A few q's about a possible week long hike

[thecornflake]

A bit about myself - I found out about the AT by reading Bill Bryson's book (yes I know, I've read a few opinions here about that book) and have since also read As Far As The Eye Can See.

I enjoy camping and being outdoors, however I prefer roughing it and being away from civilisation a bit more than the usual campsites that I go to with the family, and am planning to do a thru-hike at some point in my life.

I'm not the fittest of people and besides the time off work can't be done at the moment. However, having recently sold my house I'm in the position where I could take a week off to come over and do a week or so to get a feel for it and find out how out of shape I am.

I've spent some time reading the posts here, and looking into what gear I would need etc. I also plan to start doing some hiking over here in the UK to build up to it over time. I'm probably aiming at doing it fully in 2-3 years time, so I have plenty of time to plan properly and build up my fitness.

So I have a few questions, hopefully you can help with them -

1) What section would be best for a week (5/6 days) long hike with a mixture of easy and medium difficulty?

2) Based on the above question and the fact that it would be good to meet others who are travelling in the same direction as me so I'd like to take that into account, When would be the best time of year to do this?
I don't want to be hiking in the summer heat, I prefer it when the weather's colder but not pouring with rain every day. Also it would be good to test out the gear in colder weather.

3) Gear - I was going to list all the gear I was looking at but that's probably best for another thread. If I list the basic stuff I was looking at perhaps you can let me know if I'm on the right track. Bear in mind I want to invest in good gear now for future hiking and eventually a thru-hike, so that's why it may seem a little over the top for a week.

Pack - Gregory Palisade Medium
Tent - Lots to choose from here. Ideas include -
Big Agnes Seedhouse SL 2
MSR Hubba Hubba 2-Person
Sierra Designs Electron 2-person
(I'm looking at two-person tents because I hate 1-person ones with no space, this might change though if they turn out being a bit too heavy or bulky).
Sleeping bag - Western Mountaineering Aspen or Marmot Helium

[Lone Wolf]

Hike the Shenandoah National Park in late May.

[Heater]

A bit about myself - I found out about the AT by reading Bill Bryson's book (yes I know, I've read a few opinions here about that book) and have since also read As Far As The Eye Can See.

I enjoy camping and being outdoors, however I prefer roughing it and being away from civilisation a bit more than the usual campsites that I go to with the family, and am planning to do a thru-hike at some point in my life.

I'm not the fittest of people and besides the time off work can't be done at the moment. However, having recently sold my house I'm in the position where I could take a week off to come over and do a week or so to get a feel for it and find out how out of shape I am.

I've spent some time reading the posts here, and looking into what gear I would need etc. I also plan to start doing some hiking over here in the UK to build up to it over time. I'm probably aiming at doing it fully in 2-3 years time, so I have plenty of time to plan properly and build up my fitness.

So I have a few questions, hopefully you can help with them -

1) What section would be best for a week (5/6 days) long hike with a mixture of easy and medium difficulty?

2) Based on the above question and the fact that it would be good to meet others who are travelling in the same direction as me so I'd like to take that into account, When would be the best time of year to do this?
I don't want to be hiking in the summer heat, I prefer it when the weather's colder but not pouring with rain every day. Also it would be good to test out the gear in colder weather.

3) Gear - I was going to list all the gear I was looking at but that's probably best for another thread. If I list the basic stuff I was looking at perhaps you can let me know if I'm on the right track. Bear in mind I want to invest in good gear now for future hiking and eventually a thru-hike, so that's why it may seem a little over the top for a week.

Pack - Gregory Palisade Medium
Tent - Lots to choose from here. Ideas include -
Big Agnes Seedhouse SL 2
MSR Hubba Hubba 2-Person
Sierra Designs Electron 2-person
(I'm looking at two-person tents because I hate 1-person ones with no space, this might change though if they turn out being a bit too heavy or bulky).
Sleeping bag - Western Mountaineering Aspen or Marmot Helium

Why the SD Electron rather than the lightning which is a pound lighter.
http://moontrail.com/sierra-lightning.php
Tarptent also has the Double Rainbow with a inner wall insert you might wanna look at.
http://www.tarptent.com/doublerainbow.html

Gregory Palasade is a 7 pound pack. Look at a ULA Catalyst
http://www.ula-equipment.com/catalyst.htm

or a Osprey Atmos 65
http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&partNumber=744914&cm_mmc=cse_froogle-_-datafeed-_-product-_-na&mr:trackingCode=0464607F-3511-DC11-8462-001422107090&mr:referralID=NA

The Aspen is now called the Sycamore ia is a good choice IMO...

