What Are You Training For? Backpacking?

Here at Stressless, we think it's very important to set goals for yourself. Otherwise, what are you working towards? Some of us are training to lose a few pounds; others are training to stay in good health; and still more are training for athletic events and purposes. You don't have to be a professional athlete to be training yourself for success!

Recently, we sat down with Josh Griffith who not long ago accomplished a feat many consider insurmountable: backpacking the Appalachian trail. The entire length runs the length of Georgia to Maine, and the trip is certainly taxing not only on the hiker's body but on their mind and spirit as well.

So how does one prepare themselves to backpack one of the longest trails in the United States? We sat down with Josh to figure it out!

Carmen: Can you tell us why you decided to undertake hiking the Appalachian Trail?

Josh: It was something I had learned about when I was young and I always thought it would be really cool. It took working at a job that I hated to finally commit to going. Even though I left that job about 7 months before beginning my hike, I still committed to leaving my current job and apartment and just going for it.

C: How long did you take to train yourself for the hike?

J: I spent about 4 months doing research and getting ready.

C: And what did getting ready entail?

J: I didn't train as much as I should have. Mostly, I was walking as much as I could and doing the Stairmaster at the gym- never with a full pack though. I would say that the majority of people aren't physically ready to hike everyday when they start out, but the first 3-4 weeks on the trail will take care of that. As long as you can make it through that initial period of hiking everyday, you'll be able to adapt.

C: Many people make the error of overpacking or, just as bad, underpacking. Did you make any errors of the sort, or do you have any packing advice for someone planning a trip similar to yours?

J: I didn't necessarily overpack but, since I'd never really done much long distance hiking before I pretty much got the equipment that the guide books instructed me to. My suggestion would be to find out what you like beforehand, but also don't be afraid to switch out things as you go. Everyone prefers different gear. It may take a while to find your preferred gear, and you don't want to get stuck with something that you don't use everyday.

C: What was your greatest obstacle? Was it physical, spiritual, mental, emotional? How did you get past it?

J: For me, it was mental. You spend a lot of time being uncomfortable on the trail. Heat, bugs, chaffing, gross water, blisters, aches and pains, the entire state of Pennsylvania- the list goes on and on! The advice that was given to me was never to quit because of one bad day (or even a couple of bad days), because there will always be good days ahead.

C: How long did it take you to hike the entirety of the trail? Did you have company at any point along the trail? Would you say that your pace was rapid or leisurely?

J: It took me 5 months and 5 days to do the whole thing. I had company pretty much the whole way. The Appalachian Trail is much more of a social experience than people realize. You can always be as alone as you want to be, of course, but there will be people to talk to along the way. My pace was pretty consistent- faster than some, slower than others. I didn't take much time off or too many zero days (days hiking zero miles) so I kept up with some faster people and got ahead of some other friends.

C: You got on the trail and came off completely different. What do you think changed?

J: Many people have asked me if this was a life changing experience, and it's a tough question for me. The short answer is yes, but it's hard to see yourself as a different person. I see myself as more eager to get outdoors, more accepting of new things, and mainly trying to stress less about the small stuff.

C: Those are all great changes, in my opinion! And I'm so excited to hear that you still hike often, correct? Do you have any goals to hike the Appalachian Trail or any others again someday? What's next for you?

J: I would love to hike the Pacific Crest Trail or the Continental Divide Trail. To do all three is the "Triple Crown" of long distance hiking. But it would take timing and resources coming together to do though, so we'll see.

C: Any other pieces of advice or tips for someone hoping or planning to undertake some serious long distance hiking/backpacking someday?

J: My advice is simply to enjoy the hiking, and to talk to everyone. Stop and see the sights. Go swimming. Don't put yourself on a strict schedule because there will be spontaneous stops. Try to never take the "I just need to get through this part" attitude (except for in Pennsylvania), because if you're not getting enjoyment out of the hiking then you shouldn't be there. Everyone's biggest regret at the end is finishing too quickly. Other people make the trip so much more enjoyable. Don't get stuck hiking with anyone- hike your own hike, because you never know if you're going to be with these people the whole time. And it's going to be the friends you make along the way that help you make it through the grind.

Thank you, Josh, for sharing all of these words of wisdom and bits of advice with us! I certainly want to head back to the trails, after transcribing our interview- I hope some of you do, too!

Are you training for something huge? Want advice or tips from people like you that have been there and done that? Let us know! We'll find them and have a chat! And don't forget to follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/becomestressless