Updated that gear yall!
http://www.rei.com/product/747894
Mountain Hardware Ultralamina 15 degree synthetic bag. HUGE upgrade from my first bag, which I traded in for store credit. Not only is it a full 5 degrees warmer than the first bag, it's several ounces lighter, much more compact, has tons of cool zippers and foldy pockets, but it's prettier. Hopefully this new bag combined with some extra sleep layers will keep me a tiny bit warmer at night.
http://www.rei.com/product/763953?preferredSku=7639530018&cm_mmc=cse_froogle-_-datafeed-_-product-_-7639530018&mr:trackingCode=1E827AF1-E390-DE11-B4D4-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA
Big Agnes air core sleeping pad, tons more comfortable and way warmer than the thermarest. The only lame thing about it is it takes a few minutes to blow up. I don't have much of a problem with that though.
http://www.rei.com/product/718308
In black, a nice new precip jacket. :) with plenty of room for an insulation layer. No sense in getting soaked.
All of this stuff being heavily on sale, PLUS my 10% thruhiker discount (so legit!!!) came out to be a pretty reasonably-priced shopping spree.
I really can't wait to get out and test it.
Monday, November 29, 2010
97 Days
I've changed the background of the blog so an image that's a little less warm to reflect my feelings about what happened last night, when I got all of my gear together to do my first outdoor sleeping gear test. I know a lot of other potential hikers would balk at the idea of 3 months to go and only just now testing the winter sleeping gear, but I've been so busy lately with crew and school I really haven't had the time. So in the next three months I plan on getting a lot of preparation done, which includes testing and updating all of my gear, doing some shakedown hikes, and continuing to save up a boatload of money.
Anyway, it's safe to say I didn't freeze to death last night, but I was mostly uncomfortable and I didn't really get a lot of sleep. My light and thermal polyester and wool clothing layers worked wonderfully. My tent (MSR Hubba) sets up fast and it kept the frost off of me. The sleeping bag (Northface Alutien women's 20 degree mummy bag), while keeping me mostly thawed, just didn't meet my expectations.. I guess I got what I payed for. It was only an 80 dollar bag. I'm sure it would be fine for spring camping, but it's only going to be colder in the mountains in March. The ground pad (Thermarest trail) kept me off of the cold ground which is good, but it deflated during the night and wasn't very comfortable for me because I'm mostly a side sleeper.
So today after I get my paycheck and pay my rent, I'm going to the outdoor outfitter and hopefully returning the bag (I still have the tags but no reciept) and purchasing a zero degree down bag, then I want to get a Zlite thermarest, mostly because it'll be firmer for my side sleeping and it's significantly lighter than my current ground pad, although it isn't as compact. I'll just have to strap it to the bottom of my pack. Maybe there will be room within the pack for it if I upgrade to a more compressed sleeping bag.
Butters is romping around in my gear, which is warming up in a pile on the floor. He wants to go camping so bad. Hopefully after my upgrades today I'll go out tonight and camp out in a shelter, then head up to McAffee's knob for sunrise oatmeal breakfast! Ugh. Just kidding. I checked the weather and it's supposed to start raining tonight/tomorrow morning, and I'm not really ready to be testing out those kinds of extremes at this point. I'll have to settle for baby steps.
Today starts my conditioning regime as well. I'd like to get into better physical condition and drop most of my college weight before I go (about 30 lbs) so I'm starting to eat healthy and move around more. I'm at a cool 180 right now, I'd like to get back into the 150s by the time I leave.
Anyway, it's safe to say I didn't freeze to death last night, but I was mostly uncomfortable and I didn't really get a lot of sleep. My light and thermal polyester and wool clothing layers worked wonderfully. My tent (MSR Hubba) sets up fast and it kept the frost off of me. The sleeping bag (Northface Alutien women's 20 degree mummy bag), while keeping me mostly thawed, just didn't meet my expectations.. I guess I got what I payed for. It was only an 80 dollar bag. I'm sure it would be fine for spring camping, but it's only going to be colder in the mountains in March. The ground pad (Thermarest trail) kept me off of the cold ground which is good, but it deflated during the night and wasn't very comfortable for me because I'm mostly a side sleeper.
So today after I get my paycheck and pay my rent, I'm going to the outdoor outfitter and hopefully returning the bag (I still have the tags but no reciept) and purchasing a zero degree down bag, then I want to get a Zlite thermarest, mostly because it'll be firmer for my side sleeping and it's significantly lighter than my current ground pad, although it isn't as compact. I'll just have to strap it to the bottom of my pack. Maybe there will be room within the pack for it if I upgrade to a more compressed sleeping bag.
