View Full Version : Pack Man: The Appalachian Trail Guru - Backpacker Magazine
WhiteBlaze
12-12-2008, 21:20
<table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7><tr><td width=80 align=center valign=top><font style="font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serif"><a href="http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=T&ct=us/0i-0&fd=R&url=http://www.backpacker.com/november_08_pack_man_/articles/12659&cid=0&ei=xw1DSbLjNYOUwwG9xIXeDg&usg=AFQjCNGFC4nfytAiOKQ0ZcsN8PEKT9KyQQ"><img src=http://news.google.com/news?imgefp=dPkhDPfBrD0J&imgurl=www.backpacker.com/media/theman_445x260_johnston.jpg width=80 height=47 alt="" border=1><br><font size=-2>Backpacker Magazine</font></a></font></td><td valign=top class=j><font style="font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serif"><br><div style="padding-top:0.8em;"><img alt="" height="1" width="1"></div><div class=lh><a href="http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=T&ct=us/0-0&fd=R&url=http://www.backpacker.com/november_08_pack_man_/articles/12659&cid=0&ei=xw1DSbLjNYOUwwG9xIXeDg&usg=AFQjCNGFC4nfytAiOKQ0ZcsN8PEKT9KyQQ">Pack Man: The <b>Appalachian Trail</b> Guru</a><br><font size=-1><font color=#6f6f6f>Backpacker Magazine -</font> <nobr>22 minutes ago</nobr></font><br><font size=-1>The combination hostel and gear store and hiker aid station, at Walasi-Yi in northern Georgia, sits quite literally on the <b>Appalachian Trail</b>. <b>...</b></font></div></font></td></tr></table>
More... (http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=T&ct=us/0-0&fd=R&url=http://www.backpacker.com/november_08_pack_man_/articles/12659&cid=0&ei=xw1DSbLjNYOUwwG9xIXeDg&usg=AFQjCNGFC4nfytAiOKQ0ZcsN8PEKT9KyQQ)
sheepdog
12-12-2008, 23:11
A guy sitting on top of the mountain. You climb up and ask him the meaning of life and such. ;)
That must be why I get up and move when I see someone coming. :)
RITBlake
12-12-2008, 23:39
Is this a joke?
"Like many northbound hikers, Serafin had been sucker-punched by the deceptively arduous trek from Springer Mountain to Neels Gap. The relatively short distance is arguably the toughest stretch on the AT"
I may have to cancel my backpacker subscription if one of their writers thinks that's the toughest section on the AT.
you are just discovering that backpacker magazine is a joke? do you hike?
They (BP Rag) royally screwed up this month... they listed a 'loop hike on the Pinhoti' (which is near Talladega, in the east, central part of the state) and put a map and directions to a trail in Huntsville (the NE corner of the state)
RITBlake
12-12-2008, 23:47
you are just discovering that backpacker magazine is a joke? do you hike?
No I just hang out on a hiking forum.
No I just hang out on a hiking forum.
I'm going hiking tomorrow. Jump on the Harlem line to Pawling and I will pick you up. I should warn you it is a scout trip. :)
RITBlake
12-12-2008, 23:52
I'm leaving at 5 a.m. to go skiing at Hunter Mountain, but thanks for the offer and good luck w/ the scouts.
I'm leaving at 5 a.m. to go skiing at Hunter Mountain, but thanks for the offer and good luck w/ the scouts.
Hunter's open? Shucks, I gotta start paying attention.
Is this a joke?
"Like many northbound hikers, Serafin had been sucker-punched by the deceptively arduous trek from Springer Mountain to Neels Gap. The relatively short distance is arguably the toughest stretch on the AT"
What part of arguably don't you understand? :D Think about it, 1st 30 miles, lots of ups and downs, heavy pack, uncertainty, etc.
RITBlake
12-13-2008, 00:08
What part of arguably don't you understand? :D Think about it, 1st 30 miles, lots of ups and downs, heavy pack, uncertainty, etc.
Still not impressed. 'Heavy pack' and 'uncertainty' arn't properties of the trail, they're the properties of the unprepared nobo thru hiker. For ups and downs you could find much much worse sections.
But arguably... :)
Cabin Fever
12-13-2008, 00:10
Sly took the words out of my mouth.
Still not impressed. 'Heavy pack' and 'uncertainty' arn't properties of the trail, they're the properties of the unprepared nobo thru hiker. For ups and downs you could find much much worse sections.
But arguably... :)
Arguably, "the unprepared" are those who don't get on the net much.
RITBlake
12-13-2008, 00:18
Sly took the words out of my mouth.
Wah, no need to have a heavy pack on Springer. The hiker makes the trail 10x tougher then it is. For uncertainty and heavy pack try walking in to the 100 MW w/ a week of food on your back.
Still not impressed. 'Heavy pack' and 'uncertainty' arn't properties of the trail, they're the properties of the unprepared nobo thru hiker. For ups and downs you could find much much worse sections.