[mudhead]

By the time you travel to and from, how many days will you have to functionally hike?

West Highland.

Great Glen.

Munro.

How are London to Maine (Bangor, Portland) connections?

[thecornflake]

Austexs, thanks for the gear pointers. I've got a bit more research to do on tents etc, and I haven't taken weight into account too much yet. I've got a long list of tents etc i like, and I plan to narrow them down based on weight etc.

Mudhead, I haven't looked into flight connections yet. I'll have a look into that.

I'm aiming for 5-6 days (4/5 nights) to actually hike, if I need a bit more time to travel then I can add a bit more holiday. I could take up to two weeks off without any issues from work, but I think a week will be long enough to get a feel for it and be within my physical limits.

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

I second Lone Wolf's recommendation for the Shenandoah National Park in late May heading from south to north.

As for tents - you might want to consider the Tarptent single Rainbow (http://www.tarptent.com/productsheets/RAINBOW.pdf) or the double Rainbow (http://www.tarptent.com/productsheets/DBLRAINBOW.pdf) or the Six Moon Lunar Duo (http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=47). While the single Rainbow is a one-person tent, it is roomy enough for two to get cozy. If more space is needed, the other two are virtual palaces. All have enough space for you and your gear, enough head room to keep from feeling confined if you must spend time in the tent due to rain and all are very light. Both Henry Shire of Tarptent and Ron Moak of Six Moon provide excellent customer service.

[Time To Fly 97]

Hike the Shenandoah National Park in late May.

One of the easiest sections of the AT. Almost a sidewalk. Excellent wildlife (very lucky - saw a mountain lion). A plethora of restaurants and park like settings that pop up almost too frequently. This is an outstanding choice for someone new to backpacking. When you get more into it the voices in your head will be the mountains calling you.

Happy hiking!

TTF

[thecornflake]

I've checked some flight destinations, I think I can fly direct from the UK to Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas/Fort Worth, San Francisco , Denver, Miami, Newark, Phoenix and Detroit.

I also found flights to Charlottesville, connecting via Charlotte which would probably be the closest I can get to Shenandoah by air.

[Old Grouse]

Easiest way to the AT will probably be either Washington DC or NYC. From either, you can take public transportation to a likely starting point. Getting back after walking a week might be more problematic. How about flying to DC, then train to Harpers Ferry, then hiking north. At the end of your allotted time you could probably arrange a shuttle or even take a cab from wherever you bail out to Harrisburg or Gettysburg or another town with rail transport.

[thecornflake]

Correction - I just found another flight, via Philadelphia then Washington DC to Shenandoah Valley Airport. Lots of potential for issues with connection flights though, I'm not sure what it's like over there but if it's anything like the UK a trip involving 3 connecting flights is sure to involve delays, missed flights and all kinds of grief.

[Frosty]

For a hike with people and ease of connections, I would start from Springer.

Fly to Atlanta in march or early April, have hikerhostel.com pick you up at airport and deliver you to Springer. You can hike as far as you want, then get a shuttle back to Hiker Hostel and a shuttle to the Airport.

You can get a shuttle back to Hiker Hostel from Woody Gap, Neels Gap, Unicoi Gap, Dicks Creek Gap. If you have extra time you can get as far as Franklin and Ron Haven for a ride back to Hiker Hostel or to the airport perhaps.

That will give you possible hikes of about 20, 30, 50 or 67 miles (add 8 miles to each if you do the Approach Trail). Franklin would be an addition 20 or 30 miles depending if you took the Kimsey Creek cutoff or not.

This way you get maximum flexibility, and the easiest connections from an airport to the AT and back. Simply hike until you run out of time.

Plus it is a fun starting from Springer. Lots of excitement and high expectations.

[thecornflake]

For a hike with people and ease of connections, I would start from Springer.

Fly to Atlanta in march or early April, have hikerhostel.com pick you up at airport and deliver you to Springer. You can hike as far as you want, then get a shuttle back to Hiker Hostel and a shuttle to the Airport.

You can get a shuttle back to Hiker Hostel from Woody Gap, Neels Gap, Unicoi Gap, Dicks Creek Gap. If you have extra time you can get as far as Franklin and Ron Haven for a ride back to Hiker Hostel or to the airport perhaps.

That will give you possible hikes of about 20, 30, 50 or 67 miles (add 8 miles to each if you do the Approach Trail). Franklin would be an addition 20 or 30 miles depending if you took the Kimsey Creek cutoff or not.

