|
SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> The Cafe >> AT thru hike /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1318276783 Message started by splash07 on 10/10/11 at 12:59:43 |
|
Title: AT thru hike Post by splash07 on 10/10/11 at 12:59:43 So recently I have gone through some drastic life changes which have caused me to re-evaluate my goals in life. It took me about a month but I now realize that thru hiking the Appalachian Trail is something I must do in life. My best friend and I are starting in March/April of 2013. I have already started a savings account for the trek and already have all my gear except a new ultralight tent. Any others out there that have taken this major hike on successfully, or unsuccessfully? I need all the advice and help I can get. Side note the shortest time for completion of the trail is 46d11h10m longest time for completion is 329 days. I plan to finish in around 200 days |
|
Title: Re: AT thru hike Post by Serowbot on 10/10/11 at 13:06:02 I'm pretty sure I could break that longest time to complete record by about 4 years... :-?... |
|
Title: Re: AT thru hike Post by babyhog on 10/10/11 at 13:24:35 Wow, quite an undertaking. Since you don't already have the tent, I would suggest you wait until closer to time to go. They make vast improvements every year. We got a nice Eureka tent a year or so ago, folds up really small, so we could carry it on the bike, but it would be great for back-packing too.... but I'm sure you already know about tents, duh. lol Best of luck. Take pics to share with us please. :) |
|
Title: Re: AT thru hike Post by ALfromN.H. on 10/11/11 at 04:43:25 Thats quite a hike. I've thought about doing it for years but can't really think about doing something like that until I retire. I've read alot of books about it. My favorite was "Walkin' on the happy side of misery" by Model T. Really informative, interesting, and funny. There's alot of info out there in books and internet. I think it's alot easier now than it was even 10 years ago with cell phones, debit cards, and other new technology. Good luck and keep us posted about your planning and prep. AL |
|
Title: Re: AT thru hike Post by splash07 on 10/11/11 at 12:09:10 I like to have my gear at least one season ahead of time so that I can get familiar with it and learn how to use it blindfolded. Too many nights of pitching tents in complete darkness i guess. I have about four tents as it stands right now but none are in the ultralight category. |
|
Title: Re: AT thru hike Post by splash07 on 10/11/11 at 12:10:11 262B252571470 wrote:
Have not heard of that particular book, but I will look into it. One of my personal fav's is "a walk in the woods" by Bill Bryson |
|
Title: Re: AT thru hike Post by MrBrownTX on 10/11/11 at 14:27:34 I bought a bunch of back packing gear about 2 years ago and have been only a couple of times. I am pretty lazy so I don't go too often but I really do enjoy the experience minus the heavy bag of crap you have to carry. To save weight I take a cheap nylon net camping hammock from walmart ($8) and a cheap blue tarp ($8) to hang over it. To me the hammock is way comfier than the ground. The tarp keeps you dry. Together they weigh half what most cheap backpacking tents weigh. For $16 its a heck of a set up. In the winter I take one of those cheap blue sleeping pads from walmart and put it in the hammock to keep the wind off my back side and insulate a little. I love it. If you know there will be trees around I say it's the way to go. You don't have to worry about finding level ground or dry ground. If it rains the water flows right under you and you stay dry. |
|
Title: Re: AT thru hike Post by MrBrownTX on 10/11/11 at 14:32:31 Also for an ultra light stove I have a small tuna can with some vent holes punched around it. Down in that I burn a solid fuel esbit cube. Put my canteen cup on top of the can and viola! That fuel takes a while (15 mins) to boil water but it weighs nothing compared to a propane/butane cannister and a metal stove. |
|
Title: Re: AT thru hike Post by built2last66 on 10/11/11 at 15:53:57 You should be the first man of the 1900s to hike it without a tent. |
