Welcome to WhiteBlaze.net [Archive] - Page 3 - WhiteBlaze

BuddyGus

04-18-2011, 01:49

Hello all.

I am beginning the planning and reality check of an AT thru-hike. I am planning on doing it after I retire from the military in about 5 years.

Needless to say that in the 15 years I have been in the Marine Corps I have done a fair share of hiking and camping outdoors. Funny, that I would choose to continue it after I retire.

Look forward to meeting good people, and picking their brains for tips and advice about hiking with regular equipment and tools.

oldnewfie

04-29-2011, 19:39

I'm planning for a thruhike 2012, when I will be 72, and kicking... Wonderful to be in the company of so many who share a love of the trail.
No trail name.

Shuckstack

05-03-2011, 20:36

Hello

It's nice to be a part of this community. I am planning a 3-4 day hike in the Smokies this July. I want to hike half of the AT across the smokies this year and the other half in 2012. I have found alot of great information on this site and am most grateful.

Treadup

05-09-2011, 14:17

Thank you to all who have submitted tips and info on this forum. I am really enjoying reading the tips on dirt bagging as well.
I am far from a LDH as of now, however, when time and space allow I'll be on my way.

Thanks and hope to see ya'll soon!

slims

05-10-2011, 18:35

Greetings to all.

I've recently been bit with the thru hike bug and I'm hoping to set off next year. I'm basically just trying to learn as much as possible as I begin my planning and I've been reading so many useful articles and posts on this site that I figure it's about time I sign up.

iwhitley

05-14-2011, 15:20

I just wanted to say Hello! My wife, myself and our Lab Wilbur will be starting to Section Hike parts of the Appalachian Trail this year.

It has always been a dream on my wifes to hike the Appalachian trail!

I grew up in Waynesboro so I did parts of the Virginia sections when I was younger.

We look forward to learning from this site and experiencing the trail section by section.

Thanks to everyone who has unknowingly helped us threw this site.

Ivan, Ruth and Wilbur

Burnt2Death

05-23-2011, 13:26

Just stopping in to say hi. New to the forum. Found it while searching around planning a new adventure. I am from Southeast PA and I have hiked the entire PA section but would like to start exploring new areas not in state. Anyway I am off to find my way around this forum and I am looking forward to learning and sharing some new things.

pixie91075

05-23-2011, 15:40

lol... even though I registered for an account here on the forum back in '09, apparently I never posted anything. I had totally forgotten I had until my husband suggested that I register and read the forums...

So this is my official hello. My name is Lesley, I live in VA, and I'm helping my husband get ready for his planned thru hike by... well, HIKING...

We just started getting serious about things in the last few weeks. We've been going out to SNP and doing short circuit hikes (7-10 miles) on the weekend. We're planning on doing an overnight trip in a few months (target September).

So you may see us out there...

long island bob

05-24-2011, 10:13

Hello and happy trails.

I've always dreamed of an AT thru-hike and now that my son is old enough to switch from camping to backpacking maybe one day that will happen.

I'm delighted that this forum exists and I look forward to interacting with you all in the future.

ciphoto

05-24-2011, 14:54

I'm a noob here and I'm sure I'll ask soem things that have been ask before, even as I read and search the forum.

I've always wanted to hike the AT and now and moving forward with a plan to section hike it most likely.

But I wanted to say thinks for those that are sharing their experiences with us noob's and the patience....

If this forum is halve as friendly and useful as the hammockforums I know it will be a positive resource I come to again and again....

peace

ktfitzgerald

05-26-2011, 11:13

Hi! I just decided to start planning my first section hike this fall. I'm so excited to have found this site! Looking forward to learning a lot here. Thanks to everyone who has contributed!!!!

flyguync

06-09-2011, 21:52

Hello from eastern NC. I accompanied my son's scout troop on the Virginia Creeper Trail over the weekend of Trail Daze in Damascus and was overcome with a desire to hike at least a small section of the AT. I've certainly found a great source of info here that I hope will help prepare me and my 14 yr old son for a section hike in the very near future.

