Preparation for Our Third Thru-Hike By Tereza Kopecka

In a month, we are leaving for the Appalachian Trail, and our goal is to complete triple crown. The last few weeks have been filled with excitement about the trail, stress about packing, and all the logistics on a daily basis. It’s a cocktail of emotions before the start, where one is incredibly excited, a bit scared, and panicking about whether everything will be ready on time. The weeks leading up to standing at the monument and finally stepping into the next adventure are hectic, and I definitely recommend preparing for them as well as for the thru hike itself since without preparation, it can be quite stressful. 

What our preparation consists of.

Having completed two trails, PCT and CDT, we can say that in some ways, it’s easier for us because we know what to expect. However, we still must go through the process of leaving our apartment, job and the country (Canada) where we live, which brings a certain amount of stress. Our family lives in Europe, so we must rely on ourselves and the help of our close friends. Some allow us to use their address while we’re on the trail and practically homeless, as we have no apartment to return to after the trail, and informing the bank that our residence is somewhere in the woods on the trail doesn’t quite cut it. Another friend provided storage for our belongings, alleviating the biggest burden, and at another, we can park our car. This solved our problem of where to put our items, and now we just need to get travel insurance. Earlier, we had to acquire new phone numbers in the USA, but now, fortunately, there's a provider in Canada that offers coverage throughout North America, which gives us one less concern. 

How we are physically preparing

Most people think preparing for the trail is mainly about fitness and strength, but after those thousands of miles we’ve learned that mental resilience is the most important thing. From our experience, most people who go on trail “to try it out” end up quitting fairly early. If you go in with the mindset that you are going to hike and finish the trail, your chances of success multiply. It’s also important to accept that it won’t always be a walk in the park...it will be uncomfortable, exhausting, and sometimes quite painful. But the human body is incredibly adaptable and stronger than I ever imagined. Every hard test as endless climbs, crossing rivers, or extreme drought without water, has strengthened us so much that we now step into discomfort consciously and humbly, taking the trail as it comes. It’s like marriage: for better and for worse. And of course, the positive experiences outweigh the negative, and I believe most hikers are the fun 2 type, so even the unpleasant moments eventually become funny stories to share.

Ultra-light vs. ultra-comfy

Thousands of people, thousands of opinions about the best gear. For us, I can say we learned the hard way. Before the PCT we didn’t have the extra money to buy the newest and best gear, so we took what we had at home and used it on weekend hikes in local mountains. We carried the heaviest packs (over fifty pounds across the Sierra), and we paid for it. But we believed then and still do, that it’s better to head out with what you have than not to go at all. That said, lighter gear is available now, and let’s be honest: hiking with a lighter pack is always easier and it allows you to crash more miles. 

On the CDT we reduced pack weight and definitely felt it in our bodies. Our knees hurt less and overall, it was easier even on rough terrain. Ultralight style has its merits, but we’re probably old-school and prefer gear that doesn’t sacrifice comfort purely to save weight. For example, I always carry a larger, heavier sleeping pad that lets me sleep better rather than saving a few grams. But this time we’re making a big change: we’re switching to a new tent and packs from Six Moon Designs, specifically the Haven Ultralight tent and the Swift X and V hiking backpacks. So yes, the obsession with counting grams and calories caught up with us like it does with most thru-hikers. We tested the packs on shorter hikes all last year and I’m excited to tackle the AT for the third time with a lighter load. I believe our knees will really appreciate it. But I won’t give up my luxury items: whole-bean coffee, a coffee filter, a paper journal, and tons of cheese... I know it’s heavy, but I’ll carry it again. There are certain limits that I won’t cross!

We still believe gear should be chosen according to an individual’s needs, not what works for the majority. We always test everything on the trail to find out what suits us and what we absolutely don’t need. I’m curious again what lessons the Appalachian Trail will bring us this time.

Our third thru-hike isn’t about proving anything anymore. It’s about moving well, feeling good, and carrying only what truly supports the journey ahead. “Enjoy the journey,” they said, and we will!