Deciding to hike the AT causes excitement, joy, and maybe even a bit of anxiety. If the thought of summiting Katahdin brings you to tears, you might just have what it takes to complete those 2,185.9 miles (2013 mileage). Besides finding the gear, the funds, and the time, there is a bit more a hiker should know before heading out for this life-changing journey.
While preparing for my thru-hike in 2013, I tried to find a simple “FAQ” from a female perspective on the web with no success. I also lacked the attention to browse through the hundreds of pages of opinions on WhiteBlaze.net. Believe me, I love providing any advice relating to the Appalachian Trail. However, this guide consists strictly of random questions I wish I would have known or considered before leaving for the trail. If you do have any questions relating to gear, logistics, or anything else please feel free to ask!
Below, I have included tips specific for girls and general tips for any thru-hiker.
Female Specific Questions:
1. Should I cut my hair?
PROBABLY. I chopped off my lengthy locks to my shoulder before leaving for the trail. In the end, I still had to cut out HUGE mats out of my hair once my hike was over. Then again, I have very fine hair that is prone to knots AND I didn’t carry a brush. If your hair texture isn’t as prone to knots, lucky you. Next thru-hike, I am either going for a pixie cut or carrying a little brush for better maintenance.
2. What to do about my period?
I have received many questions about this. First off, the easiest thing to do would be to eliminate it all together by birth control. However, I did not use birth control. Instead, I used the Diva Cup. I recommend forgetting about tampons unless you want to pack them out. Yeah, I didn’t think so. The Diva Cup is a menstrual cup. It can safely stay inserted longer than a tampon with up to 12 hours. I still use the Diva Cup and I doubt I will ever use a tampon again. Make sure to purchase your Diva Cup a couple months before you leave so you can get acquainted with it.
With questions relate directly to the Diva Cup, here is their website: http://divacup.com/how-it-works/your-first-questions/
3. Do I really have to hitchhike?
Yes, you really have to hitchhike unless you want to hike to town. I highly doubt you want to do that. I need to admit though: I never hitch hiked by myself. I would recommend not going solo. But, I knew many female thru-hikers that had no problem with their solo hitches. Odds are a mom will probably pick you up.
4. What were your favorite accessories to wear?
BUFF: GET A BUFF. I loved my Buff. The Buff provides versatility. Its completely functional as my neck warmer, my face guard (we can’t grow beards so I highly recommend for those windy days), and my bandana.
CAPRIS: If you are petite, I would recommend camp capris instead of pants. The capris kept me warm while also laying short enough to avoid a dirty hem.
CROCS: I hate the way Crocs look. Let’s face it, they are hideous. I bought the Shayna Crocs which adds a bit of femininity to the standard Croc. My Shayna Crocs received a lot of compliments from female hikers. And, they look better to walk in when you are in town.
PRANA: I loved my Prana clothing. Prana provides fashionable outdoor clothing. Since Prana is a bit pricey, I recommend buying their clothing through ebay or geartrade.com.
5. Did you have a beauty regime?
HA! No, but I knew a hiker girl that did carry small sample packets of overnight face masks. I used one once. My skin was in constant contact with bugs spray and sunscreen.
6. How many females hike the trail a year?
1 in 4 hikers are female. DO NOT BE ALARMED. I met lifelong friends both female and male. I never heard of sexual harassment among hikers. You will see. Hikers are family.
However, be aware of pink-blazing. Pink-blazing is when a male thru-hiker follows a single female thru-hiker in hopes of a romantic connection. Pink-blazing is harmless but be aware that you could be a target.
General Questions:
7. Do I really need a knife, gun, or taser?
Nope and nope. I started out carrying a pocket taser. The taser became more of a conversation piece than a threat. Sure, it was light but it was completely unnecessary. Don’t let your parents talk you into carrying a gun because in the end, they aren’t the ones having to carry it. If your parents are like mine, recommend the taser as an alternative, show it off to your new hiker friends, then send it back the first chance you get.
But, I should bring a knife right?
Honestly, a knife isn’t really necessary. I only used my fixed-blade knife for cutting cheese! I recommend the smallest Swiss Army knife; its light and a great cheese cutter.
8. Should I find a hiking partner on Whiteblaze.net before heading out on the trail?
Completely unnecessary. You will meet so many hikers the first couple weeks, especially if you start with the bubble (March/April).
