Katie Gerber - Adventure Ready: A Hikers Guide to Planning, Training, and Resiliency

Cross-country hiking on the Oregon Desert Trail (Photo by Whitney LaRuffa)

Even after nearly two decades, I (Katie) can vividly recall the excitement I felt the first night I slept in the backcountry. I had never experienced such contentment as I did at the end of a day spent walking through the woods, moving my body as humans are meant to, the sun soaking into my skin, fresh air in my lungs, with natures symphony filling my ears. Unplugging from the incessant onslaught of news, to-do lists, and ever present distractions felt somehow forbiddenand incredibly intoxicating. I didnt grow up backpacking, and the knowledge and skills I now have were learned the hard way. However, with each trip, I deepened my understanding of the natural world and the planning, gear, navigation, training, and safety measures required to immerse myself in it. I found myself exploring the wilderness with increasing confidence. The more comfortable I became in the backcountry, the more present I could be, taking in the fullness of my time spent in nature. While theres no substitute for direct experience, my hope is that the concepts in this book enable you to embark on your next adventure with a greater sense of preparedness, so that you can have your own unique experience in the outdoors.

Like Katie, I (Heather) did not grow up hiking, and when I began backpacking in the early 2000s, there werent a ton of resources, at least when it came to long-distance backpacking, so I learned through trial and error. This learning process was a sometimes painful experience that resulted in lost toenails, pack bruising, blisters, and malnutrition. Yet I loved the experience of spending days, weeks, and months in nature with all I needed in my backpack, so I kept coming back. With each trip I learned more about gear, nutrition, my physical abilities, and how to be safe and content in the woods. The path from neophyte to seasoned backpacker was steep, but today I step onto the trail the same way I walk into my living roomwith ease and comfort. My journey was not unique, and I hope that, with the help of this book, your learning curve will be a bit more gently graded.

Adventure Ready: A Hikers Guide to Planning, Training & Resiliency is the outgrowth of our Adventure Ready online courses which include a holistic hiker course, Adventure Ready, that is a step-by-step guide to creating resilient health before any adventure, as well as Backpacker Academy, which teaches the outdoor skills necessary to safely and confidently explore the backcountry. This book covers similar topics, and you can use it on its own or in conjunction with the more immersive online courses.

The mission behind Adventure Ready is to empower others by synthesizing our own experiences as hikers, runners, and outdoor adventurers with our unique expertise in nutrition and personal training. This guidebook provides a step-by-step approach to learning the basics of gear selection, navigation, and trip planning, as well as nutritional and physical preparation. On top of that, Adventure Ready prepares you for the emotional and mental challenges of spending several weeks or months in the backcountry.

We believe that longer journeys in nature can be life-changing and a gateway to experiencing more of your true self. Together, we hope that this book gives you the tools to become adventure ready!

KATIES STORY

On a drizzly morning in March 2009, I stood under the stone archway at Amicalola Falls State Park, my body propping up the weight of a 55-pound pack full of borrowed gear. I was joining a college friend for the beginning of his Appalachian Trail (AT) thru-hike. At that point in my life, I had been on exactly one overnight backpacking trip ever, and until a few months prior, was unaware of the existence of the AT and the world of long-distance hiking. I had no idea what would come of this adventure, but I was excited.

I hiked 600 miles of the AT that year before a family emergency pulled me back home. But in those six weeks, the trajectory of my life shifted. During those weeks of extended time in nature, I found a connection with myself and the surrounding world that I didnt know Id been missing. I felt like I was where I belonged for the first time in a long time, and I fell in love with the experience and culture of thru-hiking. I also discovered that there were more trails like the AT, trails covering thousands of miles at a stretch, all over the world. A seed was planted, and I had a strong sense that long-distance hiking would become an integral part of my life.

It took five years for me to find my way back to a long trailthis time the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)through the serendipitous ways of the universe. I was working as a baker near Asheville, North Carolina, at the time, staying busy with daily routine and believing that I was content enough. But on my evening and weekend runs through the wooded trails of the Appalachians, I could hear my inner voice calling for greater freedom and adventure.