Search:

I think the 15 degree bag for a mid march start is the way to go, and a great choice for New England. For the mid Atlantic, a 40 degree bag is better than 30 IMO.

For both options, put on your...

You'll want to seperate your rain read from your insulation layer so the insulation can be varied to match the temps and your exertion level - and because a combined product will take days to dry...

I live near the middle of the AT and here's what I find works best for me:

Hiking clothes: baggy nylon shorts, poly t-shirt, thin socks, breathable shoes, sun glasses, bandanna to wipe sweat off...

I've done a whole bunch of east coast backpacking trips in the mid Atlantic and north east sections of the AT.

What I've learned is that rain jackets are waaaay too clammy to hike in, but are...

Thanks for the advice :)
Sounds like a 7x9 x10 tapered tarp is the way to go.

Unleaded auto gasoline has various addatives designed to help with valve lubrication, the catalytic converter, etc.

Irregardless of what it does to the stove jets or not - I wouldn't want to be...

I'm thinking of getting a MLD 5x9 Monk tarp. Does anyone have any experience using this type of tarp on the AT ?

I think the general consensus is that 5x9 is not big enough for the Sierra's and...

Forgot to mention: i always carry a map and compass - but its so i can leave the trail and bushwack the shortest path to civilization in case of an emergency.

For staying found on the trail, ive...

The parts of the AT that i have been on are very hard to get lost on. The trail is travelled so much that it is essentially a rutted groove of hard packed rocky soil forming a meandering "path"...

Is there any fishing in the area - or upstream ? Is the ANY chance of lures or fishhook in the sand?

Are the rocks slippery with algae? Will it hurt when you slip, move your foot quickly to...

Trail runners are noticeably cooler to hike in during the summer.

Trail runners are significantly lighter, resulting in much less fatigue and stumbling/catching your toes on rocks after 6-8 hours...

If you have swap or leather bots, then shake the water out of your boots when they get submerged in water, and then wipe out the inside with a pack towel.

Now they are just damp :)

Wear thick...

It seems like you have a lot of stuff in your pack...
What is the weight of your pack when it's fully packed ?
I'd start with posting a list of your gear and asking for advice.

But to answer...

My wife and I do fine with a free standing 2-pole dome tent - with 1 door (old Sierra designs lightning tent).

The key things are vertical walls so both can dress or pack at the same time, a...

Your comment about pulling your cell phone out to check the time throughout the day is interesting.

For me, a watch is only useful if I need to be someplace on time. Like, "the post office closes...

I just let my feet get wet, but I wear thicker wool socks so that my feet stay warm. If it stops raining, I change into dry socks. I hate walking around with squishing feet. I seem to lose to much...

I like a rain jacket and pants when it's chilly, and a poncho in the summer. The jackets are all too hot to hike in during the summer. The. Pants are too hot to hike in except when it's winter or the...

Coming from the perspective of "the old days", I can tell you that a pack that weighs 15% of your body weight is about right if you are trying to balance comfort with low weight. However, even in he...

The ice climbers wear a camelback inside their coat to ensure the water doesn't freeze, and they can hydrate easily/often. I've never tried it (since I have a "mule" style pack with storage) but...

Quote:
I think the suggestion about the fleece was because you can't hike in the puffy and in a sustained cold rain the two silk weights might not be enough (they wouldn't for me light fleece hoody...

Assuming your base layer is silk weight (it should be), then for a mid Feb start:

I'd add 1 top + bottoms heavy weight base layer OR a 100wt fleece 1/2 zip (depending on if your legs get cold -...

Here's what you need to know about the East Coast:

Main things:
Spring and fall are short. Summer is looooong.
The buggy season is all summer long.
It's too hot and humid for bivvies in the...

I live and hike in the md/va area. My opinion is that a windshirt is a very valuable piece during the shoulder seasons. Often a 100 wt fleece is too chilly, but a 200 wt fleece is sweaty. The 100...

If you have healthy ankles, I'd use trail runners or hiking shoes (not boots).

I have an ankle with an old injury, that strengthening exercises don't seem to help with... For that ankle, I notice...

If the water comes from a spring, you shouldn't need to purify it. Lots of rural homes have well water. A spring is the same thing.

If the water comes from a stream or pond in an area with lots...