Trailspace.com is publishing a four-part series on how to plan for, and conquer, long-distance hiking. While the first article focuses on a few of the monster trails in the US, the advice–based on input from hundreds of trekkers–applies to just about any long-distance situation. In addition to this video of a family that hiked the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail over six months in 2004, highlights include:

* Get by on as little gear as possible
* Train regularly, and with extra weight
* If you plan to travel alone, train alone

Meanwhile, Kiwi adventurer Malcolm Law is about to set out on his 7 in 7 challenge in New Zealand: Hiking 223 miles of trail (7 of New Zealand’s Great Walks) in just 7 days. He says he plans to “make pain my friend.” Good cause, good goal. Happy trekking, Mal!