What to leave home/preparation for a thru-hike

By A-Train 4 Feb 2005

Thought I'd compile a list of ideas that would be helpful to future thru-hikers planning to leave soon for their journey. This is advice that I would have found useful in making last-minute decisions as what to buy and what to bring. This is intended to help decrease pack weight and shy away from superflous items that you most likely won't use on a daily basis. It's also meant as a way for you, the hikers to save money sending things home that you could just as easily leave home. Lastly, It may save you money from having to buy some things in the first place.

Disclaimer: This is based on my own experience on the trail as well as witnessing others sending many similar items home and lugging the same things and wondering why on earth they had them in the first place. I can guarantee there will be folks who will disagree with almost every item I deem uncessary. I'm not claiming this is the right way, or that since I don't need it, YOU won't need it. It's simply a suggestion, you can take it for what it's worth. If this benefits one person I'll be happy.

Pack Towel-This was something that everyone had, sometimes 2 or 3 of them. Sure they could be handy, but why not just carry a bandana. It's lighter and can be used a million and a half different ways. I cleaned my glasses, tied it around my head, wiped condensation off my tent walls, and washed my face with it. It's multi-purpose. Most likely a hostel or motel will have towels. If not you can get creative. A pack towel is not a necessity.

Tent/Seal seam and boot water proofing- You simply don't need these items often enough to warrant carrying them in a pack for 6 months. When you need them you can split a bottle with other hikers, or find leftover in a hiker box. No need to lug it up the trail.

Soaps and toiletries-All you really need is a SMALL bottle (like an oz or two) of all purpose or Doctor Bronners biodegradable soap. This can be used to wash you and your pots. No need for special "human" soap. Likewise carrying toiletries like deoderant and shampoo are not necessary. You're gonna stink and the only time to get clean is in town. They have what you need.

Trowel-I carried the orange shovel for 700 miles before realizing I didn't really need it. Most shelters have a privy. If you can excercise any sort of self control, you usually can time your business around lunch or dinner or breakfast at a shelter. I hardly ever needed to dig. Use a trekking pole, use a boot heal, use your finger. The only section without privies is Erwin to Damascus, so maybe you can pick a trowel up in Erwin if this scares you.

A groundcloth- I'm sure the masses will want to stone me for this, but I saw absolutely no reason to carry an extra piece of material under my tent. If the tent was going to get wet due to a storm or a poor setup, a piece of material would do little to keep the floor dry. All it seemed to be was another layer of material that didn't do a whole lot. Experiment before leaving with this one.

Gaitors-Backpacker magazine and the likes like to embed the idea that to be truly hardcore and rugged, we most have these very expensive hot covers on our legs to protect us against all the perils of the woods. Not so. In reality they do very little for you other than make you look goofy or rough, depending on who you talk to. If you haven't bought them, save your money for xtra cheezburgers.

Mitten Covers- I bought these and never really needed them. Regular fleece gloves are great to keep you warm at night but generally you generate enough heat while hiking that i never needed these, maybe once or twice at most. You can always put your hands in your pockets or use ziplock bags

XTRA food and clothing-this is generally the source of peoples riciculous 80 lb loads when they leave Springer. You can get more food 30 miles up the trail, even 20 if you run into trouble. Don't start out with 10-15 lbs of food. It just doesn't make sense. Likewise, be prepared for the mountain weather, but there is no need to set off with 4 t-shirts, 3 pairs of underwear and "Town clothes". Your gonna smell, just wear the same thing everyday. Trust me, no one cares.

A book-I love reading on the trail but realize for many people they are too tired to sit down and attack a novel after a long days walking. You can always pick one up along the way if you are so inclined.

Radio/Music player-most hikers seemed to not have a need for one until virginia when the days started to get long and motivation decreased. If you can't live a day without, bring it to springer, but realize you may be wrapped up in adjusting to trail and meeting folks the first few weeks. Trust me, you won't be bored if you leave in march or april.

Camp Cup-lots of folks had cups or spent much too much on titanium mugs. Thats why we have water bottles. They double as mugs too. Cups don't pack well and take up space. If you are a devoted coffee drinker, this might be a staple for you, though.

Sunglasses/Sun screen-This ain't the desert or the PCT. There is good tree cover and it's not called the Long Green Tunnel for nothing. Almost everyone ended up sending their spiffy specs home. If you need a pair, go with somehting cheap. Most likely you'll smash them or leave them in a shelter.

Bug Spray-Sorry if this sounds dumb but you won't need this till later on. Buy some in Kent Ct.

Sox-3 pairs is perfect. 1 for warm camp wear and 2 to alternate while hiking. Anymore than this seems overkill

Xtra pants-Go with one pair. Decide what you like better: rain pants or convertible/cool hiking pants. They esentially do the same thing which is cover your legs. Both are NOT water proof. Most thru-hikers seemed to deem rainpants obsolete by the warmer weather (especially after their wicking ability had died) and I tend to agree. Go with a real cheap pair (10 bucks) or use those fancy convertible pants. I had a pair that were quite expensive and the zipper broke on me. Not good. Shorts and tights always works good and is versatile.

