Difference between revisions of "Steps to Prepare for a Thruhike"
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==Bills & Finances== | ==Bills & Finances== | ||
| − | * Cancel your car insurance and surrender plates/registration. | + | * Cancel your car insurance and, if applicable, surrender plates/registration. Depending on location, local laws may require comprehensive-only/parked car insurance, even if a car is in storage. |
* Cancel or pause subscriptions. | * Cancel or pause subscriptions. | ||
| − | * | + | * Ensure all bills are set to autopay with email and text notifications turned on for payment status |
* Notify your credit card company you’ll be traveling. Make sure you know your debit PIN. | * Notify your credit card company you’ll be traveling. Make sure you know your debit PIN. | ||
* Check the expiration date on credit and debit cards, drivers license, passport, and so on. Renewing while on the trail can be difficult. | * Check the expiration date on credit and debit cards, drivers license, passport, and so on. Renewing while on the trail can be difficult. | ||
Revision as of 03:15, 6 December 2021
Common tasks to complete prior to beginning a thruhike.
Contents
Friends, Family, and Employment
- Find a person or service to handle your mail.
- Notify your landlord and employer.
Logistics & Life Organization
- Arrange travel to your starting point.
- Learn which phone carriers are most reliable for your trail, and consider switching, if necessary.
- Setup your blog/social media/etc.
- Get any needed permits.
- Put your belonging in storage.
- Set your email vacation reminder.
Gear
- Figure out section-specific gear. Will you need warmer layers? An ice axe? Extra water capacity?
- Check the condition of your gear, and make any needed repairs.
Trail Planning & Resupply
- Confirm that water sources will be available during your intended timeframe.
- Learn about the resupply options on your trail. Determine if and where you would like to send resupply boxes.
- Keep an eye on the snowpack, if applicable.
Bills & Finances
- Cancel your car insurance and, if applicable, surrender plates/registration. Depending on location, local laws may require comprehensive-only/parked car insurance, even if a car is in storage.
- Cancel or pause subscriptions.
- Ensure all bills are set to autopay with email and text notifications turned on for payment status
- Notify your credit card company you’ll be traveling. Make sure you know your debit PIN.
- Check the expiration date on credit and debit cards, drivers license, passport, and so on. Renewing while on the trail can be difficult.
Physical Training & Skill Building
- Practice using your ice axe.
- Review the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace.
- Go on some shakedown hikes to test your gear and comfort levels.
- Practice throwing a bear hang, if necessary.
- Learn to identify plants such as poison ivy, poison oak, and poodle-dog bush, and learn how to safely remove ticks.
Health
- Get in shape.
- Visit your doctor and renew prescriptions.
- Get any needed vaccinations / boosters.
- Health insurance.
- If bringing a beacon, setup the subscription, configure the device, and practice using it.
- Download books, movies, music, apps, maps, etc.
