Comments on: 21 Tips For First-Time Thru-Hikers https://www.DuskHiker.com/backpacking/21-pro-tips-for-the-first-time-thru-hiker/ Fri, 03 Oct 2025 22:11:09 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 By: Dave Collins https://www.DuskHiker.com/backpacking/21-pro-tips-for-the-first-time-thru-hiker/#comment-2119 Thu, 22 Aug 2024 16:57:48 +0000 https://www.DuskHiker.com/uncategorized/21-pro-tips-for-the-first-time-thru-hiker/#comment-2119 In reply to Jim in New Orleans.

Great idea Jim and thanks for the feedback! Happy hiking!

]]> By: Jim in New Orleans https://www.DuskHiker.com/backpacking/21-pro-tips-for-the-first-time-thru-hiker/#comment-2100 Sat, 10 Aug 2024 19:31:30 +0000 https://www.DuskHiker.com/uncategorized/21-pro-tips-for-the-first-time-thru-hiker/#comment-2100 So glad you emphasized the mental aspect. How many times I went on extended backpacking hikes and asked myself, “Why the hell am I even doing this?” I have countered that by writing in a journal ahead of time my reasons/motivations for doing it. I also remind myself to enjoy the moment- those moments spent on the trail inevitably wind up being epic in my life journey.

]]> By: Dave Collins https://www.DuskHiker.com/backpacking/21-pro-tips-for-the-first-time-thru-hiker/#comment-1148 Thu, 30 Jan 2020 17:54:22 +0000 https://www.DuskHiker.com/uncategorized/21-pro-tips-for-the-first-time-thru-hiker/#comment-1148 In reply to Robert Reed.

Congrats Robert!! That’s amazing. And good luck on the PCT this year! You’ll love it.

]]> By: Robert Reed https://www.DuskHiker.com/backpacking/21-pro-tips-for-the-first-time-thru-hiker/#comment-1123 Thu, 31 Oct 2019 15:02:46 +0000 https://www.DuskHiker.com/uncategorized/21-pro-tips-for-the-first-time-thru-hiker/#comment-1123 ive been dreaming of nothing more than doing a thru hike of the pct i was setting here a my computer getting fatter and fatter so with my legs propped on my deskone day i came to the conclusion that i needed to get up off it and do something so i thought id walk around the block a few times …that wasn’t so bad then i thought id get crazy and try for a mile ,,hey that didn’t hurt so bad so then i went 2 the next day and work`d up to ten as a kid i had thought of hiking the Appalachian trial … 40 yrs later … i thought if i can walk 20 miles in 6 hrs i would get a pack thats when hiking the pct came to mind soo a few weeks ago i made 21.8 miles and i was amazed and went and got me a pack thats when all the whishin started i wished for a tent so i did all my research and found what i wanted same with all the gear that ive learned from you all … ive seen so much bad in my life i figure its high time ive seen good ive been around some bad charcaters and bad situtions i want to be apart of some Good folks i can find no better way to do it 2020 here i come!

]]> By: Dave Collins https://www.DuskHiker.com/backpacking/21-pro-tips-for-the-first-time-thru-hiker/#comment-1147 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 17:14:22 +0000 https://www.DuskHiker.com/uncategorized/21-pro-tips-for-the-first-time-thru-hiker/#comment-1147 In reply to Kevin Neal.

Hey Kevin, thanks for the note!

You’re totally right, but we haven’t posted our full JMT guide just yet. We’ve been working on it for weeks and hope to have it out soon, so if you pay attention via social media, our blog, or our newsletter, I’m sure you’ll see it soon. It’s a great guide to the JMT. Very detailed and I think there’s really good advice in there. Hope that helps and thanks so much for following along!

]]> By: Kevin Neal https://www.DuskHiker.com/backpacking/21-pro-tips-for-the-first-time-thru-hiker/#comment-1122 Wed, 30 Jan 2019 16:06:10 +0000 https://www.DuskHiker.com/uncategorized/21-pro-tips-for-the-first-time-thru-hiker/#comment-1122 Hello Dave,
I seem to remember reading part of a blog you posted about hiking the JMT late season a while back. I looked all over and couldn’t find it again. Please direct me, thanks.

]]> By: Dave Collins https://www.DuskHiker.com/backpacking/21-pro-tips-for-the-first-time-thru-hiker/#comment-1146 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 13:24:44 +0000 https://www.DuskHiker.com/uncategorized/21-pro-tips-for-the-first-time-thru-hiker/#comment-1146 In reply to Jason Hughes.

Thanks Jason! Happy to help.

]]> By: Jason Hughes https://www.DuskHiker.com/backpacking/21-pro-tips-for-the-first-time-thru-hiker/#comment-1121 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 09:54:51 +0000 https://www.DuskHiker.com/uncategorized/21-pro-tips-for-the-first-time-thru-hiker/#comment-1121 Hey Dave,

Excellent blog! Point numero 14 was my favorite. After all, your feet are the ones carrying you through the hike in the first place!

]]> By: Dave Collins https://www.DuskHiker.com/backpacking/21-pro-tips-for-the-first-time-thru-hiker/#comment-1145 Sun, 19 Nov 2017 14:02:22 +0000 https://www.DuskHiker.com/uncategorized/21-pro-tips-for-the-first-time-thru-hiker/#comment-1145 In reply to Sean.

Thanks Sean! Yup, that’s me standing on the top of Half Dome in Yosemite. The Yosemite Valley is just off the PCT, so I’d highly recommend the 1-2 day side trip.

]]> By: Sean https://www.DuskHiker.com/backpacking/21-pro-tips-for-the-first-time-thru-hiker/#comment-1120 Sat, 18 Nov 2017 16:50:21 +0000 https://www.DuskHiker.com/uncategorized/21-pro-tips-for-the-first-time-thru-hiker/#comment-1120 Great advice, good read. Top picture, guy standing on the bluff, happen to know the location?

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