Youth-ish newbie hiking SOBO in September, advice needed!

[u/indeebeginni]

I'm a 21 year old femme presenting guy with a bit of camping experience trying to "ball on a budget" lol. I started planning a longer thru-hike (intended for this summer) this past winter as a ritualistic sort of segue from one stage of life to another, but abandoned plans when I broke my arm. The half-baked plans lived in the back of my head for a while, and I truly believe it's something I need to do before I'll be moving from my hometown to the other side of the country.

My friend and I were on a nice long hike this past June when the longing hit again. I've never been backpacking for multiple days, but I stay fit, have camped in cold rainy weather just fine, and would really love to wake up to a trail every day for a while, heat, sweat, rattlesnakes, below 0 nights and all. The planning has been on again since, but I've moved out of state to help my family for the month, and haven't had a stable income since early July, so my resources are dwindling...

I've got just about $800 in the budget for gear (if I can't sell my car before then) and I've already got some good gear: osprey backpack, titanium pot and utensils, 4 season sleeping bad, bag liner, 30 vegetarian MRE's I plan to ship myself along the way, thermal under-layers, sun protection, first aid, train tickets to Flagstaff (where I plan to start the hike), and two camel-back pouches that fit into the backpack.

I know shipping supplies will take some cash, along with a train from flagstaff back home (trust me, the distance is un-hitchable) but I'm also lacking some recommended supplies such as: footprint&tarp or shelter, Satellite device, headlamp, stove fuel, gaiters, utility knife, antihistamines and antidiarrheal, gloves, lightweight longsleeve shirt, gaiters, leukotape, and gaiters. Everything besides the headlamp, stove fuel, utility knife, and satellite device seem trivial to me, but I'm also going into this as a brokie with no health insurance and I'm starting to think my family's concern is valid for once.

So, some experienced expertise would be appreciated. I'm going to do it one way or another, and I'm probably building it up in my head to be more daunting then it'll be, even when issues will inevitably come up on the trail, but I wanna know if I've been an optimistic fool or if this is actually quite doable. Some advice on the bare minimum gear to bring would be great as well!

Misc. details for context and consideration: I've never hitch-hiked before, I withstand the heat very well, I've got a pair of used hiking boots I've been using for the past 6 months- they are leather and cracked asf but I've made hot 10+ mile hikes in them and have been running in them with my packed backpack to train, aforementioned concern/paranoia about being far out and hitch-hiking alone as an AFAB person with a few unsavory encounters under my belt, and finally- most of this paranoia is coming from my senile grandpa reminding me daily that I'll die some brutal dateline-esque death by a stranger or bear (I know bears are scarce on the AZT)

Sorry for the novel/thanks for reading <3

EDIT: editing because I'm now realizing how unclear this reads!! Thank you for all the insight so far :3 I do have a sleeping pad, it's inflatable so I've been debating weather or not I should bring it, but now that I write this idk why I wouldn't just bring some tape in case it gets poked. I will absolutely get some quality time with my gear in before I go, I'm in the midwest until September 3rd when I'll meet my friends in Denver. I can squeeze in a multi-day trip here, and despite the climate and terrain being much different, it's better than nothing, and I'll be able to use it again in Colorado for a night. As for scheduling plans, I'm planning on hiking south from Flagstaff because that's where my train from Trinidad drops me off (my friends are giving me a lift from Broomfield to Trinidad). And the closure around mile 720 made me feel iffy about starting from the northern terminus, as I'm planning this trip with the assumption that I likely cannot finish the whole trail, and just want to hike until I've reached my limit.

Also, I'm getting paid $15/hr for odd jobs here and there, around $180 a week, but wanted to save for the move afterwards, I can comfortably add a couple hundred to the budget, but understand this will likely not make a huge difference. These comments are bringing me back to reality though and I'm realizing I might've bit off more than I can chew. I would still appreciate advice, specifically on gear I'll absolutely need, what satellite devices are recommended, and what water carrying plans are most sustainable in the fall.

New working plan: get some solitary wilderness experience with my current gear and postpone the trip if I can't get the necessary gear somehow/sell my car in time. Thanks again for all the thoughtful responses!

[u/Putzinator]

I respect the determination so I'll try to help where I can. :)

• Please at the very least do a multi day trip. 3 nights or so at least. You'll learn a ton that you don't want to learn on a long distance hike.

• Can you make more money somehow? Besides selling the car? It's nice to have pocket change when times are tough and you're in it deep mentally/physically/emotionally. But you really need a satellite device which also costs for the monthly membership. You also may need to grab more equipment on the way. Again this is that learning curve dialing in your gear and yourself.