But arguably... :)
I'm willing to bet the elevation gain/loss in the 1st 30 miles are as much as any other 30 section. I'll leave it up to you to do the research.
RITBlake
12-13-2008, 00:20
I'm willing to bet the elevation gain/loss in the 1st 30 miles are as much as any other 30 section. I'll leave it up to you to do the research.
Interesting. Let met get down to the nerd lair so me and boys can start crunching these numbers.
But seriously, I wonder it that's true. We were ending our thru hike so we were cruising at that point...but still it was pretty easy.
RITBlake
12-13-2008, 00:21
Hunter's open? Shucks, I gotta start paying attention.
Yup, 30+ trails open and the cold temps tomorrow should help!
Cabin Fever
12-13-2008, 00:26
I'm willing to bet the elevation gain/loss in the 1st 30 miles are as much as any other 30 section. I'll leave it up to you to do the research.
I would say that the section between NOC and Fontana would give it a run for the money.
Interesting. Let met get down to the nerd lair so me and boys can start crunching these numbers.
But seriously, I wonder it that's true. We were ending our thru hike so we were cruising at that point...but still it was pretty easy.
Actually, I have no clue, but there are lots of ups and downs. :D
RITBlake
12-13-2008, 00:29
haha, allright. Does anyone know the answer? What about the roller coaster? Not 30 miles but part of a 30 mile stretch, you could probably put together some good gain/loss #'s.
My guess would be somewhere in Maine. Long ups, Long downs, not a whole lot of flat ground.
Interesting. Let met get down to the nerd lair so me and boys can start crunching these numbers.
But seriously, I wonder it that's true. We were ending our thru hike so we were cruising at that point...but still it was pretty easy.
actually, the nerd work is already done and posted here...
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=31293
the GA section is above average, but definitely not the most difficult, unless you consider the clueless noob who is learning as he goes
Lone Wolf
12-13-2008, 00:34
I would say that the section between NOC and Fontana would give it a run for the money.
that's a tame section
RITBlake
12-13-2008, 00:36
actually, the nerd work is already done and posted here...
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=31293
the GA section is above average, but definitely not the most difficult, unless you consider the clueless noob who is learning as he goes
I thought it might be, just hoping someone would post the link. :D:banana
I thought it might be, just hoping someone would post the link. :D:banana
these are important questions :rolleyes: that require data, not supposition :)
RITBlake
12-13-2008, 00:40
I'm willing to bet the elevation gain/loss in the 1st 30 miles are as much as any other 30 section. I'll leave it up to you to do the research.
Guess not....check out the next section after the first 30 :0
avg sobo nobo dist.
281.......285........276........31.4........Spring er - Neels Gap
334.......340........328........36.1........Neels Gap - Hiawassee
stumpknocker
12-13-2008, 09:41
I thought that was a nice article....a good picture of Winton too. He has to feel pretty good about the article. :)
I think he may help keep more people on the Trail that are just starting the "walk of their dreams" than anyone, by simply lowering their pack weight to a more manageable weight and providing a way for that hiker to send unnecessary items home.
I remember one guy that I met climbing north on Blood Mtn who just wanted to get to Neel Gap so he could find a way to get home. He was done...he said he didn't want to keep walking because it wasn't fun. He had started out at Springer Mtn with a dream of thru hiking the AT.
I told him to talk to Winton first because he could probably help this nearly 60 year old hiker get his 50+ pound pack to a more reasonable weight.
I had gone into Blairsville for the night. When I continued walking north the next day, I caught up to this hiker and he was walking north on the Trail and he was smiling!! :)
His pack was now 35 pounds and he knew he could continue his dream of walking to Katahdin....and enjoy it much more.
I walked on smiling too....knowing that Winton had made so much difference in that poor beaten down guy that I had met the day before climbing Blood Mtn.
All I can say about this article in Backpacker Magazine is THANK YOU WINTON!!! :)
Sailor (The other one)
12-13-2008, 10:22
I thought that was a nice article....a good picture of Winton too. He has to feel pretty good about the article. :)
I think he may help keep more people on the Trail that are just starting the "walk of their dreams" than anyone, by simply lowering their pack weight to a more manageable weight and providing a way for that hiker to send unnecessary items home.
I remember one guy that I met climbing north on Blood Mtn who just wanted to get to Neel Gap so he could find a way to get home. He was done...he said he didn't want to keep walking because it wasn't fun. He had started out at Springer Mtn with a dream of thru hiking the AT.
I told him to talk to Winton first because he could probably help this nearly 60 year old hiker get his 50+ pound pack to a more reasonable weight.
I had gone into Blairsville for the night. When I continued walking north the next day, I caught up to this hiker and he was walking north on the Trail and he was smiling!! :)
His pack was now 35 pounds and he knew he could continue his dream of walking to Katahdin....and enjoy it much more.
