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Thread: how to hike

  1. #1
    mountain squid's Avatar
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    Smile how to hike

    Think I’ll go for a walk. I’ve been perusing the archives here at WB for a while and I believe it is time to hit the trail for a ‘thru-hike’. With all the advice here, how can I go wrong . . .

    I’ve been saving money and have accumulated about $1500. I think that should be enough. I’m sure my gear will make it for 2000 miles, so I don’t plan to purchase anything new. If something doesn’t last, I’ll contact the manufacturer and expect a replacement within hours. Even if I’ve stuffed 45# into my 30# pack and it finally fails in VT. Additionally, I can discipline myself to not stay in too many towns, regardless of what everyone else is doing or how bad the weather is. If I do stay at a hostel, sometimes I might ask for a work-for-stay to conserve funds. I’ve heard about hiker boxes, so I plan to raid those at every opportunity.

    It’s looking like a mid-March start. Theapproach trail. I think I’ll skip it, since it is a blue-blazer and I plan to make it to Neels Gap in 2 days. I am a little concerned about my 40F bag, but with my 25F liner I should be OK. If I have to, I’ll wear all my clothes to keep warm. After all, GA is in the South and it’s warmer there . . .

    As I mentioned, I’ve got about 45# of stuff to haul. I don’t think that is too bad. I’ve worn my full pack around the block a few times and it feels ok. I’d like it to be lower but I just haven’t been able to shave any weight, despite the numerous gear lists that have been posted. And, I absolutely won’t part with my frying pan, camp chair, 6 pr of socks, 2 pr long pants (incl blue jeans), machete, 3 books, etc . . . maybe I can do without the laptop . . . I’ll probably do some slack packing when the opportunities arise.

    I’m planning about 15 maildrops mostly for food. I think buying food in bulk will help me to stay on budget. Hope I don’t get tired of eating Power Bars everyday.

    I’m pretty good at staying found, so no maps for me, besides there are blazes to follow. The Companion (or other Handbook) is extra weight also, so if I look over your shoulder from time to time, Please don’t get mad at me. Since I am only carrying 1 quart/liter of water I may need to know where the next source is occasionally. I’ll carry Aqua Mira for treating water sources, so I am saving the weight of a filter at least.

    I’ve made an itinerary around shelter distances. I understand that shelters are full of mice but I’ll probably spend most nights in one, especially when it is raining. Maybe I can save some weight by not carrying my own shelter?!? I’ve read here that mosquitoes sleep at night, so I don’t believe bugs will be a problem. At night I’m not sure what to do with my food bag though. Do bears sleep at night?

    There is so much to see on the AT. I’m looking forward to visiting all the States and National Parks the trail meanders through, including the Great Smoky Mountains. Hope I can figure out that shelter reservation system though. And The Whites! Wow! The spectacular scenery and views are highly anticipated. On the other hand, the outrageous price for a stay in a hut is not highly anticipated. I’ll expect all the hut croo’s to accommodate me with a work-for-stay promptly upon my arrival.

    I hope there is lots of trail magic. Every opportunity to enjoy a cold soda, etc will be welcome. I won’t expect something at every trailhead or road crossing . . . maybe every other one would be sufficient.

    What should I do about a trail name? Name myself or wait for something silly to happen and become Feces Foot or something like that?!?


    Anyway,


    Think I’ll go for a walk . . .


    Tim
     
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    See you on the trail,
    mt squid
    #1000
     

  2. #2

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    this is an excellent plan. have you picked a start date?can I use your frying pan?

  3. #3
    Registered User Enic's Avatar
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    Default Congrats on 1000...

    Glad to see you've been paying attn! A lot of people would have given up by now... but since you've read so many articles on the inter-web, you'll be fine. Send me a post card from the terminus!

  4. #4

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    great research! and you saved it for your thousanth post!but what weapon are you bringing?

