How to plan a long hike

My brother is planning on hiking the PCT this year. It’s his first long distance trail and it’s been fun going over some of the logistics with him. I was inspired to write this blog thinking about all the preparation he has to do to get ready. And also because I get a kick out of planning hiking adventures. 

I’m aware that there’s a ton of specific resources out there if you want to hike the PCT or the AT or the Te Araroa etc. But I thought it would be interesting to break down what I’ve learnt over the years into a few key considerations that could be useful for planning any hike – whether you’re eyeing up a popular trail or you’re looking to forge your own adventure.

Here are the main things I think you need to nail down to successfully plan a long hike. 

Route planning

Mapping out a route

If you’re hiking a designated long trail, then you can pretty much skip this part: the route is all laid out before you. But I’d still recommend at least getting a decent overview of the trail so you know what to expect. 

If you have an area in mind but you want to follow your own route, then it’s time to get the paper maps out. I like to look at what trails and areas appeal to me from the topo (usually the highest bits!) and start connecting the dots. But it’s also helpful to do some research and see what other hikers recommend in the vicinity. 

Once I have some ideas, I use my Gaia app to check the mileage and elevation gain/loss to see how feasible my plan is. 

Questions to bear in mind

• What is your fitness level? And don’t forget to factor in the fitness level of anyone going with you
• How leisurely do you want to take it? Is it going to be 12 hours of blasting out the miles each day? Or do you want to take it easier and build in some breaks for enjoying the scenery
• What are the trail conditions like? Maybe you can walk 3-4 miles an hour consistently on a well-graded and maintained trail like the PCT, but hiking on an overgrown trail complete with blowdowns is going to be much, much slower. 
• What dangers could you face? Are there any sketchy river crossings? Is there an avalanche risk? Are you walking in grizzly country? Will there be any scrambling required or exposure?
• What time of year are you going? Depending on the season, a trail could go from being a delightful ramble to a dangerous scramble for survival. Do your research and be honest with yourself about your skill level and attitude to risk.  
• Do you have a plan b or an exit route? Things don’t always go to plan so it’s wise to have a backup in mind, and an idea of other possible ways out in an emergency. 

Water sources

In some cases you may even need to cache your own water ahead of time in certain spots, and that adds a whole other element to the planning. If you’re not sure if a water source is reliable or not, I recommend (as I usually do) erring on the side of caution. 

Logistics

Once you’ve got a route in mind, then it’s time to don your logistics cap and work out how you’re going to make this work.

Getting to and from trailheads

The complexity of this problem can vary a lot. 

Maybe you’re doing a loop (or a series of loops) from trailheads in an area you can drive to. In that case, you just need to see how long it takes to drive there and make sure the roads are actually accessible. 

If you’re starting and ending your hike at different locations, then depending on the length and location of the trail and who you’re hiking with, you could consider:

• Setting up a shuttle – if you’re going with a group somewhere fairly local and taking more than one car.
• Leaving your car at one trailhead and then hitching / taking public transport / a private shuttle (or a combination) to/back from the other trailhead. That could be an option if you’re driving in one car and happy to leave it at a trailhead while you’re on trail. 
• Taking public transport to get you as close as possible to the start (and possibly even flights if you’re hiking somewhere very far away). Then depending on how accessible the trailhead is, you may have to hitch or arrange a shuttle to get you to the start of the hike.

Permits

If you need permits to hike and camp overnight in your chosen area, you’ll want to get them sorted as soon as you can. That’s especially important in more popular hiking areas where summer permits can be snapped up quickly. 

Different wildernesses and other protected areas have their own rules so it really depends where you’re hiking. 

Some places may ask you to reserve a designated campsite each night and stick to it. Others may ask you to give the dates you’ll be out and reserve your first night out. Others will just ask you to self-issue a permit. 

Resupply strategy

It doesn’t sound like a lot. But the reality is, unless you’re driving, hiking long distances can often take you to small, remote places. I always try my hardest to get by without shipping resupply boxes, because honestly I think it’s a faff. But sometimes it’s necessary (I’m looking at you, Mt Robson on the GDT). 

Resupplying can be more difficult if you have dietary restrictions. I look back at some of the tiny stores I managed to resupply in on the PCT and CDT and other trails and wonder just how I would have made it work as a vegan… But as they say, where there’s a will there’s a way!

If you do need to ship boxes to make it work, bear in mind that some days the post office will be closed! And somehow it always seems to be when you’re in town… And for your own sake, avoid shipping any soapy smelling toiletries with your food.  

I’ve never been one to dehydrate and prepare meals in advance. But I know it works for some people. I’m put off by the fact that it’s time consuming and it reduces flexibility. I also prefer cooking fresh food on trail as much as I can – I’ll share some of our favourite trail meals at a later date. 