MapMaker

06-10-2011, 10:21

Hello all! This appears to be a great site for gathering info. As my name states i make maps (more or less) for a living. I work as the GIS technician for Bedford County VA. Most of our counties northern border runs along the AT. I grew up in this area and always dreamed about knocking out the 2k beginning to end. After hurting my back in the Army I'm realistic that it'll be section hiking for me, but that's life. Now to get ready, I need to loose some of the weight I've found since med boarding in '03 I thought a good way would be to start out was to provide some trail magic to the folks kicking butt! I'm close to several shelters (short hikes) and not far from the Jennings creek crossing and James River crossing (Snowden). If anyone's coming thru drop a email and we can see what can be done!

utostar

06-16-2011, 04:30

Hello all this seems to be a pretty good info site, Just signed in and wanted to say HI to all :)

mxh5210

06-25-2011, 01:34

thanks a lot

Dick Dynamo

06-30-2011, 11:01

Hello And The BIGGIST Thankyou:) To all who contribute to this 'Holy Grail' of the www. :) Ive been gathering knoledge, Supplies, and Carple Tunnel from being on tis websight ALOT! What everyone has done is a nice thing and even just joining i feel welcome and have ton of questions. I look foward to everyone answering them and correcting my horrable spelling:) hehhe. Good day and Great hiking:)

gillyfish

06-30-2011, 19:00

Hi! I'm new :)
I dreamed of hiking the AT after high school, but other things got in the way. I've dusted off my dreams once again and plan to start next summer, 2-3 weeks at a time, starting at Katahdin and working my way south. Pretty psyched!!

charmstr

07-08-2011, 00:23

Hi all. I woke up one day a couple weeks ago and thought, "How great would it be if my dog Jack and I started hiking?" The answer to that question is, of course, "pretty great." At that point I knew absolutely nothing about hiking, nothing about hiking with a dog, and nothing about the Appalachian Trail. Here it is a couple of weeks later and while I still don't know much, I do know a couple of things: my dog doesn't want to go on any hikes that last for more than about 40 minutes; and walking along bike paths in flat flat flat South Jersey probably isn't preparing me for hiking on the Appalachian Trail.

I'm so glad I found this forum. Thanks!

Texas Phlox

07-11-2011, 02:52

Well Howdy!

I stayed up last night late reading on this forum so just went ahead and joined. I have dreams of thruhiking the AT but am so new. There has always been a whispering, a nudging, a tugging to do something so grand and I am finding in life that if you want to do something, you better do it. I have set out on many adventures, the journey being the most fulfilling part, of course, be it going back to college, or leaving the comforts and culture of the big city for a homestead with primative conditions, hopping a Greyhound bus for a spontaneous trip or heck, taking off with a backpack with high hopes of adventure on the trail. I am a mother and grandmother and a retired nurse so am able to think on my feet and push myself even when I really, really don't feel like it. I am so happy to have found this site! I have much reading to do and many questions to ask. In my perfect world, I would hike NOBO beginning Mid-March. Glad to be here :)

Texas Phlox

BarnRat

07-15-2011, 22:00

Hello all. It's been 20 years since I was hiking. The last trip at was at 17 to Baxter state park and 50 miler on the Alagash water way in the scouts. Back then it was just about nothing but external frame packs and pretty heavy tents. I stopped by REI the other day and was floored at much more comfortable I'm gonna be when I set of for Maine in march 2013. I went fishing with my kids on Fathers day and suddenly realized I had been away for the last 20 years. Where have I been and what have I been thinking. So back to the woods I'm going. I was surprised that my wife thinks it's a good idea that I'll be gone for 6 or 7 months.....hmmm. Anyway I have a lot to learn and am so glad I have found a place to connect with other hikers that have put the miles on all this awesome new gear. I'm here to pick your brains!!!!

Happy trails

BarnRat

HF-TrailAngel

07-19-2011, 16:15

Hello,

We just wanted to let our presence be known to the world of AT. My father and I have recently decided to start showing our love and compassion to the many hikers and wanderers out there, by announcing we are your Trail Angel of Harper's Ferry, West Virginia.

Harper's Ferry is a wonderful town, in which we have resided here for several months now, but we have noticed there isn't much in the department of transportation, well there are buses and such, but not a sure way to get to the local Walmart and such to restock, or get some food. We are here to fill that gap.

