Hello, My Name is Miss Indecisive

When planning a thru-hike, probably the most important thing is your mind set.  You need that can-do attitude.  You need that “I can freaking do this” attitude even when you feel like dropping out right then and there.  You need to have complete confidence in your ability to get it done.  Despite being out of shape and inexperienced, I think I pretty much have that mindset down.  I’m very optimistic.  I’m the type of person that tells myself to just get through this, then we can see how we feel tomorrow.  I am stubborn.  I have a little bit of pride (mostly due to not wanting anyone to be able to rub my failure in my face).  I am confident in my abilities.

I am seriously stumped on this gear stuff.

I have never backpacked in my life.  I’ve car camped more times than I can count.

My camp at Gardner State Park in March of 2014. Seriously cool park.

I go on day hikes anytime I get a chance.

The first “mountain” I ever conquered (really big hill)

But, I have never lived out of a backpack.  I wear crappy tennis shoes or my converse when hiking.  The backpack I use for day hikes is this awesome vintage canvas and leather thing.  I don’t have any special equipment, minus some neat and ligthweight cookware I recently got, and a camel back from my sister.  Other than that, I have no clue what I am doing.  Sure, I want to keep my trip as cost efficient as possible, but can a $30 Walmart backpack really stand up to 2,200 miles?  Should I go with trail runners, or get something more substantial for my weak ankles?  Do I want to try this hammock camping stuff that seems to be all the rage, or should I stick with a tent?  Lets not even get started on tents.  There.  Are.  So.  Many.  Choices.

One thing I know for a fact I want is a self-inflating air mattress.  I want to go as lightweight as possible, but I like my comforts when sleeping.  No one wants to wake up after a crappy night of sleep then go hike up and down mountains for the entire day.  I also am not worried about trail food.  I fancy myself a pretty awesome cook.  Some packaged meals, and a lot of homemade dehydrated stuff will keep me well nourished and happy (I found dehydrated cake… I CAN HAVE DESSERT ON THE TRAIL!).

I’m just having trouble with the three main gear items: shoes, pack, and tent/hammock.  Tips and advice are welcome.  Please tell me some stuff that has worked really well for you.  I would love to hear it!  The good thing about this situation is, I have 8 months to figure it out!  Perhaps if it would start cooling down here in Texas (HA HA HA HA HA HA) I can go test out some gear.

“I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery—air, mountains, trees, people. I thought, “This is what it is to be happy.”
― Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar