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c/backpacking-routesnorab21norab2111d agoTop Commenter

Ran into a PCT thru-hiker at the grocery store who changed my planning approach

I was stocking up on dehydrated meals and an older guy with a trail-worn pack told me to ditch the detailed itinerary and just carry a map and a phone. Said the best routes come from talking to others on the trail, not from a spreadsheet. Has anyone else found that kind of loose planning works better for longer trips?
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2 Comments
grace_gonzalez46
Saying "the best routes come from talking to others" sounds nice but that's how you end up following someone else's plan instead of your own. A spreadsheet takes work up front but saves you from running out of food or missing a water source when that trail gossip sends you the wrong way. Having a solid plan means you can actually enjoy the random conversations without worrying if you'll have a place to sleep that night.
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bennett.mason
How many miles did you end up having to backtrack when that system failed?
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