Preparations for my Nobo Sobo Yoyo

Logistics

Once you decide that you are going to hike the Appalachian Trail, there are a few questions you can ask yourself. In which direction, Nobo, Sobo or Flip Flop? Where will you start: Amicalola Falls State Park, Springer Mountain, Mount Katahdin, or literally anywhere in between? When will you start? How will you get there? Since I climbed the AT Nobo in 2007, I wanted to experience it differently this time. I considered Sobo and Flip Flop, but ultimately decided on a Nobo Sobo Yoyo. Say that 3 times fast! I’m coordinating with my adventure buddies Vantic and Potato, aka my handsome boyfriend and Pit Bull dog. They will sporadically follow me and join me along the way. We have decided to “move” all of our belongings into a storage unit, including my vehicle. It’s strange to move, but not end up anywhere. We’ll be taking a cross-country road trip from Oregon to Georgia and landing in early March.

Physical

Having hiked all 3 Triple Crown trails, I can tell you that I have experienced several illnesses and injuries that have held me back. I was off piste for 9 days on the AT for a badly sprained ankle and knee strain, the PCT for 4 days for shin splints, and the CDT for 8 days for knee pain. Planning and executing a workout routine has been an important pre-hike decision for me. While I doubt this will completely prevent the inevitable nagging soreness, I hope this smidgen of prevention will be beneficial to a successful start by minimizing time off the trail.

I don’t have a set routine, but I usually force myself to do something daily to stay consistent. My top 3 workouts are a walk, a yoga session, or a strength training session. My hike is usually 5-7 miles in the Ashland Basin or on the PCT. I choose trail segments that are steep so my knees can practice. My yoga and strength training are just YouTube videos from people I’ve found over the years that fit my style.

Gear

I had a very bad time with this one. Every piece of equipment I have is perfectly fine, but I have to think about the future. Far ahead. Sure, most of my gear can get me to Maine, but I have to consider that my hiking doesn’t stop once I get to Katahdin. At that point I’ll only be halfway there. The enormity of walking over 4,500 miles this year is a huge task. I want to be prepared. Also, I want to treat myself and get the new backpack and the pretty colored sleeping bag.

I decided on a new pack, a spare Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60L, to make sure all the foam on the hip belt was fresh and there were no rips or snags in the fabric. I chose a new sleeping bag, a Feathered Friends Petrel UL 10⁰, because I’ll save over 6 ounces and it’s been 19 years since I’ve had a new bag. A big thank you to the beasts who got me through the previous 3 hikes – rotating my REI Mojave 10⁰ and REI Sahara 25⁰ throughout the seasons.

My clothes have also undergone a double update. From my first hike 19 years ago to less than 2 years since I completed the CDT. I’ll talk more about that in a future post.

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