How to Mentally Prepare for a Hike that Requires Endurance

Preparing one’s mind for a thru-hike is an arduous task. A thru trek is a long distance hike that can take several months to complete.

Many hikers leave their homes and travel for weeks or months at a time, carrying all of their own food and shelter as they pass through a wide range of ecosystems and climate zones at varying altitudes.

You’ll have to put in some time and effort to train your mind and body for this. However, no matter how much mental rehearsal you do, there is a limit to how far you can progress. Learn everything you need to know to make critical, life-altering decisions on your thru-hike.

Preparing one’s mind for a thru-hike is an arduous task. A thru trek is a long distance hike that can take several months to complete. Many hikers leave their homes and travel for weeks or months at a time, carrying all of their own food and shelter as they pass through a wide range of ecosystems and climate zones at varying altitudes.

You’ll have to put in some time and effort to train your mind and body for this. However, no matter how much mental rehearsal you do, there is a limit to how far you can progress.

Learn everything you need to know to make critical, life-altering decisions on your thru-hike.

You’ll need every possible advantage, though, if you’re going to make any headway in tackling one of these mammoth endeavors. In light of the challenges that lie ahead, I have compiled a list of 15 tips that should help you prepare mentally.

Some of these might come in handy as trail references, so jot them down and bring them with you. When things get tough in life, remember this.

1. Have an emergency toy for when things get too hard

You can always tell which baby is going to cry until it gets its hands on that one special toy. The favorite toy. So, you’re the one walking that ridiculously long path. A baby. You’re going to spit the dummy, plant your arse firmly on the floor, and flat out refuse to budge.

You need the one toy that can put things right now. However, it’s no longer guaranteed to be a plaything. This toy could stand in for anything you want it to. Some people, in times of crisis, need to take a seat and start digging for their stash of Chocolate.

While some people may prefer an early morning with a shot of 21-year-old scotch, you may have other plans.

2. Test your gear in the worst possible weather

Knowing you have top-notch equipment to count on is a huge relief. Um, tough luck if you’re using subpar equipment. Just brave the horrible weather and go for a walk. During the weekend’s rain, set up camp in the backyard and stay there for as long as you can.

Get used to hearing the soft, steady drip-drop of rain on your plastic roof. Make more time for outdoor activities. The more time you spend outside, the more comfortable you will become in natural environments.

From the moment you set foot on the trail for your first thru hike, you will spend the vast majority of your time (99.9%) in the great outdoors for the next number of days.

3. Have awesome gear!

Before we go any further, I just wanted to drive home the last point. Five months of walking can put a serious strain on cheap department store boots. You should not spend the night in a tent that drips like a wet towel.

You don’t want to shiver to death in the -50°F sleeping bag you got for a steal of a deal online, which was written in some language you don’t understand or even recognize. You have no idea what it means.

Do not expose this bag to temperatures lower than -50 degrees Fahrenheit, it might read. OR You will freeze to death in this bag in temperatures as low as -50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Wait until you can save up enough money to buy some quality equipment, and then do so in stages as you earn more money. Even though the trail won’t move, having top-tier gear will completely alter your experience of it.

My Sea to Summit sleeping pad and Western Mountaineering sleeping bag aren’t going to cut it, so I’m on the hunt for an MSR backpacking tent. I’m prepared for any weather with my gore-tex Mammut outer shell jacket, waterproof Berghaus pants, and luxurious Zamberlan boots.

In total, it’s worth thousands of dollars, but it’s all mine, and it’s all good; I could leave right now with everything I own stuffed into an Osprey pack and be perfectly prepared to survive in the wilderness. In time, you and your equipment will form an inseparable bond.

Do not be shocked if you go into the trip as the introverted type of hiker who avoids striking up conversations about hiking gear with other like-minded people, and emerge as the outgoing type who can’t wait to share their latest finds.

“You’ve got the Marmot Tungsten two-person tent, I see. A wise decision. Obviously, I am an MSR Hubba Hubba fanatic.” – You slyly wink as you utter this.

4. Go on a test hike

I throw around the term “hike” a little too freely. That doesn’t mean you should lace up your hiking boots and head out for a day in the hills outside of town or even to the nearby forest.

You should try to simulate a week of a thru-hike by dragging your arse into the wilderness and living off of a backpacking menu and a makeshift tent.

If, by the end of the week, the sight of a tree makes you want to throw up, you probably shouldn’t attempt a thru hike. I just saved you a lot of time. To whom it may concern, thank you.

5. Learn from someone else’s experience

Do you know anyone who has successfully completed a thru-hike? Good. Ask them for two of their worst experiences from their thru-hike (they will have them, and you will have your own), and then decide if you still want to do it.

Do you? Good. There are countless thru-hiking blogs online where you can read about the worst possible trail experiences. Check them out quickly. To put it another way, they are a valuable source of assistance with their complaints.

