[at-l] (no subject)

[datto_atl2@yahoo.com (Datto)]

I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail northbound in Year 2000.


One of the best (and smartest) things you can do is to
focus on actually going out backpacking overnight now --
say backpack one weekend per month for the rest of this
year (without cancelling due to weather -- you want the
experience of backpacking in different types of weather).
Then next year, in addition to backpacking one weekend
every month, plan on going out twice next year for two
one-week long backpacking trips.

You don't necessarily have to go out on the Appalachian
Trail to do your backpacking before your thru-hike -- some
enjoy traveling to different places and seeing the sights.

All of that will give you the experience of what it is like
to backpack -- in different types of weather, getting used
to sleeping in the woods alone (hearing all the sounds at
night and not becoming scared of those sounds), getting
used to sleeping on a sleeping bad rather than a bed, over
the course of time learning what gear to bring and what to
leave at home, what to keep and what to buy and what to
sell.

You might look around and see if there's a backpacking
group that heads out regularly for weekend trips and join
up with them for the first few times to have the experience
of being out with others initially.

Ask if you have any questions.

Datto


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