[slowandlow]

I have hiked the entire At twice in 500 to 700 mile sections, so this is first hand experience, as always, YMMV.
1. Keeping weight as low as possible is of the utmost importance. A 35 pound pack is 15 pounds too heavy.
2. You don't need bear spray or a gun. See #1.
3. If you intend to start in June start in Maine. Hiking in June and July in the south is brutally hot and will make you want to quit before you get very far.
4. Wear the lightest shoes you can get away with. I recommend Merrill Moab ventilators. They dry fast and you need agiliity on the AT, not heavy leather boots.
5. If you can see where the water comes from the ground just drink it. If you can't see where it comes from then purify it.
6. Use two .5 liter coke bottles to carry water not heavy nalgene bottles, see #1.
7. Wear wool socks and carry 2 extra pair, change them often. Putting on clean socks will feel like putting on new feet.
8. If you don't use it every day you don't need to carry it, whatever it is, see #1.