Long Trail in October?

[Cookerhiker]

me and gypsy hiked quite a bit of the LT last month. we tented every nite. kept our food in the tent with us. had 1 mouse screw with us. he died

Horrors! Murderer! Call PETA!

I guess I'm assuming the worst. Innocent until proven guilty.

[jollies]

Okay, so since I have so much expert advice here on colder weather backpacking, which I am not super familiar with, I would like some critique on my clothing gear list if possible. I but advice in parenthesis if I would like some clarification.

While Hiking:
+Base Layer - Patagonia Mid-Weight or Silk Weight (advice)
+Patagonia R4 Fleece Jacket (or should I substitute a Montbell Inner Liner Jacket instead?)
+Ex-Officio Convertable Nylon Pants
+OR Seatle Sombero Hat
+Gloves (advice and suggestions for ones to purchase as I don't have any)
+Wrightsock Double Layer Socks
+New Balance 872 Trail Runners
+Leki Super Makalu Poles

Sleeping:
+Western Mountaineering Alpinlite Super - 20 degree Bag
+Silk Weight Sleeping Clothes
+Fleece Cap
+Dahlgren Alpaca Wool Socks

Rain:
+North Face Diad Jacket
Do I need pants?

Any thoughts?

[Lone Wolf]

Horrors! Murderer! Call PETA!

I guess I'm assuming the worst. Innocent until proven guilty.

friggin thing assaulted me. i fought back. self defense

[emerald]

I am planning to stay mostly in shelters, so do I need to worry about cooking before I get to the shelters to discourage wildlife from being drawn there?

Cooking before you reach a shelter and after you leave it is an excellent idea! Keeping food somewhere other than in shelters would also likely help to reduce the number of mice and other wildlife issues associated with them about which people are always complaining.

Unfortunately, there's one problem with your strategy. You'll probably be the only person following it, but just because you may be the only participant should not deter you if you are a firm believer.

I commend you for coming up with your idea and wish you all the strength you'll need to win over everyone to your way of thinking.

[GPK]

In October there's active hunting seasons that you should be aware of. Look at VtFishAndWildlife.com for details, but if you're a bear, squirrel, rabbit, grouse or raccoon then you should fear rifles. If you're a deer then I'd keep an eye open for bows & arrows. Just to be safe get some orange for you, your pack and your dog.

Good Luck - GPK

[JoeHiker]

Jollies -

I'm the one who contacted you for a shuttle. JoeHiker and Pedxing were 2 of my shuttles who post here, but there are many more who don't. Good Luck - GPK

Hey that was YOU? Cool? Thanks again for the ride. That was a lifesaver.

I got knocked out by the snow just north of Kilington as I mentioned but I think I'm going to try it again in 2008 or 2009.