Planning a Thru-Hike in One Month or Less!

Many aspiring thru hikers spend years planning for their first thru-hike. I personally spent over 15 months planning for my 2017 PCT thru-hike. Unfortunately, an injury ended my trek after only 375 miles, which was devastating. After returning home and rehabbing my shoulder, I wasn’t ready to throw in the towel and chose to rescue my hiking season by attempting a thru hike of the Appalachian Trail instead.

The same information gathering strategies used to plan for the PCT were used to plan for a thru hike of the Appalachian Trail in less than one month! You, too, can shorten time spent planning for a thru hike with the following strategies. This, however, assumes that you’re an experienced hiker, know your strengths and weaknesses and have a gear list ready to go.

10 Strategies for Planning a Thru-Hike

1.Purchase the go-to guidebooks.

Pacific Crest Trail: Yogi’s Pacific Crest Trail Guidebook

Appalachian Trail: AWOL’s The AT Guide


2. Check out the thru-hiking association web pages.

Pacific Crest Trail: Pacific Crest Trail Association

Appalachian Trail: Appalachian Trail Conservancy


3.  Learn about permits required.

Pacific Crest Trail: Permits

Appalachian Trail: Permits and Regulations


4. Join various Facebook pages.

Pacific Crest Trail:

Appalachian Trail:


5. Check out Instagram accounts and hashtags to get a feel for life on trail.

Pacific Crest Trail:

Appalachian Trail:


6. Watch videos from previous years.

Pacific Crest Trail: 

Appalachian Trail:


7. Download maps, GPS apps and trail notes.

Pacific Crest Trail:

Appalachian Trail: 


8. Review resupply locations.

Pacific Crest Trail: 

Appalachian Trail: 


9. Become aware of the trail angel lists.

Pacific Crest Trail: 

Appalachian Trail: 


10. Become aware of websites providing weather and water reports.

Pacific Crest Trail:

Appalachian Trail: 


The links above are by no means an exhaustive list of the resources available for planning a thru hike of the Appalachian and/or Pacific Crest Trails. Please feel free to share your favorite resources in the comments box below. It is my hope that the above bits of information will save you time researching and allow you to pursue your dreams sooner than later. Good luck and happy trails!

Until next time…

Consider following my Instagram or Facebook feeds to see how my planning strategies play out!

**Unfortunately, I was also forced to end my 2017 AT thru hike attempt prematurely after 500 miles with a torn VMO muscle. **

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