Medical Planning

First Aid Kit Philosophy

• Prevent problems before they stop mileage
• Treat common injuries efficiently
• Stabilize serious issues and walk to town
• Resupply in towns—do not overcarry
• Feet are the highest priority

Target weight: 3-6 oz

Kit Contents

Wound Care

• Leukotape (wrapped around straw)
• Alcohol wipes (2-4)
• Non-stick gauze pads (2)
• Medical tape
• QuikClot or clotting gauze (1)
• Neosporin or antibiotic ointment

Foot & Blister Management (Critical)

• Pre-cut Leukotape strips
• Sewing needle or safety pin
• Benzoin tincture wipe
• Anti-chafe stick or balm

Tape early. Do not wait for pain.

Medications

• Ibuprofen (6-10 tablets)
• Antihistamine (4 tablets)
• Anti-diarrheal (4 tablets)
• Personal prescription meds

Winter Add-Ons

• Lip balm with SPF
• Hand cream
• Extra Leukotape
• Chemical hand warmers (2)

Trail Medical Rules

Use Urgent Care For:

• Sprains, strains
• Cuts needing stitches
• Infections
• Dehydration
• Respiratory issues

Dental Red Flags (Do Not Wait):

• Swelling
• Tooth fracture
• Abscess
• Persistent pain

Carry at All Times:

• Temporary dental filling material
• Dental wax
• Ibuprofen + acetaminophen
• Salt packets (warm salt rinses)
• Photos of insurance cards and ID

Medical & Dental Access Points (NOBO)

GEORGIA

Hiawassee, GA — Mile ~69 (via Dick’s Creek Gap)

• Distance: ~11 miles (easy hitch)
• Urgent Care: Available in town
• Dental: Multiple general and emergency-capable offices
• First strong medical/dental access after Springer

NORTH CAROLINA

Franklin, NC — Mile ~110 (via Winding Stair Gap)

• Distance: ~10 miles
• Urgent Care: Walk-in clinics available
• Dental: Emergency and general (same-day common)
• Excellent for infections, swelling, cracked teeth, joint injuries

Hot Springs, NC — Mile ~275

• Trail passes directly through town
• Urgent Care: Limited locally; Asheville (~35 miles) for serious issues
• Dental: General dentistry only
• Minor issues only—anything serious requires Asheville

TENNESSEE

Erwin / Johnson City, TN — Mile ~342

• Distance: 5–15 miles
• Urgent Care: Multiple centers
• Dental: Emergency clinics in Johnson City
• One of the strongest early-trail medical zones

VIRGINIA

Damascus / Abingdon, VA — Mile ~469

• Damascus walkable; Abingdon ~15 miles
• Urgent Care: Multiple clinics
• Dental: Emergency and general
• Ideal location to fix problems before they escalate

Daleville / Roanoke, VA — Mile ~728

• Distance: 1–6 miles (some walkable)
• Urgent Care: Multiple facilities
• Dental: Extensive emergency and general
• Top-tier medical/dental zone. Strongly recommended for unresolved issues.

Waynesboro, VA — Mile ~880

• Distance: ~5 miles
• Urgent Care: Augusta Health Urgent Care
• Dental: Emergency and general available
• Last major fix-it stop before Shenandoah

Front Royal, VA — Mile ~999

• Distance: ~5 miles
• Urgent Care: Valley Health Urgent Care
• Dental: Emergency clinics available
• Excellent care access before Mid-Atlantic terrain

WEST VIRGINIA / MARYLAND

Harpers Ferry, WV — Mile ~1,025

• Distance: Walkable
• Urgent Care: Available locally and in nearby Maryland
• Dental: Emergency in Hagerstown, MD
• Hospital: Meritus Medical Center (ER)
• Major hub with reliable transportation and care

PENNSYLVANIA

Duncannon, PA — Mile ~1,145

• Distance: Walkable
• Urgent Care: Regional (Harrisburg area)
• Dental: Emergency in Harrisburg
• PA is hard on feet and joints—do not delay treatment

Delaware Water Gap, PA — Mile ~1,298

• Distance: Walkable
• Urgent Care: St. Luke’s (East Stroudsburg)
• Dental: Emergency clinics nearby
• Hospital: St. Luke’s Hospital — Monroe Campus
• Strong overlap of urgent care, dental, and hospital

NEW YORK

Bear Mountain / Fort Montgomery, NY — Mile ~1,410

• Distance: ~3–5 miles
• Urgent Care: Hudson Valley clinics
• Dental: Emergency and general

MASSACHUSETTS

Great Barrington, MA — Mile ~1,538

• Distance: ~5 miles
• Urgent Care: Fairview Hospital Walk-In Care
• Dental: Emergency and general available

Dalton, MA — Mile ~1,570

• Distance: Walkable
• Urgent Care: BMC Hillcrest (Pittsfield, ~10 miles)
• Dental: General in town
• Last reliable access before Vermont

VERMONT

Bennington, VT — Mile ~1,600

• Distance: ~5 miles
• Urgent Care: Southwestern Vermont Medical Center
• Hospital: Southwestern Vermont Medical Center
• First major medical hub in Vermont

Killington, VT — Mile ~1,700

• Distance: ~5 miles
• Urgent Care: Rutland Regional (~15 miles)
• Dental: Emergency in Rutland
• Last significant access before the Whites

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Hanover / Lebanon, NH — Mile ~1,747

• Distance: Walkable
• Urgent Care: Dartmouth-Hitchcock Urgent Care
• Dental: Emergency clinics available
• Hospital: Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
• Critical stop before White Mountains. Fix everything here.

Gorham, NH — Mile ~1,898

• Distance: ~2–3 miles
• Urgent Care: Limited; Conway (~30 miles)
• Dental: Very limited
• Do not ignore dental pain at this point

MAINE

Andover, ME — Mile ~1,975

• Distance: ~1 mile
• Urgent Care: Very limited; Rumford (~20 miles)
• Last minor services before Monson

Monson, ME — Mile ~2,077

• Distance: Walkable
• Urgent Care: Limited; Bangor (~90 miles)
• Enter the 100-Mile Wilderness with zero medical or dental issues.

Millinocket, ME — Mile ~2,183

• Distance: ~15 miles
• Urgent Care: Regional available
• Dental: General available
• Hospital: Katahdin Region Hospital
• Primary medical hub for final stretch

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