25 Thru-Hiking Tips for Your FIRST Thru-Hike (In Just 7 Minutes)

Some more suggestions: Have with you, in your fanny pack, two very useful devices against shepherd dogs: some individually sealed dog biscuit, and a pepper spray. Also remember that dogs fear your sticks, they have no idea how light they are. If you go alone in the wild on trails which are not well known and not popular, have with you some communication device: a PMR radio, a VHF-UHF radio, or a satellite device such as a Spot, a Garmin InReach, or a Personal Locating Beacon (PLB), to be used in case you really have a serious problem such as a broken leg. Again, if you go alone on wild places, buy a Recco reflector to put on your rucksack: you buy it only once, it costs you €25, and it can help the SAR team to find you in a moment. Always plan for the worst case. "Be prepared". Always say exactly to some friend or family where you are going, which trail, which route, and stick to that. If a rescue mission must look for you, they will find you in a few hours. Hotel and camping owners will often chat you up on where are you going today and if you are coming back tonight, they don't do it out of curiosity, but because they want to know whether they have to alert the SAR. They are polite toward you and you should spend some time with them showing them what will you be doing. Don't eat fruits just because they look nice and coloured: there are plenty of poisons out there. Before you sit on a stone, always beat the stone with your sticks, so that the eventual snake goes away. Don't just sit on a stone. Never without a hat. In the Apennines, the Alps and in general in those places where you find wild boars, you will also probably find plenty of cows, horses, sheep and the inevitable ticks: study them, how to recognize them, how to recognize the illnesses that they transmit. Disregard American videos regarding shorts, always use long trousers. Have with you some magnesium and potassium pills, to prevent cramps or to cure them. Besides toilet paper, if you want to bring with you some wet wipes, always use the ones "without plastics", marked as "compostable" or "biodegradable". Cover your dejections with some leaves and put some water on your poo to accelerate its degradation. I personally always wear mimetic colours (no red, no yellow, no blue, no "flashy" greens, no white, only olive oil green, light brown, dark brown, dark green, grey, black) in order to be better able to see wild birds: birds perceive bright colours such as yellow and red as very specific signals, they will fly away and you will see less and disturb more. Don't dress as if you were participating in a Himalayan expedition if you love birdwatching. At least, that's me. And frankly, a suggestion which is overlooked by many in Italy when they are in group: don't shout, don't make useless fuss.

Great video. Only one disagreement. As a biologist that spent 23 years sampling for the WV DEP, I have never found a soap that should be used directly in the stream. All are harmful to the microorganisms and macro invertebrates. If, in doubt, get a copy of the SDS and see what it recommends. It always disagrees from what the sales copy says. Instead get a pot of water and walk up on the bank well away from the stream.

I really like the quick, concise, nature of your delivery

The best TP is to take a roll of blue shop towels and cut it in thirds; then peel it off the cardboard. It does not fall apart when damp; and can be moistened to get a cleaner wipe. If an emergency fire needs to be built; it is good kindling ( unlike regular TP) And yes put it in a Ziploc

When I hiked the AT I wore low top trail runners for the first half but I turned my ankles so many times I switched to hiking boots. It was a great decision and I had no problem hiking 28 miles per day in them.

With each clip I watch of you guys I get. More and more exited for my kungsleden trip this August. Well done !

Thank you for the suggestion to tie items in vestibule to your tent. Makes total sense and I've never heard this before.

Gosh I love how this was straight into it, and very useful. Thank you

Great vid. Hope to see more.

I checked out your maps and they are very cool! It makes for a unique gift. Im preparing for my first thru hike and decided I'll buy the map once I complete it as a trophy for myself. 👍

Very helpful, thank you!!

Do Not use the soap in the river Take some water with you 60m awy from it and then wash with soap There I fixed it

love your channel one of those poster is on the gear list :D

great video! My personal hiking tip is to cover your feet with vaseline before wearing socks to prevent blisters!

Excellent and brief, thanks!

Love this ❤️

Perfect video!

So many greats tips in this video! Most of the tips sound so logical and self-evident once you hear them, but I would've never thought about them on my own. Thanks for sharing and explaining :) By the way, I'm new to hiking, and that tip about the toilet paper... well, it sounds a bit too optimistic to me to only carry that little of it ;D

Great tips!

Subbed with that poster plug. Here for it.