Preparing for a Thru Hike | Appalachian Trail 2023

Welcome back to my channel! In this video I discuss the list of items I have done, am currently doing, and still need to do in preparation for thru hiking the Appalachian Trail.
Appalachian Trail Conservancy hiker registration page: atcamp.org.
Vloggers/KZbinrs I have watched and enjoyed:
Evans Backpacking Videos
Liz Kidder
Wild on Trail
Tara Treks
Taylor the Nahamsha Hiker
Homemade Wanderlust (Dixie)
Jay Wanders Out
Kyle Hates Hiking
Belarge at Large
Hiking with Braids
Reading recommendations:
Appalachian Trials by Zach Davis
Thirst by Heather ‘Anish’ Anderson (PCT)
The Appalachian Trail by Philip D’Anieri
Underfoot: A Geologic Guide to the AT by Collins Chew
A Walk for Sunshine by Jeff Alt
The Unlikely Thruhiker by Derick Lugo
Where’s the Next Shelter by Gary Sizer

[@danielfulk6427]

You are doing many of the things I did for my 2020 thru hike to prepare including reading some of the same books. Where's the Next Shelter was probably my favorite one that I read. I was 44 when I hiked and showed up in good shape and started out slowly, hiking about 7, 8, 9 miles a day and gradually increasing mileage. You seem very well prepared and I wish you luck on this adventure of a lifetime!

[@appalachianadventurista]

Thank you!

[@bigcountryV]

Good call on the taxes. That had not yet crossed my mind. I've decided I'm going in 2026. I have done most of the maryland section and I know I need to do this. I am overweight but I am starting to prepare.

[@jasonsadler7020]

Enjoyed the video and best of luck on your upcoming thru hike. Looking forward to your updates!

[@shakeymorris6008]

You did not mention a power bank for your phone. I carried a 20,000 ma that could charge my phone a couple of times if I could not get to power. Just a thought.

[@appalachianadventurista]

I have a power bank in my gear list. It’s a great idea. I’ll have a gear video coming out in early 2023.

[@misfithikes6759]

As someone who hikes the Georgia Section of the trail almost weekly, its a rough stretch especially early in the year. Stay warm out there and don’t rush, you’ll need your strength.

[@larryosselborn9009]

Do you know what month your going to start and merry christmas

[@appalachianadventurista]

March start!

[@RevBTB]

I had to giggle at the "kind of a long drive - its 2 to 3 hours" statement. I lived on the backside of Wildcat (yep, you're gonna climb her) and it was over a half hour to the nearest convenience store in Fryeburg, Maine and took about 45 mins to get to the closest grocery store in North Conway, NH (in the Mt Washington Valley) so the 2 to 3 hours doesn't seem like forever in my eyes, lol.

[@appalachianadventurista]

😅 It’s all perspective. For a morning-of trip, it’s a good haul. I also grew up in a food desert where the closest grocery store was 30 min away, so I know what you mean.

[@mikemorr100]

Oh the wildcat section is brutal. Up 1600 foot in like a mile, down 1300 the next mile, up 2000 the next 2 miles. Such a hard day.

[@DanielOutdoors]

Youre not the only one watching YT vids 😅 Good luck with your hike.

[@enricoflor3601]

You might need that bug headnet. The bug bites are still visible in your Lightweight video.

[@stanthemanhikes2965]

Yeah prepared a lot of the same way in prep last year for my hike. Since I was retiring I didn't have to worry about budget as much as some others do which was a nice to have. If your car is sitting make sure your parents or someone run it once a month or so so no problems when you return. I booked a night in the lodge since I was driving down from NY with some family members and it was well worth it. Rates were fairly reasonable as well so worth your checking out. You only have a few months left before you start and I'm sure you're excited. The time will pass faster then you know. Enjoy the prep and the start!!!

[@appalachianadventurista]

Yes, I’m incredibly excited!! Counting down the days…

[@jerrydewitt6141]

What an incredibly informative video. So down-to-earth. I’m really enjoying your videos. They are some of the best I’ve studied and worth the time to absorb. Jd from NC

[@gabriele1975]

Having moved from Florida to North Carolina, Yes! I stop everything to soak up the sunshine! Loved that moment!

[@helenl1646]

I didn't even think about taxes and insurance side of things - sounds like you're doing an awesome job at zooming out to look at all facets of your life before going. Super excited to follow along on this trip!

[@appalachianadventurista]

Thank you!! 🥰

[@paddle_hike]

To be 2hrs away from Springer mtn is awesome! 90% of ALL my hikes takes me over 1h30-2h drive. Some way more.... Good luck on the AT.

[@appalachianadventurista]

Thank you!

[@LionessHiker]

Great video! I appreciated the music at the intro and outtro. It bugs me to not be able to hear people while they are speaking due to music. I hope to see you out there! I am selling some acreage to fund my hike. We shall see!

[@Josephhikes]

Just started following your channel. I’m a big fan of all the hikers you watched and some of the books. I haven’t registered my hike yet, because I’m not sure of my start date. Late Feb or early March . Book suggestion “Becoming Odessa”by Jennifer Pharr Davis . Good Luck and Good Health 👍💪

[@kyridgejumper]

Check out Chase Mountains here on KZbin he has great hiking strength training and overall health training on his channel

[@DASHToTheEnd]

You're a planner (like me) and driven, I like it! I like to know what I'm getting into before I get into it. I follow maybe 3-4 thru hikers each season. I think I make you one of those 3-4. 🙂 Good luck!

