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Heya /trv/ Anonymous
I'd like to walk from Chicago, Illinois to Eugene, Oregon. I don't know that much about traveling, so I'd appreciate any tips or advice.

I've never walked for more than a few hours before and am not that fit, but I enjoy walking and I believe I could relatively easily get used to walking entire days.

I'd make sure to have enough money for sustenance and shelter, and for an emergency trip back, with more left over.

I'd be walking by myself. I don't know how dangerous that is, so I'd appreciate any pointers on this. I'm a slim-built 6'1" man.

So, any tips you guys could give me? This is something I'd love to do. How dangerous would it be and how expensive relative to taking a plane or train?
>> Anonymous
First off, don't underestimate the trip and think that you can do it no problem without properly preparing your body. If this is actually in seriousness, then you need to build up your leg strength in the form of long-term, low volume leg workouts to compound muscle growth and maintain endurance.

Second, I'd get a good pair of cross-training shoes - try NewBalance.

Third, as far as money, I'd bring alot. You're not going to be able to cover a lot of distance each day, therefore, you need to make sure that you have enough money to pay for rooms/food over a very long period of time. I recommend carrying Cashier's checks or a credit/debt card just in case you walk into the wrong neighborhood.
>> Anonymous
>>68357
Nice advice, thanks a ton!
>> Anonymous
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Ambitious idea, man. The main concern I have is that if you take the shortest path, you will be trekking through the most remote areas of the the States.
>> Anonymous
Just because Forrest Gump did it in a movie doesn't mean you can too.
>> Anonymous
>>68361
Hey thanks! Yeah, I was thinking of that. I'm going to go through a map and plan a path with a relatively large amount of rest stops, motels and populated cities, and develop lots of backup plans beforehand instead of something screws up.

Thanks again for that!
>> Anonymous
>>68366
Didn't watch that movie..
>> Anonymous
>>68357
>>First off, don't underestimate the trip and think that you can do it no problem without properly preparing your body. If this is actually in seriousness, then you need to build up your leg strength in the form of long-term, low volume leg workouts to compound muscle growth and maintain endurance.

I think that's bullshit. Just train to walk long hours, don't do stupid exercises in a gym.

>>Second, I'd get a good pair of cross-training shoes - try NewBalance.
He's gonna need more than one pair. And I'd rather think he would need hiking shoes.
>> m2
>>68357

I'm no shoe expert, but being an ex-mailman i'm absolutely against new balance, while theyre indeed very comfortable for long walks, they wear extremely fast in comparison to my ecco s.

new balance won't last you a state and i''ve been doing my job 4 days a week on the same pair of shoes without signs of even mild wearing last year, next to wearing them to pretty much everywhere i went in my private time.

As for 68371 , he's right. Training for this in a gym won't do you much good.
Training outdoors, preferably not on concrete or pavements, is much better for your case since the gym only provides a treadmill with flat ground , whereas a country road will contain lumps, bumps and rocks. It's not just a matter of training your leg muscles but also those in your feet and hips, so they can correct your stance when you misplace your foot and you don't end up with a sprained ankle in your first 10 miles. And that's something you can't achieve in a gym.
>> Anonymous
Thanks for all the help, guys.

Seriously.
>> Anonymous
The most I ever walked in a day was about 25 or so miles. Boy, were my legs and back sore. I was also in good physical condition, used to doing things like riding my bike 20 or more miles after working 8 hours. Some people will definitely fuck with you, especially in redneck areas. Some hicks threw an extra large soda from a fast food place at me once. Hillbillies aren't used to seeing bicycles on the road and sometimes decide to fuck with you when you're pedaling. But again, some people in those areas are super nice. I've had a ton of people offer me rides. Your mileage may vary. My friends me up with a Scottish guy who was backpacking across the US for some cause and he had tons of stories of people fucking with him. Have fun with it, but be on your guard.
>> Anonymous
>>68389
I'm currently a mailman in Sweden, and I'd like to advice you to stay away from ReBook too. Took only a couple of months before they started getting holes and shit.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
I'll be walking the West Highland Way next year in May. Anyone wants to join?
>> Anonymous
>>68501
Man, i'd be up for the walking but the highlands just doesn't seem that attractive you know there isnt much going on up in the hills, apart from the beautiful scenery of course, I prefer walking along roads and more urban stuff, I might do this from say france to russia next year
>> Anonymous
>>68501

only if i can rape you at the end
>> Anonymous
>>68506
No way, faggot.
>> Anonymous
>>68508
I'm a girl
>> Anonymous
>>68509
A woman can never rape a man. But I'll allow you to try.
>> Anonymous
good luck crossing the rockies.
>> Anonymous
OP: You realize that there is nothing between the mississippi river and the rocky mountains, right?
>> Anonymous
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>>68511
>> Anonymous
>>68371
>>68357
>>68389

I would suggest some military-grade hiking boots.
Try asking /k/ for some boot-recommendations, and basically any tips. But for now, I would suggest MilTech's boots, they're pretty good quality.
>> Anonymous
Just get out there and go. The best training for walking long distances is to walk long distances. Get the lightest pack you possibly can with the lightest equipment and don't take anything that isn't absolutely essential. Do a couple of one-day practice walks with your pack and a map and compass to get used to it, then go. I've done the Pacific Crest Trail, the Appalachian Trail and most of the new trans-European routes and they all started the same way - picking up my pack and walking.

Walking by yourself isn't very dangerous at all as long as you've got some sense, decent equipment and basic navigation skills. I carry an eTrex GPS device with mapping, but a good old fashioned map and compass works perfectly well as long as you get a little practice in using it.
>> Anonymous
If you're sticking to rural areas, wild camping shouldn't be a problem - find somewhere discreet, pitch your tent in the dying of the light and pack up at dawn. You'll want to have the odd night in a cheap motel to get a hot shower and a proper bed. If you're carrying a basic cook kit (my preferred system is a small woodstove, a large aluminium mug with lid and a LightMyFire spork) then food should cost no more than a couple of bucks a day - oatmeal, instant soups, ramen noodles, cous cous and nuts provide the bulk of my calories when travelling, with fresh fruit and veg whenever I pass through towns.

Forget fancy kit - it just doesn't stand up to long-distance travel. HiTec trail shoes or boots are the preferred choice of most people I know - they're not the fanciest or the most durable of boots, but they're readily available, comfy for most feet and very cheap for the mileage you get out of them. Don't worry too much about kit, if it works for you then it's the right kit - focus on carrying as little stuff as you can get away with and always try to get the lightest equipment you can afford. Almost without exception, British soldiers use Snukpak Softie sleeping bags, Karrimor Sabre rucksacks and Buffalo smocks in preference to their issued kit, which should give you an idea. The Hilleberg Akto tent is stunningly good, but just as stunningly pricey. The Gelert Solo is tolerably usable and stunningly cheap. Silva compasses are the only ones to buy - get the cheapest baseplate model, the Field 7 IIRC.
>> Anonymous
Its been done.

http://www.thefatmanwalking.com/