30 Tips for First Time Thru Hikers (After 17,000 miles)

My best pieces of advice for new thru hikers. Regardless of whether it's the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, or any other long distance hike out there this video is for you.

I personally have thru hiked 15 different trails totaling around 17,000 miles. After all that hiking, what would my advice be to new thru hikers? With these tips I hope you have a successful trip and a more fun time while out there!

100 Tips for an Ultralight Backpack:    • 100 Tips For An Ultralight Backpack  

My Favorite Thru Hiking Gear:
Tent - http://tinyurl.com/bdxm9229
Quilt - http://tinyurl.com/4fm96rt4
Backpack - http://tinyurl.com/ykhnu4fh
Pack Liner - http://tinyurl.com/2p8uvn7w

Rain Jacket - http://tinyurl.com/bdadk452
Fleece - https://tinyurl.com/ucd7ypdr
Puffy - https://tinyurl.com/29966jbw
Socks - https://amzn.to/3tUDH6U
Bug Head Net - https://tinyurl.com/2vrwsd26
Smart Watch - https://amzn.to/3mz7ePp

Stove - http://tinyurl.com/58r2rys8
Pot - http://tinyurl.com/hn32nxxp
Battery Bank - http://tinyurl.com/47x276b3
Flashlight - http://tinyurl.com/5n6jkrmd
Camera - https://amzn.to/4axYKgb
Lens - https://amzn.to/41Xjlqg

Here's some of the most important tips from the video:
- Test and dial in your gear on short trails near home, Practice in rain, in cold!
- Start your hike out slow, the beginning is when most injuries happen
- Set small goals and celebrate the small stuff. This will keep you going!
- Don't be married to your plans, be ready to change and adapt. Be flexible!
- When you start is very important. March vs April and you'll want very different gear!
- Can you do a 3-5 day section hike? Cool! You can do a thru hike, as it is just doing that over and over again.
- This isn't a camping trip, this is a walking trip! You need to pack light to facilitate that, and make the walking most comfortable.
- Pay attention to your body, and take extra good care of your feet.
- Shorter trails are MUCH less of a commitment, but just as awesome! Do a shorter trail instead to see if you even like thru hiking.
- More money saved = higher chance of success

In this video you'll see clips from my thru hikes of the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, International Appalachian Trail, Uinta Highline Trail, Pacific Northwest Trail, Arizona Trail, Tahoe Rim Trail, Long Trail, Grand Enchantment Trail, Great Divide Trail, Superior Hiking Trail, and a handful of others! I hope you enjoyed

00:00 - 30 Best Tips for Thru Hiking
00:32 - Training
00:54 - Gear
01:36 - Shoes
02:07 - Pace
02:31 - Goals
02:45 - Strength
03:07 - Sections
03:42 - Planning
04:14 - Start Date
04:57 - Alone
05:28 - Marathon
06:00 - Have Fun!
06:23 - Bad Days
06:40 - Pack Light
07:07 - Take Notes
07:30 - Your Body
07:56 - Your Feet
08:13 - Food
08:49 - Electrolytes
09:11 - Stretching
09:36 - Shorter Trails
10:15 - Resupply
10:53 - Your Happy
11:20 - HYOH
11:51 - Expectations
12:22 - Zeros
12:47 - Money
13:27 - LNT
13:47 - Skepticism
14:10 - Final Tip
14:24 - Thank You!

Hiking Essentials Shirt! http://jupiterhikes.com/product/hikin...

THE BACKPACKING GEAR I USE:
http://www.jupiterhikes.com/gear/

If you would like to get access to content I create about this type of stuff I don't share anywhere else join me on my Patreon!
  / jupiterhikes  

If you'd like more info about me, my hiking, or painting:
https://www.jupiterhikes.com
  / jupiterhikes  
  / jupiterhikes  

Some of the links above are affiliate links, if you purchase an item through them I get a small percentage of the sale. It really helps to support these videos, this channel, my hiking guides and everything else! Thank you!