Concur with everyone . . . this is a nice story.
For the last several years I have been going down to Springer for a week or so. Every year I see numerous hikers that are not prepared and I always wonder Why?. There is so much information out there (WhiteBlaze, Trailjournals, Blogs, books, - hasn't everyone read 'A Walk in the Woods'?, etc, etc) that it just boggles the mind that year after year hikers begin their journey with inadequate gear or gear that is just not needed; heavy packs; a bird; a cello; a hand-cart; or they are not prepared for the mountains or the weather (it can be snowing one day, violent thunderstorms the next and 75f the day after that); push themselves too hard (I can make it to Neels Gap in 2 days) . . . Every year there is something that'll make me scratch my head.
I know that WhiteBlaze is full of opinions (and some from cyberhikers that haven't hiked and don't really know what they are talking about) and it might be difficult to sift through it all, especially if you are inexperienced. But all the lurkers out there should be able to get a reasonable idea of what to expect and at least not be completely clueless.
There are enough of us here that will still reply to the threads with money questions, or the weather related questions and unfortunately it seems that the original poster will inevitably argue their point and disagree with the conventional wisdom offered. Often times a reply to a thread might actually be more for the lurkers and not the original poster, especially once it is obvious that the op isn't going to change their mind. Just maybe a lurker will wise up and decide that a 40f bag is not a good idea in Feb.
So my question for Capt Nat is: Why? Why were you clueless? Why were you not prepared? What led you to seemingly believe that 'walking uphill' would not be difficult (especially with a 40# pack)? I'm just wondering out loud here . . .
Glad that you are OK and reasonably certain that you will be better prepared next time around. And maybe some lurkers will learn from your experience and be better prepared.
See you on the trail,
mt squid
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