This way you get maximum flexibility, and the easiest connections from an airport to the AT and back. Simply hike until you run out of time.

Plus it is a fun starting from Springer. Lots of excitement and high expectations.

That sounds like a good idea, I'm guessing (and I mean guess!) that I could do around 8-10 miles a day depending on terrain. I've done 10-12 mile walks here on easy ground in a day and didn't feel that pushed.

What's the terrain/scenery/camping like there? I much prefer the idea of camping to staying in shelters. Over here you can't really just go and camp anywhere, only in proper campsites. What what I've read there's a bit more freedom on the trail as to where you set up your tent.

[LIhikers]

My suggestion would be to fly into New York, in the fall, and take public transportation to the trail. Hike north into Conneticut and then get a shuttle back to public transportation. In the fall and you'll get the cool weather you are looking for and hiking that isn't too hard.

[Appalachian Tater]

Have you done or considered doing the Pennine Way?

[scope]

That sounds like a good idea, I'm guessing (and I mean guess!) that I could do around 8-10 miles a day depending on terrain. I've done 10-12 mile walks here on easy ground in a day and didn't feel that pushed.

What's the terrain/scenery/camping like there? I much prefer the idea of camping to staying in shelters. Over here you can't really just go and camp anywhere, only in proper campsites. What what I've read there's a bit more freedom on the trail as to where you set up your tent.

That 8-10 per day is about right, plus or minus 1-2 depending on how you feel. Up and down terrain with lots of campsites along the trail. Scenery is just OK. If you're coming down here, I suggest October or April. You could easily do the entire GA section in 5-6 days, but I'd recommend you go southbound and finish at Amicalola. Most hikers will be northbound, but it won't matter.

[thecornflake]

Have you done or considered doing the Pennine Way?

I've heard of it, I have been looking into hikes in the UK but a lot of them involve staying in accomodation every night (pubs or youth hostels) as campgrounds are scarce in places and you can't just pitch up in a field.

I have considered planning my own route around available campsites that allow tents (some are only for caravans). For me it's just not the same staying indoors every night.

However it would be a good fitness excercise. There is also the South Downs Way, which is about 100 miles and starts in Eastbourne which is about 30 miles away from where I live.


This can be done in a long weekend if pushing it or stretched over 8-10 days.

[pipesmoke]

I'm in Sevenoaks till tomorrow and would chat if we could connect. Camping in the UK is not that hard. Did Hadrians Wall last year.

[thecornflake]

I'm in Sevenoaks till tomorrow and would chat if we could connect. Camping in the UK is not that hard. Did Hadrians Wall last year.


Hi Pipesmoke, I live in Tunbridge Wells (well Southborough) but I'm at work all day and off to London tomorrow.

Would love to hear more about Hadrians Wall and general camping in the UK. I've only been to the big family based sites which is great with the family obviously but I would like to be able to go somewhere a bit more remote where camping is still possible (around here there isn't much 'common ground' it's all privately owned).

[pipesmoke]

Call 07855767005 and my daughter could set a time to meet. I'm off to Wales for 10 days but will be back the afternoon of the 18th.

[thecornflake]

Call 07855767005 and my daughter could set a time to meet. I'm off to Wales for 10 days but will be back the afternoon of the 18th.

I'm on holiday from the 15th! I'll have a think and look at when I'm back and hopefully we can sort something out.

in the meantime, I've been doing some research into camping in the UK and found one particularly good site which has information on wild camping, food, tents etc - http://www.v-g.me.uk/WildCamp/WildCampMindSet.htm

I thought I'd post the link in case it's useful to anyone else.

It appears the South downs way is near impossible to do camping all the way, but the Pennine way is easier to find places to camp so I may lok at doing some or all of that at some point.

I've also posted in the gear forum about my equipment list and got some very good feedback.

[maxNcathy]

I agree with Frosty, above.I hiked this section= this spring and it was great.Lots of hikers,lots of water,lots of campsites,lots of towns for resupply,lots of sshelters,lots of variety in trails,.....lots of fun/adventure.
Go for 2 weeks if you can.
sandalwood/Max

PS read Rockstar's(Tina) journal in www.trailjournals.com

[thecornflake]

Yeah, I'm definitely leaning towards starting from Springer at the same time as the thru-hikers and aiming for two weeks if possible. This way I'll get to meet a lot of others and also when I eventually manage to come back for my own thru I will already know the first part so it won't be quite as daunting.

This also gives me almost a year to plan and get some practice in the UK.