Preparing for Extra Miles on Hiking Trips: A Guide on How to Prepare for Bonus Miles
Embarking on a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail (AT) is an exciting adventure, but it's important to be prepared for the unexpected. One such aspect is the concept of 'bonus miles', which can significantly impact your journey.
Bonus miles are additional distances hikers often cover beyond the official 2,190-mile trail length. These miles come from side trips for resupply, detours around obstacles, exploring nearby points of interest, or unavoidable trail reroutes due to weather or closures. On average, bonus miles can add anywhere from 5% to 10% extra distance, equating to an additional 100 to 200 miles. This means your hike could extend by a week or more, depending on your pace.
To navigate these extra miles efficiently, modern technology plays a crucial role. GPS devices and smartphone apps like Guthook, Komoot, AllTrails, Gaia GPS help track daily mileage, including any side excursions. Devices like Garmin inReach provide live positional updates, making it easier to monitor progress relative to planned mileage and timeframes.
Digital maps help identify resupply points, detours, and alternative routes, enabling hikers to calculate the impact of planned bonus miles on overall length and timing before starting or during the hike. Reading recent trip reports or tracker logs can highlight common bonus mile sections or detours, helping hikers anticipate and plan fuel, water, and lodging accordingly.
However, bonus miles can consume a significant amount of time and energy. Hikers should factor in rest days due to physical exertion and potential health issues. In some cases, hikers may need to seek temporary accommodation in hotels to recover from injuries, illnesses, or to replenish calories.
First-time thru-hikers may overlook the need to account for bonus miles, leading to potential challenges down the line. In the past, hikers relied on the Yellow Pages, hitchhiking, and directions from passersby for navigation and resupply. But in the 21st century, technology has made navigation much more efficient. For instance, using GPS, searching for open stores, and reserving motel rooms have become common practices.
On the Pacific Crest Trail, cases can require days of complex circumnavigation due to an ended special permit program at the Canadian border. Hikers may have to tack on meals and lodging that have little to do with their A-to-B itinerary. Despite these challenges, extra miles on the trail can provide opportunities to interact with communities along the way.
In conclusion, managing bonus miles is a crucial aspect of a successful thru-hike. By utilising GPS technology, real-time tracking, and digital planning tools, hikers can optimise their timing, supplies, and costs, turning these side trips into an enjoyable part of the journey rather than a challenge.
Sports can play a role in hikers' preparation for a thru-hike, as staying in good physical shape can help manage the energy demands of bonus miles. For example, participating in endurance activities like marathon training can increase stamina and resilience.
Travel guides supplement navigation on the Appalachian Trail (AT), offering insights into bonus miles along with information about resupply points, alternate routes, and potential obstacles. These guides can be digital or physical, and they can help hikers make informed decisions about their trek, optimizing their journey and avoiding unnecessary challenges.
