My scout troop did this twice in 1968 and again in 1969. There were four pre-hikes of 3-days/2-nights and and you were required to complete 3 of them. We have topo maps, trail maps, and checked in with the US Park Service and Forrest Servics. Although we were hiking the Application Trail, sometimes in those days, you could hike for 3-4 days without seeing a town or a car, and there were few hikers.
Fast forward to today, when I section hike the AT, I usually run into a half dozen hikers on any given day, and rarely are there open bunks or sleep areas in the shelters.
With cell phones and Sat trackers, today it is so easly to head out on your own as I do. Garman’s sat packages offer insurance that covers two medivac’s by Helo’s so again one push of a button and your Air Cav are on the way;)
I am 69 and there is something oftentimes not understood about backpacking and hiking. It is simply walking. You walk and walk. Protect your feet. Don’t bend at the waist. And you continue to walk - you cannot really walk too slow nor fast. Given that your speed is regulated by walking you are limited in mountains to a mile an hour up hill and 1.5-2.0 downhill at my age; on the open terrain I can go up to 3.5 miles an hour. I plan a hike for 8-12 miles per day, and stay hydrated.
It is just walking and constantly - always when moving - LOOKING AT THE TRAIL where your feet are going.
“LOOKING AT THE TRAIL” I miss my horse, it was his job to look at the trail.