 

But a long distance hike is a pricey adventure when one considers gear, travel and the hike itself. So what are some legitimate and worthy ways to raise the money you need to fulfill your hiking dream?

Here are some ideas.

1      Save. This is the most obvious but one that is overlooked. We are not a saving society but a spending society. It takes great patience, determination and discipline to set aside money. And that determination and discipline ultimately transfers to a hike itself. If you take the time to save and fund your hike, it will mean more to you anyway. So put away cash bit by bit over time. Say no to that caramel macchiato at Starbucks and put it in your account instead. Maybe don’t eat out. Look for other ways to cut money out of your daily/weekly/monthly budget and put it in a hiking savings account.

2       Work overtime at your present job. Or look for an extra job on the side like temporary work to make

some bucks. Seek extra opportunities. Even shovel snow off driveways, mow lawns, pet sit. Be disciplined.  

         3. Sell things. I have seen hikers sell used gear on Craigslist, used hiker sites, yard sales, etc. to raise money for their hikes. Or if you are creative and want to make items to sell on Etsy, etc. do that too.

          4. Look for ways to budget on your upcoming hike. There are blogs here on Blissful Hiking on how to hike on a budget. Realize right out that you may not be able to stay at the fancy places, take lots of zero days, or indulge in food and drink. Check out the blog on a hiker that did an AT hike on $1000. But that doesn’t mean you become a beggar on the trail either. Live within your means and the money you have. But realize you don’t need the most expensive or fanciest gear either. Look around for deals on your gear, clothing, etc.    

5.       Don’t go on your hike until you are financially ready. Too many strike out then find they are spending way too much and have to abandon their hike due to lack of funds. Don’t let this be you. Have the money you need before you go. The trails are not going anywhere. Save up and go when the timing is right. You’ll have a much better opportunity then to be successful in fulfilling your hiking dreams and goals.  And the hike will mean much more to you, too, when you can say – I hiked it AND I paid for it with hard work and determination.

Related Blogs

Thru Hiking the AT on a Budget 

Letter of a $1000 Thru Hike

8 Ways to Save Bucks on Backpacking Essentials

The Meaning of Life and a Trail - A Walk in the Woods Review

A Walk in the Woods will certainly generate AT interest. But not in the way some might think.

This movie is essentially about two older people looking for the meaning of the rest of their life by taking a walk on the Appalachian Trail. One battles alcohol. The other is a washed-up author who is seeing friends die. It is a scenario those over 50 see very much in their lives. Which is why I believe the film will MEAN more to the older generation. Young folks will likely find it boring, uninteresting, or upset the way young people are portrayed in it as either hip studs ready to rescue the old codgers or obnoxious and mean. This is not a movie for young people in that sense. The movie examines the thoughts of older people. But in this, young might learn something valuable about life as they see parents and grandparents go through these struggles. Which is a good thing as these days people seem to be very “me centered.”

As for the hiker, ones that have done the AT won’t like a few mishaps with the trail or mistaken scenery placement. But this is not a documentary. Tons of those out there. It shows a few of life’s lessons and also lessons you can learn on the trail. Like what happens when one doesn’t follow Leave No Trace with food and the bears come (although grizzlies are NOT on the AT). I was also happy to see that twice the hikers showed ethics with waste disposal. There was a small 5 second clip of maintainers taking care of the trail. It did show some beautiful spots and how the trail can invigorate you and cause life changes. That will be its draw, as well as the draw of simply seeing a Hollywood flick with AT written all over it that then extends to people buying the book. Which led to the initial surge of hikers after the book’s release.

I am still concerned about the impact of the trail by those that don’t know what to do. And I feel the movie could certainly spur others to try and do it without being adequately prepared. It did not show so much the rigors but in many cases, interesting trail life. That the trail has lots of pit stops and comraderie and social aspects. That will draw folks. But preparation is the key. As well as preservation in observing Leave No Trace.

But do find a mean to life by a hike, whether in yourself are in others. A walk fills the soul in ways this modern world can never do.