[@appalachianadventurista]

Thank you!

[@Wondering_Fireball]

Great list of vlogs, I followed all of them on there AT Journeys. Can’t wait to following your AT journey.

[@TravelingOutsideTheBaatz]

Good for you. I am glad you were able to make budget changes. As A.T. class of 2019 we completely understand. My wife loved the book "Chicas on the Appalachian Trail" - & - "Appalachian Trials: A Psychological and Emotional Guide To Thru-Hike the Appalachian Trail" They are awesome for mental preparedness. Enjoy your adventure and congratulations on making a great decision. You are looking at this correctly. The mental side is a BIG part of it.

[@appalachianadventurista]

Thanks so much!! I’ll definitely check out those reads. Doing my best to set myself up for success.

[@djgregory9265]

Hey! Sounds like a real plan in action. I’m looking forward to your journey. Having only stepped foot on the AT last year for the first time and sectioned only from Carvers Gap to 19 E this year in October, I have a future plan of more. Keep your positive attitude and it will all fall in place. Thanks for sharing your adventures to come. Walk on!

[@Weonlyknewoneway]

I'm preparing as well. Good video. Keep it up 👆

[@Buzzygirl611]

Not helpful, not relatable

[@gaylawright930]

I’m sure you have thought about it, but you may want to purchase more of the shoes you are going to be wearing before you leave and every 500 miles have a new pair sent to you. Instead of relying on being able to find them out there somewhere. Another thru hiker did that this year and I thought that was a smart idea. ✌🏼💚🙏🏼

[@appalachianadventurista]

That’s something I’ve been considering, but recently started leaning away from. On the one hand, yes it would be great to ensure I already have my shoes bought in the version I know works for me. But on the other, I’ve heard my foot size will very likely change and if I pre-buy my shoes they may not be the right size after 500+ miles. I haven’t decided what to do yet. Might pre-buy a couple pair but not all for the trail. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@TheRickurb]

Tear it up!

[@steveyost5530]

Budgeting, buying new gear and downloading "New Girl" = You got This!

[@appalachianadventurista]

Thank you!

[@danielkutcher5704]

I plan on heading to Springer from New England for the fourth time. The first 2 hikes were just accompanying hopeful thruhukers to the Ga/NC line. One made it. Last year I did a long section hike (275 miles) and started believing that I might be able to do a thruhike. This spring I did another 200+ mile section hike. I completed the trail in October. I am now convinced that, barring a health emergency on trail or having to return home for someone else's, I could compete a thruhike, so I am going to register next week and head north from Springer in March. Last time I talked to you I wasn't sure. Now I am. Maybe we'll cross paths. "Tinker"

[@appalachianadventurista]

That’s amazing!! Yes, hopefully we’ll cross paths.

[@jessecox2526]

Goodluck looking forward to following you.

[@jamesadams2334]

Don't pass up ANYTHING that you want to see along the way! You may never be back again. Take blue blazes to scenic views, waterfalls, historical sites. My first thru hike I was a purist and stuck to every white blaze. My second thru hike I took every blue blaze just to see things and my second hike was far more enjoyable than the first, although the first was a lot of fun. Don't miss Trail Days! Starting in March, especially if you start in late March you will probably be on schedule to walk into TDs. If you are ahead of it and further up the trail you will find that there will be tons of past thru hikers traveling south to get there and if you have on a pack and your thumb out, they will pick you up, take you to TDs, tell you when they are leaving to head north and will ride you back to where they picked you up. If this all sounds shaky to you, you will see before you are anywhere near TDs that A. 99% of people are good people and B. you have entered into a very large and caring, protective family due to thru hiking. You will end your hike with about 500 new friends that are as close as your mom and dad. geek, AT '90 and '02

[@karyn4875]

Add Heather Anderson's Mud, Rocks, and Blazes to your reading list. I look forward to following your adventure

[@wingsontheat7188]

The registration system has no mechanism for "spacing people out." The purpose of the system is to provide user number visibility to the ATC, so they can effectively allocate trail maintenance resources.

[@ResaDelRosa]

I'm so excited for you! Almost 1K in just a few months. i foresee you being the new thru-hiking guru. No pressure😂

[@markviers998]

Sounds like you're planning this well. Great resource having family to help out both with your budget and packages along the way! I see someone else mentioned reading Walk in the Woods. Fun book, there's a movie that's sort of based on the story that's fun too.

[@appalachianadventurista]

Yes, I’d forgotten about that one. Thanks for the recommendation!

[@jamesadams2334]

But neither is accurate.

[@markviers998]

@@jamesadams2334 True, it's just a fun story.

[@rachelszem]

Congrats! This video is so relatable and makes me feel more comfortable with my list of to dos before trail. Hope to see you out there ! 😊

[@Wondering_Fireball]

What gear do you need?

[@appalachianadventurista]

Not much left now. Just a couple last items. Gear videos coming soon.

[@Wondering_Fireball]

@@appalachianadventurista can’t wait. Good luck!

[@lucindaturnis6605]

One can never watch too many hiking videos 😉 😆

[@appalachianadventurista]

Agreed!

[@kerrir1955]

Read Grandma Gatewoods Walk; A Walk in the Woods; Walking with Spring; All great reads. Highly recommend..

[@appalachianadventurista]

Awesome - thank you!

[@nymph40]

Merry Christmas 🎄 best wishes