We are offering our nice, large, cozy Suburban (seating for 9+) to transport you around town. Need to get to the laundry mat? Just give us a ring, and we will take you and bring you back to where you would like to be dropped off at. We aren't asking anything for our service. Nice local short runs :) though ask us and we can work with you on what you would need.

We would like to get in contact with other T.A's, to help get the word out, that Harper's Ferry is open for some trail magic.
Our email address is:

HF.trailangel@gmail.com

So if you know a T.A, or are one yourself, and we would love to get into connect with you and help out.

Thanks,

David
-HF.TA-

Katsal

07-26-2011, 14:18

I just wanted to say 'hi'. I enjoy hiking and always make sure I include some when I travel. This will be my first visit to the US (slightly daunting) and I am planning (or at least trying to plan) a section hike in the Autumn (starting mid-Oct) from Harpers Ferry to Damascus. No idea of what to do first when it comes to the planning (but know I need to and soon!) and I am hoping that I will put the information on these forums to good use.

Adarack

07-27-2011, 03:32

Hey WB,

I'm coming over here from HammockForums.net sister site. I'm getting back into hiking and backpacking after many years of being lazy and or busy. Living in Massachusetts and looking to section hike the AT in New England and any other trails I come across.

Anyway excited to be here...

Rusty Nail

08-06-2011, 18:20

After taking 15 years off from any serious hiking... I am back. My gear is 3 times heavier than current models, but if I could carry it as a teen in Philmont, NM , I am sure I can carry it now. Although I have been slowly upgrading it lately. I have lived less than 10 min from the AT for almost 30 years and spend a lot of time around the trail just not much ON it. Life has got in the way of the long time goal of GAME but next April I will be sectioning GA-VA.

jansom

08-07-2011, 21:16

Hello everyone. I'm planning what I call a thru hike but will probably end up being a section hike starting in Georgia on May 4th, 2012. I used to hike and backpack alot when I was younger, scouts and family stuff. I stopped when I left home and then did some dayhiking and car camping from 07-09. I'm back in school and have some time to take it up again. It has been mindblowing seeing the equipment changes that have come out since the early 90's and I hope to get some input for my trip as this site has already been a tremendous resource.

FollowFowler

08-08-2011, 16:54

hikerboy57

08-08-2011, 18:05

Hello all, introducing myself. Excited about eventually hiking the Appalachian Trail in it's entirety with two of my closest friends starting Sept 8, 2011 at Springer. Thanks for the great forum that will allow newbies like myself and my buddies to learn more about what we can expect on the trail and help us to prepare for a wonderful adventure.
welcome to WB. theres a lot of great information available to you here. I suggest you read some of the articles on the left side of the home page to help with your planning, and when you have a specific question, feel free to ask. I do want to suggest, however, either a different start date, as you would be hiking straight through the worst weather the mountains can provide. Or you might consider starting at Katahdin and hking south, keeping one step ahead of the cold.Most NOBOS stat march or april, and Baxter State Park closes on Oct 15th. doesnt reopen to hikers until May.

JeremieOwens

08-12-2011, 12:51

Just wanted to say hello! Looking forward to getting to know the community and learning from all the valuable resources on the site. Cheers!

Winterstar1

08-12-2011, 13:36

Greetings everyone! Took a round trip from Clingmans Dome to Silers Bald just yesterday, a balmy 58 degrees on return. A great hike once you leave the masses at the Dome.

civilsid

08-13-2011, 23:51

Greetings-

Wow, what a lot of info here. Also completely new, I recently watched the National Geographic show about the AT and it got me thinking about hiking. Did a fun little day hike this morning, just grabbed my water bottle and a walking stick and climbed Hualapai Peak in my own back yard. It was about 4 miles from road to peak and we were on the trail about 4 hours climbing from 6,600 feet to 8,020. The weather was perfect.

Anyways, I also hope to connect with others, come up with a game plan and hike some? all? of the AT next year. Pros and rookies alike, drop me a line and share what you have learned. I'm all ears.

