A Thru-Hiker’s Top Tips for Efficiency in Town

One of the number one questions I get from potential thru-hikers is how to budget the amount of time their hike will take them. Those on limited time frames, such as those returning to school, are often concerned about how to ensure they can complete their hike in the amount of time they have allotted.

The mistake I see many people making when planning the amount of time their hike will take and their resupply strategy is taking the total number of miles of the trail and dividing it by the number of days they have. However, while this is a starting point, it’s far too simplistic.

There are several reasons for this. Perhaps you have done that math and come up with a number such as 8 miles per day. While some people may hike 8 miles every day throughout a hike, it’s unusual. Most people will gradually increase their miles as time goes on. Perhaps you’ve done the math and you arrive at 20 miles a day. This is also unrealistic, since few people hike that many miles per day for the entire duration of their hike. You’ll need to account for time off in town.

Town is the number one place hikers not only spend money, but it is also the place they loose the most time. If time restrictions are an aspect of your thru-hike, these efficiency tips can help you make the most of your limited time.

Master the Near-O

The most efficient way to tackle a town stop is to minimize the amount of stop involved. By reducing the number of nights you stay in town, you increase the number of miles you cover per day. A classic near-o (which is short for nearly zero miles), as opposed to a full zero where you stay in town, involves camping a mile or two before town. The next morning, you hike into town, complete all your chores, and then hike a mile or two out of town. This not only saves you money, but keeps you moving.

Send a Box, but not to a Post Office

When planning a resupply strategy many hikers choose to send boxes instead of trying to obtain supplies in town. Sometimes this is out of necessity when there isn’t a store, and other times it’s an option made out of convenience to make the town stop go faster. If you decide to send a box, look for options to send it to businesses rather than the post office. Post offices frequently have limited hours and are closed on weekends, making it harder to be efficient if you hit town when they’re closed. Rather than waiting on limited postal hours, fetching your box from a business can help you make resupplying even more efficient.

Choose Lodging Strategically

When you do opt to stay in town, make a plan before you arrive. Use apps, guides, or maps to determine the locations of all the places you need to go. Choose lodging that is close to all of these options, or better yet, one that offers them. Hotels or hostels that have laundry and breakfast can allow you to rest in your room while your clothes are getting clean and obviate the need to find a place to eat in the morning. The less walking around town that you need to do while you’re there the more time and energy you’ll save.

By thinking critically about your goals you can reduce inefficiencies and maximize your enjoyment while on trail and in town.