Butters is romping around in my gear, which is warming up in a pile on the floor. He wants to go camping so bad. Hopefully after my upgrades today I'll go out tonight and camp out in a shelter, then head up to McAffee's knob for sunrise oatmeal breakfast! Ugh. Just kidding. I checked the weather and it's supposed to start raining tonight/tomorrow morning, and I'm not really ready to be testing out those kinds of extremes at this point. I'll have to settle for baby steps.
Today starts my conditioning regime as well. I'd like to get into better physical condition and drop most of my college weight before I go (about 30 lbs) so I'm starting to eat healthy and move around more. I'm at a cool 180 right now, I'd like to get back into the 150s by the time I leave.
Monday, November 22, 2010
COUNTDOWN!
MARCH 7TH, 2011
Is the day that I will start my 2200 mile journey. I figure this is late enough in the year for me to save a little money, and also early enough that I'll finish the trail in the desired time frame.
105 DAYS. Ugh... it sounds way too far away. I may just get frustrated and leave earlier.
I haven't decided how I'm going to get there yet. I looked into just taking the Amtrak into atlanta and getting a shuttle from there to Amicola, but the train ticket alone is going to cost me around a hundred bucks, AND it would take 10 hours to get there. Riding in a car would be around 6 and a half hours, and gas would only run me 60-70 dollars, but I would have to find someone willing to bus me around for a day. Hopefully I may be able to hitchhike with some southbound hikers and save a little gas money. We'll see.
So I've recently gone shopping for gear, and I think I'm just about done with all of my major purchases.. All I really have left to get is good footwear and then I want to get like a silk bagliner to help me keep warm in the winter.
Christmas List:
Trail runners, size 11
silk bag liner
waterproof pack cover
gaiters
spork
lightweight trowel
rain pants
SPOT gps (maybe.)
Is the day that I will start my 2200 mile journey. I figure this is late enough in the year for me to save a little money, and also early enough that I'll finish the trail in the desired time frame.
105 DAYS. Ugh... it sounds way too far away. I may just get frustrated and leave earlier.
I haven't decided how I'm going to get there yet. I looked into just taking the Amtrak into atlanta and getting a shuttle from there to Amicola, but the train ticket alone is going to cost me around a hundred bucks, AND it would take 10 hours to get there. Riding in a car would be around 6 and a half hours, and gas would only run me 60-70 dollars, but I would have to find someone willing to bus me around for a day. Hopefully I may be able to hitchhike with some southbound hikers and save a little gas money. We'll see.
So I've recently gone shopping for gear, and I think I'm just about done with all of my major purchases.. All I really have left to get is good footwear and then I want to get like a silk bagliner to help me keep warm in the winter.
Christmas List:
Trail runners, size 11
silk bag liner
waterproof pack cover
gaiters
spork
lightweight trowel
rain pants
SPOT gps (maybe.)
Monday, October 25, 2010
FAQ
Prompted by a ridiculous questions from Kelsay and Emily, I'm going to do a little FAQ list for those of you who may have questions about the Appalachian Trail and thruhiking.
So, What are you going to do about serial killers on the trail?
- Serial killers really aren't that common on the trail. There have only been a handful of violent incidents on the trail in MANY years, and I'm pretty sure it's ususally been hate crimes and stuff. Hundreds of people thruhike every year without getting massacred.
Are you going to carry a gun?
- No, guns are heavy and I don't need the extra weight in my pack. If I feel uneasy, I'll bring a can of mace.
What happens if you meet a bear?
First of all, you don't throw down your pack and run because that teaches them that if they approach humans, they get rewarded with free food and hiking gear. Bears know to stay away from humans. If I do see a bear (which would be awesome) it will probably be from a safe distance.
What happens if you meet a SKUNK!?!? I guess you're going to smell.
- I guess so. Hopefully if I do meet a skunk, it won't spray me.
Has anyone ever taken a cat? could you take butters?
Yes, I've read about a guy who took his cat with him and it worked out wonderfully - It slept in his pack all day and hunted mice in the shelters at night. Butters, however, would have a miserable time on a thruhike. He's too delicate for that kind of lifestyle.
Are you hiking with someone, or are you going by yourself?