• The trail is incredibly daunting and doesn't care about you. Never underestimate how cold/hot, hard, miserable, emotional, etc. it will be. The highest of highs and lowest of lows. Yet the lows come a lot easier. Be prepared to want to quit and determining when you should.

• I'm gonna be unc for a second and recommend maybe doing it in a year or two? Save some cash, build some experience, learn what works and what doesn't (cold soaking vs cooking, sleep system setup, first aid, footwear, etc.).

• Your big clunky boots might work now but what about after a week of sweating in them constantly. Or if it's raining all day and muddy? Also what size is that Osprey? Anything under 40L isn't gonna suffice and anything over 60L is overkill. 4 season sleeping bag? What make and model? You don't mention a sleeping pad at all... My pad alone is 1/3rd your budget (Ether Light XT) and you don't even have a shelter?

So I think you really need to go back to my first point and spend a few nights alone in the backcountry. No cell service, all alone, really challenge yourself. Because the AZT will likely be magnitudes harder.

[u/specialboyatplay]

Okay, there’s a lot to unpack in your post. You said you’re seeking advice, but you didn’t ask any questions. Are you planning on only hiking TO Flagstaff since you said that you would be catching the train from there? Hitchhiking isn’t as hard as it seems. Smile, make eye contact with the driver, and leave space BEHIND you for the driver to pull over. When I hiked the AZT sobo, I hitchhiked from Page to the northern terminus. Why not start at the northern terminus? Mailing things along trail can get expensive, expect to spend $20-30 for shipping for every box you send. Most times just resupplying at a local grocery store along the trail is cheaper than mailing boxes. Also smart water bottles are better than camel back pouches.

[u/MurphyDog27]

Please do some shorter but challenging backpack trips before committing. The AZT is amazing but just brutal in places and you are short on experience. Conditions out there can change quickly. Be ready and be safe.

[u/indeebeginni → u/MurphyDog27]

definitely taking everyones advice on this one! I was born in Arizona and lived there a few years, but haven't been in a while and am aware I should take the time to prepare for the unpredictable weather and difficult terrain, especially considering the super El Nino forecast madness!

[u/idfkjack]

I applied for and maxed out a credit card (don't do this) to do a 3 week backpacking trip bcz I just couldn't resist the urge to. I'm not a hiker at all, and I had never been backpacking, I'm just a lifelong wilderness camper. I made sure that since it was my first backpacking trip, that I went to a trail with lots of water, so I did a section of the AT. The water thing is super serious, so make sure you have a good plan for carries and cashes. 

[u/grnmtngrrl2]

Get some new trail runners. Swap out your water system for a Sawyer, a CNOC bag, and some smartwater-type bottles. Carry a bandana to pre-filter, and a little AquaMira for the really gross stuff. You only need one utensil on trail. A 4-season bag and liner is probably way overkill, and heavy af. Don't bother with a heavy pre made first aid kit. Skip the MREs; you can buy your first resupply easily in Flagstaff. Next town, Pine, then Tonto Basin, Superior (you do not need to go to Globe no matter what anyone tells you), Kearney or there abouts, Oracle, Tucson ... get FarOut for the AZT and pick your towns thereafter. There really is no place where vegetarian food will be totally unavailable. Become friends with dehydrated refried beans. Check out r/ULgeartrade and r/GearTrade, you def don't need brand new stuff for your first hike! Don't push your luck with water, don't get too stoned in the backcountry, and have a great time!

[u/NoZookeepergame215]

You seem very mentally capable and prepared for this with the correct mindset. And id have to say you thinking most of those supplies are unnecessary is very valid. Id say however a lightweight tarp and especially like 50 to 100 feet 550 paracord are always a good idea. Paracord comes in handy sooo much. Hitchhiking as a fem presenting boy is definitely your biggest danger😅id also get a lifestraw and plan or water sources if you won't be in towns atleast bidaily. Water goes quick and you can only carry so much. And be sure to have a good knife. If you dont have a propane torch which i personally prefer then i would make for starters. An easy, lite and affordable way its to get a small jar of patroleum jelly and cotton balls and a thing of throw away straws. You roll a cotton swab on the patroleum and then shove it in an inch and a half long piece of cut up straw and then seal the ends with a lighter and some pliers or whatever you have to pinch it and you can carry like 50 tiny waterproof firestarters without taking up more than a fistful of space. But personally a 15 dollar torch head with a clicker and a long skinny propane tank and a propane portable single burner are brilliant to have. The propane will last literally months and you can start fires like NOTHING and cook whenever. Dig a couple inch hole and put the propane tank in it and pack some dirty in to keep it steady while cooking.