Any thru hikers?

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Too bad your buds were trail wusses, but glad you got to hike your hike! Very cool that you met someone with some experience! Our friend's trail name is also Thor, but he's in his late 20s and probably in PA right now. ;)

We never bother with alcohol when backpacking... a flask might be nice to warm you up, but generally it's never seemed worth the weight. A zero day or if you do stop in town somewhere, now, that is different... it's just extra carbs. ;)
 
Just watch the alcohol in the cold...makes you feel "warm", but it's opening up blood flow in your extremities, and rate of heat loss quickly increases.

BTW, Mags has updated his quick-and-dirty AT guide...good concise info source. I pretty well agree with much of what I have read of his opinions of hiking and gear. Look also at some of his other stuff ("Ramblings" link at top of page...especially under 'getting started'. http://www.pmags.com/a-quick-and-dirty-guide-to-the-appalachian-trail
 
Cool thread. This will most likely be a once in a lifetime opportunity for you before life gets more complicated and you end up working at Initech, lol. Make the most of it, and good luck.
 
Not sure if that tent in the photos is the tent you plan on carrying, but it's huge. I recommend the Fly Creek UL2. It only weighs 2lbs 2oz and has been rated the best ultralight by Backpacker magazine.

I think I got my pack weight down to around 30lbs., not including water (3L bladder). I was carrying everything needed for 5 or 6 days of hiking without resupply.
 
kaiser715 said:
Just watch the alcohol in the cold...makes you feel "warm", but it's opening up blood flow in your extremities, and rate of heat loss quickly increases.

BTW, Mags has updated his quick-and-dirty AT guide...good concise info source. I pretty well agree with much of what I have read of his opinions of hiking and gear. Look also at some of his other stuff ("Ramblings" link at top of page...especially under 'getting started'. http://www.pmags.com/a-quick-and-dirty-guide-to-the-appalachian-trail
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I agree on the alcohol part for sure. Also, thanks for the link! Great read!

drkelly said:
Cool thread. This will most likely be a once in a lifetime opportunity for you before life gets more complicated and you end up working at Initech, lol. Make the most of it, and good luck.
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haha thanks man!


loki_racer said:
Not sure if that tent in the photos is the tent you plan on carrying, but it's huge. I recommend the Fly Creek UL2. It only weighs 2lbs 2oz and has been rated the best ultralight by Backpacker magazine.

I think I got my pack weight down to around 30lbs., not including water (3L bladder). I was carrying everything needed for 5 or 6 days of hiking without resupply.
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I wouldn't take that tent on another weekend hiked, let along a thru hike! My buddy said "man, I have a light weight two person tent we can use this weekend." It ended up being the heaviest three - four man tent I have ever carried or seen. Guess who ended up carrying it the whole way?

I have looked into the fly creek some. I believe I'm going to go with the REI T1 because of space and costs (also it's pretty light weight)

http://www.rei.com/product/761891

Thanks for the reference. If thing change, I may either go with the fly creek or the copper spur. I won't be buying my tent for another week or two.
 
Didn't want to make a new thread for this, I am not a thru hiker, just the occasional camper, and wanted to run some things by you guys and see if you have any experience.
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I haven't camped with a tent/sleeping bag in over a year, and while I am 90% sure all my old camping gear is in my parents storage unit, I am looking into some new stuff, incase it isn't, I know when my father moved he gave alot of things to Goodwill. Goal is cheap, but will last. I read over a few articles last night that have narrowed my choices down. Just wanted to know if any of you guys have any advice. What to avoid? etc...

I don't camp very often, 3-4 times a year average, could be a few more times, but not in any extreme conditions, and weight isn't a huge concern. If I camp, its usually myself and 1 other person, not trying to cram 4 people in a tent, just 2 and some gear at most.

Ive heard good things about:

(Tents)
Wenzel Southbend
http://www.amazon.com/Wenzel-South-S.../dp/B002LSVE5O

Coleman Hooligan 2
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0016HMBN0/...SIN=B0016HMBN0

(Sleeping Bag)

Teton Sport XL
http://www.amazon.com/Teton-Sports-C...8901577&sr=1-3

I haven't shopped around much for a bag, that one seems to meet all my requirements and then some for a very good price.


I have always used an old military sleeping pad, should I be looking for anything else or just replace that one if I cannot find it, I have a few inflatable mattresses but had never thought about bringing one of them on a camping trip.