I plan on at least starting the hike with people I know, either from Tech or Whiteblaze.net, but who I end up hiking with depends on when I leave and how fast I hike. There are a lot of people starting in early March, so I'm sure I will never be alone.
How many miles is it? How long is it going to take?
Like 2200 miles. It'll probably take me more or less than 5 months.
How often are you going to shower?
As often as I can, but there may be several days inbetween. I'm not going to smell good, but i think I can live with that.
Are there towns near the trail?
Yes. Every few days I will be within walking distance of a town with real food, grocery stores, etc.
What are you going to miss most about normal life on the trail?
Being warm and dry, seeing friends and family frequently, and perusing the internets.
How do you plan to prepare yourself for catastrophe, ie, floating down a river on a raft and getting attacked by hillbillies? (A lot of these questions are actually Kelsay originals..)
- I don't really know. I'll have a cell phone with me and I'll never be that far from civilization. There will be plenty of people on the trail who will also have cell phones. I feel like it'll be a lot less like Deliverance than Kelsay imagines.
What are you going to eat?
- High calorie, high density foods that give me lots of vitamins and electrolytes, and LOTS of it. I'm going to be burning a whole lot of calories, so you have to eat a lot to keep up with energy demands. Think ramen, mac and cheese, dried fruit, jerky, peanut butter, etc.
You're going to be a giant sodium-whale-asaurus rex.
No way. Sodium is an important part of your metabolism... and most people lost around 15-20 lbs through their hike.
Are you going to take anything to entertain yourself when you're not hiking? No. I may bring an ipod to listen to audio books while I hike, but I plan on adventures and other hikers being plenty entertaining.
How will you charge an ipod?
- solar charger.
Do you think you're going to suffer any mental/emotional trauma from being isolated in the wilderness for so long like the Chilean miners?
- Hopefully not.
Could you ride a horse on the trail?
- No. the AT is restricted to foot travel.
That's lame. It would be faster if you took a horse.
- I'm sure it would be. I don't like horses.
What are the odds of your party getting trapped in a snowstorm and having to eat eachother? Donner party?
- Not likely, though there will be plenty of snow in the mountains in march. You just have to stay warm and dry and watch out for the REALLY bad weather.
How many pairs of shoes are you taking? I'll start out with one and when they wear out I'll buy more. I'll probably go through 2 or 3 pairs.
What's your trail name?
I have a few I'm tossing around in my head, but I may wait to let other people name me when I start hiking if I can't make up my mind before then. Kelsay says "Princess Fiesta" works. I don't think so.
Could you take a dog with you?
- for some parts of the trail you can. Dogs are prohibitied through the Great Smoky Mountains though, so you would have to figure out something to do with them while you're in there.
But what if you need them to protect you from the bears?
- While camping in the smokys you're required to stay in a shelter at night, and shelters are surrounded by high chain-link fences to keep bears out.
What do you do if you get sick on the trail? It depends on how sick you get. Something like a cold is easy enough to hike through. It's important to take care of yourself and keep from getting sick, because if I come off the trail for any extended period of time, i feel like it will be really hard to go back and finish.
Let me know if you have anymore questions and I'll expand the list!
So, What are you going to do about serial killers on the trail?
- Serial killers really aren't that common on the trail. There have only been a handful of violent incidents on the trail in MANY years, and I'm pretty sure it's ususally been hate crimes and stuff. Hundreds of people thruhike every year without getting massacred.
Are you going to carry a gun?
- No, guns are heavy and I don't need the extra weight in my pack. If I feel uneasy, I'll bring a can of mace.
What happens if you meet a bear?
First of all, you don't throw down your pack and run because that teaches them that if they approach humans, they get rewarded with free food and hiking gear. Bears know to stay away from humans. If I do see a bear (which would be awesome) it will probably be from a safe distance.
What happens if you meet a SKUNK!?!? I guess you're going to smell.
- I guess so. Hopefully if I do meet a skunk, it won't spray me.
Has anyone ever taken a cat? could you take butters?
Yes, I've read about a guy who took his cat with him and it worked out wonderfully - It slept in his pack all day and hunted mice in the shelters at night. Butters, however, would have a miserable time on a thruhike. He's too delicate for that kind of lifestyle.
Are you hiking with someone, or are you going by yourself?
I plan on at least starting the hike with people I know, either from Tech or Whiteblaze.net, but who I end up hiking with depends on when I leave and how fast I hike. There are a lot of people starting in early March, so I'm sure I will never be alone.
