Prepping for the Appalachian Trail (during COVID-19)

Kelly Okun and her friend start their Appalachian Trail section hike.

The beginning of our trek at Rockfish Gap. Don’t worry, we repacked our bags when we got to the first campsite so I didn’t have that green monstrosity keeping me off-balance the whole trip.

My friend, Eliza, and I have dreamt of hiking on the Appalachian Trail since we first met at a backpacking camp when we were 12. Our summer camp was based in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia; after moving to Virginia in 2020, it only made sense to hike the Shenandoah National Park section of the trail.

Despite the determination to cross this off our bucket list, I was actually quite nervous. Not only was I out of shape, but I was also training for this long trek when COVID-19 vaccinations were first introduced. Avoiding long crowds to break in my new hiking boots proved to be a workout in itself (though running around to different CVS stores to try to find an early vaccine was more exhausting).

As with any daunting task, I made a list.

Here is how I prepared for my AT section hike during COVID-19:

  • Scheduled months’ worth of workouts and cardio days

  • Bought a state park pass that paid for itself after one weekend of hiking

  • Invested in some serious backpacking gear (and bear spray)

  • Found gluten-free backpacking food (gold for a Celiac!)

  • Planned each day of the trip, including camp sites, water stops and a resupply

  • Registered for our backcountry camping permits and trail section hike

Other than searching for vaccines in March 2021, finding non-crowded trails and buying gear virtually, my preparation for the Appalachian Trail was probably similar to most hikers’ pre-COVID.

I was most excited about mapping out our mileage and elevation for each day. We saw there were shelters along the trail, so we decided to plan our days around those; once we were on the trail, we agreed to only use our backcountry camping permits in an emergency because the shelters were great.

Here was our original itinerary:

  • Starting Point: Rockfish Gap in Waynesboro, VA

  • Night 1: Calf Mountain Shelter – 8.3 miles

  • Night 2: Blackrock Hut – 12.6 miles

  • Night 3: Pinefield Hut – 12.8 miles

  • Night 4: Hightop Hut – 8.5 miles

  • Night 5: Bearfence Mountain Hut – 11.9 miles

  • Night 6: Rock Spring Hut – 11.2 miles

  • Night 7: Byrds Nest #3 Hut – 11.3 miles

  • Night 8: Pass Mountain Hut – 4.5 miles

  • Night 9: Gravel Springs Hut – 12.3 miles

  • End Point: Compton Gap in Front Royal, VA – 11.9 miles

This itinerary accomplished our goal of hiking 100 miles on the Appalachian Trail. We wanted to hike for 10 full days, though we camped in Waynesboro the night before to get an early jump. We also thought it’d be a smart idea to end on a Saturday so we could have Sunday to rest before heading back to our WFH offices (or an extra day of hiking if our miles fell short one day).

Another last-minute decision we made was to have our other camp friend, Stephanie, join us about halfway through for a resupply. Food is the heaviest part of the backpack, so not having to carry 10 days’ worth at once was a relief.

What’s in the Backpack:

  • 50L Osprey backpack

  • 20 degree women’s sleeping bag

  • Ultralite sleeping pad

  • Inflatable pillow (highly recommend)

  • 2-person tent

  • First aid kit (with iodine pills and an emergency blanket)

  • Duct tape

  • 1 whistle

  • 1 mask

  • Two bear bags

  • 10 Backpacker’s Pantry freeze-dried meals

  • Homemade trail mix

  • Apples and bananas

  • Larabars

  • 1 spoon

  • 2 1-liter nalgenes

  • 1 water drum

  • Water filter

  • 1 portable stove and fuel

  • 2 lighters

  • 2 shirts

  • 2 shorts

  • 2 pairs of leggings (one Under Armour for cold weather)

  • 1 pullover

  • 1 puffy jacket

  • 1 rain jacket

  • 2 hats (golf hat and beanie)

  • 1 pair of running gloves

  • 3 pairs of wool socks

  • La Sportiva hiking boots

  • Tevas

  • Trekking poles

  • Headlamp

  • Extra batteries

  • Journal

  • Pen

  • Cameras

  • Portable charger/cords

  • Phone

  • Guidebook/map

  • Compass

  • Bear spray

  • Toiletries

  • Hand sanitizer

  • Biodegradable toilet paper

My friend and I had no idea what to expect when we were dropped off at Rockfish Gap. We didn’t know what “huts” meant, if we packed all the right gear or if we’d even make it past the resupply. But we did know we were going on an adventure of a lifetime, and we couldn’t wait.

Blog, Homepage, OutdoorsKelly OkunAppalachian Trail, Hiking, Backpacking