Take notes on the little things that went wrong. You might learn some useful information about things you didn’t realize you needed until you were in that situation.

6. Remember why you are doing this

Can you recall the peculiar instant when you first had that thought? The concept of dragging your body across thousands of miles, over months of rough terrain, in the worst possible conditions.

How long has it been since you reconsidered your previous belief that? Excellent. Your recollection will be useful in the future. The same goes for that other reason. The reason you are currently outside, questioning your sanity.

Don’t forget this; keep it in mind at all times. Set that as your goal. You are a true badass if you are thru-hiking to prove to yourself that you can accomplish anything. Way to go, lady! Never give up; your abilities are limitless.

If your goal is to raise money for a good cause, you probably don’t need much convincing. Keep putting one foot in front of the other if you want to lose the belly and make a permanent lifestyle change; you are doing so with each step.

My next point is related to this and will be very helpful in getting you to the end of the race.

7. Positive mental attitude

It’s much simpler to say than to actually do, and some people may find it easier than others. Some people are up and about six hours before sunrise, having breakfast, running eight hundred miles, and cleaning up the world before you’ve even rolled out of bed.

Down onto the carpet. There are always two sides to every story, and it will be difficult to complete a thru-hike if you can’t train yourself to see the world in a more optimistic light. To be honest, it’ll be tough regardless.

If you don’t try to find the good in the situation, you’ll have a terrible time of it and spend the rest of your life trying to make other people see things your way.

There will be a lot of rain to endure as you travel. You will get completely drenched. You’ll quickly learn that no material can withstand water indefinitely. You might even be angry at the rain for ruining your day.

Please keep in mind that water makes up about 60 percent of your body. In order to stay alive, you must consume it. Use it to wash your body and brush your teeth. In addition to using it as a cooking and swimming ingredient, you can thank your lucky stars that you happen to live on a planet where it naturally precipitates.

Say it’s all in my head! Do you view today as just another challenging day on the trail, or a day to be thankful for because you get to spend it outside?

Crush any negative thoughts as soon as they arise (with the exception of the midge fly, the sole pollinator of the cacao plant and, thus, ultimately responsible for all chocolate on Earth – you alright!).

Don’t be afraid to hit it with a wall of encouragement. If you find yourself thinking things like “I am so bored of this,” it’s a sign that your mind is starting to drift toward the abyss. I swear, if I see one more tree, I will scream!

Then you should quickly inject your mind with some upbeat reality. Just consider the countless people who spend their time in traffic on the way to jobs they despise.

Imagine the cyclists heading to the office without the benefit of air conditioning to help them breathe through the toxic air. Imagine all the trash cans and the garbage on the streets, along with the odor that comes and goes from the drains.

It’s like being on the wrong side of a red light that just turned red for the fourth time. Things like sirens going off in the middle of the night or the constant beeping of horns come to mind.

Consider the people who are working multiple jobs just to make ends meet and feeling trapped in an endless cycle of debt with no way out. Then, pause in your travels and survey your immediate vicinity.

Take a few deep breaths of this clean air. Just look at that pristine landscape. Now, think about it: Where would you rather be right now?

8. Healthy mind, healthy body

If you think finishing a thru hike is difficult, you have no idea. This is a much more difficult task. Both intellectually and bodily. As the first two weeks of the hike will be the most physically demanding for those in poor shape, being in the best physical condition possible can give you a tremendous mental boost, increasing the likelihood that you will complete the hike.

Hiking is the best physical preparation for a hike. Spend some time in that pack, bearing its weight for extended periods of time, and soon you won’t even notice it’s there. You’ll get used to it.

Before I go on one of my long hikes, I ride my bike for long distances. You’ll get the same benefit from strengthening the muscles you’ll need for climbing, but your knees and other joints won’t take nearly as much of a beating.

Do not worry unduly if you are not in top physical condition. I can guarantee that by the end of your thru hike, you will have surpassed the capabilities of any normal human being.

You will be physically fit for a long time, possibly even years. You’ll never be able to relax again, and going as far as getting in the car and driving to the store will only serve to further erode your resolve.

And so, please don’t worry. And give yourself at least a week or two to adjust. The first week of a long hike is not the time to focus on getting in shape by logging 15-mile days in a row, as this will only lead to exhaustion and quitting before you’ve even covered 1% of the trail.

The truth is, such things do occur. Try to ease into it. Now is a good time for you to do it. You wouldn’t be doing it if it wasn’t necessary. If the situation calls for it, you can really put the pedal to the metal when you’re fit and revved up.

