Steps to Prepare for a Thruhike

Common tasks to complete prior to beginning a thruhike.

Friends, Family, and Employment

Find a person or service to handle your mail
Notify your landlord and employer
Ensure a trusted person has access to important personal documents and passwords in the event of an emergency

Arrange travel to your starting point.
Learn which phone carriers are most reliable for your trail, and consider switching, if necessary.
Setup your blog/social media/etc.
Put your belonging in storage.
Set your email vacation reminder.
If you have a vehicle that will be placed in storage or not driven, have someone routinely run the vehicle, or disconnect the battery and add a fuel stabilizer to the gas tank

Figure out section-specific gear. Will you need warmer layers? An ice axe? Extra water capacity?
Check the condition of your gear, and make any needed repairs.
Plan to bring a power bank for your devices with enough capacity to last between opportunities to recharge

Obtain all necessary permits for trail, campsites, and campfires.
Confirm that water sources will be available during your intended timeframe.
Learn about the resupply options on your trail. Determine if and where you would like to send resupply boxes.
Keep an eye on the snowpack, if applicable.

Cancel your car insurance and, if applicable, surrender plates/registration. Depending on location, local laws may require comprehensive-only/parked car insurance, even if a car is in storage.
Cancel or pause subscriptions.
Ensure all bills are set to autopay with email and text notifications turned on for payment status
Notify your credit card company you’ll be traveling. Make sure you know your debit PIN.
Check the expiration date on credit and debit cards, drivers license, passport, and so on. Renewing while on the trail can be difficult.
Lock credit reports
File taxes

Research and physically train according to the conditions expected on trail.
Practice snow traversal with microspikes/crampons and self-arrest using your ice axe.
Review the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace.
Go on some shakedown hikes to test your gear and comfort levels.
Practice throwing a bear hang, if necessary.
Learn to identify plants such as poison ivy, poison oak, and poodle-dog bush, and learn how to safely remove ticks.
Learn wilderness first aid skills.

Visit your doctor for a check-up, and renew prescriptions for the duration you expect to be on trail.
Obtain vaccinations/boosters.
Make a dentist appointment.
Purchase health insurance that provides coverage for the entirety of the trail. Some healthcare plans now include optional coverage for wilderness rescue.

If bringing a GPS device/beacon, set up the subscription, configure the device, and practice using it. Share GPS tracker access information with key family/friends.
Learn how to configure your devices, e.g. cell phone and GPS device, for optimal battery life. Common options include backlight timeout, airplane/low power mode, and disabling background apps and services.
Download books, movies, and music for offline entertainment when no cellphone connectivity exists
Download both navigation apps and offline mapping