Pre-Hike Advice

Here's a bunch of advice I've collected from various sources, mostly other blogs, books, podcasts, and conversations. These tips were all new to me, even as a fairly intermediate backpacker. This page will be updated as I prepare for the trail!

General

• Hike your own hike - always #1

• Keep a journal and write at least 3 sentences each night, include 1 good thing

• Don't overplan your resupplies - try to limit number of boxes and get diverse food

• Don't take yourself too seriously, the hike won't be perfect, there will be shitty days

• See more sunrises, night hike at least once, cowboy camp more

• Take pictures of other hikers, trail angels, and the trail culture

• Talk to everyone you meet, including day hikers, locals, and hitches

• Take SOBO advice with a grain of salt, try it yourself first

• Be comfy, a couple of ounces don't matter - you'll be adding 10+ lbs of food/water

• Let go of things when you want to, not when other hikers tell you to

• It's ok not to enjoy parts of the hike, but switch it up to avoid monotony, be spontaneous

• The greatest challenge is mental - your body can handle it, your mind might not

• Never quit on a bad day, but make a quitting plan before starting

• Know if you're goal oriented or experience driven

• Be prepared for a lot of Type 2 Fun - not great in the moment, but ultimately amazing

• Talk in detail with folks at home about when to be worried regarding missed check-ins, and give detailed description of yourself/trail name/gear.

• Give your 'person' specific advice on when to mail and how to label boxes

• Choose someone to give all of your login info to various accounts in case things need to be done while on trail

• There's nothing special about Canada, it's just an easy place to end - don't obsess
  

Hiking

• Cross streams facing upstream with other people near, keep shoes on and unclasp belt - use 'i' formation if needed with tall person in front

• Worst river crossings: Evolution creek, Bear creek, Carrot creek (all in Sierras)

• Don't wear crampons when glissading, lift off the snow in a self-arrest

• To self arrest, throw axe over shoulder, lean in, get body off of snow - practice!

• Early morning or evening is best for snowy climbs - not too icy, not too slushy

• Take the Eagle Creek detour in Oregon

• Double-bag your DEET - you do NOT want that leaking on your gear

• Cook food a mile or two before camp so you don't attract bears and can sleep right away

• An ounce of protection is worth a pound of cure - address problems before they start

• Leukotape, tiger-balm, anti-chafe, and duct-tape are a must

• Know the difference between daily soreness and actual pain from damage

• Always carry a liter more of water than you think you need

• Just accept it and use DEET, but lotion is better than spray, and be careful with synthetics

• Wrap strips of fabric soaked in DEET around your hiking poles to minimize amount on skin

• Carry a mosquito hat early, there are gnats in the desert and bad mosquitos in OR/WA

• Don't reach into other people's food bags, your hands may not be very hygienic

• If you're planning to meet up with someone, make sure it can be flexible, and prepare to leave your trail family behind if you'll be hiking slower

• Fuller Ridge is rough and long, be prepared

• You can get snow as early as San Jacinto - know if you'll need microspikes by then

• Sunscreen bottom of your chin and ears in the snow

• The desert is not flat! Expect mountains and hard climbs

• Resupply toilet paper from gas stations/hotels/restaurants

• Never rely on a water cache, and be courteous of those behind you

• Longest official road walk is four miles out of Seiad Valley

• Longest food carries are typically from Tehachapi to KM and Cascade Locks to White Pass

• Longest water carry is often Lander's Spring to Walkers Pass, or Cajon Pass to Wrightwood

• Take free shuttle out of Mammoth Lake

• Rinse out socks before putting them in washer, send yourself individual detergent packets

• Kings Canyon is notorious for losing reception, plus many parts of Washington

• Try to camp on established sites that are not on FarOut - there will be less mice/wildlife. If disperse camping, be sure to return site to how you found it

• Flat rate box via USPS can be bounced forward on the trail

• Learn the footprints of your hiking partners

• Don't spend the night in Hikertown, can be a little sketchy and wastes time

• Steepest climb is up Old Snowy Mountain in WA

• Pink/red snow means algae, don't use it for water

• If your shoes hurt, try loosening/tightening laces first

• When hitchhiking, make small talk and ask where they're going, easy to say no if vibes are bad

• Smile and look friendly when hitching, take off pack and sunglasses, helpful to have a 'Hiker To Town' sign

• Singing on trail scares off bears, barking at mountain lions works but be wary of stalking

• As the sun sets, put finger between the sun and horizon - each finger is 15 min before dark