Training for an Appalachian Trail Thru-hike
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Another thing I wondered about is the weight of your pack -- We were traveling with packs that weighed about 40 to 45 pounds to start (including water, food etc) and yes, it was heavy but the weight goes down as stuff gets used up. The pack I used I made sure was adjusted for me, so I was very comfortable with the weight. I 've also read and experienced that if your pack is properly packed, the majority of the weight rests on your hips. Maybe I'm in better shape than I realize, but my back didn't hurt at all, only my hip joints at the end of the day.
And food, OMG. I haven't read much about eating on the trail, but it's a little like your trail legs -- it took me a day or so for my 'trail hunger' to set in, where I knew I was burning way more calories than I was taking in, and once that metabolic rate kicks in for your body, you're really burning carbs and as I saw from other people on the trail, there isn't much that can be done about it.
Keep up the videos -- you have a great personality and I like your style.
Date: 2020-08-18
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Comments and reviews: 9
Survival
I would tell you with 3 Thru hikes under my belt on the Appalachian Trail and 2 PCT Thru hikes also! probably the best thing you can do is gain weight before you leave, Gain 15 pounds or more. Give up driving and Cycle or Walk everyday. Get used to being wet, Gore Tex is NOT Waterproof! sleep outside in the cold, wet and heat. Try not taking a shower for 14 days. Wear wet socks. But getting fit is NOT going to help. Your going to have to get your Trail legs in and get the Trail Mentally going the first 3 to 5 weeks on the Trail. After all these years being on the Trail as a Ridge Runner for the USFS, It's one of the biggest mistakes i see out here in the Smokey Mountains. People who cross fit and making fun of people who are out of so called shape! This is a No NO! Because 90 % of these cross fit folks are going home in 7 days and the person's who was called fat by them is in Maine 6 month's later! SlowFoot
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I would tell you with 3 Thru hikes under my belt on the Appalachian Trail and 2 PCT Thru hikes also! probably the best thing you can do is gain weight before you leave, Gain 15 pounds or more. Give up driving and Cycle or Walk everyday. Get used to being wet, Gore Tex is NOT Waterproof! sleep outside in the cold, wet and heat. Try not taking a shower for 14 days. Wear wet socks. But getting fit is NOT going to help. Your going to have to get your Trail legs in and get the Trail Mentally going the first 3 to 5 weeks on the Trail. After all these years being on the Trail as a Ridge Runner for the USFS, It's one of the biggest mistakes i see out here in the Smokey Mountains. People who cross fit and making fun of people who are out of so called shape! This is a No NO! Because 90 % of these cross fit folks are going home in 7 days and the person's who was called fat by them is in Maine 6 month's later! SlowFoot
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NovaColonel
Are there any Europeans on the trail?
I'm a bit confused when you talked about 15 miles a day as if it were a huge challenge. That's 24 kilometers. I don't mean to humblebrag (well, maybe a bit, but my first full overnight hike with gear and stuff (45 ibs, give or take) was done at 30 years, almost totally untrained, clearly overweight and I did 32 (20 miles) kilometers the first day and 37 (23 miles) the second. Granted, it was too much, because I had a strained muscle the third day, but still 24 kilometers is no problem from 0.
And it was hilly.
If you read through all this, thanks, and I'm honestly interested if the difference is that huge. Sure, most americans are seriously overweight, but those ain't gonna hike the trail anyways.
Also, you look seriously fit, yet explain how 15 miles was too much in the beginning? How?
Also the second, I bought your book and it's a great read!
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Are there any Europeans on the trail?
I'm a bit confused when you talked about 15 miles a day as if it were a huge challenge. That's 24 kilometers. I don't mean to humblebrag (well, maybe a bit, but my first full overnight hike with gear and stuff (45 ibs, give or take) was done at 30 years, almost totally untrained, clearly overweight and I did 32 (20 miles) kilometers the first day and 37 (23 miles) the second. Granted, it was too much, because I had a strained muscle the third day, but still 24 kilometers is no problem from 0.
And it was hilly.
If you read through all this, thanks, and I'm honestly interested if the difference is that huge. Sure, most americans are seriously overweight, but those ain't gonna hike the trail anyways.
Also, you look seriously fit, yet explain how 15 miles was too much in the beginning? How?
Also the second, I bought your book and it's a great read!
reply
Retired
I just did a 106 mile section of the AT from the Northern third of the SNP into MD. For me it was a gear shake out to see what worked and didn't as well as a chance to talk with a lot of SOBO's and their gear set ups. I had done 25 years in the Marine Infantry and hiked a lot of miles but starting out slow and building up to me is the key to staying on the trail and completing your thru hike. I did 7-9 the first few days and progressed up to 10+ and did one 17. 5 towards the end of my 12 days with one 0 day in the middle. If had been staying on the trail to hike more I would had to take a 0 after the 17. 5 but knowing it was the end of my hike I wanted to push it to see how my body handled it. Great tips and info. I plan on a thru hike next year or the following year. Keep up the great vids, my wife watches them and is getting into the idea of doing the trail with me.
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I just did a 106 mile section of the AT from the Northern third of the SNP into MD. For me it was a gear shake out to see what worked and didn't as well as a chance to talk with a lot of SOBO's and their gear set ups. I had done 25 years in the Marine Infantry and hiked a lot of miles but starting out slow and building up to me is the key to staying on the trail and completing your thru hike. I did 7-9 the first few days and progressed up to 10+ and did one 17. 5 towards the end of my 12 days with one 0 day in the middle. If had been staying on the trail to hike more I would had to take a 0 after the 17. 5 but knowing it was the end of my hike I wanted to push it to see how my body handled it. Great tips and info. I plan on a thru hike next year or the following year. Keep up the great vids, my wife watches them and is getting into the idea of doing the trail with me.