Sid in Kingman, AZ

Virginia Archer

08-21-2011, 20:32

Hello all, just found your site doing some searching on the web. Recently saw a couple of documentary's on netflix on the AT and have gotten the itch to getting up there again. I'm from Central VA about 2 hours east. I've been up and done a few sections as a Scout and family outings. Kinda looking to possibly start doing some sections again by myself and maybe a few smaller ones with my daughter and Possibly the wifey too! Mainly figured I'd look to some more experienced hikers for some pointers.

Olddog

08-22-2011, 17:31

Hello, Been about a year getting back into hiking by way of the Hammock Forum. Though born and raised in Florida, after spending the last few summers in Maine, I'm not a fan of the heat and humidity here. Been spending the summer reworking my kit to lighten the load some before our season begins. Being retired I have lots of time and little money so thought this might be the best source of info for DIY and tips to lighten that load.

rimail

08-27-2011, 10:33

Hi all.
I come from France then my english is not very good, I hope it will be ok.
I did hikings in the world and one in USA (JMT, last year).
This year, in september, i will come back to USA in different place. I want to visit NYC and use 4 days to hike allong of the AT.

See You.
Rémi.

trailmix

08-28-2011, 17:54

Hello. New guy from NC. Have been lurking around for a few month and decided to join. It has always been a dream of mine to hike the whole AT and hopefully it will happen within the next few years. Hope to make a few friend and get some good info on the site

Berry Belle

08-31-2011, 02:00

Hi, I hiked HF to ME in 1992 and I've been pluggin' away at the southern half, week by week, ever since. Getting farther away from home, so I stopped by to see what I could find that might help me plan my next week on the AT.

SnakeSession

08-31-2011, 21:47

Hello! Looking forward to learning as much as I can from everyone here.

Another new guy here with plans on a solo thru hike in 2012. This spring I started hiking serious to help loose weight. So far I've lost 65 lbs and am hooked on hiking bigtime. I completed the Foothills trail in July and had so much fun that I started reading about the AT.

Learned a lot of need-to-know info already from this site and still have a LOT of planning to do before March/April.

Getting my gear figured out but still learn every night I camp. At first I had a army surplus pack full of junk but going ultralight and working on getting the weight down.

That's my quick intro. Thanks for the site, Jeff aka SnakeSession

KimberVa

09-07-2011, 10:22

Hello to all. I try to always post an intro in a forum I join as a thanks for letting me in the first place. I am lucky enough to live close enough to the AT to be able to hike it as many weekends as I can et off from my many jobs. Just wanted to say that I have read many of your articles and tips and were instrumental in getting me going on the right path early on in my hiking endeavours. Hope to be a contributing member of this forum an yet again thanks for all the work.

weirdshot

09-20-2011, 06:41

Hello, everyone. I'm new around here and just starting to check things out. This looks like an interesting place and there seem to be some pretty lively discussions going on.

OBXWaMi

09-20-2011, 17:48

Another newbie here. Hiking the AT has been on my bucket list for many years, but living less than 5 miles from the Atlantic ocean and rarely having 2 consecutive days off from work doesn't provide much opportunity. But I haven't stopped dreaming. Hubby and I drove the Blueridge Parkway from Waynesboro to Wytheville this past weekend for our 20th anniversary (which really happens to be today). I got to step on the AT (hubby teased that my bucket list now has another item marked off) and it only served to remind me that I'm not getting any younger and to renew my desire to get out there. I know that a thru-hike is many years away--if ever, but I would love to do some weekend hikes and work my way up to a week or two by the end of next summer. Hubby is disabled so I'm going to need hiking buddies. I'd love to hear from anyone willing to help me start the journey to crosssing this off my bucket list for real!

--Michelle

wwbriggs

09-26-2011, 08:17

Hello,

Glad to see this community and all the wealth of information for us aspiring thru-hikers.

