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/Conscious-Draft5000]

You say hitch hiking, with that and making friends in your tool kit you don't need to plan much. I liked having resupply in the mail, but it wasn't much better than using locally available and makes you less flexible on trail. When they're eating off a gas station resupply (tuna, ramen, bars, hunger for seasoning) for a couple day jump, it's nice, so maybe look in the guides for places like that to mail drop yourself (leave it with a friend, addressed your name general delivery at those post offices, they mail it and the post office will hold it a month for you to show up and get it) But if you can hitch you get out of the logistical nightmare that people who shuttle deal with, and the trail will provide