I walked on smiling too....knowing that Winton had made so much difference in that poor beaten down guy that I had met the day before climbing Blood Mtn.
All I can say about this article in Backpacker Magazine is THANK YOU WINTON!!! :)
Ditto.
Jack Tarlin
12-13-2008, 14:40
Will add my comments to the last few....
Glad to see this article. Winton Porter is one of the finest people I know, he's helped more people than just about anyone I can think of, and has probably been more responsible that any one other person for hundreds and hundreds of folks having a great trip on the A.T. Winton, in simple terms, saved their asses and saved their hikes.
'Bout time he got some recognition for it, too.
actually, the nerd work is already done and posted here...
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=31293
the GA section is above average, but definitely not the most difficult, unless you consider the clueless noob who is learning as he goes
Unless I consider the clueless noob? Well yeah, that's most of the people who thru-hike the AT. That's why it's considered the toughest. It gets easier as you hike.
did'nt we all learn as we go ?.. still learning for that matter.
did'nt we all learn as we go ?.. still learning for that matter.
When are you going to learn to take my advice? :p It's wonderfully put in Wildflower's CDT DVD. You want a copy? PM me.
:) for Sly...who is hiking the Azt this Spring..lol..
:) for Sly...who is hiking the Azt this Spring..lol..
Maybe we can rendezvous on the GET. What's your schedule? ;)
The Get sounds awesome too...but the GC... yikes, what a place to end a walk ! At least I hope so.. haha. I am looking at a march 10th start, depending on the snow..are ya doing the Get ?
aaroniguana
12-13-2008, 17:17
Ok but did IndyGirl finish? We know CindyFromIndy didn't, she sold all her gear here on WB...
The Get sounds awesome too...but the GC... yikes, what a place to end a walk ! At least I hope so.. haha. I am looking at a march 10th start, depending on the snow..are ya doing the Get ?
The AZT goes from Mexico to Utah sweetie, and ends in the middle of nowhere. LOL...
Here, take some time, check it out. Take my advice! ;)
http://www.simblissity.net/get-home.shtml
March 10th would be a great time to start in the Superstitions.
Unless I consider the clueless noob? Well yeah, that's most of the people who thru-hike the AT. That's why it's considered the toughest. It gets easier as you hike.
Seriously, what might be a good estimate of the percentage of folk who never backpacked and went straight to springer today? I would think that after all the books, articles, internet, etc. people would be a lot more informed today and know more what to do to prepare, including at least a shakedown hike, than say 20 or so years ago.
Seriously, what might be a good estimate of the percentage of folk who never backpacked and went straight to springer today? I would think that after all the books, articles, internet, etc. people would be a lot more informed today and know more what to do to prepare, including at least a shakedown hike, than say 20 or so years ago.
For the most part, it doesn't matter how much you read, or try to get in shape for a thru-hike, you still need to hike. Lots of people start with very little real long distance hiking experience on the AT.
My shakedown hike consisted of 6 miles on the FT. Not very realist.
It takes more head than heel.
--Grandma Gatewood
Lone Wolf
12-13-2008, 20:04
It takes more head than heel...
--Grandma Gatewood
...and being a yogi and yellow blazer :D
the azt last major section is the grand canyon... that is what it looks like to me. i think there might be another 70 miles or so after the GC.. not sure though.
It takes more head than heel.
--Grandma Gatewood
Granted but that doesn't make the 1st few miles any easier.
Bulldawg
12-13-2008, 21:48
The stretch from Springer to Neel may not be the "hardest" on the trail as far as the "facts" go. But I guarantee ya more thru hikers drop out by Neel than any other section. I am pretty sure that is what the statement means.
the first few miles are awesome too.. finally breaking away and starting a journey. Like a secret beginning to unfold.
Granted but that doesn't make the 1st few miles any easier.
if you use a hover board (http://scienceblogs.com/omnibrain/2007/12/is_a_flying_carpet_possible.php), the trail is rather koosh.
The stretch from Springer to Neel may not be the "hardest" on the trail as far as the "facts" go. But I guarantee ya more thru hikers drop out by Neel than any other section. I am pretty sure that is what the statement means.
you are perfectly right Bulldawg,and to take care of this "problem" there is an easy solution:take with you a bottle of Rum, bourbon, whiskey, or whatever you prefer around 40%alcohol, and before you go to bed take a couple of sips then you sleep really good and in the morning you are fresh for another day of hiking ,just don't let others see you with the bottle :) this should be standard equipment for many hikers:D (and i know it is)
you are perfectly right Bulldawg,and to take care of this "problem" there is an easy solution:take with you a bottle of Rum, bourbon, whiskey, or whatever you prefer around 40%alcohol, and before you go to bed take a couple of sips then you sleep really good and in the morning you are fresh for another day of hiking ,just don't let others see you with the bottle :) this should be standard equipment for many hikers:D (and i know it is)
yep, the one essential