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Used to plan every mile of a backpacking trip down to the campsite, now I just pick a trailhead and wing it
After getting stuck in a rainstorm on the Appalachian Trail in Virginia last fall because my rigid itinerary had me 3 miles from any shelter, I decided to just carry a map and make calls as I go, and honestly my last trip in the Smokies was way more fun, has anyone else ditched their spreadsheets for spontaneity?
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thomas_young20d ago
Haha, I get what you're saying about the spreadsheets, but I actually see it a little differently. For me, having a loose plan saved my bacon on the JMT a couple years ago when I knew exactly where the next reliable water source was 4 miles ahead. That map you're carrying is already a form of planning, just with a lot less detail. I think there's a happy medium where you still check the basics like bailout points and water availability, but leave your daily mileage open to whatever vibe you're feeling. The rainstorm story sounds rough though, definitely a good lesson in not painting yourself into a corner out there.
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