Thoughts and advice would be great.


Thanks.
 
I use a Big Agnes insulated inflatable pad. They make them in mummy or rectangle shape. Very lightweight and just enough insulation to help keep you warm for most NC camping.

If you get a Big Agnes bag it'll have a pocket on the bottom that the sleeping pad actually slips into. Kinda nice if you've ever spent all night sliding off your sleeping pad because the tent was on a slight incline.
 
Definatly will look into the sleeping pad, but I have no intention of dropping that kind of coin for a sleeping bag that will only get occasional use and spend most of its life in the back of my jeep.
 
Fart said:
I use a Big Agnes insulated inflatable pad. They make them in mummy or rectangle shape. Very lightweight and just enough insulation to help keep you warm for most NC camping.

If you get a Big Agnes bag it'll have a pocket on the bottom that the sleeping pad actually slips into. Kinda nice if you've ever spent all night sliding off your sleeping pad because the tent was on a slight incline.
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I would highly recommend an inflatable pad. I used standard issue military pads for 10 years and assumed that's the best there was. My wife got an inflatable pad and it changed my view of backpacking overnight trips.
 
Sounds good. Ive used the standard military pad since I was in elementary school in the boy scouts Lol. Will definately look into the inflatable ones.
 
Don't know if you've considered this, but think about changing out clothes depending on your location and time of year. If starting in march I'm sure you'll be taking a fleece jacket, toboggan, gloves, etc. By the time you reach NC/TN/VA you may consider just having a long sleeve shirt and rain shell (and maybe toboggan too). if nothing else, you can save room in your pack by not carrying the bulky fleece jacket. I also prefer wearing zip-off legs with my pants to remove when its too warm.
I've also heard of people sleeping in a fleece sleeping bag in warmer months or at least a summer weight bag. this could easily shave 1-2lb depending on how heavy your spring/fall bag is.
The thru-hikers i've talked to ditched the stove after the first month or so. not worth the weight or clean-up from meals. but if you carry one, also keep in mind white gas and alcohol will be easier to find in local towns (as opposed to isobutane fuel canisters). you can also bum fuel off people more easily with the liquid fuels.
Have fun. I always wanted to thru-hike the AT but other things in life came up.
 
Fart said:
I use a Big Agnes insulated inflatable pad. They make them in mummy or rectangle shape. Very lightweight and just enough insulation to help keep you warm for most NC camping.

If you get a Big Agnes bag it'll have a pocket on the bottom that the sleeping pad actually slips into. Kinda nice if you've ever spent all night sliding off your sleeping pad because the tent was on a slight incline.
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X2, I have both and absolutely love them. The only thing I slightly dislike is the fact that I have to blow up the pad, but it is definitely worth it. The bag doesn't have insulation on the bottom, just a thin sleeve to save weight for the bag, and because it is not needed. The thick pad does a great job of insulating. I also use a liner though so I dont have to wash the bag and potentially damage it over time.
 
GrnRanger said:
Don't know if you've considered this, but think about changing out clothes depending on your location and time of year. If starting in march I'm sure you'll be taking a fleece jacket, toboggan, gloves, etc. By the time you reach NC/TN/VA you may consider just having a long sleeve shirt and rain shell (and maybe toboggan too). if nothing else, you can save room in your pack by not carrying the bulky fleece jacket. I also prefer wearing zip-off legs with my pants to remove when its too warm.
I've also heard of people sleeping in a fleece sleeping bag in warmer months or at least a summer weight bag. this could easily shave 1-2lb depending on how heavy your spring/fall bag is.
The thru-hikers i've talked to ditched the stove after the first month or so. not worth the weight or clean-up from meals. but if you carry one, also keep in mind white gas and alcohol will be easier to find in local towns (as opposed to isobutane fuel canisters). you can also bum fuel off people more easily with the liquid fuels.
Have fun. I always wanted to thru-hike the AT but other things in life came up.
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Thanks for all the information. I definitely plan on switching up clothing as the weather allows. I'm sure when I start I'll have way too much with me, and that will be adjusted accordingly. I don't want to be cold, and I want to have food when needed, so to me, it's worth the few extra pounds until I don't need it anymore.

I have looked into white gas. Thor, the guy I descended Springer Mt. with used white gas his whole hike, and had only good things to day about it. That is for sure something I'll be looking into.

Thanks again! 4 months of waiting ahead.