Guidebook-you don't need the state guidebooks unless you are really interested in every turn and twist the trail takes. A handbook and data info and maps will be all you need.

Don't over do it on the journal. I use loose small paper and pen. Some people had elaborate notebooks which were heavy.

Water holders/Bottles-You will be inclined to fill your canisters so avoid those humongous platypus sacks or 3-4 nalgenes. All you need is 2 1-liter bottles and something to keep camp water in (a small collapsible bag). I saw people leaving springer with like 20 lbs of water, no exageration.

First Aid-this is personal of course, and I'm not trying to get anyone killed here, but don't overkill here. Use your common sense. Most likely if the injury is real bad you're gonna need to get off trail. A couple band-aids, antibiotic oinment, some tape to wrap blisters and ibuprofen does me good.

poles/sticks: I'm a HUGE proponent of these and I do own expensive Lekis. You don't need the fanciest though. Ski poles work well and the cheaper brands often performed as good as the expensive ones. They're great for your knees but don't get sucked into the marketing scheme, if you don't want to.

Cell Phone- This is highly debated, but most likely its just gonna add weight to your pack and you won't find service. If you wanna pay money to carry a rock in your pack, go crazy, but know the overwhelming majority of folks sent these home.

As I mentioned, you may find that one or more of these are necessary for you to enjoy your hiking trip. If you want to lug it, go for it! This is only a sugestion as how to trim pack weight and save some money and time. Each person generally has a comfort item and any of these may be what you can't live without. Good luck to all

Great idea.I nominate it as an article for the Newbie stuff.

A-Train:

Great post.

Ditto. I wish I was clever enough to think it up. Certainly this is something that new hikers should take a look at.

Way to go A-Train ...

I've done things like this with individual hikers but never thought to post it here.

Something like this oughta be posted at Amicolola or Walasi-Yi (Neels Gap). Lots of hikers who attempt the AT do not visit Whiteblaze or read previous hiker journals. The hiker box at Neels Gap might not be overflowing with day 3 discards.

Since many hikers may respond to your post with their own opinions/experience though, this thread could get pretty involved and confusing. What would you think about a series of threads that dealt one-at-a-time with each of your points ?? Some of this has already been done (eg cell phones) but others have gotten somewhat lost in the multi-topic clothing/gear threads.

Anyway ...just a thought.

'Slogger
AT 2003

To each their own.

I might add that I carry a ground cloth and use it not because I'm trying to keep the bottom of my tent dry. Rather, it provides a little layer of cushion between the floor of my tent and the ground so that the tent floor does not get punctured by sharp sticks and stones. Plus, I spread it out in a shelter to keep my sleeping pad and bag that much cleaner. I'd rather replace the ground cloth then replace the tent. Thus far, the tent has lasted for the entire AT, plus a cross country bike trip.

As far as the other items go, I'd advocate that when starting out, think about what are really going to use. I know that I packed along a lot of the items that are on your list not to bring.

I'm certainly OK with opening it up for discussion, since every point and item can be debated heavily. In fact I thought I was gonna get 100 angry posts about me being the devil for suggesting not to use a groundcloth..

And I'd love it to be part of the archives/articles section if people are ok with that.

I liked A-Train's comments on packing too much food. On the AT I could never seem to get it right as I always had too many dinners and not enough Snickers. I think I ended up packing too much because I had room in my Ursack and it kinda felt like a "safety item". When I decided early on that I didn't want to cook breakfast I had all of this oatmeal at my maildrops that I ended up leaving in hiker boxes. I also remember packing an unopened tuna packet for something like 500 miles...that's 3 ounces. But the worst was peanut butter. I love peanut butter but made the mistake of carrying an 18 ounce jar. I found I didn't always want to fool around spreading it on Ritz (which BTW were expensive to buy in town) and ended up using the prepacked peanut butter crackers half of the time. I don't want to tell you how far I carried an unopened jar of peanut butter on my thru-hike. Now when I "went cold" on my section hike last summer, I packed the jar and used it everyday so it made sense then. If you can plan your food it will go a long way in reducing your pack weight.

Now, about the gators...look up the thread as there was some great discussion pro and con. I love mine and even wore them in the hot weather and also on the JMT...I guess I looked goofy anyway so it didn't matter.

A-train,

Thanks for your positive contribution. Your post is far more beneficial to prospective thru-hikers than some other threads I have read on WB.

I second Rock's motion. The information contained in A-train's post will be just as useful to next year's hikers, as it is now. It deserves a place under the "Information" link.

