Preparations
As you can imagine, Ken had a lot of questions regarding what a "Thru Hike" really means. Luckily, there were books and the internet to help.
We first learned that of all who attempt to hike the entire A.T., only 1 in 10 makes it to the end. Many are completely unprepared and 60% quit within the first 3 days/30 miles. The next 30% quit within 300 miles.
The A.T. is easier than the Continental Divide or Pacific Crest Trails in that the elevations are lower and you are only days from resupply points. Experts recommend keeping pack weight down by only carrying a maximum of 3-5 days of food. Water sources are usually available each day. Additional resupply points are through general deliver "care packages" at one of the 123 post offices along the trail. Additional general deliveries can be sent to motels, hotels, or AT stores. Many hikers simply buy what they need at the trail towns (within easy distance on or off the trail). Ken will use a combination. He will also have me, his "Trail Angel" (as his new hiker friends call me) to meet up with him once per month.
Of all the research, the most valuable so far was to NOT wear hike boots, but rather light weight trail runners. These are tennis shoes that breath, weigh 13 oz per pair and have a better tread made for hiking off-road. Every 1 lb. of shoe/boot equals 5 lbs. on your back. By eliminating the cool KEEN hikers (at 2 1/2 lbs) he first thought to use, he saved 7 lbs of 'back weight'. When you are hiking over 2,100 miles, every ounce is important.
The second big decision was what tent and sleep system to use. After much reading of books, blogs and YouTube videos provided by A.T. experts, he settled on the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2. The UL2 is a 3-season tent that weighs only 1 lb 15 oz. It is considered a 2-person or 1-person with pack. His back still gives him fits at times, so he purchased a high-tech Klymit Static V Luxe pad that blows up to 3". It has a "sophisticated" baffle system to increase insulation value, yet provide extra back support in a very light-weight pad.
Clothes are kept to a minimum. They include:
- 2 pair hiker pants with zip off legs. Will also be his shorts in the warm weather.
- 1 pair polar skins (top and bottom)for cold weather (and have already come in handy!)
- 2 pair double layer hiking socks (friction is between sock layers and not sock/skin)
- 1 pair camp socks with crocs (let feet relax while in camp)
- Super Feet carbon insoles to help stabilize the foot. Outlasts the standard insole by hundreds of miles and provides additional arch support
- 1 t-shirt
- 1 flannel shirt
- 1 Frogg Togg rain coat
- 2 pair underwear
Other pack items:
- The official A.T. Northbound Trail Guide
- Sawyer squeeze water filtration system
- 1st aid kit, including mole skin and liquid bandage
- 2 heavy duty large trash bags. 1 used as pack liner and other for emergency poncho.
- Little Friskies camp stove and HEET for fuel
- New Testament Bible and Our Daily Bread for devotional
- Prayer Patch (I knitted for him and the church blessed it and him before his hike)
- 2 extra large space blankets
- 2 cup titanium camp pot
His original pack was a 70 liter heavy duty pack borrowed from a family member. After 2 days of hiking, he understood why the experienced hikers said: "Spend the money and get a high tech light weight pack" This change saved him about 6 lbs.
Food
A.T. Thru Hikers burn on average 6,000 calories per day. Therefore, much attention is paid to HIGH calorie foods that are easy to prepare. Things like:
- Tuna in oil in single serving pouches
- Pasta sides in pouches
- High protein bars (like Premier Protein or Cliff)
- Beef Jerky
- Loaded baked potatoes in pouches
- Snickers Bars
- Trail Mix
- Smart Water with electrolytes - bottles also fit the Sawyer water filter system so bottles can be refilled at water sources
References:
Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers Companion
Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide
You-Tube
Appalachiantrail.org