Thank you,

Billie Blazes

Live_for_hiking

10-11-2011, 19:51

Hello everybody. Very interesting board here. Thanks to the staff that maintain it! After a decade of no-hiking ... I've found I have the bug again. Before I forgot what is important about hiking, I found myself all over the US doing small hikes. I’ve hiked portions of the AT in Virginia and PA. I’ve hiked the Superior Hiking Trail in Minnesota. I spent some time exploring the Cascades in Washington. I’ve even spent a weekend hiking the trail on Pine Mountain in Georgia! It feels good to move back to a place that is close to the AT and many other trails. The stories I’ve read on this site are fantastic encouragement. My decade old gear is dusted off and inspected. I’ve done a little shopping and discovered HOW MUCH has gear changed in the past 10 years. I am amazed at how light you can get a pack nowadays! I am pretty sure that if I substituted ultra-light alternatives, I’d only have about 12 lbs before food and water. But the $$$$ … I think my gear is still fine (Dana Design Bomber, Clip Flashlight, Pur Water Filter, etc). Although, I abused my 30 degree bag (stuff sack IN the backpack) so I may need to get a new one. Anyway, I’m typing out-loud.... The AT is still on my to-do list. I figure I’ll run it when I have a life transition or in about 4 years … whichever comes first! Until then, I will plan on doing PA portion of the AT (North to South direction) next summer in segments. I assume when I do the thru-hike, it will be from GA to ME. Trails look different going the opposite way. I’ll also take care of a couple of my other to-do hikes in the interim. Anyway, it is good to be here. If anybody ever wants to do a hike and doesn’t mind taking a guy with no-trail legs or endurance … send me a pm and we’ll have a chat. I'm not afraid to drive ... everything seems so close on the east coast. Safe travels.

Live_for_hiking

10-11-2011, 19:53

OK. It appears my multiple paragraphs turned into a wall of text. Sorry.

4eyedbuzzard

10-11-2011, 20:04

Live_for_hiking

10-11-2011, 20:26

Welcome :welcome Before you toss the old bag, try reviving it by hanging it, fluffing it by hand, low heat in the dryer with tennis balls, and even washing it, etc. It may not regain all its original loft, but often a quality bag will come back to life 80 - 90% or so. If nothing else it can do as a loaner for friends, etc. And yeah, all this new lightweight stuff is nice - but pricey!

Thank you for the welcome! The bag is hung and hand fluffed. That part I did immediately, along with a few choice words about my stupidity, when I unpacked it. I will give the cleaning and drying a go ... good idea.

Fireweed

10-13-2011, 15:20

My 40 year old Holubar winter bag is still great (admittedly I have kept it in the closet, not the bag) But I still bought a new lightweight for the AT. Love the new gear! Worth the price. Think about going SOBO You get in shape early and then the sourthern part is cake. Imagine cruising for months NOBO and hitting VT, NH & ME! I think it would break my heart. But, then, I've been sectioning SOBO.

DayHiker G

10-18-2011, 00:08

Hello whiteblazers!

I thought I would give everyone a shout before I get to involved with reading and posting on the forum. I’m DayHiker G. As my name suggests I’m a day hiker. I never did any overnight hikes (yet). I've always enjoyed hiking throughout my life. I live right by the Lehigh Gorge and the AT is on top of the mountain right outside my front door. I never knew this and for 11yrs. I would look up at the mountain and say "one day I’m going to hike up that mountain". 5yrs ago I finally decided to give it a go and when I got to the top I saw an AT stake in the ground and I was taken back a little. If I only knew the AT was so close I would have decided to hike the trails long ago. I’m currently reading "AWOL on the Appalachian Trail" (fantastic book btw) and I’m getting the itch to get on the trail again. I haven't been able to hike for the past two years because Oct 31, 2009 I broke my ankle in three places and tore a majority of the ligaments. Two weeks after my ankle surgery I was laying on my death bed due to 11 blood clots lodged in my lungs. The doctor said if I didn’t go to the ER I would have never made it through the night. That experience opened my eyes and made me realize I had a lot more living to do and I had some goals to fulfill (a bucket list). I have recovered from the broken ankle only to be afflicted with heel problems on my other foot. I tried to get through this year without going to the doctor but I think it's inevitable because I'm having trouble walking for any amount of time. I’m looking forward to getting back on the trail. I think my dog is too! We both have gained a spare tire! LOL!

I’m glad I found this site while looking into hiking the AT (Thx to AWOL). What a great wealth of info this site has! I don't know if I will ever get the opportunity to hike the entire AT but I will sure enjoy the parts I do explore!