  5. #5
    Registered User kayak karl's Avatar
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    if you go ill track you and come visit and return the good will and well wishes

    Kayak
    Last edited by kayak karl; 06-09-2011 at 20:46.
    I'm so confused, I'm not sure if I lost my horse or found a rope.

  6. #6
    Registered User Carl in FL's Avatar
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    Well, if you're looking at work-for-stay, then maybe your Trail Name could be

    Squid Pro Quo

  7. #7

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    don't forget to NOT tip you servers! :-(

  8. #8
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    Don't you see? This isn't a post about an upcoming thru, it's the ultimate reference post!!!!!!

    That's so cool.

    Thanks mountain squid
    Last edited by Spokes; 06-09-2011 at 21:33.

  9. #9

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    It's stuff like this that makes us turn into whiteblaze addicts.
    Some knew me as Piper, others as just Diane.
    I hiked the PCT: Mexico to Mt. Shasta, 2008. Santa Barbara to Canada, 2009.

  10. #10
    Registered User Skidsteer's Avatar
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    That was awesome.
    Skids

    Insanity: Asking about inseams over and over again and expecting different results.
    Albert Einstein, (attributed)

  11. #11
    Registered User Joey C's Avatar
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    Great work linking this post. This should be moved to an Article, or made a sticky.

  12. #12
    Registered User Old Boots's Avatar
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    It's inspiring! No laptop what a sacrifice!

  13. #13
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    A frying pan is a must. Don't skimp by using aluminum.
    Cast iron. The only way to roll.

  14. #14
    Getting out as much as I can..which is never enough. :) Mags's Avatar
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    Default White Blaze Mad Libs!

    Seems like Mad Libs for WB...

    Sadly, the creator of Mad Libs died today.

    This was an homage to him, right?
    Paul "Mags" Magnanti
    http://pmags.com
    Twitter: @pmagsco
    Facebook: pmagsblog

    The true harvest of my life is intangible...a little stardust caught,a portion of the rainbow I have clutched -Thoreau

  15. #15
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    Bravo!!! I didn't notice though, NOBO or SOBO?

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by hikerboy57 View Post
    great research! and you saved it for your thousanth post!but what weapon are you bringing?
    Probably his unleashed pitbull

  17. #17

    Default Tip your servers!

    Quote Originally Posted by CrumbSnatcher View Post
    don't forget to NOT tip you servers! :-(
    PLEASE DONT DO THIS! I am a server and make $2.13/hr(some states vary, mine sucks) and depend on my tips to make my living. This is a very irresponsible way to go. I plan on starting a thru hike next spring and would never consider this as a way to save money. I am a generous tipper due to me being a server and i most likely wont tip as well as i usually do to save a little money but never will I stiff a server unless I get very bad service. From one hiker to another please be kind to people who wait on you because we do work hard for our customers(most of us at least). Plus us hikers dont need the bad rep., you will already smell like crap so you're starting one in the hole.

  18. #18

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Akers07 View Post
    PLEASE DONT DO THIS! I am a server and make $2.13/hr(some states vary, mine sucks) and depend on my tips to make my living. This is a very irresponsible way to go. I plan on starting a thru hike next spring and would never consider this as a way to save money. I am a generous tipper due to me being a server and i most likely wont tip as well as i usually do to save a little money but never will I stiff a server unless I get very bad service. From one hiker to another please be kind to people who wait on you because we do work hard for our customers(most of us at least). Plus us hikers dont need the bad rep., you will already smell like crap so you're starting one in the hole.
    Well put...
    Don't Die Before You've Had A Chance To Live!

  19. #19
    Registered User mister krabs's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Skidsteer View Post
    That was awesome.
    plus eleventy

  20. #20

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    Quote Originally Posted by JJJ View Post
    A frying pan is a must. Don't skimp by using aluminum.
    Cast iron. The only way to roll.
    Maybe you could take a dutch oven, too. There are lots of recipes on-line that are great for use in a dutch oven, but then a couple of recipe books wouldn't be that heavy. A really big, iron dutch oven is best.


    All excellent advice. Possibly you could expand it and turn it into a book.

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