Description

Learn from the pros

Professional thru-hiker Liz “Snorkel” Thomas understands these questions better than just about anyone on the planet. Over the past eight years, she’s walked 15,000 miles on 16 long hikes, including the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, John Muir, and Continental Divide Trails. From 2011 to 2015, she held the women’s self-supported speed record on the Appalachian Trail. Now, she’s joined an exclusive partnership with BACKPACKER magazine’s award-winning staff to condense her years of hard-won wisdom into a comprehensive six-week course designed to help even novice hikers plan and finish the long-distance backpacking trip of their dreams.

Whether you’ve already quit your job to attempt the whole 2,180-mile Appalachian Trail or are just fantasizing about how to upgrade your next two-week vacation, this course is for you.

Through videos, readings, assignments, discussions, and more, we’ll cover:

01. WEEK 1 // Refining the Dream

• LESSON 1 // How this class works
• LESSON 2 // What is thru-hiking?
• LESSON 3 // Choosing the right trek for you
• LESSON 4 // Finding the time and money
• LESSON 5 // Rallying your team
• LESSON 6 // Understanding your “why”
• Homework

02. WEEK 2 // Making It Real

• LESSON 1 // The importance of planning
• LESSON 2 // Physical fitness
• LESSON 3 // Calculate your budget
• LESSON 4 // Set the homefront to autopilot
• Homework

03. WEEK 3 // Route Planning

• LESSON 1 // Why bother?
• LESSON 2 // Think about permits
• LESSON 3 // Decide when and where you’ll start
• LESSON 4 // Plan your hard-stop end date
• LESSON 5 // Getting to and from the trailhead
• LESSON 6 // Roughing out your itinerary
• Homework

04. WEEK 4 // Resupplies

• LESSON 1 // The role of food on a thru-hike
• LESSON 2 // Food rules for thru-hikers
• LESSON 3 // Decide on a resupply strategy
• LESSON 4 // Mail drops
• LESSON 5 // Grocery store resupplies
• LESSON 6 // Bounce boxes
Homework

05. WEEK 5 // Gear

• LESSON 1 // Letting go of perfection
• LESSON 2 // Ask the right questions
• LESSON 3 // How to lighten up without breaking the bank
• LESSON 4 // Where to spend your time and money
• LESSON 5 // Other key gear decisions
• LESSON 6 // What’s in their pack?
• Homework

06.WEEK 6 // Life on the Trail

• LESSON 1 // What’s it really like out there?
• LESSON 2 // Eating and drinking
• LESSON 3 // Making camp
• Lesson 4 // Daily Routines
• LESSON 5 // Tricks for the long haul
• LESSON 6 // Trail etiquette
• LESSON 7 // Safety basics
• LESSON 8 // Special concerns for women
• LESSON 9 // Special concerns for older hikers
• LESSON 10 // Common thru-hiker medical issues
• LESSON 11 // Staying motivated
• LESSON 12// Making friends on the trail
• LESSON 13 // Keeping in touch with loved ones
• Homework

07. Course Wrap-Up

• Final words of wisdom
• Further resources
• Course feedback
• Credits

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