Sailing_Faith

10-18-2011, 10:31

Poor form on my part, I jumped in without the obligatory intro post! I shall accept the requisite 40 lashes with a wet ramen noodle... :eek:

As the name implies, I am a Sailor. Small boat sailing is complementary since you learn to appreciate that less is more and the idea of 'Hike your own hike' applies very well.

I am trying to sneak out to the trail right now. I have a delivery that is being set up to take a boat from Hawaii to San Francisco... but it is taking forever to get the details worked out.

I had been training to hike the 101 miles of Shenandoah National Park (yes, I know it is a cop out to take the easy section first)... Not sure I will get to do the whole thing, but plan to get a couple days up there before the trip if I can. :)

I used to hike in the Santa Cruz mountains as a kid, and would hike up Mt. Tamalpias (Marin County, north of San Francisco) several times a year through the summers in high school. I have not done much hiking since then, but have been training since August and am doing fairly well... did a little less then 10 miles last night with a 38# load, which was a break through for me. :D

A couple years ago I left life and spent 9 months on a small sail boat with my wife and dog (http://sailfar.net/forum/index.php/topic,72.0.html). We enjoyed living simply, and might well still be 'out there' if the demands of social structure had not pulled us back. Maybe the 'common thread' is the appeal of living simply, and living deliberately....

I moderate/administer multiple sailing related sites and have to say that this is a really really well run forum. Of course, the 'staff' only get part of the credit for that... the people are what make a site worthwhile. Thank you to the many folks who contribute... I have learned a lot already from you, and look forward to contributing in whatever way I can.

MeadowMushroom

10-31-2011, 23:48

Hello. I am planning a thru hike in 2012. I need something amazing to accomplish. To boost my self esteem. I want to travel and meet friends who have similar interests, goals, and fun stories or advice to share. Nothing has ever seemed so clear then to be in the wilderness, hiking, seeing real beauty, breathing fresh air, getting away from mirrors, television, traffic, and the fast paced city life I've been in for almost 20 years. I look forward to reading stories of hikers and meeting new friends.

MM

jdizzle

11-05-2011, 13:36

Hello all, great site you have here. Im living in Florida and am planning a thru hike in '13 and this forum is exactly what I need, so thanks in advance for all the answers to the questions I will more than likely ask.

Bonnie86

11-13-2011, 12:06

Hey everyone!

I'm planning on doing a NOBO thru hike in 2013. I've read everything on the ATC site but as far as I'm concerned there's no better information than that, that comes from someone who has actually done it! So I'm here for any tips and/or advice anyone can give me, and I look forward to reading about everyone's experiences!

I've not had much experience hiking as such but I'm quite used to covering 8 miles in under 2 hours with 20 kg on my back (thanks to my job) and also living outside under a sheet with a healthy covering of snow on the ground! That being said, it's one thing doing it for a couple of weeks and whole other story for six months I'm sure!

ThomasOE

11-23-2011, 22:01

Mike2012

11-24-2011, 20:01

Hi I'm Tom. I work several jobs so I am currently a day hiker, geocacher, prepper, and tinker of all things outdoors. I'm working hard right now trying to get a website to take off so I can gather some money to eventually hike the AT. I think I may start vermicomposting and expanding as I make a few bucks from it. Not sure my wife is happy about the worm bin im installing soon. Hopefully the bench I plan on building for it will win her over.

Used to having a compost pile right outside the door I was forced to throw it out when I moved to "a city". Wish I had had a wormbin but now that I am moving out glad I only have to deal with getting a sitter for my cat and not my thousands of worms.

Outback Mac

12-25-2011, 10:58

I am new to the forum. Planning my section hike April 9th. Looking for all the info I can get. Look forward to meeting up with all of you A.T hikers. Wish me LUCK!

