Most Important Tip for Starting the AT, Switching to Quilt, Section Hike vs Thru-hike, etc.
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Date: 2020-08-18
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Comments and reviews: 9
MAT
Welcome to the AT Again club. The AT, IMHO, is so attractive to repeaters simply because its such a social trail. Do it all once and you can never purge it out of your system. Im a 3-time thru-hiker and am seriously considering doing it again this year just because of that particular attraction. Ive done sections of many other trails including the PCT and CDT but they just dont have the draw that keeps pulling me back like the AT does. People always ask me why I keep doing it but unless they have done the whole thing they just cant understand my explanation. Also, at least to me, this is hands-down the most difficult--- and HIGHLY annoying for pointless climbs---, as far as elevation change goes, of the three major trails. But thats just my opinion and others may completely disagree. Like you, I despise cold rain. NUTTIN' is worse to me on any trail. which is why I always start in mid-April. People think that its a bit late to start but here is my take on it. When you start early. say mid-Feb towards the end of March. you tend to hit the worst weather and tend to spend more time in towns, shelters or tents and do low-mileage days. Ive found that starting later I dont have to take so much time off to avoid weather or do low mileage to just make a few miles. My first thru-hike I started March 27 and finished Aug 28 with a lot of low-mile or non-mile days because of terrible weather. The second and third years I started April 15 and 17, respectively, and still finished at the end of August. simply because I was putting in far more higher mileage days because the weather was so much better. But everyone has different perspectives. Anyway. I hope you do do a 2nd AT thru-hike and I hope Im doing one then as well as it would be interesting to meet you even if only briefly. I think you will find, in many ways, that a 2nd thru-hike is MUCH more enjoyable, for obvious reasons, than the first one. However. when you climb Katahdin the second time, as exciting as it is, it will never be quite as exhilarating as the first time.
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Welcome to the AT Again club. The AT, IMHO, is so attractive to repeaters simply because its such a social trail. Do it all once and you can never purge it out of your system. Im a 3-time thru-hiker and am seriously considering doing it again this year just because of that particular attraction. Ive done sections of many other trails including the PCT and CDT but they just dont have the draw that keeps pulling me back like the AT does. People always ask me why I keep doing it but unless they have done the whole thing they just cant understand my explanation. Also, at least to me, this is hands-down the most difficult--- and HIGHLY annoying for pointless climbs---, as far as elevation change goes, of the three major trails. But thats just my opinion and others may completely disagree. Like you, I despise cold rain. NUTTIN' is worse to me on any trail. which is why I always start in mid-April. People think that its a bit late to start but here is my take on it. When you start early. say mid-Feb towards the end of March. you tend to hit the worst weather and tend to spend more time in towns, shelters or tents and do low-mileage days. Ive found that starting later I dont have to take so much time off to avoid weather or do low mileage to just make a few miles. My first thru-hike I started March 27 and finished Aug 28 with a lot of low-mile or non-mile days because of terrible weather. The second and third years I started April 15 and 17, respectively, and still finished at the end of August. simply because I was putting in far more higher mileage days because the weather was so much better. But everyone has different perspectives. Anyway. I hope you do do a 2nd AT thru-hike and I hope Im doing one then as well as it would be interesting to meet you even if only briefly. I think you will find, in many ways, that a 2nd thru-hike is MUCH more enjoyable, for obvious reasons, than the first one. However. when you climb Katahdin the second time, as exciting as it is, it will never be quite as exhilarating as the first time.
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peter
Coming from a couple of zpacks bags (a 40 and a 20, which are very good) the EE revelation is an order of magnitude better. Not to detract from Zpacks, they are still good (tents and packs, they rule) but EE has got the edge with quilts for sure. The 950 downtec, the choice of colours, the excellent stitching, the range of superior cloths. If you look at the actual measurements, they are slightly lighter. You do need at least need the full length sleeping pad, it's the bottom half of the system (the womens thermarest version is 3. 9R FYI. The 7D fabric (EE) is nice on the inside, has a nice feel. I initially got a 10F extra wide. It is too wide, too big. Next I got a wide, 30F. Even that is still wide enough to close up like a sleeping bag. I am 90 kg, not in anyway reminiscent of Twiggy. Regular lengths. I'm a week at the most hiker, not a thru hiker although I would have it otherwise. If I ever get the sack (oil and gas), with a high heart (yes sometimes corny gets it across), I'm heading for those great American trails, or if it's winter over there, Te Araoa then onwards to the great Americas. Mind you the GPT in Chile South America is starting to look a bit interesting. Possibilities!
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Coming from a couple of zpacks bags (a 40 and a 20, which are very good) the EE revelation is an order of magnitude better. Not to detract from Zpacks, they are still good (tents and packs, they rule) but EE has got the edge with quilts for sure. The 950 downtec, the choice of colours, the excellent stitching, the range of superior cloths. If you look at the actual measurements, they are slightly lighter. You do need at least need the full length sleeping pad, it's the bottom half of the system (the womens thermarest version is 3. 9R FYI. The 7D fabric (EE) is nice on the inside, has a nice feel. I initially got a 10F extra wide. It is too wide, too big. Next I got a wide, 30F. Even that is still wide enough to close up like a sleeping bag. I am 90 kg, not in anyway reminiscent of Twiggy. Regular lengths. I'm a week at the most hiker, not a thru hiker although I would have it otherwise. If I ever get the sack (oil and gas), with a high heart (yes sometimes corny gets it across), I'm heading for those great American trails, or if it's winter over there, Te Araoa then onwards to the great Americas. Mind you the GPT in Chile South America is starting to look a bit interesting. Possibilities!
