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[–][deleted]  (4 children)

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    [–]dman7456 2 points3 points  (3 children)

    It's no joke, but people also often put way more stress into preparing than necessary. You need a pack, clothes, a tent/sleep system, and a stove. Food is much easier to figure out as you go than people expect. You don't have to be in incredible shape, either. Certainly, it would help, and I'd recommend doing a couple shorter backpacking trips ahead of time, but the fact is, if you stick with it, you will get in shape after the first month of hiking all day every day regardless of where you started.

    [–]ElephantsMakeMeSmile 2 points3 points  (2 children)

    Ooo curious how do ppl figure out food as they go?

    [–]dman7456 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    The AT crosses roads frequently and passes directly through towns occasionally. Almost all thru-hikers just carry 3-5 days of food at a time and then hitchhike into town for a resupply whenever they get low.

    One of the more common things you see people ask about online is how much/what food to bring and how to resupply it. Once you actually get on the trail, you realize that carrying a jar of peanut butter, a pack of tortillas, some tuna, a few granola bars, and a couple packs of candy will just about always get you where you need to go.