Montego
05-19-2008, 23:37
Back in Oklahoma again after about of week on the AT. Unfortunately, my hike was cut short due to my being needed back home. This was the first time I had done any serious hiking in the East and in a hardwood forest in the U.S.A. and the first time I've done any serious hiking in several years.
Using the experience of other members of WB for the past seven months, I felt that I was better prepared than some, for this hike. Some things worked well, some things did not.
What worked well: FB cooking/pot cozie
most food choices
most of my equipment choices
transportation to/from HF
AT grapevine
footwear
clothing
attitude
What did not work well: White gas stove (nice simmer but too heavy)
some food choices (suseptable to moisture)
way too much food
some equipment/items (not really needed)
communications (phone card vs. cell phone)
Even though I sustained a couple of minor injuries (including a full face plant) my overall experiences were very positive and even though I was not able to complete a thru-hike (or even much of a section hike) I WILL BE BACK! Just need to "tweak" my gear to lighten things up a bit more, now that I have a better idea of what the AT is about. It (the AT) is surely a different beast than anything I've experienced out West.
Yep, a lot more rocks, a lot more ups 'n downs, a lot more rain, AND a lot more fun! Saw my first "black snake", my first cardinal, and met some great people :sun
Using the experience of other members of WB for the past seven months, I felt that I was better prepared than some, for this hike. Some things worked well, some things did not.
What worked well: FB cooking/pot cozie
most food choices
most of my equipment choices
transportation to/from HF
AT grapevine
footwear
clothing
attitude
What did not work well: White gas stove (nice simmer but too heavy)
some food choices (suseptable to moisture)
way too much food
some equipment/items (not really needed)
communications (phone card vs. cell phone)
Even though I sustained a couple of minor injuries (including a full face plant) my overall experiences were very positive and even though I was not able to complete a thru-hike (or even much of a section hike) I WILL BE BACK! Just need to "tweak" my gear to lighten things up a bit more, now that I have a better idea of what the AT is about. It (the AT) is surely a different beast than anything I've experienced out West.
Yep, a lot more rocks, a lot more ups 'n downs, a lot more rain, AND a lot more fun! Saw my first "black snake", my first cardinal, and met some great people :sun