how I’m preparing for a 5-6 month thru hike

[@tommyh.8391]

I watch all your videos. You and your Mom are a fun team to watch. If you’re doing the AT my lips are sealed. Can’t wait!

[@hikingwithrae]

lol! Actually my mom hiked the AT in 2021 so we have one of the other two big ones in mind. But we also can’t wait, and I appreciate you watching along!

[@lavonneellis3908]

When I was training for my Long Trail thruhike while living in Florida, I would load up my pack and go to the nearest parking garage. I would "hike" up to the top deck and then go back down multiple times - it gave me some elevation, was in the shade and it didn't matter if it was raining.

[@hikingwithrae]

That’s an excellent idea! We have stairs in my house but it’s not the same as going up multiple stairwells in row. Thanks for the tip, I’m going to do this!

[@lavonneellis3908]

@@hikingwithrae I would actually walk up and down the ramps at the garage - just watch for cars! 😂

[@hikingwithrae]

@@lavonneellis3908 That's probably a much better idea for my knees! I appreciate the tip (and for the correction LOL)!

[@McBlamin]

Great ideas! Especially like the Chart/Table you worked up. Walking with a loaded pack is also what I do to prepare. The only thing I might would add to your routine is maybe some squats. Which hiking app do you use? Is there anything the app doesn't have that you'd like? I'm using Gaia GPS, because I like to bushwhack occasionally. I'm still learning all the bells and whistles, I wish it had something that notes reliable water sources, I hear some of the apps have this feature.

[@hikingwithrae]

I haven’t been doing squats but I did start running. I said in the video I don’t but then I started last week lol. We have an exercise bike that really kills the quads, I need to incorporate that. For the trail prep, I use Far Out. But they are a bit limited. They only have specific trails but they do have the popular ones. They don’t have Bartram trail or palmetto trail though. I hope they get Bartram trail sometime but it probably needs to gain more popularity. I haven’t tried Gaia but I’ve seen it mentioned many times online. For tracking my mileage on a day hike, I’ve started using all trails because they have a tracker on their app that’s free.

[@swirlytwirl1089]

Because you're buying your shoes ahead of time, you can also 'break-in' those shoes before you hit the trail...

[@hikingwithrae]

I haven’t thought about doing that but it’s a good idea, I could wear them on a couple short hikes each. Make sure nothing needs attention before I get on the trail. Thanks for the tip!

[@swirlytwirl1089]

No worries, it beats the possibility of blisters from new shoes on your long hike...😊

[@HollyFrymire]

How is your momma prepping?

[@hikingwithrae]

Right now she’s doing the pack walks with her gear packed up too. Outside of that we are planning a couple more longer, week long hikes. But I don’t think she’s doing anything else specific.