Preparations

This is a stock photo. My kit looks very different!

This isn’t the first time I fall off the face of the Earth. In fact, I’ve been disappearing rather consistently since my high school years. That being said, this is the first time I vanish into the wilderness for an extended period of time. For that reason, I’ve been browsing the internet tirelessly for months researching the ins and outs of what it takes to complete a thru-hike. Some things are rather intuitive, and some are similar enough to my time spent bike-packing across the U.S. Others are not quite as obvious. The following are answers to some of the common questions I have been receiving recently from close friends and family:

-What do you eat on a thru-hike?

The answer to this question is different for everyone. Some people completely wing-it and shop as they go without much of a plan. Others will spend hours meticulously dehydrating and packaging individual meals at home before shipping them out to various restock locations along the trail via USPS. Whatever the strategy, one thing remains consistent. All the food you bring needs to be high in calories and low in weight. Fiber is good, protein is a must, and calories must be plentiful in order to refuel the burning furnace that is your stomach. What’s my plan? I’ve always been more of a forager than a prepper. I’m going to re-stock as I go. My primary concern about mailing food to myself is that I am not sure exactly how much I might be eating on a day-to-day basis, or what my mileage might look like. It’s easy to plan that sort of thing from home, but there are just too many variables that could affect my overall pace. Additionally, I’m not sure what my cravings are going to be on the trail. I would hate to spend all this time prepping and shipping meals to myself before making it to my care package after days in the wilderness, and not being able to stomach any of it.

-Water? How much do you have to carry?

Water is a tricky thing for a large portion of the trail. The first 700 miles or so take place in the desert. It can be a scarce resource at times. Hikers sometimes carry iodine tablets for purification, but most find a sawyer squeeze water filter or something similar to be the best option. These devices use tiny microfibers and even smaller holes to filter out bacteria and other microparticles that can harm you. Most natural water sources become perfectly drinkable after passing through one of these small filters. For now, I have a total carrying capacity of six liters. From my research, that should be plenty to get me through even the longest stretches between water sources on the trail. But, I can adjust as needed once I start hiking.

-Where will you sleep?

That’s easy: In a tent! Many people will even “cowboy camp” in the desert since it seldom rains. This is when you sleep out in the open without pitching your tent. I’m not yet sure if I will be practicing this form of rest because I am deathly afraid of rattlesnakes and things that go “bump” in the night.

-Are you going ALone? Will you see other people?

Yes, I am starting alone. But the PCT, especially in the desert, is highly trafficked by hundreds of other thru-hikers. Part of the experience is meeting these other explorers, sharing stories, and maybe even settling into a trail-family or “tramly”. This is when you meet a group of people that you enjoy the company of and hike for an extended period of time with - sometimes all the way to Canada.

-Will you be in the wild the entire time?

The trail largely meanders through the backcountry, far away from civilization. However, there are dozens of towns sprinkled throughout the length of the trail that are either within walking distance or a short shuttle ride/hitchhike away. From what I’ve read, most people will shoot for about five days between resupply points with a few longer food caries sprinkled throughout the duration of the trail.

-How do you know where you’re going?

The trail is well-marked for the most part. However, most hikers use an application called “FarOut” (formerly “Guthook”). With this app, you can download maps of the entire route onto your phone and use offline navigation even when in the most remote sections of the trail. Additionally, landmarks and water sources are marked, and hikers even have the option to leave notes for others to see. For instance, someone ahead of you might have arrived at a water source a few days sooner, and posted that the little stream has dried up! This lets everyone know that they would likely want to carry more water through that stretch of the trail.

-What if you need help?

As I stated before, it can be crowded on the trail, and seldom are you far from others. However, accidents happen and it isn’t unheard of for you or someone you know to call for help in the backcountry. I’m carrying a Garmin Messanger GPS device. It has a few neat features, but the thing I care mostly about is the ability to declare an SOS to regional search and rescue authorities. You are able to use a satellite connection to communicate the nature of your distress and initiate a rescue if needed.

-What do you wear?

Not much. I’m hiking in the late spring and summer. However, much of the trail is at such a high elevation that it still becomes freezing at night. For that reason, hikers need to prepare for both ends of the temperature spectrum. This usually starts with a “base layer” - something that is lightweight, moisture-wicking, and sun-shielding. Next is a “mid-layer”. This provides a bit more warmth when needed. Lastly, everyone brings an “outer-layer” that offers more insulation for when things get cold and wet. Besides that, some socks, underwear, and maybe a hat. You don’t need much beyond that!

-How much weight are you carrying?

This is different for each hiker. Some will spare no expense in acquiring the lightest gear they can find, occasionally spending hundreds of extra dollars on a piece of gear that is a few ounces lighter than the more affordable option. I’m not one of these people. In fact, I have no idea how much my pack weighs. All I know is that it doesn’t feel uncomfortable when slung over my shoulders (yet). I will say that I am likely carrying more than the average hiker because I am bringing along my camera gear to make a film.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

I’m going to be spending the next few weeks chasing down loose ends and ensuring that I am ready for this battle of endurance that I have condemned myself to. By that, I mean questioning my life choices and fighting off the looming mental breakdown. Why? Because it’s scary! I’m putting my entire life on hold while I walk through the woods for the next four to five months. As nervous as I am, I’m also excited to see what’s in store. And, I’m looking forward to bringing you along with me. Until my hike begins, happy trails to you all!