9. How many pairs of shoes should I buy before leaving for the trail?
One. I promise you your feet will flatten 1-1.5 sizes once you reach Virginia (NOBOS). You can plan for the foot growth but still not know the exact shoe your bigger foot will need. I recommend buying Salomon. Salomon has a wonderful policy about replacements. They might seem pricey but they are worth every penny, especially when you receive your replacement pair for free!
Check out my review of my Salomon 3D Ultra 2 HERE
10. Am I going to lose a lot of weight?
Probably. Initially, I gained 5 pounds from muscle (121 pounds). By the time I reached Maine I had lost 15 pounds (down to 105).
11. What did you pack that hikers wished they had?
BUG NET. You won’t need it until Pennsylvania but you will be glad you have it. Just trust me.
12. Glasses or contacts?
Both. I wore contacts most of the time and my glasses as a backup. Don’t bring a glasses case, just wrap it in bubble wrap.
Check out my post explaining the pros and cons of eyeglasses or contacts for a thru-hike.
13. Is there anything you would change about your thru-hike?
Thru-hiking the trail evolved into the most remarkable 5 months and 22 days of my life. I regret nothing but I would change a few things for my next thru-hike. I started April 21, 2013 and ended October 15, 2013 (I know the last day). I would start earlier. We really had to hike big days to make this deadline. However, hiking big days instilled a powerful motivation and work ethic within me.
Tips:
14. Do NOT go on a Costco shopping spree for all your food before you leave for the trail.
I made this mistake and wish I never did. The nuts we bought went bad. We never used six months’ worth of Calcium pills. We actually only sent 7 mail drops through the entire journey because we got tired of the food we bought. We are now stuck with pounds of rice, lentils, and pasta.
ALTERNATIVE: Only buy food for your first couple mail drops. Our first mail drop was at Fontana Dam, NC. Bump boxes will become your best friend. A bump box is a mail drop that you send to yourself from one resupply town to another ahead of the trail. Come across a Walmart or a huge discount on pasta sides? Send a bump box.
15. Make sure you have the right size pack.
If you are petite like me, please research packs before you buy one. I met too many petite hikers on the trail struggling with their size small pack. I am 5’1” and 115 pounds (before I left for the trail). I carried the XS Gregory Sage 55 pack. Did you hear me petite ladies? XS. XS. XS. Osprey packs do NOT run in XS. However, Gregory does carry XS. Please research, you will be glad you did. Do remember, the smaller the size of your pack, the less liters it will hold. Mine is the Sage 55 but only held 51 liters because of the extra small size.
I wish you the best of luck hiking this incredible trail. Don’t get too hung up on the numerous opinions posted on WhiteBlaze. Hiking the trail is simple, just walk. You will only learn what you truly need through experience.
In Any Direction 
This litteraly made me cry. I want to get back out there so badly and the emotions of failing are overwhelming. Its very good advice though and if I ever get to try again, there are definitely some changes I would make. I wonder if no it wanting to cut my hair was a sign that I would not make it?
oh brakes!! you know i would not have been able to complete the trail without my man. i dont blame you for not continuing. the heartache without jon would have been even worse.
I liked it so much I am offering you the Liebster Award nomination! If you are interested, come and see what to do: http://joantwarren.com/2014/02/12/liebster-not-biebster/
Thanks for the tips! I am planning an AT thru hike for 2015 and was wondering how difficult it was to wear your contacts on the trail. How often did you take them out? How sanitary was it to take out the contacts/put them in after hiking and not being all that clean? Was it pretty easy to mail them or did you take all the pairs you needed at once? Just curious and you seem like a good person to ask. Thanks!
Omg I am sooo excited for you and a bit jealous 😛 When it came to contacts, I would put them in my mail drops. I made sure before my hike to order enough to last me awhile so the person sending my drops wouldn’t have to fill my prescription. I would carry one back up pair just in case but I also carried my pair of glasses too (wrapped my glasses in a bubble wrap case which lasted me three months!). I carried a little guy of solution. I took my contacts out every night because I just get a better sleep that way and also, who knows what kind of gunk got in my eyes at the end of the day. For the most part, it was a pretty clean transaction from eyeball to lens case. I would rinse my hands or do some hand sanny. There is always some degree of dirtiness on the trail though. Have the best time hun and REMEMBER: rain, bruises, loneliness do NOT last forever BUT the feeling of not trying your best DOES! YOU CAN DO IT!
Thanks for the tips!
Huh. I’m almost 200 miles into a SOBO thru hike, and my butt-length hair hasn’t given me any problems. French braid pigtails are the shit. Great advice overall. I feel like I needed to read this.