4LWranglerTJ said:
X2, I have both and absolutely love them. The only thing I slightly dislike is the fact that I have to blow up the pad, but it is definitely worth it. The bag doesn't have insulation on the bottom, just a thin sleeve to save weight for the bag, and because it is not needed. The thick pad does a great job of insulating. I also use a liner though so I dont have to wash the bag and potentially damage it over time.
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I have heard people didn't like the blow up pad because of having to blow it up every night, and also having to deflate it in the morning. They said if you stay in a crowded shelter, and leave before everyone else, they are loud deflating. I haven't used one hiking, just slept on a few before.

Thanks for the input!

-Chris
 
here is my gear list so far (still many things to be added):

Pack: Osprey Atmos 65 Black

Pack cover: Osprey UL Raincover

Pad: Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Sleeping Pad (20" x 72" x 2.5")

Snow Peak Starter Kit (GigaPower Stove (canister), Titanium Trek 700 (24 fl oz), Titanium Spork)

Tent: REI Quarter Dome T1 w/ fly (still need footprint, not sure on what I'm going to use yet)

Boots: Asolo Moran GTX

Socks: Smartwool (x3)

Black Diamond SPOT headlamp

REI 15L stuff sack

50ft of line

Still have many more things to get, but my list is starting to piece together. Clothing is still undecided and will have most of it together by the end of this weekend. Going to try and do a 3 or 4 day hike and test some of my gear over Thanksgiving break. Not sure exactly where yet but have a few places in mind.
 
Things I notice missing (just to check your list against):
- water filtration/purification
- bear bag and 550 cord to hang it
- 3L camelback bladder
- sleeping bag
- food food and more food (you will be amazed at the mount of food you will need)
- I recommend zip off pants (the kind that turn in to shorts), REI brand are great and light
- hiking poles.

If you want someone to tag along, I'd be interested. I promise I won't complain about wanting to get McDonald's for breakfast.
 
loki_racer said:
Things I notice missing (just to check your list against):
- water filtration/purification
- bear bag and 550 cord to hang it
- 3L camelback bladder
- sleeping bag
- food food and more food (you will be amazed at the mount of food you will need)
- I recommend zip off pants (the kind that turn in to shorts), REI brand are great and light
- hiking poles.

If you want someone to tag along, I'd be interested. I promise I won't complain about wanting to get McDonald's for breakfast.
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I forgot to add, I'm getting most of the rest of my stuff on Saturday (I was waiting on a bike to sell to start purchasing the gear I didn't have).

This will include:

Water filter
New sleeping bag
Trekking poles
2L Platypus with 1L Platypus folding bottle

and most of my clothing.

Thanks for the info and help!

I need to figure out where I'm going to hike over the break. Any good suggestions?
 
I'll second loki racer on everything, including the zip-off pants from REI. I'd consider clothing that performs different/multiple functions (keeping out cold/wind/rain...) and then weigh your clothes to decide what you really need and want to carry. Cheapish kitchen scales are good for this. Heck, go to Target and buy a scale and take it with you to REI!

Instead of the pre-packaged stuff, I'd really consider getting a food dehydrator and spending the next few months working on that... way cheaper and you can customize what you want to eat.

Wonder how cold Cold Mountain is now?
 
trailhugger said:
I'll second loki racer on everything, including the zip-off pants from REI. I'd consider clothing that performs different/multiple functions (keeping out cold/wind/rain...) and then weigh your clothes to decide what you really need and want to carry. Cheapish kitchen scales are good for this. Heck, go to Target and buy a scale and take it with you to REI!

Instead of the pre-packaged stuff, I'd really consider getting a food dehydrator and spending the next few months working on that... way cheaper and you can customize what you want to eat.

Wonder how cold Cold Mountain is now?
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Good idea on the scale. I will need one anyways so I'll probably stop by target or walmart and pick one up before Saturday.

I had thought about dehydrating food items. The only reason I'm going to buy as I go is because I don't want to have it shipped to me in advanced. Some people do it that way, but for me, I don't want a time frame. If you don't make it to the post office in a certain time, they ship the package back to where it came from. If there was an easier way to ship the food without a time frame, I would be all over dehydrating food!

I've never hiked Cold Mountain. A buddy of mine did it about 3 or so weeks ago and said it was a great hike.

I was thinking about doing Sams Gap (where it crosses I-26 and hiking South to Hot Springs. It's 43.5 miles and I think it would be a good 4 day hike.
 
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