You’re interested in thru-hiking a long trail, but you don’t know where to begin. If that strikes a chord, you’re in the right spot.
Whether you’re interested in backpacking for a couple of weeks on treks like the Tahoe Rim Trail, Oregon Coast Trail, or John Muir Trail, or you’re seeking longer-term adventure on a route like one of the Triple Crown hikes, it takes planning, research, and dedication to get from start to finish.
The longest thru-hike I’ve completed is a northbound trek on the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). I planned and saved money for two years before taking my first step, but the journey began even earlier than that.
Here’s how to get ready for your first thru-hike.
Mind Over Matter: Yes, You Can Do This
The first challenge you must conquer is your own mindset. If you’re determined to complete this adventure — you can absolutely do it. Everyone has their own reasons for wanting to thru-hike a long trail. And everyone faces their own challenges. Regardless, thousands of people complete thru-hikes every year in America — perhaps millions do so across the globe.
My first day of backpacking — ever — was the first 15 miles I hiked on the Pacific Crest Trail in Southern California. Yes, it was tough. And I made mistakes. And I met several others who called it quits on that very first leg of the journey.
A Series of Small Hikes
For those that quit on day one — they looked ahead to the 2,635 remaining miles and saw it as an unconquerable feat.
But that’s not the only way to view the journey. A thru-hike isn’t really one big, long hike. If you allow yourself to live in the moment, you will see the trail one day at a time, or even step-by-step. By looking at the expedition as a sequence of smaller adventures, you can set yourself up for success with smaller, more manageable goals.
I broke down the challenge in two ways: First, every day was a new day hike. Each day, I figured out a basic plan for where I wanted to sleep at night and roughly how many miles I needed to hike to get there.
Continue reading “A Beginner’s Guide to Thru-Hiking” from our friends at Territory Supply here.
The Women's Outdoor News, aka The WON, features news, reviews and stories about women who are shooting, hunting, fishing and actively engaging in outdoor adventure. This publication is for women, by women. View all posts by The WON
