Hiking PA Michaux section in one day

Gear Questions/Advice

Hello,

I am going to be graduating college soon. I was in horrible accident 22 months ago, I had 4 spinal fractures and many other broken bones and I want to hike the 45.6 miles in one day as my celebration of life hike.

Ive done 26 miles (1800 elevation) in one day before as my last celebration of life hike. I have played all day in sports tournaments. I have ran 10ks and one half marathon. I would try to hold 3 mile+ on flats and have held 2.6 on uphills when hiking through the maroon bell passes. I am very farmiliar with michaux and have hiked around 400 miles of its trails. Tuesday is showing 55 at 4am, a 78 non sunny high and 64 at midnight.

Its about 3000 feet of elevation and I have a loving girlfriend willing to drop me at 4am, meet me at the midpoint for a restock on baltimore road, and pick me up around midnight.

I have done a few night hikes before but not that level of mileage at night. Im not afraid of bears or coyotes as I have already encountered them at night and successfully scared them off.

I know I would need around 30 lbs of liquids or more. I dont have any fancy hiking gear, would be an eddie Bauer backpack.

-10 32 oz body armors, probalbly half of the lite

-108 oz of water

-massive flashlight (500 foot range) and spare battery rails

-bear spray

-handy dandy talon knife

-bandaids for blisters

-spare undies and socks

-some wipes for the trails and a baggie for the used ones

-tums and ibuprofen

-lightweight hoodie for the morning

-compression shirt and shorts under neath

-reverse taping my socks because lonestar ticks scare me the most out of any wildlife

-portable charger for phone and flashlight rails

Looking for advice, from people who have done similar milage in a day. Also taking tips on the packing list.

Posted May 2, 2026, 2:00 PM UTC

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