Medic40

12-27-2011, 18:32

Newbie here! I am planning a thru hike starting March 15 2012. Hope to see y'all out there.

runt13

12-29-2011, 17:18

HI EVERYONE! Runt here, new to the forum, just saying hello.
been wandering around the northeastern woods since 1976! the AT has been a dream of mine for as long. my first ever walk in the woods was on the AT from rt 80 in NJ to sundfish pond, camped for the nite then down to the old copper mine in in del water gap. i was 9, my grandfather and i did it with just sleeping bags and sandwiches! not a long distence but when your 9, it felt like a different planet.
i have started my fall season every year since with a hike up to sunfish pond.
well just introducing myself

RUNT

4eyedbuzzard

12-29-2011, 17:53

:welcomeHey runt. Greeting from a former Howell, Pt Pleasant, and Freehold resident - I escaped NJ in '95. Still have a few friends in Jackson, but it's a lot more built up and populated now than when I grew up around there in the 70's!

RORY CALHOUN

01-01-2012, 15:13

Newbie here! I am planning a thru hike starting March 15 2012. Hope to see y'all out there.

March 15, 2012 is the date i have penned in as a start also, so maybe that parking lot near Springer may be a "see ya" moment. With a title like Outback Mac either you are a "true" hiker or you like the Blooming Onion at the Outback Steakhouse, only you know that score....

Pathfinder1

01-01-2012, 15:23

I usually don't trek very far,
when all around me black bears are.

Hello, Whiteblazers...

This is a brand Noobie from New York State's lower Catskill Mountains, who just stumbled aboard.

Am not yet familiar with this site, but am nevertheless impressed.

Unless my physical luck changes for the better, I'll now be doing my trekking via UTE. Not too big of a deal, though, as I've got a lot of the same to look back upon.

IceAxe18

01-03-2012, 00:35

Hiking the Appalachian trail has been my dream sence in my 20's. I've been hiking and camping off and on sence I was a little kid. I've also been doing some basic mountaineering off and on sence 2003.

I'm sure I would be able to do a thru-hike on the Applachian trail, and finish it.

barks

01-03-2012, 18:18

Hello to everyone. New member here. I'm registered here as "barks" but a friend of mine dubbed me with the trail name "trailmix" because i'm more than a little bit addicted to the stuff.

Anywho, i'm currently planning to section-hike the AT because thru-hiking is out of the question for the time being. I'm not new to the outdoors and backpacking, but i am new to the AT. I hope to finish the AT (or at least be almost finished) within the next three years because i plan on doing a thru-hike of the PCT as soon as i'm out of the military. I'm also the geekiest jock you'll ever meet (or the jockiest geek?) and i love crunchy peanut butter.

And that's me in a nutshell. I look forward to perusing the forums and chatting with you folks.

- trailmix

Sal-XK

01-03-2012, 19:21

I'm glad I found this forum I've been digging threw all the information trying to find answers before I ask a bunch of questions. I promised my daughter we would do a section hike this summer so I'm starting my research. Looking forward learning and contributing to the forum. I've already started her training so I have no doubt she'll be ready by then. I have lots of experience with hiking rough terrain and long distances but never been to the AT and also never took my kid with me before either so I have no idea what to expect LOL.

felly

01-05-2012, 03:42

I am a newbie! Glad to become part of the forum.

george457d

01-06-2012, 18:02

Howdy ,
I wana go North to South ,so each step gets me closer to home ...

runt13

01-08-2012, 19:16

thanks for the warm welcome, 4eyedbuzzard. been in jackson 10+ years, originaly from edison. used to spend my summers in seaside, fishing, clamming, and crabbing. spent the winters [weekends] up in the delaware water gap and worthington forest, along with any state game lands my grandfather would take me. still pretty much the same program, but now i do it with my granddaughter.
RUNT

gunflint

01-12-2012, 13:18

Hello, all. Great site, I've spent a lot time reading on here. Lots of valuable info, some of less value as well. Thanks to everyone who makes this possible. Hope to see some of you out there.

surfnturk

01-12-2012, 14:03

Greetings everyone.My name is Dusty. I'm unemployed and I live with my parents..I did a small section of the AT (solo) around Thanksgiving time and really enjoyed.My wife had absolutly no problem with me being gone in the wilderness for 6 days.

kayakjax

01-15-2012, 19:34

I'm a creaky old-ish guy who got the fever reading Colin Fletcher about 1971, but let life intrude. I recently had a health scare, and realized that if I want to make dreams come true, I better be making them happen sooner, than later.