Observations of a Two Week Appalachian Trail Start

I decided to do it big this year, that is, begin at the beginning and in the throes of a very busy thru hiking season to section hike part of Appalachian Trail in Georgia and North Carolina. My intended "section" would include the Approach Trail to the Appalachian Trail atop Springer Mtn and on to Hot Springs. But as things go in life, the hike would take on its own identity (I ended at Stecoah Gap due to commitments at home and a tender Achilles tendon). Yet I would garner interesting observations learned from trekking the trail with countless others who looked to Maine as their final destination.

Observation One:  The Beginning

I was amazed at the amount of thru hikers who got dropped off at the parking lot a mile south of Springer Mtn to begin their thru hiking quest. I'm not saying this is a precursor to a failed hiking attempt, but I don't understand why hikers chose to do this and skip the main adventure - getting to that first white blaze.

First they miss the idea of a "pre" start. For those who go southbound, one must negotiate a pretty intense 5 mile trip up the massive Katahdin to begin a thru hike. Here, it's a modest 8.8 miles over tame terrain. Yes, the "steps" up the first mile are kind of steep. But isn't the falls worth it? Hey, I even liked the arch! And the nice woods hike for 8 miles. It's all good.

The "start" or the arch at Amicalola Falls

The reward for a few stairs - a gorgeous waterfall.

  
Observation Two: Preparation

I was now amazed at the "lack" of preparation by thru hikers for their long distance hikes. When I stopped at Black Gap shelter and met a hiker with a 40 degree bag for his trip, I knew there was trouble lurking in this year's class. Hikers did not expect cold and snow. They found themselves bailing out or even quitting. It made me wish they had taken to heart the first rule of Leave No Trace. Plan and Prepare. Some say you don't need to plan for a hike like this. I say it puts your dream in jeopardy if you do not. One must always be ready for any and every weather condition out there. Take an adequate sleeping bag. Take layers (and NOT cotton!). Don't be carrying 50 pounds on your back of wasted stuff you'll never use. Don't bring a 5lb tent (boy I saw a lot of bad tents out there and hikers complaining their tents leaked) Bring a map and some kind of guidebook. Prepare.  

Unexpected snow, cold and wind greeted hikers late in March this year. Plan for all kinds of weather!

Observation Three: Injury

Lots of ascents and descents on the AT means possible injuries. Work through it and know before you go.

Yes, injuries abounded on the trail. I heard more about foot and knee issues. Some can't be helped. Some can, by adequate footwear and insoles and physical preparation. Many hikers lacked the proper footwear. I saw hikers carrying their heavy boots and hiking instead in camp shoes because of blisters (!) Some were wearing worn out shoes. Some did not know how to use their poles right to make descent and ascents. Some older hikers are not carrying items that could help ailing knees (like a regimen of glusomine or a good cho pat duo knee brace just in case and limiting pack weight and know some good stretches). It helps to have a knowledge of first aid under your belt. To do hiking beforehand and learn how to cope with the maladies of blisters and sore feet that hit before you undertake a long distance hike. To know how to doctor yourself to keep the hiking show going. See When Injury Sidelines you.  

Observation Four: Showing Respect

How I wish hikers showed respect for people, towns and the trail. It is severely lacking on the trail. One thinks if they are doing a thru hike, they are "special" and they can therefore do and say whatever they please. Including trashing motel rooms with dirt blood and dog pee, not giving tips to drivers and motel staff, using foul language everywhere (I heard the f** word ALL the time at camp. For every possible thing or just as a part of normal conversation. Oh wow, my f**ing thing broke. Oh did you f** see that. I'm gonna put my f**ing tent up, I guess. Oh yeah, f** this. ). Out of the depths of a heart the mouth speaks. A mouth speaking such vulgarity means the body is likewise doing vulgar things and showing disrespect. Hikers, clean up your act, which means your foul mouth as well as your hands! Show respect. Respect elders. Respect trail providers. Respect towns. Respect the trail (like NO trash or toilet paper flowers!!) Pack it in, pack it out. Make the trail a great place for all.  

Lots of tents in Locust Cove Gap on my last night. And lots of swearing too.

Other Related Blogs:

Gear for a Start
Sleep System 
Town Etiquette