[ckissick]

Use trekking poles! How high up will you get? What's the highest elevation you've ever been while hiking? You need to make sure you can handle the altitude. Some can't, even with acclimatization.

I like light trail shoes. I even hiked to the top of Mount Shasta last year in them. The only time I wear heavy leather boots is when I need crampons or snowshoes, or have a very heavy pack in rugged terrain. The lighter the footwear, the better, for me. The leg fatigue is much less with lighter shoes.

And I don't go for Gore-Tex. I prefer breathable shoes, and Gore-Tex is not as breathable as they would have you believe. Plus, they are not so waterproof if dirty. I'm just not sold on them. But that's just me. However, it's very important to keep your feet dry. Wet feet result in blisters more easily. I can always avoid wet feet with careful stream crossings. If I expect a lot of crossings, I bring water shoes. Then again, in California I can usually be sure of no rain. Not so at Mont Blanc. Despite what I just wrote, some level of waterproofness should be considered. My leather boots are waterproof, so I would wear those in bad weather. Speaking of rain, you need to have rain gear in your day pack. I prefer a poncho, since they breathe so nicely. I sweat a lot inside my Gore-Tex jacket. That's why I'm not a big fan of it. That and the cost. A poncho will also cover the day pack.

Figure out your water needs. Some people need to drink a lot more than others. Either pack a couple of liters, or if there will be a lot of water sources along the way, bring one bottle and a water filtration system. Bring high-calorie snacks, and maybe electrolytes for your water.

As for training, I use an elliptical trainer during the winter when days are short. I live among many tall, steep hills, and the elliptical offers nice training for that. Since you live in the flatlands, you have few other options. I also run for parts of my hikes. It helps with leg strength and cardio. Walking on a flat trail doesn't do much, but running on the same trail can be useful.