I'm glad to be here and really love learning from all the knowledgeable people here!

PalmettoGirl

01-15-2012, 19:42

Another newbie here... Tired of just lurking. Lots of great info on here. My AT hike is still years away, but I can live thru you guys until it gets here!

Dogger

01-28-2012, 23:12

Hello To EveryoneGreat forum you have here. Been lurking for a while time to say HI. Retired from work this past June. A lot of info here if you look for it. Got around 400 miles in this summer, the longest being 3 week in the U.P. on the North Country Trail. Have a room March 11 at Amicalola Lodge. Will take off on the 12th Should be a great summer.Dogger

Shovel

01-28-2012, 23:40

Howdy all. I'm fairly new to the site but have been hiking since my teens. Mainly the Cohutta Wilderness, A.T. and the Benton Mackaye. I'm 58 y.o. and retired. I live approx. 15 min. from Springer Mtn; therefore, I spend a great deal of time day hiking. This site is fantastic and a wealth of knowledge. Always learning something new. Glad I found it ! :-)

Squirrel22

02-08-2012, 09:15

Glad to have someone refer me to this site. I'm a newbie at backpacking. So new that I bought my first backpack only two weeks ago and gathering gear as I can. My immediate goal is local backpacking to get my body in shape. Luckily this is flat land around here, so I don't have to deal with any mountains yet!

X-Ray

02-22-2012, 19:17

Greetings folks, long time lurker, first time poster! I'm from Plymouth in the UK and have my NOBO thru hike penned for 2016.
I've previously section hiked the AT in PA only, and have experience hiking in the UK and Europe, including Santiago de Compostela.
I look forward to getting to know you all, learning from you, and helping if I can.

Red Trillium

02-24-2012, 13:01

Just saying HI! Getting back into hiking after a long time away, but going big. Planning to start a section hike on May 4th from Springer Mtn. I hope to make it to Gatlinburg before heading back to work, May 28th. Not planning on breaking any speed records so, if anyone is looking for a hiking buddy keep me in mind. Any and all advice is also welcome. My biggest concern is how to keep my pack weight down. Thanks and see you on the trail!

Guaranteed

02-24-2012, 21:27

Hello all,
Been reading for awhile, hiking for a bit longer and prepping for a SOBO this year. Looking forward to some doing serious reading and to meeting many of you out an the trail.
- Guaranteed

CrazyInside

02-27-2012, 17:08

Hello everybody. Been lurking here for quite a while.
I've been wanting to do a thru hike for 4 or 5 years now, and I'm getting older so I best be getting started. I'm planning on early spring 2013 nobo.
:)

Dawg

02-29-2012, 10:28

Hello everyone, new member here. I've been enjoying and learning from this site for awhile, so I thought I would jump in. I've been active all my life and as I get older I'm turning toward hiking (and mountain climbing). If all goes well I'll retire at the end of 2015 and do a thru in 2016. Until then, I'll be learning and doing shorter hikes as often as possible. Hope to meet many here on the trail!

trucker2015

03-03-2012, 09:18

Hey everyone,

Grate site. I'm new here but not to the trail. I had a failed attempt at a thru hike in 2002.Do to bad planing.
Now ten years later. I have started planing for a 2015 thru hike and I will make it this time.With three years to get ready. I live seven miles from the approach trail at Amicalola so I do spend a lot of time on the GA part of the trail and my wife and I plan to do some trail magic.So I see you on the trail.

saralyn

03-07-2012, 10:45

Hey everyone, been gaining information and researching a lot for a thru-hike next year. I'm so excited!
This is a great and informative community :)

the tick whisperer

03-11-2012, 19:54

Salutations, hikers!

I just signed up and figured I ought to check in here before diving into the good stuff. My name is Sarah and I'm in the planning stages of a 2013 northbound AT thru-hike. It was *supposed* to be this year (March 20), but I'm sure you all know about best-laid plans. But hey, it's only one more year -- one extra year to save more money, to squeeze in some more backpacking trips, to plan my return to work, and to get my hands on some more gear. :banana