We hiked the Twin Falls trail in Pisgah Forest, and I took time to go through what we’ve done to prepare for our 2025 AT thru hike so far and what we plan to do these next 12 months.
If you don’t have time for the video, over the past 4+ years, we’ve:
1. Built up our hiking endurance-starting really small but gradually increasing distance, elevation gain, technicality, and carrying backpacks
2. Slowly acquired gear-good quality backpacking gear isn’t cheap, especially x6! We’ve hit up the REI garage sale/returns area and used Christmas and birthdays as reasons to add to our gear inventory.
3. Saved money-while walking in the woods is essentially free aside from gear, we’ll need to pay for our food, intermittent lodging, permits, laundry, gear repair, and possible excursions along the trail (ie Trail Days, heading in to NYC, etc)
4. Banked the max vacation time we can
5. Sorted out our side business for when we’re away
**In the next 12 months we will be:
1. Building a strong physical base-Walking and hiking lots (with increasing weight on our backs), doing strength training exercises, etc
2. Shakedown hike(s)-hoping to do one in May and another in Nov/Dec
3. Planning for school-we have been working ahead in our homeschooling so that the kids will finish their school year prior to leaving for trail next March
4. Improving video editing skills-I’ve got a little experience with my iPhone and iMovie, but we may upgrade our camera gear. I’ll need to learn whatever it is and get efficient with it!
5. Rent our house-we opted against air B&B but will likely rent to friends and family at a low rate to help with our mortgage costs while we’re away
6. Figure out how to stay connected-we are brainstorming ways to ensure we and our kids are able to feel connected in some way to family and friends back home while we are away
8 мар 2024