That’s awesome Emma! My hair is extremely fine and prone to knots so you might not have any problems. However, you are very early into your hike. I didn’t see problems with knots until about mile 1700. If I were to do it again with long hair, I would definitely carry a brush and try to maintain it next time. Good luck!!!!
Your feet grow 1-2:sizes!? I didn’t know that happened. Does it last forever? Thank you for an awesome post! I’m planning on leaving at the start of this April!
Haha okay two sizes might be exaggerating but a half size or whole size most definitely! From all the hiking, your feet just flatten so a bigger shoe is needed to compensate. And yes, I think it lasts forever. It’s been two years after my hike and I’m still at a size 6.5 (versus a dainty 5.5 before the trail). My fiancé’s feet grew 1.5 sizes. It is pretty crazy haha. Good luck and have so much fun!
Ok, here I am an almost 68 yr old grandmother thinking about doing the AT in 2017 alone. I have not hiked much, definitely not a thru-hike.
Am I CRAZY??? It has been on my mind for the last 2yrs and its now or never. Starting my research now. Good health and working on endurance. Any suggestions welcome???
YOU ARE NOT CRAZY. It will be the time of your life. Just pace yourself and listen to your body. Things will be a lot easier for you too if you purchased the lightest gear you can within your price range. Just work on walking with a pack and make sure you get the right pack. And also, do a northbound hike. The trail gets more difficult as you head north (but that doesn’t mean there isn’t strenuous hikes in the south though!). By the time you reach difficult terrain in NH, your body will be ready. You can do this! I highly recommend checking out one of the sites I write for, AppalachianTrials.com The advice on this website is top notch.
Thanks for the support. Will definitely read over your Site for great info. Just ordered a couple books. Will be following your suggestions. Also met a guy at REI today that starts the hike next month. Hope to follow his progress. Thanks
Hey Michelle, I was actually planning on hiking the AT alone in 2017 as well! I’m 20 years old which also makes it scary for me because I’m kind of new to all of this. Maybe we could talk and share what we’ve learned so far
Hi and thanks for the reply. Currently I am reading a few books on others experience walking the AT. Several things I have found for me at my age is: travel light, besure to take healthy food, and prepare urself physically and mentally. This NOT an easy walk in the woods. Needless to say i am having second thoughts of my ability to do this. At ur age, it will be fantastic.
I’m kinda interested in doing this as well for 2017. I’m 36 & a crossfitter. Not that either of them matter really, but we could sure talk maybe and perhaps be partners!
Hello! I’ve actually been thinking of doing this as well. I’m 36 and a crossfitter, not that either of them natter. But perhaps we could speak or plan together. So nice to hear others like me, taking risks by themselves!
PS. Would love to talk more about it. Also check site for healthy food called “The yummy life”. She has done amazing things for trail food.
I am planning to do the A.T. trail in April 1st of 2017, anyone else doing so? i am doing it alone so def. people to join with would
be cool. im kinda nervous but excited as well.
Hi there! Great info. I hiked a 280 mi. Section in 1987. A lot has changed! Equipment has gotten so much lighter. I am now 48 years old.
A note to Michelle – go for it. I met women about your age. There was a 74 year old lady that finished the trail. It’s doable – just train ahead of time.
Okay – Diva cup? What the heck is a diva cup…okay – will look that up. My friend and I just had pads and tampons back in the 80’s. Yup – had to carry them out! You’ll be amazed what you can do.
I want to hike whole trail in the worst way. I have to wait until my kids have graduated now. 6 more years.
Thanks again for the info.
Hey! These tips are great. Do you have any tips to help avoid deer ticks?
Thanks so much for the tips! My husband and I depart in March of this year. I’m excited and nervous,and ready for adventure with my best friend. My one significant remaining “gear” question is about bras. Do you know any female how’s who are a little on the busty side I can ask about this? Thanks so much for the help!
Thanks for the tips!
I allsow want to use divacup on my next thru-hike, but unfortunately I don’t know how to keep it senitized on the trail. Can you give me aduvices on how to keep it all clean?
Thanke you! 🙂
I really enjoyed the questions you answered. I’m doing my thru hike in 2020!
You are inspirational! Thank you
Great article. Osprey does make an xs back pack. I have one. (Aura 65 AG) I paid $195. REI outlet. Previous to this pack I had an Osprey kids 50. I thought it would fit me better. I was wrong. There are more choices out there now for us petite ladies. I am 4’9″ 100lbs.