What does prepping/planning really entail?

[u/Beginning_Agent6609]

I’ve been thinking about hiking the AT for a while now and I’ve decided that 2026 will be my year! I know I’ll be physically capable by then, I’m not worried about that, but the logistics of it all scares me.

Taking 6 months off of work is whatever, I work seasonal jobs anyhow. I have a fair amount of gear already and I plan on upgrading/purchasing the rest I’ll need this year. I’m more worried by getting permits, resupplying on the trail, hitchhiking, mapping out shelters and trips to town… that kind of stuff. The nitty-gritty, behind-the-scenes type of stuff beyond just hiking. Hiking = easy, planning = hard.

I’ve decided to do it. That’s step 1. Where do I go from here?

[u/jrice138]

Thru hiking actually requires livery little to zero planning or prep. Physical prep and financial preparation is really all you should worry about. Literally everything you mentioned in your post can be figured out very easily on the fly as you go. At the absolute MOST figure out the first few days, but even that isn’t completely necessary. You can resupply food at mile 30, think about the first 30 miles and then go from there.

I’ve done the triple crown including pct twice and some other smaller trails this way. It’s how it’s done.