View Full Version : East or West?
When hiking the width of the trail?
Ox97GaMe
06-29-2009, 21:11
I would think this would depend on WHERE you are hiking specifically. There are some places where going a tad too far one way or the other could result in a further decent than you might be planning. And you would hate for your vertical thru hike to be longer than your width thru hike. (or maybe not). :)
River Runner
06-29-2009, 22:40
Also depend on the time of day - sunrise hikes are beautiful if you head east. Sunset hikes are best if you hike west. High noon, hike into the shade.
Since you have those trees in your front yard either way would be okay. A little more of a climb going east but not really bad.
Buzz_Lightfoot
07-01-2009, 06:55
When hiking the width of the trail?
Depends on the time of the day. Hike west if it is a morning start or hike east if it is an evening start. This will keep the sun out of your eyes. Take your time and hike slowly unless you only have a limited amount of time. The trip has been described as 1-2 steps. Make sure you lace your boots properly and that they are completly broken in. You don't want to cut your hike shorrt due to foot problems.
Pringles
07-01-2009, 16:55
You've got to be careful not to get lost, too. Those blazes seem non-existent on WEBO and E-BO hikes sometimes.
Wow, awesome advice. I hiked the entire width twice today right in front of my house.
Buzz_Lightfoot
07-02-2009, 06:40
Wow, awesome advice. I hiked the entire width twice today right in front of my house.
Wow, a yoyo? I'm impressed! :D
Ox97GaMe
07-02-2009, 09:19
Im impressed that he didnt have to blue blaze or yellow blaze in order to complete the trip that quickly.
Ox97GaMe
07-02-2009, 09:21
How was the trip, TOW?? Will you be writing up a trip report? See any wildlife while you were out? Any bear encounters? I hear they are pretty active on the trail this year.
High Life
07-02-2009, 09:34
mmmm Nobo to Mojo's !
Tennessee Viking
07-02-2009, 09:47
Usually whatever side I won't run into a tree.
Funny, I actually do both sometimes, when doing very steep sections. It's called making your own little switchbacks.
River Runner
07-02-2009, 15:38
Wow, awesome advice. I hiked the entire width twice today right in front of my house.
Totally awesome. You are a hiking machine!
Totally awesome. You are a hiking machine!
darn tootin i am! i think i may even start my own site for those who have hiked the entire width themselves.......
Buzz_Lightfoot
07-02-2009, 23:49
darn tootin i am! i think i may even start my own site for those who have hiked the entire width themselves.......
Just be sure to give extra credit to those who are skinny and have done it. It's further for them. :)
Ox97GaMe
07-03-2009, 00:12
Actually Buzz, skinny or not is irrelevant in this case. What matters here is height. Short people would further to walk than tall people since they have a shorter stride, therefore requiring more steps to complete.
So, they say it is 5 million steps to NOBO or SOBO the trail. Is that an average male's height baseline? a 6 ft man has a stride of about 2.5 feet on average. I know this because I happen to be a human measuring stick, exactly 6ft tall and exactly 12in foot.
So.. for a WEBO or EABO hike the average male hiker like myself could complete it in 1/2 stride. Unless there is a vertical aspect of the hike, in which case it could take as many as 2 or 3 strides to complete the hike.
Buzz_Lightfoot
07-03-2009, 07:02
Actually Buzz, skinny or not is irrelevant in this case. What matters here is height. Short people would further to walk than tall people since they have a shorter stride, therefore requiring more steps to complete.
So, they say it is 5 million steps to NOBO or SOBO the trail. Is that an average male's height baseline? a 6 ft man has a stride of about 2.5 feet on average. I know this because I happen to be a human measuring stick, exactly 6ft tall and exactly 12in foot.
So.. for a WEBO or EABO hike the average male hiker like myself could complete it in 1/2 stride. Unless there is a vertical aspect of the hike, in which case it could take as many as 2 or 3 strides to complete the hike.
Interesting and logical however I stand by my hypophysis. A "person of bulk" can finish the hike without ever moving because they occupy the entire width of the trail. A "mass challenged" person does not have this advantage and will have to at least take a step. I still give them more credit for their WEBO/EABO.
BL
Pringles
07-03-2009, 07:32
So.. for a WEBO or EABO hike the average male hiker like myself could complete it in 1/2 stride. Unless there is a vertical aspect of the hike, in which case it could take as many as 2 or 3 strides to complete the hike.
That's gonna make for a really short documentary.
kayak karl
07-03-2009, 08:03
darn tootin i am! i think i may even start my own site for those who have hiked the entire width themselves.......
i attempted the width of the trail in front of your house this winter. i slipped in the mud and fell. i plan on trying again in nicer weather:D
Buzz_Lightfoot
07-04-2009, 21:08
That's gonna make for a really short documentary.
But think of the drama! The excitement! The questions! "Will they make it?" If they do not, will they complte it in sections over how many years?
"I just complted my section hike of the width of the AT after 16 years! Each year I did a different 1/16th of a step".
BL
Wow, awesome advice. I hiked the entire width twice today right in front of my house.
So did you go west bound or east bound? Did you make a loop out of the trip? How much water did you carry?
kayak karl
07-05-2009, 07:31
When hiking the width of the trail?
as you plan other width hikes in town, such as the library or the mt.rogers outfitter section,
just be very, very careful if you do the width of the section crossing the bridge:D
I generally prefer east to west, because it feels more like walking home to Tennessee.
Haven't tried it yet, no trail guide written yet :eek: