This was the first AT section hike for which I did extensive training. I began walking with a pack and taking a fully loaded pack into the Y (when it was raining) about 3 weeks before the actual hike. I can certainly affirm the usefulness of pre-emptive training, especially for my knees by lunging and hopping intermittently (thank you, Backpacker magazine). It usually takes me 5 days to feel trail savvy, and with the exercise I cut that time in half. Plus, I never really obtained that deep lactic soreness in my thighs and hamstrings. Those things make for happy hikers! :)It is always odd to me that the AT can be SO remote at times (like this pic from Raven Rock cliffs), and yet also be so stinking close to civilization. At Pine Knob, we were less than a mile from I-70 (nice traffic hum) and there was another hiker who was listening to Pandora's "stand-up comedian" channel. In those moments, I'm glad I packed a tent although I really didn't escape the interstate noise.
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