A thru-hike .... deciding to decide

[desert spirit]

I've been daydreaming about a long-distance thru-hike for a long time, ever since I first heard about the AT, the PCT, the CDT, and all the rest, and have now finally begun to get serious about doing it myself. I knew a guy who thru-hiked the AT the summer between high school and college, which was really my first exposure to the idea, and which I found utterly astonishing ... to think that a person could do such a thing. I was blown away.

In the years since, each time I run across another person who has done one of the trails, my imagination is fired a bit more about the adventure of it, the challenge of it, the overall zen of it. And then there is the ineffable, magical, heart-pounding appeal of it ... where if you have to ask "why?", then you wouldn't even begin to comprehend the answer. I doubt anyone on this board would ever need to ask "why".

At the moment, I'm favoring the Grand Enchantment Trail next spring or fall, although that's subject to change at any time. And if I do it at all, I will go alone.

As I think about the challenges involved, it seems to me that they fall into the following categories:


1. equipment

Of all the challenges, this one is the most straightforward, I think. I've spent a lot of time reading what other people have said, studying their experiences, and absorbing their thoughts. The hardest part may be simply that there are so many choices, but I'm pretty confident I can come up with a good set of equipment that will meet my needs.

I figure I'll need to spend a good $500-600 for new lightweight stuff, which itself is a point of no return of sorts. Once you've spent that amount of money, you're committed.


2. experience

A lot of hiking literature talks about this mythical creature called the "experienced hiker." I always wonder what that means, exactly. Surely it's not simply a matter of trail miles, since every mile is different, and my miles are obviously nowhere near equivalent to yours. Probably most of the people on this board have more miles than I do, but how much does that matter? What does being an "experienced hiker" mean to you?

Maybe one area where experience matters the most is when things go wrong. I'm confident of my ability to take care of myself as long as everything is hunky-dory and things are working the way they're supposed to.

But what if I turn an ankle or sprain a knee? What if the sole comes off a hiking boot? What if I get really sick or get nailed by a crawling critter? What if I get completely lost? What if I badly miscalculate my food needs? What if encounter a bad guy on the trail?

What would I do in those situations? How will I react? Will I tumble into a fetal ball, crying for my mommy, or will I be a tough, resourceful woman and somehow, some way, find a solution and get through it?


3. physical conditioning

This shouldn't be a problem, I don't think. I'm in very good condition. But at the same time, I wonder if there are particular things I ought to work on, specific exercises or whatnot that I should spend time on. What do you guys think? Should I worry about something like upper-body strength? I'm confident I have the endurance to do 12-15 mile days, but not so sure about back and arms and shoulders over the long haul.


4. mental conditioning

This is the biggest unknown, and the one where you can get the least help from other people. Am I really ready to do this? Can I make it? Will I want to quit? I think maybe the real challenge with a thru-hike, as it is with any grand undertaking, is to stay positive, and don't fall into the trap of thinking that you can't do it.


I'm interested to hear the thoughts of others about this, not so much for encouragement -- if I need to be encouraged by other people, then I sure as hell ain't ready to do it -- as for the spiritual empathy, I guess you'd call it. Lots of times, just knowing that something is doable is the biggest challenge to overcome. I can't wait.

[Jeffshadows]

I wish people would stop mentioning the G.E.T. I go mad with jealousy as I look at my Outlook calendar every time it ever comes up ;)

I would get used to carrying a heavy pack over distance. Take a pack up to the Rillito River path and walk it from one end to the other and back a few times. Do the same in Sabino and other places where you can get used to being off-balance with a heavier pack on an incline. Get proficient in water finding and purification (if not already) and maybe consider purchasing a SPOT. Have fun and bring back pictures so some of us can live vicariously...

[te_wa]

Grand Enchantment Trail (GET) is the nicest start. There are many reasons why this trail is superior to the AZT and it can also be stacked up well against other long ones. If you love solitude, well established trails, easy to organize re-supply points, and most important... that available water is to be found without guesswork.
If you have equipment needs, Tahoe Mike and I (and a few others) can exhibit our gear selections and give you a beginner's look at UL gear and why its superior... you'll be able to get a 'hands on' look at some of our stuff - instead of just website pics. But you'd have to join us on a hike or 2. Certainly the finest way to enjoy a long hike is to have a light load (light is highly subjective but let's just call it <20 lbs) and know how each piece will work into a system. My pack list is thru years of confident tweaking and ability to survive comfortably without the illusion of "luxury" items. Because my pack is only 6 lbs, that is the greatest luxury of all. Chek it out, mang

[fairweather8588]

Take a look at Andrew Skurka's website, te-wa and I have had the pleasure of meeting him a few times, and his website would be a definite help to anyone

[JoelHazelton]

Sierra High Route! That one looks quite challenging.

