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A logistics thread? Dang, I didn’t think anyone here actually went hiking.
>get an idea of the terrain
This is tricky, as it’s subjective. One persons “incredibly hard” is another persons “easy mode.” Still, read any reviews you can. FB groups are a decent source, depending on location. AllTrails as well.
>figure out the water situation
You don’t want to run out, but at the same time water is a pretty heavy item. Streams are shown on maps.
>plan fewer miles
I ran a MeetUp group with 1/0+ members. The average person who showed up was good for 10 miles over moderate terrain. I prefer 15, and that’s stopping to take in the sights.
>don’t overthink
It’s not as complicated as you might think. You find some trails, look at a map, decide on mileage, and go. Take into account how long you’ll be driving; hiking for 8 hours if you arrive at noon might be the best idea.
>look up Andrew Skurka’s video on campsite selection
Too lazy to google it for you, but a good location can really improve your experience
>go with a group
Again, it’s hit or miss. We had some serious weirdos show up for our group hikes, but the logistics were all taken care of, including shuttles and travel. You can try MeetUp. It’s generally an older crowd but other than that it’s pretty diverse. Alternatively, go with a friend. I mean this is 4Chan so you probably don’t have any, but you never know.
