The 5 fears of the Thru-hiker

Are you familiar with "thru-hiking" 🙂 ? From the English word thru and hiking, the thru-hiker is one who hikes a long distance of several hundred or even thousands of kilometres.

The pioneers of these crazy walks were the Americans. These long walks are most often associated with theAppalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail (4,240 km) or the Continental Divided Trail (5,000 km). Three incredible long-distance trails in the United States. The term has travelled to Europe to conquer the hearts of lovers of long-distance trails, the famous "GR", with more measured distances but nevertheless, with the same passion for self-achievement.

European thru-hikers walk the GR34 also known as the Customs Officers' Path (2,090 km), the GR654, the Way of Saint James of Compostela (1,600 km) or the GR5 which crosses the Alps (1,500 km). In short, long hours of walking are in store!

However, such a challenge is often frightening. One of the main reasons for this is the weight of the backpack! Travelling thousands of kilometres in several months is a challenge. Carrying your house on your back is not an easy thing to do!

Most long-distance hikers are obsessed with the weight of their packs and the equipment they carry.

We've listed 5 fears and their solutions to help you get started. 👇

Quantifying the amount of food you need to take with you is a big challenge. You have no grocery shop, no fridge to eat all you want! To overcome this fear, you take more food than you need. This is a classic mistake in the first weeks of your long trek.

It will take a few weeks for your body to get used to the rhythm of long distances. In the first few weeks you will not eat more than when you are in town. Only after a while will you experience the "Hunger of the hiker" where you can eat like a bear! 🙂

Solution: To avoid this, you need to know your body, your habits and your refreshment points.

Many of the long hikes pass by villages/towns. Sometimes you have to walk or hitchhike (thumb) to get to the refreshment point.

Some long hikes or GR in Europe have refreshment points at each refuge. You can minimize the weight of your backpack with more supplies. Ultralight freeze-dried meals are a good way to get a quick and efficient solution.

The second common fear of thru-hikers is being cold. Having a bad night in the cold is never advisable. We have all experienced a waking night because our sleeping bag is wet or the temperatures are too cold.

Solution: The choice of your location should be your first criterion. Choosing a suitable ground is essential. You must choose a non-rocky ground so that the cold does not transmit to your floor mat. 🌈

The quality and choice of your sleeping bag is important. Having specialised equipment will allow you to cope with low temperatures.Fill poweris the most important criterion in this choice.

Ventilation of your tent is important. In summer and winter, condensation is your worst enemy in your tent. A draft is needed to deal with the humidity!

Finally, it is important to keepthe extremities of your body warm. You lose most of your heat through your feet, hands and head. You should take the necessary equipment, even in summer! It is normal to sleep with your clothes in your sleeping bag.

Being cold is one thing but being wet is worse... It's not possible! How to deal with rain and humidity when hiking?

Solution: Let's start with a reality! No material will protect you 100% from moisture or rain. 😊

Choose versatile materials that dry easily. The materials used are important to minimise the impact of water.

Having a rainproof strategy with waterproof trousers or a rain skirt, a windbreaker, adequate gloves and so on will protect you.

A bag with a waterproof cap or waterproof bags will be very effective in protecting your equipment.

One way to dry your equipment is to sleep with it on. The warmth of your body will dry it out. A fire is always welcome if you take the necessary precautions. However, it is not always possible to make one.

It should be noted that it is very difficult to be 100% waterproof or 100% protected against moisture. If you spend a few days soaking wet, you will have to face adversity if the above solutions do not work.

A point of debate! There are several schools, to wash or not to wash, that is the question! We reassure you! Youdon't have to be dirty to be a thru-hiker! But you can recognize a thru-hiker by his smell, ahahah!

Solution: The golden rule of thu-hikers: "The worse you smell, the fewer mosquitoes you'll have around you."

Hygiene is important but you don't have to smell like a rose to go hiking. Here are some tips 🌎 :

- Biodegradable soap: Yes, but in small doses;

- Washing every day: No ;

- Toothbrush : Yes !

- Toothpaste: No. Your dentist will explain that avoiding cavities comes from brushing, not toothpaste. Toothpaste is used for enamel and breath in the mouth. Purified water is enough!

- Wipes : Yes, for intimate areas.

After a few weeks, you will realise that it is important to take care of your hygiene (teeth, private parts and general). Your smell will not shock anyone. Don't take deodorant (which attracts bears) or anything you don't need! This will reduce the weight of your backpack.

Even if one seeks solitude, it is also a problem. Human beings like to talk with their peers. It can be important tohave a point of contact with your family and friends.

Solution: On your path, you are far from everything and your loved ones. It is totally normal to feel a lack and to want to stay in touch with them. But like all other fears, you have to be aware of what you really need and what is dictated by your fear. 🥰

Use your supplies to communicate with your friends and family. You can use an external battery to have more possibilities to exchange. You will also meet many hikers with incredible stories. This is an opportunity to bond and make a family on the trail.