[hikeaz]

Some random thoughts...
If you can backpack 10 miles, you can backpack 20; and if you can backpack 20 miles,...... and so on.
After about a week (or maybe less) you will be in 'trail shape' and be suprised at your capabilities - backpacking takes very little upper body strength, so that's likely not an issue unless you get into bouldering or the like. You will also likely develop a raging appetite by then. (that's what town stops are for).
Become proficient with a map & compass - also (here's when being 'experienced' comes into play > try and think like a trail-builder when you find yourself misplaced... 'where would I put this trail'? And then look there. The GET uses trails AND roads - the sections that I have done are marked pretty well with either flagging or small signs imprinted with "trail".
'Experienced' can also relate to one's ability to adapt or make do with what you have or can find. Are you a MacGyver type of gal? If so there's no worries on this one.
Mind over matter... placing the day-to-day wonderment over the day-to-day maladies - keep your goals managable vs. "geez... I've still got another 400 miles to go".
You will of course need a plan, but the 'plan' shouldn't be sacred; meaning to take some time to bag that peak, do some fishing or watch a rainbow - THOSE will be the vivid, long-lasting memories, not how many miles you made that day.
Injuries can happen but should not be a big concern. I have led over 150 trips of up to 30 people (usually just 10-15, though) and not once did anyone have an injury that prevented them from completing the hike/backpack. (insert knuckles rapping on wood here). Also, take care of your feet, they are your sole source of transport.
Don't get 'analysis paralysis' and over-think the thing.....after all, it's just walking. Just formulate a good pack list and solid plan and GO - you will be able to adapt to what the trail dishes out as you go- there is no way that you'd be able to plan for EVERY contingency anyway.
Yes, there are gobs of different lightweight gear makers, but the differences between them are not that great - everyone who backpacks regularly is constantly honing their gear list; nothing is forever. (Just ask Te-Wa...... we're charter members of G.A..... gearholics anonymous.) Again, avoid 'analysis paralysis' on this one as well.
Use an umbrella - it will benefit you in both rain and sun.

[Vaporman]

That GET route sounds sweet... PHX to Albuquerque...sweet!

[Davis2001r6]

Tommy did the AT last year and the PCT this year. His journals were pretty entertaining to read and every few weeks he would give a "gear report" of what worked and what didn't. If you want to check out the journals go to trailjournals then search Gopher for trail name.

[RedRoxx44]

For me it would be the Hayduke trail/route. I've already hiked quite a few segments of it. My main challenge would be to take that much time off.

[Davis2001r6]

JMT for a mini hike, Colorado trail for a longer one. No interest in the AZT for me.

[nonot]

On conditioning, you may be in good shape, but Arizona rocks are tough on the ankles when carrying a load. I'd recommend you do a few multiday trips to get used to packing your stuff, how much weight you are comfortable with, and navigating with a map and compass. Most important is learning what you don't need to bring. These items will be easy to identify because you will have brought them on all your trips and never used them.

[Jeffshadows]

Dave Baker from Summit Hut did the At this summer and was posting "gear reports" to his blog, etc. I haven't perused it but it's beta, either way...I think you can get to it from the main SH page.

[desert spirit]

Thanks to everyone for the wonderful replies and advice ... I've taken it all to heart and I'm really getting stoked now. The longest single trip I've done before now is about 60 miles in the Tetons, and that wasn't by myself, so this is obviously a major, major step up.

Thanks especially for the tips on the equipment blogs ... I'm gonna spend a lot of time reading them. Like everyone else, I have my own checklist that I've used in the past, but I see that I need to rethink everything from the ground up.

[Jeffshadows]

Take lots of pictures

[writelots]

I'm hoping to get in a month long hike sometime in the next year or two as well. Probably will do it next time I need to change jobs and will just program the time in. The GET is high on my list, too! Although I don't have advice from having done one, as a veteran of a hearty number of 4-5 day trips I can tell you that one of the most important conditioning things you can do in advance is to get your feet ready. Finding out what shoes fit best (it can be tricky), learning about advanced blister/toenail management and getting your feet used to the pressure of walking all day with extra weight is critical to comfortable backpacking. My hiking buddies who don't regularly backpack invariably have foot issues the second day of a longer trip, because their feet have swollen and the shoes they always wear on dayhikes suddenly give them massive blisters or runners toe. Then my husband, who only backpacks very occasionally, has sore feet every time he goes out, just from the pressure of the weight on his back and the uneven trail surface under his boots...It can really ruin your week if your feet hurt all of the time.

[Jeffshadows]

I'm hoping to get in a month long hike sometime in the next year or two as well. Probably will do it next time I need to change jobs and will just program the time in. The GET is high on my list, too! Although I don't have advice from having done one, as a veteran of a hearty number of 4-5 day trips I can tell you that one of the most important conditioning things you can do in advance is to get your feet ready. Finding out what shoes fit best (it can be tricky), learning about advanced blister/toenail management and getting your feet used to the pressure of walking all day with extra weight is critical to comfortable backpacking. My hiking buddies who don't regularly backpack invariably have foot issues the second day of a longer trip, because their feet have swollen and the shoes they always wear on dayhikes suddenly give them massive blisters or runners toe. Then my husband, who only backpacks very occasionally, has sore feet every time he goes out, just from the pressure of the weight on his back and the uneven trail surface under his boots...It can really ruin your week if your feet hurt all of the time.

One can never have too many dry, powered socks. They're light and compress down easily ;)

[desert spirit]

What are "powered" socks?

[Al_HikesAZ]

Combining this thread with the reading thread
If you haven't already read Cody Lundin's book "98.6 Degrees: The Art of keeping your pumpkin alive" you should read it. It is very practical and written in an entertaining manner. You can see more about it in the HAZ Books Section under Survival Books.

Learn and hone your survival and emergency medical skills.

[JimmyLyding]

I think he means "powdered" socks.

[Jeffshadows]

Yea, my keyboard likes to drop letters, sometimes...