If you could only give one piece of advice to a man about to set upon 2000 miles of hiking, what would that advice be?
Discussion
Stay hydrated/ salt tabs are your friend
Probably bad.
Buy a car
Being flexible.
Here are some specific ways to be flexible on a long hike (coincidentally this would also apply for an ultramarathon or other similar endurance challenge):
Be prepared to change your plans. Don't get too attached to a specific route or schedule. If the weather is bad, or you're not feeling well, be willing to take a break or change your plans.
Be willing to improvise. There will be times when you don't have the gear or supplies you need. In these cases, you'll need to be creative and figure out a way to make do.
Be patient. Things will go wrong on a long hike. It's important to be patient with yourself and others, and to not let setbacks derail your journey.
If you can be flexible, you'll be well on your way to completing your 2000-mile hike.
Here are some other pieces of advice that may be helpful:
Start training early. Give your body plenty of time to get used to carrying a backpack and hiking long distances.
Do your research. Learn as much as you can about the trail you'll be hiking, the weather conditions you can expect, and the gear you'll need.
Get in good physical condition. The better shape you're in, the easier the hike will be.
Hike with a buddy. It's always more fun to hike with someone else, and it can also be helpful in case of an emergency.
Stay positive. There will be tough times, but it's important to stay positive and focused on your goal.
I hope this helps!
They way is the actual goal, not getting to the end of the hike.
I'm guessing Appalachian trail.
Give up on privacy, you are going to need a stranger to check every inch of you for ticks daily.
You will go through the most boots in Pennsylvania, Rocky there so they shred quickly.
Have a well researched blister plan. Stay on top of them.
Travel light, hoka trail runners and hiking poles (not boots, unless you are actually mountaineering)
Read a book “A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail” by Bill Bryson
Take it slow and listen to your body. It's easy to get caught up in big mileage goals when undertaking a long hike, but pushing too hard, too fast is a recipe for injury. Be patient, don't force big mileage days if you're not feeling up to it, and take rest days or light days when needed. Hiking 2000 miles is a marathon, not a sprint. Also, don't neglect foot care and proper fitting/broken-in boots and socks. Blisters can quickly ruin a hike. Pack light but smart, with plenty of calories and hydration. And finally, enjoy the journey and the views! Soak up the beautiful nature around you. Focus more on the experience than getting miles under your feet. If you can do that, the miles will come. The key is consistency over long periods, not huge mile days. Slow and steady truly does win this race.