9. Put someone else in charge

So, I guess I am a paradox in the flesh. In the past, I have avoided conventional employment at all costs because I despise being told what to do. However, despite the amazing freedom of freelancing,

I sometimes miss having a boss who can give me a swift kick in the rear when I need it. I’d like to introduce you to my stunning girlfriend, Izabela (extra points for stunning; I’m going to get my arse kicked for mentioning her in this (excellent) article – just not in the way I had hoped).

You probably have someone in mind right now who is excellent at organizing materials and would be thrilled with this opportunity (even if they are just pretending).

You need someone who can send you food packages to pick up, full of those lovely little things that get you through the day, and this person could be your mom, girlfriend, or sister (you might notice a pattern here; women are better organized and are better at organizing things: FACT).

When the trail becomes too much, have someone book you a hotel for a night or two so you can rest (this is not cheating).

10. Gain a following

You might be shocked to learn how many people will be green with envy over your plans. There is something innate in the human condition that compels us to be in the outdoors, and your officemates who are stuck behind a desk will not only envy your adventure but also follow it through any means available, including social media in the modern era.

Every time you report for duty, upload a small photo update. A story about something noteworthy that happened this week. You won’t believe how many people are following this. When a stranger takes the time out of their day to send you a message of support, you know that they care.

Knowing that many people care about you can help you get through tough times alone. And maybe those periods when boredom is bound to set in. To put it simply, it provides mental stimulation.

When you get closer, go to the next available post. Is it possible to narrow down the million-and-two best shots you took to just one that will truly impress your friends and family this week?

How about the time we had to trudge through knee-deep snow for two days to take that high pass? Or how about the guy who did the trail with one leg – damn, that put things in perspective.

Over time, you’ll develop a thick skin and be able to laugh off your experiences with crocodiles and bears, making you an even bigger star among your friends and family back home.

11. Decide to go solo or with a buddy

If you’re going to abandon the trail and run straight into your lover’s arms, they should probably just come with you. Even for those in committed relationships, this could be a welcome break and a welcome opportunity to recharge their minds.

A lot of people prefer to travel with their closest pals. While hiking, some people find themselves alone, while others find a new best friend. or an entirely new BFF. In any case, this must be resolved before anything else.

Most of the time, you will have to go on the hike by yourself because you can’t find anyone who wants to join you. Don’t lose hope. Putting yourself out there requires a lot of bravery and strength.

You’ll get to know your new pals better by taking long walks together. Many of these people will be doing section hikes, and you will have to leave them behind along with your contact information as you continue on your epic journey in search of the next person you click with enough to walk with for a day, a week, or who knows… maybe even longer.

12. Learn Yoga and Become an Expert

When I first heard about yoga, I assumed it was just a fancy name for stretching. What you’re doing is just stretching in a fancy way. In the past, I dismissed yoga as nothing more than a bunch of new age nonsense practiced by hippies.

But the longer I’ve been exposed to it, the more hypnotized I’ve become; at this point, I can hardly picture myself living without it. Your body will be put through the wringer over the next few months, so if you’re not prepared for yoga, you’d better be prepared for religious stretching.

And a quick anecdote from my own life (like you’re going to stop me). I recently threw out my back after a lengthy ride and subsequent park antics. The strain on my back muscles from

13. Be flexible and realistic

First, let’s get to the practical advice. You have read every blog post about thru-hiking published since 1842 and have estimated that it will take you five months. A six-hour window is being requested.

Provide yourself with attainable, but challenging, targets. Don’t feel like you have to constantly play catch-up. After a week, if you decide the original plan was a sham, you can toss it and start over until you find something that works for you.

You came here to relax, right? It’s not something you should wear. If you know you won’t be able to maintain your planned mileage average, reduce your yearly mileage goal. What I can promise, however, is that if you change your attitude, refuse to give up, and press on, you will eventually succeed.

14. Write it down

Any author would kill to have the guts to go into the wilderness for months at a time like you have. What a wonderfully romantic idea. However, taking a laptop into the jungle is not as simple as it once was.

Honestly, I’d accept any rationalization. However, you, you wacko, you. It sounds like you’ll be able to share an interesting tale. Be sure to record this. In the future, you will have more free time than you ever imagined possible.

And when you’re old and gray, you’ll be glad you kept track of the time you went on a wild adventure and came out on top. The words themselves may be therapeutic if nothing else. And you’re going to require all the assistance you can get.

15. Money

It’s horrible, and I don’t agree with it, but it’s important for your sanity out there on the trail. There will be plenty to stress about between fighting bears and healing broken bones, so stock up on supplies to last as long as possible.

While puffing along the trail in fine form, many a hiker has been forced to abandon their lifelong goals due to a lack of digits. Things used to be tougher than they are now. No one can blame me, not even if I were flat broke. I could set up my tent in the evening, write my articles, and send them off to my editors in the morning.

Myself and many others in online-dominant professions could easily work and thru-hike at the same time, and this could provide us with some of the distractions necessary to ease the mental strain of the trail.