I am about to go on a journey to day hike the Appalachian Trail (AT). In the first of this series, I talked about the history of the trail and the strategy of hiking for the day while sleeping in an Airbnb at night. My husband has agreed to try this with me and we’re about to take a 1-week trial run.
Gear for Day Hiking
About 6 weeks before our hike, we gathered the needed supplies to comfortably walk on the trail. The most important gear is footwear. We decided to consult with the experts at REI, an amazing store that specializes in all things outdoors. The staff there are knowledgeable and skilled at fitting footwear. I got some trail runners which are also good for running. My husband was worried about ankle stability and chose some lightweight hiking boots. We wore them on short hikes near our house to make sure they fit properly. It’s important to go to a specialized store for your shoes, especially in the beginning. They will take the shoes back if they hurt your feet or you just can’t adjust to them. Most of the books I’ve read discuss the torment and misery caused by ill-fitting footwear. It’s also important to have the right type of socks. They will wick away moisture and help prevent blisters.
There are also some clothing considerations. My husband prefers to wear jeans. While durable, jeans aren’t your best choice for hiking because they don’t stretch and can become very heavy if they get wet. After some research he decided to buy some convertible hiking pants. They are water resistant and can turn into shorts during hot weather. I already had active wear leggings, but I purchased additional leggings and pants specifically made for hiking. Again, they are moisture wicking, which is important to deal with sweat and rain. The weather can be unpredictable in the mountains, so I planned to dress in layers. It’s also smart to bring a poncho in case you encounter rain.
Safety
Even though our hikes will last just a few hours a day, we planned for the unexpected. We are bringing a flashlight, compass and map. We will also need bug spray and sunscreen. My husband tends to be the worrier in our relationship. He ordered an emergency garmin that will send a signal to emergency services from anywhere. We also have a snake bit kit, multi-tool and water purification tablets.
We will meet our shuttle driver at our planned endpoint for the day. We will leave our car there and the driver will take us to the start point. Then we will hike to our car and return to the Airbnb. Admittedly, I can be directionally challenged. I have been studying multiple trail maps to prepare. The trail has white blazes along the route so as long as we head in the right direction, we should be fine.
Fitness & Preparation
We are planning to take it easy this first round. Still, we wanted to make sure we were well conditioned for the hikes. We started with a simple near our house. It was two miles total but had some modest elevation changes. We gradually built up time and distance with a variety of elevations.
Both my husband and I lift weights regularly. I encouraged my husband to add some stair climbing to his regimen to help prepare for the hills on the trail and increase cardio endurance.
There have been two things I have learned so far. The first is that a mile takes much longer to hike than it does to run the trail. I kept thinking that we had gone further than we actually had. When we are on the trail hiking for ten miles, I need to remind myself that we will be out for a while. I intend to stop and take pictures and enjoy the views on the AT. The second thing I learned is that I need better protection against the bugs. We wore bug spray, but it didn’t stop the flies from going into my eyes and nose. I ordered a hat with a mosquito net. It looks really silly, but I will use it if the bugs are bad.
The Mental Side
I’ve run marathons and participated in trail runs. I know physically, I can handle the hikes. However, these hikes will be longer and less intense. I need to be able to slow down. My hope is that I will experience the tranquility of the trail which will be good for my mind as well as my body.
Stay tuned to part 3 of this series- the conclusion of our preparation to day hike the Appalachian Trail.
Check out our podcast Energize and Revitalize with Dr. Amy for AT specific episodes.