I was recently talking with a woman preparing to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail, offering her some tips on gear as well as how to stay motivated. Since this isn’t the first time I’ve been asked to share my experience, I thought I would share my thoughts here, where others can find it and take what they need.
“Pleasure is spread through the earth in stray gifts to be claimed by whoever shall find.” –William Wordsworth
Whatever the length of trail you are hiking, be it 20 miles or 2000, some things remain constant. As with any endeavor, there are many things you can do both before and while you are hiking to increase your chance for success. Here are a few:
Have Daily Mini Celebrations or Rituals These can take many different forms depending on what you like but most importantly, make time for them! For me it was a square of dark chocolate after lunch or dinner, a 10 minute foot soak in a quiet stream, or a few pages read from a favorite book. Having things to look forward to each day will motivate you to keep going.
Take Advantage of the Built-In “Lounge Chair” You Carry With You There are many who think that backpacking means doing without a comfortable place to sit, but this is absolutely not true! If You have a backpack, you can easily create a comfy “lounge” chair. Simply set your backpack against a tree or rock, with the straps facing you. (If there is not tree or rock, then set your pack on the ground with the straps against the dirt and lean against the largest section) If you have a sleeping pad that is easy to get to and doesn’t need to be inflated, you can put this down in front of the backpack, between the straps. If not consider bringing a small square of a lightweight sleeping pad. Then sit down so you can lean against the pack and Viola! You have a perfectly comfortable seat!
Speaking of Comfort, There’s No Need to do Without a Pillow. By this I don’t mean that you have to carry around a giant pillow or even one of those blow up or inflatable camping pillows. Instead, just as you used your pack for a comfortable chair, so too can you use what you have for a comfortable pillow. To do this, simply fill your stuff sack with the clothes you are not wearing, then cinch it up and put something soft on top for a pillowcase. I used a soft fleece, and even zipped it up over the compression sack so it would stay put in the night. If you have a down jacket with you stuffing it in your pillow works especially well.
Don’t Postpone Joy Moments of opportunity for this will come up in each day but if you’re not paying attention, or not open to the idea, you will miss them. As an example let me tell you about when I was on the Appalachian Trail in Maine and around 4:00 I arrived at a small pond with a canoe nearby.
A part of my head said, “But it’s only 4:00! You can hike for at least two more hours!” But the other part of my brain said, “But Wait! Being here tomorrow at sunrise, and being able to go for a spin in the canoe will be worth it. I will camp here.” And I did. Even though there was no paddle there with the canoe, I managed to make one with some sticks and duck tape. The paddle in the morning with the fog dancing over the pond was priceless and I would have missed it if I walked on.
Another example: Let’s say you’re walking along, making good time as they say when you notice a scenic overlook with no one there. The voice in your head might urge you to keep walking, that you have to make x-more miles still. But my advice is to ignore that voice and instead listen to the other voice, the one that argues, “But man! That’s a sweet spot to sit!” Take your boots off, set your pack down and sit a few minutes. Then, when your soul feels recharged and your energy renewed, get up and keep walking. The difference of 10 minutes surely isn’t going to make that big of a difference in the whole scheme of things. Other examples of this may include: swapping smiles and stories with other hikers, resting at a notable spot in the forest, taking a detour to an ice cream shop, reading some entries in a trail journal, watching a deer, otter, bird or other interesting animal, stopping to look closely at a salamander, flower, mushroom etc. As William Wordsworth once said, “Pleasure is spread through the earth in stray gifts to be claimed by whoever shall find.”
Consider Using Poles! Before starting my thru-hike of the AT I was definitely NOT a fan of hiking poles. I thought, “But I’m young and fit! I don’t want to be bothered carrying one more thing! Poles are for old people!” Several days into my hike I arrived at the outpost at Blood Mountain with my knees in such pain I thought I would have to quit. I was urged by staff to invest in a good pair of poles–he even said if I wanted to return them I could. So I bought the best ones and can honestly say it made a very big difference for me. I would never backpack without them now! They made THAT big of a difference. Why not take advantage of the strength in your arms and shoulders to help with your knees? For me it was a no brainer as I have a strong upper body and using poles really saved my knees.
Consider using a Steri Pen for Water Filtration Like the poles I highly recommend this for your water filtration method. The pluses are that it is light, easy to use, takes only 90 seconds and is reliable. The best part is that you can drink the water right away and it tastes cold and delicious.
Consider Including a Bug Net. A bug net is something I take with me on every backpacking or camping trip, no matter where I’m going. For me, nothing can steal my sanity faster than having a cloud of gnats or mosquitoes swarming around my head. You never know when the bugs will be a problem so always having a bug net is a must.
And last but not least, Every ounce counts. I’m sure if you’ve done any research, you know this is true, but I can’t NOT say it as it is so important. There is no need to bring 4 shirts, a heavy pot or a cumbersome water filter. For everything you choose to put in your pack, make sure it is the lightest version possible, or that you can afford. You don’t need the mascara, heavy-duty rope, pillow, entire roll of toilet paper, etc. Get the lightest tent, the lightest sleeping bag, the titanium pot etc. It really DOES make a difference in whether you enjoy your trip or hate backpacking because your gear is so heavy.
Good luck! I hope your trip goes well. Please do feel free to get in touch if you’re planning a thru-hike and just want to chat with someone about it. I would enjoy hearing from you!