View Full Version : Hello all you actual hikers
:-?
So here's the deal. I got kind of a bum knee, and a bum back. I'm willing to take this slowly to compensate.
I have zero experience in long hikes. Day trips, sure. Done plenty of 'em.
My old company saw fit in January to give me as much free time as I need. And I'm having a hellova time getting a new job.
Facebook only goes so far. I need something to do, and I need it now before I totally flip out.
I'm not in the best shape - maybe 1 or 2 extra beers gave me something of a belly. So if I do this and you see some out of shape Bostonian with a sarcastic but friendly demeanor, that'll be me
Here's what I'm thinking - from the beginning of the trail at Mt. Katahdin to North Adams, Massachusetts. Just under 600 miles - what's that, maybe a month?
Is this a death wish, or what? Is there ample opportunity to get the basics like water and shelter? Truely, I've never done this sort of hike. Anyone who has experience on that route going south, any replies would be appreciated.
2 months. but try it anyway. you can always get off. lots of towns off the at.
Almost forgot - cell phone service?
(yea, I know. Not exactly roughing it)
Alaskanhkr23
06-16-2009, 18:56
That's a big trek for a first timer, but hey do it!. Yeah there's alot of places along the trail to get off and there's a bunch of town's to resupply in. There's shelter's to stay at or camp site's. It's the 1oo mile wilderness that you cant resupply in?? i don't think.
Alaskanhkr23
06-16-2009, 18:57
Your going SOBO right?
Almost forgot - cell phone service?
(yea, I know. Not exactly roughing it)
patchy/spotty/however you want to say it.
Waynesboro
06-16-2009, 18:59
Looking back at the opportunity to take on this challenge, you will not regret having the guts to try it. Do it, and savor the memories.
Greg
your Going Sobo Right?
***warning - Noob Hiker Reponse ***
Sobo?
Aw crap. SOBO = SouthBound.
Ugh.
Yes. From Maine to North Adams where I hope a friend of mine will drive my carcass back to Boston
garlic08
06-16-2009, 19:04
If you go SOBO, you're going to get a 'trial by fire' right away in Maine. You may want to try a 100-mile shake-down cruise elsewhere on the AT before you tackle the 100 mile "wilderness" near the north end of the trail. I've seen a few inexperienced hikers have a really hard time there, and it's a wonderful place to enjoy if you're comfortable with it.
A 600-mile month is a very fast pace--20 miles per day average.
I like to start a long hike at the beginning and don't give a hoot about where it ends. I understand a two or three week trip, but why burden yourself with some made up idea of where you are supposed to end up? You did mention some injuries/disabilities that can effect the hike. Why push for 12 miles a day when 8 is more enjoyable? You have no experiance with a long distance hike. Go have a good time and spend this first foray as a experiment. Establish your own hike. Just sayin...
Good points guys -
TD55 - the "end point" was simply due to an easy ride home to be honest. I'm beginning to think that 2 months would be more ideal.
As for the 100 mile wilderness, that does sound a bit daunting. I think that may be what I'm looking for to be honest. Now I don't want to wind up in some freakin Discovery Channel "What Was I Thinking" episode, but I do want to challenge myself. I have NEVER done that. I think it may be time.
I'm gonna get some books and stuff and read all about it, as well as have you folks help out too. Then I'll make my decision in about a week.
(er...suppose I should talk to the wife about it too)
Alaskanhkr23
06-16-2009, 19:41
well your going to learn about hiking the AT very very quickly doing maine first,They say it's the hardest part. You have to bring atleast a week's worth of supplies just do to that part.
Alaskanhkr23
06-16-2009, 19:42
I have yet to do that part. I wanna do it,but with someone who has more experience than I. I've heard alot of good thing's along with alot of horror stories.
Unfortunately, being from Massachusetts, it makes the most sense. I'd rather end in MA, where I can just get a ride home, ya know?
I'm doing a bit of research on this "100 Mile Wilderness" bit.
yikes.
Snowleopard
06-16-2009, 22:03
Or, start at the CT/MA line and hike north.
Or, take a Peter Pan bus from Boston to Williamstown, MA and hike north.
The White Mountains (NH) and Maine are supposed to be the hardest. By the time you've hiked across VT you should know more about what's up.
It shouldn't be harder to get transportation back from ME than to get to ME.
Read some of the articles here: http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=366
"Is this a death wish, or what?" No, it'll be fun.
"Is there ample opportunity to get the basics like water and shelter?"
Water is seldom a problem; treat the water with tablets or use a filter (check Eastern Mountain Sports or REI).
Shelter: there are 3 sided shelters at regular intervals, but you need to bring a tarp (8'x10') or small tent.
If you're unemployed and short of money read http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=15329
and
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=5594&highlight=$300+challenge
Don't spend a lot of money all at once unless you're rich.
jamarshall
06-16-2009, 22:09
What about doing the entire Long Trail in Vermont? Head south and finish in Mass. It's on my to do list when I get a bigger chunk of time.
bigcranky
06-16-2009, 22:16
Or start in Connecticut and hike north. Easier start, big finish.
Fwiw, I hike very light, and my pack (empty 14 oz.) weighed somewhere in the neighborhood of 35 lbs (mostly food). when I left Monson to do the Hundred Mile Wilderness last September. There are several logging roads on which to bail out there, but you may wait a loooooooong time for a ride.
My suggestion is to start in Mass. and work your way north. As others have said, take your time and enjoy yourself. You can and should (probably) have goals, but don't waste your time by flogging yourself silly to make unnecessary mileage.
Whatever you decide to do, I wish you well.
le loupe
06-16-2009, 22:33
Or start in Connecticut and hike north. Easier start, big finish.
Connecticut and "easy" is very relative. It might be easy if you had some legs under you, but for a out of shape guy carrying a beer belly and a too heavy pack ( <---its inevitable. I did the same thing) you'll hate yourself doing 10-12 miles a day.
Make sure you do everything you can to get as light as possible in both respects and enjoy yourself. forget about mileage, do what you can do. Otherwise you'll quit.
thunderson
06-16-2009, 23:09
Strido,
All the above is great advice. I too am carrying a few(read a lot) extra rounds around the middle and am heading out shortly to do a three week stint in Va. Pour over whiteblaze, esp. the ultralight forums. The folks here have helped me cut what would have been a 40-45lb pack out down to a COMFORTABLE 28lbs including 7days of food and water. I'm carrying 7 days of food in an area that most would only carry 3-4. Why? Because I'm out of shape and plan on 5-8 mile days to start instead of 15-20. My wife(business partner) has been gracious enough to tolerate my 3 weeks, I'm going to ENJOY it. Try out your stuff in the backyard or on nearby trails first to find your comfort zone. Most of all, enjoy your adventure.
I think you are doing it the right way thunderson. Good attitude
thunderson
06-16-2009, 23:40
Thanks TD55. When I was younger I didn't think too much about going lighter, but now my knees, gut, and age say it's not such a bad idea.:D
bigcranky
06-17-2009, 08:20
Connecticut and "easy" is very relative. It might be easy if you had some legs under you, but for a out of shape guy carrying a beer belly and a too heavy pack ( <---its inevitable. I did the same thing) you'll hate yourself doing 10-12 miles a day.
True, but I was mostly comparing CT to the Hundred Mile Wilderness. Not in terms of "trail toughness" but in terms of being able to resupply, get off the trail easily, that sort of thing.
Take that same out of shape guy and give him ten+ days of food and send him south from Katahdin. Might be harder, is all I was saying.