Comments on: Equipment List: Walk Across America

By: David Biber

David Biber — Sat, 18 May 2013 05:28:11 +0000

I hope I don’t seem inappropriate with this question being a guy asking a girl, but what tips do you have for hygiene on the trail? For example: bathing, laundry, etc. And during those times (with your small list of certain clothing) what did you use for seclusion?

By: Joan Haskell

Joan Haskell — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 15:03:32 +0000

I’ve always wanted to do this but with working, I feel I have to do it in stages or when I retire in 15 years or so, to do the whole thing. I live in AK and figure if I start there and do a variety of states each one – maybe I’ll get to all 50. Any suggestions on that way? Do you know of any groups that walk across America? Thanks for the inspiration!

By: Nesiko Tomoe

Nesiko Tomoe — Thu, 17 May 2012 05:40:53 +0000

Challenge Accepted.
Hearing your trip to walk across the country then up to Seattle, well, for one inspired me and is tempting to do it as well. But more or less, walk to my fiancee state which is in Georgia (since I’m in NJ). Considering I am a competitive- ambitious person. I would feel like if you can do it. Well, so can I. Just the plannin’ of how everything was set up would be my biggest concern. Not to mention financial. (Not to mention i got a rec magazine, very convenient, hah!) Considering I’m not traveling different changes of climate weather the most I would probably experience is rain turning my 11 or so day walk. So any tips you can give me..I would gladly appreciate and take.

By: Vikie

Vikie — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 16:24:13 +0000

Also it seems like a stroller vs a pack would be a lot easier on your back. Hmm, we will definitely take all this into consideration.
Oh one more question,
were there any trails you took or anything that wounds between states?
(We are trying to go through all the states but with as little back tracking as possible)

By: Ameranth

Ameranth — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 17:37:10 +0000

I’m not exactly sure what the overall trip came to, but I think if you had $5,000 you could do it comfortably.

Water and food depend on how you’re carrying your gear. You can carry a lot more, and different kinds, if you have a stroller as opposed to carrying a pack. With the stroller I could carry around two gallons of water, then I also had a camel pak and my dog’s pack had water bladders. There was only one stretch in Utah where we needed more than I could carry. Sometimes I’d just walk up to people’s houses and ask to use their hose to refill the water, and gas stations will let you fill up for free if you explain what you’re doing.

By: Vikie

Vikie — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 16:21:32 +0000

I just wanted to say this is the first list of gear someone has used and I find it really helpful. Two of my friends and myself are planning on taking on this adventure. How much did the over all trip end up costing (without gear)? How did you eat/drink? Water and food seem to be the biggest things stumping us because we plan to walk through every single state, some areas won’t be as populated if even at all, how much water/ food should you carry on hand?

By: Ameranth

Ameranth — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:50:12 +0000

It’s not as scary as people will make you think. Don’t be scared, just be sensible, and don’t give up. Feel free to email me if you’d like to chat more about it – Ameranth at gmail dotcom

By: Tracy Ann Brown (@TwiggyG33)

Tracy Ann Brown (@TwiggyG33) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 19:50:55 +0000

I actually have plans to attempt a walk across the US soon. Do you have any advice for a woman trying to make this journey?

By: Ameranth

Ameranth — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 20:25:38 +0000

I think the final tally was four. Five if you count the one pair I wore for a week and then gave away – made the mistake of trying a new style/shoe. After that I’d always get the same style of New Balance sneakers when the current pair was wearing down.

By: jaxpaboo

jaxpaboo — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 20:19:57 +0000

How many pairs of shoes did you go through?

By: Ameranth

Ameranth — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 20:11:50 +0000

A different stroller. Ha. I think the strollers that are more like bike trailers are better – they’re fully covered so more weather proof and easier to pack. The only problem with them is the front wheel – either it’s awkwardly attached or it’s a stable wheel. I definitely need a front wheel that can swivel/move.

Other than that, nope. I actually had more gear than I needed, and so was pretty comfortable the whole way.

By: thiswomanwanders

thiswomanwanders — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 20:02:22 +0000

Its fun to see all that you had with you. Anything that you really thought would help but was too cost prohibitive?