How does one prepare to embark on a 7,000 mile journey? In short, a lot of hours and a lot of help.

Jeff 'Legend' Garmire prepared for the GWL over a two-week span when he completed the hike in 2018, but he had already hiked the PCT twice and both the PNT and CDT once before attempting the Great Western Loop.

Unlike Legend, I don't have the luxury of hundreds of nights in the backcountry. My preparation started over a year ago by taking backpacking trips in climates I'll experience on the GWL, but the learning curve is steep. The rest of my preparation has focused on three other areas:

- Logistical Prep: planning the route, figuring out gear, preparing food, quitting my job, etc

- Physical Prep: training my body to be prepared as possible

- Mental Prep: preparing my mind to be in tough situations and to be alone