Research and Foreshadowing
When I started talking to people about thru-hiking the AT, between interviews and internets, I got some great tips on what to bring, what not to bring, what to do, what not to do, and so on. I had already scoured the ATC website, but being a resident of the Appalachians, it seemed like everybody I talked to about it had hiked sections, knew somebody who had hiked the entire trail, or knew about hiking, camping, or medicine.
A couple of my co-workers had hiking and camping experience and had ferried people to the trail, and they had a wealth of practical advice. No wet clothes in the sleeping bag.
My med student friend with bushcraft experience mostly warned me about Lyme disease and recommended a particular antibiotic prophylaxis. Also a nice foot treatment, rolling the foot over a golf ball to massage and stretch the plantar fascia.
My bartender knew a few people who had hiked the trail. He said the biggest problem they all faced was getting the clap. If only they had the same antibiotic advice.
The thing that everybody said about hiking the trail: you're gonna meet some weird people out there. I'm looking forward to joining their number.
Eventually I branched out to watching YouTube videos. GearSkeptic's series on nutrition drew me in, and I stayed for the water filtration and stove efficiency lectures. Dixie's epic beginner guide was on in the background for half a workday, and I stayed for the documentary footage.
Finally I began scouring Reddit's r/AppalachianTrail. I started using lighterpack and obsessing over weight, using a borrowed grain scale to measure small items. I adopted an ankle and foot exercise routine for plantar fasciitis resistance. I got news about the norovirus outbreak just 16 miles from where I plan to start my trip, along with tips about prevention.
I also did some searching for statistics on why people end their trips early. The big ones that hardly anybody seemed to be talking about were stress fractures and shin splints caused by some combination of too much carry weight, calcium deficiency, and inadequate foot or leg strength. Most of the other hazards fall under the category "watch your step and check for ticks every morning and night."
By now I feel like I'm as prepared as I'm gonna be without getting on the trail. My training this year has been focused mostly on hiking, so I don't have very many reps at camping. I did spend a couple of nights in the backyard, but the first cathole of the year has yet to be dug.