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Charles
There is a new? trend in fitness called Rucking. It burns more calories than jogging and is easier on the joints and is ideal for pre-hike training IMHO. You put on your favourite shoes and a backpack and add 20-50 pounds of weight and head out walking at a serious pace. My target pace is a 13 minute mile with a 20lb. pack (plus two litres of water. My usual Ruck is three miles but I try to go farther every week. I try to hit hills and stairs along the way too but that's difficult in NOLA. So I figure after acclimating to say five miles, at 13 minutes per mile with a 20lb pack that should help to prepare me for 10-20 miles at a more casual pace with a 15-30lb pack (lighter the better naturally. Thoughts? Btw I love all your videos Dixie!
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There is a new? trend in fitness called Rucking. It burns more calories than jogging and is easier on the joints and is ideal for pre-hike training IMHO. You put on your favourite shoes and a backpack and add 20-50 pounds of weight and head out walking at a serious pace. My target pace is a 13 minute mile with a 20lb. pack (plus two litres of water. My usual Ruck is three miles but I try to go farther every week. I try to hit hills and stairs along the way too but that's difficult in NOLA. So I figure after acclimating to say five miles, at 13 minutes per mile with a 20lb pack that should help to prepare me for 10-20 miles at a more casual pace with a 15-30lb pack (lighter the better naturally. Thoughts? Btw I love all your videos Dixie!
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nhcaesar
Having just finished a 2 day, 18 miles total overnight trip up Bondcliff Mtn in NH, I have immense respect for anyone who thru hikes. It takes a lot out of the body to do any considerable mileage. I followed your journey as it was happening, and look forward to each Wednesday's new video. I hope your ebook is doing well and you'll be able to start your PCT journey in the near future. I have run 40 half marathons over the years but even this doesn't really prepare you for what a thru hike requires of you. (PS, I just turned 70 and am enjoying mountain climbing here in the Whites of NH.
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Having just finished a 2 day, 18 miles total overnight trip up Bondcliff Mtn in NH, I have immense respect for anyone who thru hikes. It takes a lot out of the body to do any considerable mileage. I followed your journey as it was happening, and look forward to each Wednesday's new video. I hope your ebook is doing well and you'll be able to start your PCT journey in the near future. I have run 40 half marathons over the years but even this doesn't really prepare you for what a thru hike requires of you. (PS, I just turned 70 and am enjoying mountain climbing here in the Whites of NH.
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flashman
Another great video. Just want to add (everyone has their own ideas) I have been backpacking for 30 years, a few days to 10 days stretches, so can't say I know how to thru hike. But I have found over the years that people seem to fall short not getting a full pack on their back and testing it out soon enough. Once you get a little time hiking with a day pack, get the full 25, 30, whatever weight you are going to be taking with you on your back and get use to what that feels like. Your body will give you some good feed back the first 6 or 7 mile test hikes.
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Another great video. Just want to add (everyone has their own ideas) I have been backpacking for 30 years, a few days to 10 days stretches, so can't say I know how to thru hike. But I have found over the years that people seem to fall short not getting a full pack on their back and testing it out soon enough. Once you get a little time hiking with a day pack, get the full 25, 30, whatever weight you are going to be taking with you on your back and get use to what that feels like. Your body will give you some good feed back the first 6 or 7 mile test hikes.
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Perry
I so needed to hear this. On my very first back packing hike of 5 days I hiked 19 miles the first day and finished in 4 days hiking 25 miles on my last day. It took me 4 days to recover and I was thinking I just was not cut out for this. I was in so much pain. Maybe I over did it? Duh! But hearing how much pain you were in after your first day the light began to dawn on me that maybe we all experience normal pain. I think I get it now! Thanks! :) -Perry O Rush
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I so needed to hear this. On my very first back packing hike of 5 days I hiked 19 miles the first day and finished in 4 days hiking 25 miles on my last day. It took me 4 days to recover and I was thinking I just was not cut out for this. I was in so much pain. Maybe I over did it? Duh! But hearing how much pain you were in after your first day the light began to dawn on me that maybe we all experience normal pain. I think I get it now! Thanks! :) -Perry O Rush
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hiltonmusicstudio
Thank you thank you! You have really inspired me to finally get out there and hike the AT. It's been on my bucket list for years! Love your videos! I have lots of day hiking and tent (car) camping experience, so I'll make my first plan to day hike with my loaded pack. Any thoughts or experience with winter backpacking on the AT?
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Thank you thank you! You have really inspired me to finally get out there and hike the AT. It's been on my bucket list for years! Love your videos! I have lots of day hiking and tent (car) camping experience, so I'll make my first plan to day hike with my loaded pack. Any thoughts or experience with winter backpacking on the AT?
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Rob
Hi, love you videos, im attempting a thru hike with my dog in 2017, she is an ultra friendly German Shepherd, . I have been through the whites and 100 mile wilderness, without a dog, did you know of many or any dogs hiking these sections? if so how hard was it on them? any info would be appreciated.
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Hi, love you videos, im attempting a thru hike with my dog in 2017, she is an ultra friendly German Shepherd, . I have been through the whites and 100 mile wilderness, without a dog, did you know of many or any dogs hiking these sections? if so how hard was it on them? any info would be appreciated.
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