View Full Version : Getting started again
I have been away from hiking for about 7 years. I used to hike often in places like Utah and NC as well as some overseas (prior military). I did less and finally stopped because my family did not like to join me. Life with kids seemed to eat up my time although I always "planned to go again next year for sure".
Now I have spent 2 years recovering from a severe ankle injury that required rehab to get walking again. This made me realize how I had let too much time pass and I missed the trails terribly. So I have hit the stair master and tread mill and duted off my old gear. I have teasted walking in my boots and carrying my pack and this April I plan (for real) to spend at least 4 days in the mountains.
I live in Georgia so the AT seems like a good choice. It seems to pass several roads as possible entry/exit points in case I am wrong about having my ankle back in shape.
Based on your experience, am I right about the entry/exit access? My wife will meet me if I need to get out. I am figuring 8-10 miles a day to be safe.
Lone Wolf
12-30-2006, 17:47
Yup. Plenty of roads in Georgia to bail out if you have to.
Jack Tarlin
12-30-2006, 17:50
You'll be fine.
I don't know where Stockbridge is, but if you get the chance, pop into the Walasi-Yi Center at Mountain Crossings which is directly on the Trail near Blairsville, at the foot of Blood Mtn. Owner Winton Porter would be a great person to talk to about gear and footwear, especially since you've been away for awhile. There are all sorts of new things out as far as packs, stoves, footwear, etc., and Winton would be a great resouce for you.
And don't worry about the ankle. Just take things slow at first, keep the pack weight down as much as you can, and you'll do just fine.
little bear
12-30-2006, 17:56
:welcome to White Blaze, just take it slow and enjoy being back in the woods.
Wonderful. Thanks for the quick replies. Stockbridge is just south of Atlanta. And yo uare right about gear. Only my boots are new because I had to replace all my shoes for rehab. Strange how that works.
The Walasi sounds very interesting. I love to talk. I plan a mid to late April trip. Very exited. I am going over the posts here to get all my plans together. Thanks again.
4 days could turn into 4 weeks could turn into.. well you get the picture:p
I doubt I would ever be able to invest the time to thru hike although that would be a great goal. I do plan to do a 2 week trip in a coupe years assuming my comeback works out. I have seen a few threads about other trails I plan to try through the fall.
Lots of great stuff on here.
I have been away from hiking for about 7 years. I used to hike often in places like Utah and NC as well as some overseas (prior military). I did less and finally stopped because my family did not like to join me. Life with kids seemed to eat up my time although I always "planned to go again next year for sure".
Now I have spent 2 years recovering from a severe ankle injury that required rehab to get walking again. This made me realize how I had let too much time pass and I missed the trails terribly. So I have hit the stair master and tread mill and duted off my old gear. I have teasted walking in my boots and carrying my pack and this April I plan (for real) to spend at least 4 days in the mountains.
I live in Georgia so the AT seems like a good choice. It seems to pass several roads as possible entry/exit points in case I am wrong about having my ankle back in shape.
Based on your experience, am I right about the entry/exit access? My wife will meet me if I need to get out. I am figuring 8-10 miles a day to be safe.
Given your medical history, I would figure on 4-6 miles per day to start. Don't think miles, think fun. Go from shelter to shelter. or campsite to campsite. The goal is not speed, but an enjoyable walk. Forget AT miles. Concentrate on interesting trail miles.
For a few days (weeks if you have them) think late starts, early stops. A lot of fascinating people willl pass you. Talk to them. Gain what insights you can from them. But don't. don't, don't try to keep up with them.
Instead, keep in mind that other interesting hikers will follow, with equally interesting insights.
Weary
max patch
12-30-2006, 21:37
Kennesaw Mtn Natl Park in Marietta would be a good place to do some day hikes.
bigcranky
12-30-2006, 22:30
You've talked with your doctor/physical therapist about the boots, right? I ask that because my hiking partner had his Achille's tendon put back together this past summer, and now he can only wear low-cut shoes. Anything higher rubs on the back of his ankle and is just unwearable. Now that's just his experience, of course, but you might ask anyway.
Weary is right on the miles. It's not a bad idea to start in the 5-mile-per-day range in Georgia -- the trail is considerably tougher than many people (well, me, anyway) expect. Take it easy and have fun. April is a great month on the trail -- it's cool enough to be comfortable without being so cold as to require lots of extra gear and clothing.