|
Title: Re: AT thru hike Post by arteacher on 10/11/11 at 16:50:58 I have gone on hikes and used Mr browns hammock and tarp system too. I always used a thin pad in the hammock so the skeeters wouldn't bite my a$$. ;) |
|
Title: Re: AT thru hike Post by splash07 on 10/11/11 at 17:15:30 The problem is that there wont always be trees. Some spots are open and some are rocky and you never know where you are going to have to stop and make camp. |
|
Title: Re: AT thru hike Post by justin_o_guy2 on 10/11/11 at 17:40:03 Piffle & Poppycock,,, Id be done in a day,, well,, most likely an hour,, |
|
Title: Re: AT thru hike Post by Boule’tard on 10/11/11 at 18:03:46 Sounds awesome, go for it. Get ya one of those SPOTs http://www.findmespot.com/en/ REI has them. |
|
Title: Re: AT thru hike Post by drums1 on 10/12/11 at 05:25:59 I once watched a special on Discovery channel, I believe, about hiking the Appalachian trail. A group of 10 set out....only 3 or 4 finished. Most of them didn't look too happy at each campsite, but all said they were glad to have done it. I used to do a bit of hiking, but nothing of this magnitude. Best of luck to you, and by all means, lots of pictures. |
|
Title: Re: AT thru hike Post by Fish on 10/12/11 at 06:43:12 53504C4153481017200 wrote:
Bow chika bow wow. |
|
Title: Re: AT thru hike Post by JohnBoy on 10/14/11 at 02:41:21 5F5C404D5F441C1B2C0 wrote:
Watch "Deliverance" and stay home? |
|
Title: Re: AT thru hike Post by MrBrownTX on 10/14/11 at 06:12:57 664344426E43552C0 wrote:
Watch "Deliverance" and stay home?[/quote] Wich reminds me of two other pieces of advice, lol, don't go alone and carry a gun (legally). |
|
Title: Re: AT thru hike Post by splash07 on 10/17/11 at 06:52:55 I was not planning on going it alone. My best friend and old college roommate is planning on going with me but I am not going to count on it since departure is still 18 months away. I have found in life that I can rely on people less and less, its sad really. |
|
Title: Re: AT thru hike Post by ALfromN.H. on 02/02/12 at 03:16:11 Still planning your trip? I still want to go but alas, I have to wait until I'm able to take 5 or 6 months off work. Unless I lose my job, I have to wait until I retire(15 years from now). I would like to meet up with you and hike with you for a while when/if you reach New Hampshire. Keep me informed on your plans when the time gets closer. I follow a few blogs each year from hikers on the trial. Kinda fun to keep track of their progress. AL |
|
Title: Re: AT thru hike Post by splash07 on 02/02/12 at 07:41:50 I am still planning on going as of right now. So far the only thing i am really concerned about is the budget. I am planning on quitting my job so I have to save a ton before I set out. I am still about $2K shy of what I need plus I have about $900 worth of gear I still have to get. I will keep the whole group posted on progress plus I would love company and any one who wants to is welcome to join me for any part of the hike. |
|
Title: Re: AT thru hike Post by nodnarbing on 02/02/12 at 11:38:28 On the trip I took to NC with my wife and father in law last year, we met a guy hiking it alone at Fontana Dam....I asked him, "what is the best thing about it and the worst?" He look at me, then around and said "hiking it alone" then walked off with a wave. There is no way I could do that alone, but it is on my bucket list as well. |
|
Title: Re: AT thru hike Post by Boofer on 02/02/12 at 18:52:04 The reason we have this forum is because we RIDE every chance we get. I used Startpage and typed in "hiking the Appalachian Trail". Maps, clothes, food, shelter...all came up. A 2000 mile walk is too serious an undertaking (could have chosen a better word) to ask a bunch of old guys who ride a girl's bike. ;D |
|
Title: Re: AT thru hike Post by kimchris1 on 02/03/12 at 09:57:20 Wow what an exciting adventure your going to undertake. I wish you all the best with this. It is great to set goals and even better when you can achieve them. Hugs, :) kim |
|
SuzukiSavage.com » Powered by YaBB 2.2! YaBB © 2000-2007. All Rights Reserved. |