I'm planning on walking across the country - any interesting advice, personal stories, positive feedback anyone would like to share?
March 23, 2009 2:12 PM Subscribe
I'm planning on walking across the country - any interesting advice, personal stories, positive feedback anyone would like to share?
This is a personal serendipity quest. I'm not walking in the name of any particular charity or cause - but for my own enlightenment and experience. I started a photo blog to follow my progress.
This is a personal serendipity quest. I'm not walking in the name of any particular charity or cause - but for my own enlightenment and experience. I started a photo blog to follow my progress.
First and foremost, I'd say "carry mace"
Second: Cellphone and charger. Get one of the ones that you can pop a AA battery to use as an emergency backup (also carry a lot of AA batteries).
Third: Have fun and good luck!
posted by DonSlice at 2:34 PM on March 23, 2009
Second: Cellphone and charger. Get one of the ones that you can pop a AA battery to use as an emergency backup (also carry a lot of AA batteries).
Third: Have fun and good luck!
posted by DonSlice at 2:34 PM on March 23, 2009
Which 'country' are you referring to ? The whole world is listening.
posted by southof40 at 2:39 PM on March 23, 2009
posted by southof40 at 2:39 PM on March 23, 2009
Budget for replacement shoes. Consider getting liners and swapping them out each day to mitigate moisture issues. Have stuff mailed ahead (hotels, hostels, post offices, etc., in advance). Avoid highways, stick to rural roads. Wear something reflective and bright both day and night. Plan for some down time. Start with short days (5hrs?) and work your way up to long days (12hrs). Bringa blister kit for the first few weeks. Have a rain coat and rain pants. Synthetics, although lighter and quicker to dry, stink easily. Consider cotton underwear and synthetics for everything else. Have a press release and have someone else notify towns in advance that you are coming. Wear sunscreen, get a hat and sunglasses. Stop and smell the roses.
posted by furtive at 2:41 PM on March 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by furtive at 2:41 PM on March 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
When I was a teen, I would walk everywhere for hours. Just wandering.
The only thing I might offer is that somewhere, someone is going to try to take your head off from a moving vehicle. For me, it was the sensation of a baseball bat whistling past my left ear at 40 miles an hour.
Stay alert.
posted by Thorzdad at 2:43 PM on March 23, 2009
The only thing I might offer is that somewhere, someone is going to try to take your head off from a moving vehicle. For me, it was the sensation of a baseball bat whistling past my left ear at 40 miles an hour.
Stay alert.
posted by Thorzdad at 2:43 PM on March 23, 2009
Response by poster: Thanks everyone who's comment thus far - indeed, stop & smell the roses. And the pine trees..
& I am referring to America - apologies for not making that clear.
posted by horseshoecrab at 2:53 PM on March 23, 2009
& I am referring to America - apologies for not making that clear.
posted by horseshoecrab at 2:53 PM on March 23, 2009
A friend of mine did this. He spent many months on shorter walking tours getting stronger, getting used to the equipment he planned to carry, and all importantly, getting sponsorship/saving for the shoes he would have to replace every month or two, the cost of packs, food, technical clothing, tents, occasional hotel nights etc etc.
It took him almost two years to plan and the actual walk took a year.
posted by wingless_angel at 4:05 PM on March 23, 2009
It took him almost two years to plan and the actual walk took a year.
posted by wingless_angel at 4:05 PM on March 23, 2009
A book on the same topic I really enjoyed was "Walk to New York" about a walk from Northern Ontario of 2,200 km (1400 miles - about half the distance between New York and San Francisco). This sounds like wonderful adventure - good luck and enjoy each moment!
posted by saucysault at 4:22 PM on March 23, 2009
posted by saucysault at 4:22 PM on March 23, 2009
Yeah, seconding reading the experiences of those who've gone before you. Don't overlook cycling logs, as there's some overlap. One I always enjoyed is this one.
I wouldn't worry about anything except for aggressive dogs bolting out of rural proprerties, in which case some mace would be useful.
posted by crapmatic at 4:22 PM on March 23, 2009
I wouldn't worry about anything except for aggressive dogs bolting out of rural proprerties, in which case some mace would be useful.
posted by crapmatic at 4:22 PM on March 23, 2009
Trail Journals will have lots of helpful hiking/long distance walking information and inspiration. You may also be interested in reading information from people who used the American Discovery Trail to cross the country. ADT
posted by BlooPen at 5:54 PM on March 23, 2009
posted by BlooPen at 5:54 PM on March 23, 2009
Two other women who walked across the US:
Granny_D
Peace_Pilgrim
posted by yohko at 10:28 PM on March 23, 2009
Granny_D
Peace_Pilgrim
posted by yohko at 10:28 PM on March 23, 2009
Response by poster: Thanks to everyone who have shared their thoughts!
To hal_c_on:
It's very true, I have no idea how to use a weapon, and I'm not about to start. I have very keen instincts, and if I should get into a situation, well - there must be a lesson involved. But really, I don't have fear, and I think that good vibes attract like.
I have a brand new cell phone that has an amazing battery life that I do not plan on taxing.
As for what I'm carrying, I am going very much minimalist. Basic, tiny, compact. Nothing sentimental. In fact, I will be writing in a journal of sorts and mailing the pages to a friend as I go. As for my camera, it's actually a five year old Cannon Powershot (so thanks for the good camera-usage props!) that doesn't weight much at all. But once I actually leave for the grand adventure, I will be leaving the digital behind and adopting a lo-fi 35mm point and click and mailing the rolls of film to a friend who will develop and scan them for me, then stick them on said blog. It'll be a wild art experiment for both of us!
As for the Forest Gump reference, I had to smile at that - you are not the first person to mention it. And in a way, it does feel like that. The journey, no matter what shape it takes, is what is calling. Enlightenment and awe seem inevitable in all this, and I am just so very excited to be alive and to feel so free. There seems no greater cure for sorrow or stagnation than talking a walk and taking in the world.
Again, thank you : )
posted by horseshoecrab at 6:26 PM on March 24, 2009
To hal_c_on:
It's very true, I have no idea how to use a weapon, and I'm not about to start. I have very keen instincts, and if I should get into a situation, well - there must be a lesson involved. But really, I don't have fear, and I think that good vibes attract like.
I have a brand new cell phone that has an amazing battery life that I do not plan on taxing.
As for what I'm carrying, I am going very much minimalist. Basic, tiny, compact. Nothing sentimental. In fact, I will be writing in a journal of sorts and mailing the pages to a friend as I go. As for my camera, it's actually a five year old Cannon Powershot (so thanks for the good camera-usage props!) that doesn't weight much at all. But once I actually leave for the grand adventure, I will be leaving the digital behind and adopting a lo-fi 35mm point and click and mailing the rolls of film to a friend who will develop and scan them for me, then stick them on said blog. It'll be a wild art experiment for both of us!
As for the Forest Gump reference, I had to smile at that - you are not the first person to mention it. And in a way, it does feel like that. The journey, no matter what shape it takes, is what is calling. Enlightenment and awe seem inevitable in all this, and I am just so very excited to be alive and to feel so free. There seems no greater cure for sorrow or stagnation than talking a walk and taking in the world.
Again, thank you : )
posted by horseshoecrab at 6:26 PM on March 24, 2009
Met a "walker" in Chicago once. His website is here:
http://www.walkforprogress.org/
posted by iamck at 2:56 AM on March 29, 2009
http://www.walkforprogress.org/
posted by iamck at 2:56 AM on March 29, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 2:30 PM on March 23, 2009