Pre-Trail "No Stupid Questions" 2025 - A place to post your dubious queries!
I've been busy as all heck this year so I'm posting this later than I'd like, but here it is. Maybe you don't understand a hiker term (is aqua blazing just fancier blue blazing?), or maybe you don't get why people carry a piece of gear you see all the time, or maybe you just want to know what to do when your socks can stand on their own accord.
All top comments must be a question to answer, and all direct replies to the top level question must actually be answering that question. While you can link to the information the user seeks, a brief summary of the answer is required (and a link to the answer source added). IF YOUR RESPONSE DOES NOT ANSWER THE QUESTION IT WILL BE REMOVED. Once the question is answered, further responses to that chain can clarify, offer tidbits, anecdotes, etc.
"You don't need to do that, do it this other way" - This is not an answer to a question unless you also answer their actual question first.
ie: "What tent should i bring?"
Bringing a tent is dumb, bring a hammock!
Please keep in mind that all advice is usually given as the way to allow you to improve your odds of succeeding in your hike. Yes, people have completed the trail with an 80 lb. pack strapped to their back, but the general consensus would be that a lighter pack would make it easier.