Appalachian Trail

[Prof Sublime]

Yo Icmag hikers

In the summer a few friends and I are planning on taking about 2 weeks off and hiking the trail. So far we plan on going close to the WV/VA border and hiking north back into PA. I just wanted to see if I could get any tips, ideas, stories, what to pack, what food to bring. ANYTHING really. Lets see what you all come up with.
Cheers

 

[zenoonez]

Had a professor in college who had hiked the whole thing and a roommate who did the same. They shipped food to stops along the trail, mostly high calorie stuff like granola bars and candy bars. A water purifier and a few good bottles would be a good investment. Maybe a solar charger for camera battery packs or for the ipod. Good bed roll, tent, sleeping bag ya know all the regular stuff. Oh, lots of socks. I will come back with some more stuff later.

 

[Prof Sublime]

Thanks for the info man, Yeah my friend told me about the mailing the food to different stops along the way. I was planning on getting one of those radios that charge your stuff with and it has solar panels and a wind up charger on it. I was thinking about getting a hammock tent too.

 

[OldMan&theWeed]

I thru-hiked the AT in 88. March 15th to September 28th.

It was the high point of my life.

 

[mean mr.mustard]

Redhead socks are a truly valuable investment.

Vasque boots are very good as well.

Make sure you take a good knife!

Take care of your feet.

Enjoy the peace!

 

[Prof Sublime]

Thanks man, I keep stressing to my one friend how important good hiking boots will be. cheers

 

[mean mr.mustard]

Rocky boots were pretty nice and made locally to that area.

They closed the factory a way back. Now they are made in China and suck wind.

If you made the trip a few years back things would have been different.

As far as tents go Mountain Hardware is a solid standby... North Face only makes good clothes.

Let me know if you have any specifics!

Good luck and happy trails Prof!

:friends:

 

[DiscoBiscuit]

Nat Geographic put out an AT hardcover in 1972. In it there are interviews with the locals and information specific to different states, areas, etc. Depending on the elevation you're hiking, prepare for cool or even cold nights, even in the summer.

forgot to mention lots of pics, maps and illustrations.

 

[Prof Sublime]

Thanks for the extra advice mr mustard, I still dont have too many specifics. I was probly going to wear a summer military outfit, and grab a nice military pack with kidney pads. I have a nice NF stretch jacket for chilly nights I will bring.

My friend found this and is thinking about buying it for a main meal each day.
http://www.jackbgoods.com/products/Wise-Foods-84-Serving-MRE-Grab-&-Go-Bucket.html

Thanks for sharing Disco Ill have to look for that Nat Geo and I will definetly be bringing some warm clothes. We plan on going end of July into August so, I hope we get a few cool days and not straight heat.

 

[DiscoBiscuit]

I'm sure it's a culture shock compared to today. Lots of small town and country folks living the simple life. It's great reading and almost seems like a time gone by.

 

[Prof Sublime]

There are few things I love more then going to my trailer in NEPA MTS and living a simpler life for a few days. Going on the trail for a 2 weeks should be even better.

 

[mean mr.mustard]

That simple living isn't gone... it's thriving in those hills!

Gorgeous and peaceful... it's like time stopped moving there!

:friends:

 

[Prof Sublime]

Man I cannot wait to get out there, some people just don't know how live.

 

[DiscoBiscuit]

You're right, mean. MTV and the much of the internet are a culture clash in some of the more remote areas. Kinda neat when peeps you know are city slickers get out and see how the other half lives.

Happy trails, Prof Sublime.

 

[Prof Sublime]

Thats true, Ive never thought of it like that. First time I took my exgf to the mts it was funny, cause she is a strict city slicker. Needless to say she didnt like it much and was always bored. haha

 

[mean mr.mustard]

LOL I thought it would make for a cozy date weekend... it ended up with me never wanting to take a girl into the hills unless she demonstrates one of the following...

Build and ignite a fire

Not wanting to watch TV

Not freaking out because no one is talking

My dogs will always be welcome to go with me whenever though...

 

[DiscoBiscuit]

It's weird, most folks with high stress lives typically enjoy the simpler surroundings if only a weekend, lol. I used to work in the tourism industry and all walks of life have check it out for themselves... at least once, lol.

But there are those from the city that turn their noses up at anything less than what they're used too. I guess we're creatures of habit but we've all got only a few generations before us that didn't burn the candle at both ends.

 

[guest456mpy]

I lived in the N.C. to Virginia section of the AT in the mid 70's and still miss the simple joys of mountain life. Take it slow and drink in everything so you can savor the experience.

Enjoy!

 

[Prof Sublime]

Cheers Hempyguy, I sure will take it all in. It gon be a great time.

 

[zenoonez]

I would junk the mres they taste like poop and it is easier to just carry rice, grits, cream of wheat, or something similarly easy to make. Have different sets of seasonings shipped to different points so your meals change every once in a while. I would scrap the hammock tent, they are generally less comfortable than they look. If you were going for longer than a couple of weeks I would suggest grabbing a real pack, I tend to like Osprey packs because they are lightweight and tend to be as well constructed as any light hiking packs I have found yet. Never put one through the paces of actually being a day in day out months long work pack but so far they haven't let me down. Fire stick is a must, and a good knife and compass. Hmmm what else.... oh yea echo what others have said.... great boots and socks.