Getting your gear ready

When I’m packing for a hike, it helps me to split up my mental checklist into sections:

Sleeping

Everything I need for a cosy night in the backcountry:

• Tent
• Quilt 
• Sleeping pad
• Inflatable pillow (I just used my gear as a pillow for a long time but I certainly don’t regret switching)

Plus: Because I use a quilt, I also have a down hood I take with me for colder nights. It makes a huge difference and, bonus, it makes me look (and feel) like an astronaut. 

Clothes and other wearables

I definitely take more clothes with me than the kind of hikers who brag about base weight. But I feel the cold and I use everything I take. Plus, growing up hiking in northern England has taught me that it’s best to be prepared for all weather!

Plus, no offence to the ultralight hikers, but I think it’s insane not to have a separate pair of camp clothes that you can keep dry in case you get soaked and overly cold. It has genuinely saved me in the past. 

Here’s are the basics I usually take with me:

• Hiking clothes – for when it’s nice (i.e. shorts and t-shirt)
• Layers for when it’s chilly (tights, long-sleeved top, my melly)
• Bra and underwear
• Darn tough socks (because why would you use anything else?)
• Waterproof jacket
• Camp clothes (merino tights and top plus a puffy that stays in the dry sack inside my bag during the day)
• Buff
• Woolly hat
• Cap
• Sunglasses
• Trail runners 
• Sandals for camp 
• Hiking poles

Of course, it does depend on the temperature range and typical conditions where you’re hiking. You’ll likely need extra or thicker layers for a late season or winter hike. And you can get away with less if you’re going somewhere warm and sunny. 

Toiletries

Not a lot in here but all very essential! I have to take a bit more than some in this area because I’m a woman with poor eyesight. I take:

• Toothbrush, floss and toothpaste tablets (game changer)
• Contact lens and solution (plus spares)
• A menstrual cup (I highly recommend using one over tampons, especially for hiking)

Dry bag for tech

This is what I think of as the important stuff bag. And it typically becomes my “handbag” when I’m in town. It usually contains:

• My wallet (and sometimes car key)
• My passport (if I’m hiking abroad)
• External battery
• Charging cables for my phone and battery, (plus a usb plug if I’m not going back to the car) 
• My glasses

Plus: I like to take a little journal and pen with me. My husband normally brings a pack of cards. And depending on the hike, I do sometimes like to take my kindle with me. 

Kangaroo, side pockets and hip belts

I like to keep my phone (and a waterproof bag) in one hip belt pocket, and my headtorch, a lip balm and a small knife in the other. I know a lot of people use them for snacks but I always take a break to eat (I genuinely think of the people who snack on the go as heathens).

Water bottle(s) go in the side pockets.

The final bit of my mental packing goes to the kangaroo, which could be called the everything else pouch. It usually contains:

• My toilet kit with snow stake, hand sanitiser and wet wipes, plus ziplocks for packing used ones out. (I also have a backcountry bidet, which I love, but that’s quite niche)
• Suncream
• Mosquito repellant when required (DEET-free because yes, it works better, but it’s also toxic)
• First aid supplies and fix kit (t-tape, glue and patches for the sleeping pad) 
• Paracord for hanging food
• 3-litre Platypus
• Water filter

Plus, not forgetting two very useful items I hang on the outside of my pack:

• Kula cloth (AKA pee/wee rag)
• Sit pad

Special considerations

There are also what I’m going to call special considerations. These are things that live in my gear box but certainly don’t come out for every hike. Things like:

• Microspikes
• Bear can
• Bear spray
• Waterproof socks
• Waterproof pants
• Fuzzy warm socks for camp
• Gloves

Sometimes these things will be necessary, for example a bear can if you’re hiking in Sequoia and King’s Canyon, or bear spray if you’re camping in grizzly country. 

Other times they can really change your comfort level. For example, although I rarely take them, on the GDT the cut-off waterproof pants I was gifted by a hiker friend in Banff became my MVP in what turned out to be an excessively rainy season. Similarly, waterproof socks (although gross in many ways) were very much appreciated in the still snowy San Juans on the CDT. 

Economies of scale

Because I now normally hike with my husband, we both benefit from a few economies of scale. For example, he carries the tent and I carry the sleeping pad. He carries the first aid and fix kit and I carry the sun cream + insect repellant. 

I highly recommend this approach if you’re going to be hiking with someone you trust. 

Prepare physically

Happy trails!

I hope you’ve found this helpful in planning your own long hike. Please take it from anything you find useful, but remember: everyone is different. What works for me may not work for you. So although it’s great to have a plan in place, really the best way of figuring out what works for you is to get out there.

With that in mind, if you’re heading out a long trail or another hiking adventure this year – have a blast!