|
Post by thywar on Jun 16, 2012 15:20:40 GMT -7
Hey wing.. here is a link to the Appalachian Trail.. It's 2,180 miles long, from Maine to Georgia (or the other way depending). I've read a book, A Walk in the Woods, by Bill Bryson I believe.. wasn't a very good book and I wouldn't go on a hike with him but it certainly captured some of the tribulations. This is probably one of the greatest hiking trails in the world I think. www.appalachiantrail.org/hiking/thru-section-hiking
|
|
|
Post by WILL on Jun 16, 2012 17:27:30 GMT -7
no! Wait! I got questions! How many miles of trail are there? Did you see many other hikers out and about? How far apart are the trail shelters and how many can occupy them? Are the trails easy enough for ordinay people or do they need to be SEALS or RECON? Are firearms "allowed" on trails or is it "dont ask ,dont tell" ? What is the one thing(other than moleskin) that you wish you had brought... What one thing did you bring that you hardly used? The Appalachian Trail runs from N. Georgia to Maine. It's over 2000 miles long. So far we've made it 1/2 way through The Great Smokey Mountain National Park on our yearly hikes. That's about 200 miles north from the start at Springer Mountain, Georgia. We will pass about 5-10 hikers a day on the trail, depending on the season. Northern sections of the trail are often closed in winter. The shelters had about 8-15 hikers in them every night. The trail shelters are randomly spaced due to the random locations of wild springs. They are usually about 5 miles apart, and rarely more than 11 miles apart. I would guess you could sleep over 20 people in one, but it would feel claustrophobic. The hiking is physically challenging because you're pretty much going up and down mountains all day. I’m not going to lie to you X-Wing, it’s a work out. You can feel your heart pumping on the up-hills. My son started hiking it at 9 years old, and we've seen plenty of hikers, men and women, in their 60s and older. You can get an AT map and plan out exactly how hard you want to hike, so almost anyone can do it. A new federal law allows concealed carry in all national parks, so if you have a valid CCW for the state, you're good to go. I wish I brought sock liners and the Pasta Select meals for dinner. I've ordered the sock liners already for next year. The pasta select meals are just so much easier to cook and clean up than spaghetti, mac-n-cheese or potatoes. I believe they are lighter and pack more compact too. I hear you poke a hole in them, push the air out and tape over it to reduce their bulk. I also wish I had brought some crocks or flip flops for use at camp. It feels good to get the boots off at the end of the day. I did not use my compass, spare flashlight coin batteries, or fire steel. I know a prior poster had asked about how much fuel to bring. It turned out that one 4oz MSR Isopro fuel canister was plenty enough to cook 3 meals a day for the three of us on my MSR Pocket Rocket stove. Expect to double or even triple your fuel consumption in the winter.
|
|
|
Post by thywar on Jun 16, 2012 17:34:02 GMT -7
Will was your travel schedule such that you saw any of the same hikers everyday? In the book I read they would see some of the same hikers until they would divert off the trail to a small town. What about in the shelters you overnighted in? Meet any interesting people or did you have it for yourselves pretty much?
|
|
|
Post by WILL on Jun 16, 2012 17:44:59 GMT -7
Will was your travel schedule such that you saw any of the same hikers everyday? In the book I read they would see some of the same hikers until they would divert off the trail to a small town. What about in the shelters you overnighted in? Meet any interesting people or did you have it for yourselves pretty much? We hiked as a family. You can team up with other hikers if you want, but everyone has their own pace. We do meet up with allot of the same people at the shelters every night. Hikers are generally very positive personalities, and have been great company so far. You get all walks of life, from college students, doctors, hippie types, military, retirees and even cops. The most dynamic personalities on the trail are usually the through hikers. These are the guys/gals who are planning on hiking the entire trail in one trip. It takes like 6 months to do. Needless to say, they are characters. The camaraderie at the shelters is awesome and I never fail to become inspired, laugh or learn something new. The company at the shelters is always one of the highlights of the trip.
|
|
|
Post by COB on Jun 16, 2012 18:47:53 GMT -7
Hey Will, What great memories you are building with your family! Seeing how the kids grow from one summer to the next is astounding. Thanks for taking us along on your trip. It looks like you had loads of fun (aside from the yucky blister). Each time you learn more lessons for the next trip.
|
|
|
Post by pathwinder14 on Jul 5, 2012 7:44:54 GMT -7
I’m currently seeking out a new sleep pad system. Have you tried using an automotive windshield sun screen? They are reflective, padded, and do not require "blowing up".
|
|
|
Post by WILL on Jul 5, 2012 12:56:07 GMT -7
I’m currently seeking out a new sleep pad system. Have you tried using an automotive windshield sun screen? They are reflective, padded, and do not require "blowing up". I got this... www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___40760It's "self inflating" and takes considerably less time and effort to blow up, just a few puffs. I tried it without blowing it up, and it still has a bit of loft. Not much, but some. I feel more confident with the product being designed like that because if it does bust a leak on the trail, at least I'll be left with some comfort and warmth. Sort of like the run flat tire of sleeping pads ;D We'll see how it holds up over time before I start recommending it.
|
|
|
Post by northernbc on Jul 5, 2012 13:53:06 GMT -7
i have two of this style ,not the same make but they work excellent.even on very cold nights.
|
|
|
Post by 720flysurvive on Jul 5, 2012 17:48:26 GMT -7
So jealous, you can have a camp fire. Colorado is going a bit crazy with the fire bans
|
|