The hiker hostel will shuttle you to and from their hostel if you really want to ease into it. You could slackpack it and go real easy on the ankle at first.
Hiker Hostel
http://www.hikerhostel.com/index.php
"Slackpack Ga."
http://www.hikerhostel.com/slackpack.php
I had to work back into shoes and then slowly get back into the boots. My achilles gives me issues in the mornings, especially if it's cold. I plan to take heat packs to help with that. I am certainly not looking to set mileage records. I figured the easy access would make this trail a good start. I hear it is tough in sections here but it's better then being stuck remote in a loop trail if I need to take a breather. 5 miles a day is fine by me just so I'm out and about again.
I have never been on a trail where I ran across many hikers. I'd love to hear some stories but I don't want to interfere with anyone's experience on the trail.
I may take one of my daughters on the Kennesaw day hikes. She has expressed some interest and I would cherish getting her involved. She's 7 now. May be ready to do some tougher hikes in a few years if all works out.
Thank you all for the advice and the links. I can't wait for April.
Austexs, never heard Slackpack before. Followed your links and now my WIFE may actually be interested in trying that. How cool....
Thank you.
Kerosene
12-31-2006, 11:07
My achilles gives me issues in the mornings, especially if it's cold. I plan to take heat packs to help with that.Your physical therapist can show you how to gently stretch the Achilles, but even after warming and stretching you will want to start slowly. Also, take care to splay your toes outward on any ascents to take pressure off the Achilles.
As mentioned earlier, mileage is less of an issue than enjoyment and recuperation. If you can get someone to pick you up, then think about walking a few miles in the morning, break for a multi-hour lunch, and then do a few more miles in the afternoon before breaking for a multi-hour dinner. If you feel like it you can always hike for another hour or so after dinner as there are numerous tent sites along the Georgia AT (which I didn't find to be nearly as difficult as the northern sections of the AT).
kyhiker1
12-31-2006, 15:49
I feel your pain as well.In my early twenties I did some moderate hiking in Utah,Arizona as I spent some summer months with my brother In Az.I met someone special in my late twenties and my hiking took a long vacation.Recent years I started getting my two sons involved in hiking and everything was going great until I had an accident in construction work which involved replacing my right hip joint.After extensive rehab(body and mind)the last two years I have gotten back on the trails,mostly in Tenn/NC.I started out slow and have progressed now up to 10-14 miles per day.I have to take more breaks than I used too,something called age I guess.But,I have never give up and keep on treking now with all my family at times and then there are the several day plus hikes I go solo for body and mind rehab.One thing I have learned is not to overdue hiking coming back from any injury.The will of a person can move the body to unknown comprehension(My grandfather quoted me this at a very young age.)
4-EVER HIKING!!:sun
TJ aka Teej
12-31-2006, 18:02
I have teasted walking in my boots and carrying my pack and this April I plan (for real) to spend at least 4 days in the mountains.
:welcome to WhiteBlaze!
I was in a similar situation after I broke my back. What I did was 'go camping' instead of going backpacking at first. I picked some spots with lots of loop hikes and varied terrain, but with just one campsite. I figured that way I wouldn't end up two days and a mountain away from a road if my back [your ankle] gave out. Have fun getting back out there!
I am certainly looking forward t getting out. LIke I stated before, I have never been on a trail with this type traffic. The AT will be a new experience. I am looking forward to seeing all the different, shall we say, types of hikers I have read about the past few days. I really want to look into the hammock campers. I side and stomach sleep soI don't know if I could do that. Would love to see the set up.
TJ aka Teej
12-31-2006, 18:59
Check this out: http://www.whiteblaze.net/soruck/
In your neck of the woods (well, compared to mine!)
Amigi'sLastStand
12-31-2006, 21:32
We love ppl like you here. Welocome to WB. Anything I would have said, has been said. GL with the recovery. SUDI!!!!! ( Look it up )
Gray Blazer
12-31-2006, 22:16
TJ has the right idea. You don't always have to shuttle. Park your car at any of the safe parking lots and hike in for a day or two and then hike back out the way you came. Or do loops. Georgia has lots of campsites as well as shelters.