Difference between revisions of "Steps to Prepare for a Thruhike"
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Common tasks to complete prior to beginning a thruhike. | Common tasks to complete prior to beginning a thruhike. | ||
| − | ==Friends, Family, and Employment== | + | == Friends, Family, and Employment == |
* Find a person or service to handle your mail | * Find a person or service to handle your mail | ||
* Notify your landlord and employer | * Notify your landlord and employer | ||
* Ensure a trusted person has access to important personal documents and passwords in the event of an emergency | * Ensure a trusted person has access to important personal documents and passwords in the event of an emergency | ||
| − | ==Logistics & Life Organization== | + | == Logistics & Life Organization == |
* Arrange travel to your starting point. | * Arrange travel to your starting point. | ||
* Learn which phone carriers are most reliable for your trail, and consider switching, if necessary. | * Learn which phone carriers are most reliable for your trail, and consider switching, if necessary. | ||
| Line 14: | Line 14: | ||
* If you have a vehicle that will be placed in storage or not driven, have someone routinely run the vehicle, or disconnect the battery and add a fuel stabilizer to the gas tank | * If you have a vehicle that will be placed in storage or not driven, have someone routinely run the vehicle, or disconnect the battery and add a fuel stabilizer to the gas tank | ||
| − | ==Gear== | + | == Gear == |
* Figure out section-specific gear. Will you need warmer layers? An ice axe? Extra water capacity? | * 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. | * Check the condition of your gear, and make any needed repairs. | ||
* Plan to bring a power bank for your devices with enough capacity to last between opportunities to recharge | * Plan to bring a power bank for your devices with enough capacity to last between opportunities to recharge | ||
| − | ==Trail Planning & Resupply== | + | == Trail Planning & Resupply == |
* Obtain all necessary permits for trail, campsites, and campfires. | * Obtain all necessary permits for trail, campsites, and campfires. | ||
* Confirm that water sources will be available during your intended timeframe. | * Confirm that water sources will be available during your intended timeframe. | ||
| Line 25: | Line 25: | ||
* Keep an eye on the snowpack, if applicable. | * Keep an eye on the snowpack, if applicable. | ||
| − | ==Bills & Finances== | + | == 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 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. | ||
| Line 34: | Line 34: | ||
* File taxes | * File taxes | ||
| − | ==Physical Training & Skill Building== | + | == Physical Training & Skill Building == |
* Research and physically train according to the conditions expected on trail. | * Research and physically train according to the conditions expected on trail. | ||
* Practice snow traversal with microspikes/crampons and self-arrest using your ice axe. | * Practice snow traversal with microspikes/crampons and self-arrest using your ice axe. | ||
| Line 41: | Line 41: | ||
* Practice throwing a bear hang, if necessary. | * 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. | * Learn to identify plants such as poison ivy, poison oak, and poodle-dog bush, and learn how to safely remove ticks. | ||
| + | * Learn wilderness first aid skills. | ||
| − | ==Health== | + | == Health == |
| − | * Visit your doctor | + | * Visit your doctor for a check-up, and renew prescriptions for the duration you expect to be on trail. |
| + | * Obtain vaccinations/boosters. | ||
| + | * Make a dentist appointment. | ||
* Purchase health insurance that provides coverage for the entirety of the trail. Some healthcare plans now include optional coverage for wilderness rescue. | * Purchase health insurance that provides coverage for the entirety of the trail. Some healthcare plans now include optional coverage for wilderness rescue. | ||
| − | ==Navigation, Cell Phones, and Apps== | + | == Navigation, Cell Phones, and Apps == |
* If bringing a GPS device/beacon, set up the subscription, configure the device, and practice using it. Share GPS tracker access information with key family/friends. | * If bringing a GPS device/beacon, set up the subscription, configure the device, and practice using it. Share GPS tracker access information with key family/friends. | ||
* Learn how to configure your devices, e.g. cell phone and GPS device, for optimal battery life. Common options include backlight timeout, airplane/low power mode, and disabling background apps and services. | * Learn how to configure your devices, e.g. cell phone and GPS device, for optimal battery life. Common options include backlight timeout, airplane/low power mode, and disabling background apps and services. | ||
Revision as of 22:47, 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
- Ensure a trusted person has access to important personal documents and passwords in the event of an emergency
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.
- Put your belonging in storage.
- Set your email vacation reminder.
- If you have a vehicle that will be placed in storage or not driven, have someone routinely run the vehicle, or disconnect the battery and add a fuel stabilizer to the gas tank
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.
- Plan to bring a power bank for your devices with enough capacity to last between opportunities to recharge
Trail Planning & Resupply
- Obtain all necessary permits for trail, campsites, and campfires.
- 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.
- Lock credit reports
- File taxes
Physical Training & Skill Building
- Research and physically train according to the conditions expected on trail.
- Practice snow traversal with microspikes/crampons and self-arrest 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.
- Learn wilderness first aid skills.
Health
- Visit your doctor for a check-up, and renew prescriptions for the duration you expect to be on trail.
- Obtain vaccinations/boosters.
- Make a dentist appointment.
- Purchase health insurance that provides coverage for the entirety of the trail. Some healthcare plans now include optional coverage for wilderness rescue.
- If bringing a GPS device/beacon, set up the subscription, configure the device, and practice using it. Share GPS tracker access information with key family/friends.
- Learn how to configure your devices, e.g. cell phone and GPS device, for optimal battery life. Common options include backlight timeout, airplane/low power mode, and disabling background apps and services.
- Download books, movies, and music for offline entertainment when no cellphone connectivity exists
- Download both navigation apps and offline mapping