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Jackie
I know you probably get this question a lot. I am trying to decide what to do about the bear cannister on the PCT. But my concern is about small varmits along the desert section and no tree to hang your food on most occassions. I do not want mice coming into my tent, or getting into my food bag, so have been considering taking the 450 size bear cannister along for entire trip. I hate the weight and actually shape and bulk of the cannister like most people, but how much of a problem are the rhodents on the trail, and do you think an earthbag with odorproof bags might be enough, and where did people put their food when in bags and there was no tree. I know some took it into their tent. But if not in tent what did they do with it? Thanks ahead of time. I know in the Sierras the cannister is required, but want to avoid it if possible in other areas, but if need be will take it the entire trip. yuk. and in your opinion is the smaller cannister big enough, esp. for the area within the Sierras where it is a long distance between resupplies. Thanks ahead of time for your opinion.
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I know you probably get this question a lot. I am trying to decide what to do about the bear cannister on the PCT. But my concern is about small varmits along the desert section and no tree to hang your food on most occassions. I do not want mice coming into my tent, or getting into my food bag, so have been considering taking the 450 size bear cannister along for entire trip. I hate the weight and actually shape and bulk of the cannister like most people, but how much of a problem are the rhodents on the trail, and do you think an earthbag with odorproof bags might be enough, and where did people put their food when in bags and there was no tree. I know some took it into their tent. But if not in tent what did they do with it? Thanks ahead of time. I know in the Sierras the cannister is required, but want to avoid it if possible in other areas, but if need be will take it the entire trip. yuk. and in your opinion is the smaller cannister big enough, esp. for the area within the Sierras where it is a long distance between resupplies. Thanks ahead of time for your opinion.
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Grisly
You know If you're looking for trails in Europe, the Caminos is a very very busy one, not always heard the best things about it.
But for older people (above 40) a very common trail to do.
But there are also the grand routes through France and the E routes through Europe (E1, for example, is the longest one from Norway to Italy about 4, 960 miles. There are 12 of them of varying length)
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You know If you're looking for trails in Europe, the Caminos is a very very busy one, not always heard the best things about it.
But for older people (above 40) a very common trail to do.
But there are also the grand routes through France and the E routes through Europe (E1, for example, is the longest one from Norway to Italy about 4, 960 miles. There are 12 of them of varying length)
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ellen
You're fantastic. We have learned so very much from you over the last couple of years, and just enjoy what a positive human you are. Also - VERY glad to hear that you're planning a Camino journey. We'd love to do that some year, but are scared of the bedbugs. Don't know how to pack my fears on that one. Can't wait to see how your journey goes, and how you navigate the obstacles. Best.
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You're fantastic. We have learned so very much from you over the last couple of years, and just enjoy what a positive human you are. Also - VERY glad to hear that you're planning a Camino journey. We'd love to do that some year, but are scared of the bedbugs. Don't know how to pack my fears on that one. Can't wait to see how your journey goes, and how you navigate the obstacles. Best.
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TANSHA
I've worked/ volunteered in an alburgue (hostel) on the camino in the past, and plan to go again this summer. If you have questions about the camino (I don't know anything, but I do have a good base knowledge of how it functions) I'd be happy to answer any: ) So excited to follow you on your journey! The Camino is amazing! Walking the first week of it this year as well: )
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I've worked/ volunteered in an alburgue (hostel) on the camino in the past, and plan to go again this summer. If you have questions about the camino (I don't know anything, but I do have a good base knowledge of how it functions) I'd be happy to answer any: ) So excited to follow you on your journey! The Camino is amazing! Walking the first week of it this year as well: )
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William
Girl take it from me I grew up in Florida you don't want to be in Florida in the summer do the Florida trail in the winter in the summer it can easily reach in the 90s then at night it really doesn't cool down that much and the humidity if your not used to 90 percent humidity then you will feel like you are drowning when on dry land that's why I moved out to Colorado
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Girl take it from me I grew up in Florida you don't want to be in Florida in the summer do the Florida trail in the winter in the summer it can easily reach in the 90s then at night it really doesn't cool down that much and the humidity if your not used to 90 percent humidity then you will feel like you are drowning when on dry land that's why I moved out to Colorado
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darrick
I want to use Zpacks pack but they rate it for 5-6 days of food. Has what are opinions on making it all the way through the 100 mile wilderness? Last time it took me 9 days. How much do you think I will be able to push the envelope with the amount of weight I can carry with it?
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I want to use Zpacks pack but they rate it for 5-6 days of food. Has what are opinions on making it all the way through the 100 mile wilderness? Last time it took me 9 days. How much do you think I will be able to push the envelope with the amount of weight I can carry with it?
reply
coleslaw7000
EE Quilts are great. i've bought three total. so much versatility. for a less spendy quilt there's a thermarest down quilt that doens't break the bank and will keep you warm unless it's suuuper cold out x2 on the bigger guy options with the multiple sizes on the EE quilts
reply
EE Quilts are great. i've bought three total. so much versatility. for a less spendy quilt there's a thermarest down quilt that doens't break the bank and will keep you warm unless it's suuuper cold out x2 on the bigger guy options with the multiple sizes on the EE quilts
reply
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