How many miles is it? How long is it going to take?
Like 2200 miles. It'll probably take me more or less than 5 months.
How often are you going to shower?
As often as I can, but there may be several days inbetween. I'm not going to smell good, but i think I can live with that.
Are there towns near the trail?
Yes. Every few days I will be within walking distance of a town with real food, grocery stores, etc.
What are you going to miss most about normal life on the trail?
Being warm and dry, seeing friends and family frequently, and perusing the internets.
How do you plan to prepare yourself for catastrophe, ie, floating down a river on a raft and getting attacked by hillbillies? (A lot of these questions are actually Kelsay originals..)
- I don't really know. I'll have a cell phone with me and I'll never be that far from civilization. There will be plenty of people on the trail who will also have cell phones. I feel like it'll be a lot less like Deliverance than Kelsay imagines.
What are you going to eat?
- High calorie, high density foods that give me lots of vitamins and electrolytes, and LOTS of it. I'm going to be burning a whole lot of calories, so you have to eat a lot to keep up with energy demands. Think ramen, mac and cheese, dried fruit, jerky, peanut butter, etc.
You're going to be a giant sodium-whale-asaurus rex.
No way. Sodium is an important part of your metabolism... and most people lost around 15-20 lbs through their hike.
Are you going to take anything to entertain yourself when you're not hiking? No. I may bring an ipod to listen to audio books while I hike, but I plan on adventures and other hikers being plenty entertaining.
How will you charge an ipod?
- solar charger.
Do you think you're going to suffer any mental/emotional trauma from being isolated in the wilderness for so long like the Chilean miners?
- Hopefully not.
Could you ride a horse on the trail?
- No. the AT is restricted to foot travel.
That's lame. It would be faster if you took a horse.
- I'm sure it would be. I don't like horses.
What are the odds of your party getting trapped in a snowstorm and having to eat eachother? Donner party?
- Not likely, though there will be plenty of snow in the mountains in march. You just have to stay warm and dry and watch out for the REALLY bad weather.
How many pairs of shoes are you taking? I'll start out with one and when they wear out I'll buy more. I'll probably go through 2 or 3 pairs.
What's your trail name?
I have a few I'm tossing around in my head, but I may wait to let other people name me when I start hiking if I can't make up my mind before then. Kelsay says "Princess Fiesta" works. I don't think so.
Could you take a dog with you?
- for some parts of the trail you can. Dogs are prohibitied through the Great Smoky Mountains though, so you would have to figure out something to do with them while you're in there.
But what if you need them to protect you from the bears?
- While camping in the smokys you're required to stay in a shelter at night, and shelters are surrounded by high chain-link fences to keep bears out.
What do you do if you get sick on the trail? It depends on how sick you get. Something like a cold is easy enough to hike through. It's important to take care of yourself and keep from getting sick, because if I come off the trail for any extended period of time, i feel like it will be really hard to go back and finish.
Let me know if you have anymore questions and I'll expand the list!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
4 months until Showtime
I've decided that it would be an excellent idea to start this little blog to keep track of my AT thruhike, because I'm going to want to look back and remember all of the fun times, and of course to share the experience with friends and family.
A little about me and my trip: I'm about to graduate from Virginia Tech in December, save money for a while, and start hiking around the beginning or March 2011. I'll start at Springer Mountain in Georgia and hike all the way north to Mt. Katahdin in Baxter State Park, Maine. I plan for the hike to take about 4.5 to 5 months, depending on how quickly I hike and how many zero days I take.
I'm excited.
I don't have a trail name yet, but I have a few I'm considering, OR I may just wait until I hit the trail and let someone name me. We'll see. If you have any suggestions for a trail name, let me know.
I'll keep updating on my pre-hike preparations and such as March approaches.
A little about me and my trip: I'm about to graduate from Virginia Tech in December, save money for a while, and start hiking around the beginning or March 2011. I'll start at Springer Mountain in Georgia and hike all the way north to Mt. Katahdin in Baxter State Park, Maine. I plan for the hike to take about 4.5 to 5 months, depending on how quickly I hike and how many zero days I take.
I'm excited.
I don't have a trail name yet, but I have a few I'm considering, OR I may just wait until I hit the trail and let someone name me. We'll see. If you have any suggestions for a trail name, let me know.
I'll keep updating on my pre-hike preparations and such as March approaches.
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