Well just like any article, it is all subjective. Any reader with at least 2 IQ points to rub together should have learned by now how to compare and evaluate anything they read. I think A-Train's list is valid to his point of view, and besides editing to change the format or something like spelling/grammar, it should stand as he writes it and not by committee. Other people can write their own. I think anything like this should be basically OK as long as it passes the common sense test, I think the only time I would veto is if an article would suggest you don't bring something like a first aid kit at all and just bum off someone else if you get hurt or sick.

I'm certainly OK with opening it up for discussion, since every point and item can be debated heavily. In fact I thought I was gonna get 100 angry posts about me being the devil for suggesting not to use a groundcloth..



It's all good A-Train. I'm with you on the ground cloth. Or how do they say that in Brooklyn? I'mwhichyouse? :D

Thanks so much for this post. probably one of the most useful posts this beginner to intermediate hiker has read.

I am personally undecided as to weather gaitors in rain are helpful or not. Do those with gaitors find that their feet stay drier in prolonged rains? if they don't then they would not be useful in my book.

David

There's a lot of good suggestions on that list. Some contrary opinions can be found in the forums. But he did open it up for discussion. I don't think it needs to be open to committee, but most articles before publishing get reviews. For this, and some of the other articles planned, why not open it up to some limited review, and allow the authors to either accept or reject any suggestions. Then the finished article could be placed somewhere prominent.

These are my thoughts.
1. I don't carry a tent anymore except in the winter, but I do bring the groundcloth then for the sole reason of protecting the bottom because the tent was expensive. Suggested change: Note that a ground cloth will protect the bottom of the tent, but it is a big weight penalty.

2. I also use titanium cup ($15, 2oz) as a second pot, so someone interested in side dishes (couscous or instant rice with dinner) might find it useful. Plus I use it for hot drinks when my pot is still dirty, and as a protective location for goodies look a tomato or avocado the first night out of town. But I know that most just boil water. Certainly don't take a cup like my old stainless steel one, I think it weighed 7-8 ozs! I personally wouldn't put anything hot into anything plastic other than a Nalgene, but I generally don't carry one anymore. Suggestion: If you enjoy hot beverages and/or cook extensively a very lightweight titanium cup can serve as a second pot.

3. Platypus containers are very light. Rather than saying don't carry one, say don't fill it up all the way if it is high capacity. I carry three: 1, 2.5, and 3l with a hose. They weigh 7.3 oz with the hose, or 0.6, 2.5, and 4.2 ounces respectively. I carry the one liter because I find it easier to drink in camp, and all three so that if I want to stay at a dry camp I can. I would not fill all three up and start the day. Suggestion: Do not carry more than 2 liters of water unless you have a very good reason to (big person, long dry stretch). The weight penalty is ~2.2 pounds/liter.

And of course, as I always tell folks I review for, take it or leave it.

Gaitors will NOT keep your feet dry. They will keep your sox a little cleaner and keep the rare stick or pebble from getting into the shoe. I don't use them. Besides, they're goofy looking. :) Spend the $ on something more functional.

Great list. My only change would be dump the first aid kit you stated and bring something to stop heavy bleeding. Twice, I've used mine. Once, when there was a serious danger of bleeding to death when some one fell on a sharp stone water bar. The second time was for a serious dog bite. Most people fall more than a few times between Georgia and Maine. All it takes is to land on one small tree stub or pointed rock and you'd be surprised how fast the red stuff comes out.

What will stop heavy bleeding in the field?

What will stop heavy bleeding in the field?=======================
Depends on what type of wound/bleeding. Direct pressure is the generic answer but if the wound involves a major artery on an extremity you might need a tourniquet.

'Slogger

Tourniquets have the possibility of killing whatever limb you put them on, plus the person using them needs to know how to use it (i.e. loosening it every 15 minutes). What you need is a "blowout kit", similar to what is used by soldiers to treat gunshot wounds. They contain a clotting agent which will make a massive wound clot up within a minute or two.

Excellent article. Currently packing and repacking to drop weight before the 2/27 start...thanks to all for the insight - oldyeller

I agree with almost everything on the list. The only thing on the list I took and was certain I would use was a book. And I did use it and got many more of them. But I agree that unless you're absolutely certain you're gonna read, you might as well leave the book at home and get one later.

I agree with MOST of what A-Train posted except, I always bring a book/crosswords, headphones, insulated coffee mug, and I'll never use hiking poles/sticks. I do carry maps as everyone should.

I agree with MOST of what A-Train posted except, I always bring a book/crosswords, headphones, insulated coffee mug, and I'll never use hiking poles/sticks.

I'll agree with you. I guess that's the reason why I'll never be an ultra-lighter.

I guess it's all about finding what works best for each of us.

Good post about thinking in terms of weight penalty.

Also, how much your first aid kit is a safety and comfort issue. You can probably hike the entire trail with just a few band-aids and some moleskin. But, then again, it's real nice to have more if and when you need it. Same goes for compass, whistles, repair parts, duct tape, and maybe maps.

Super article Atrain.

I cut my ground protection to 24x30 inch piece of tyvec about 2 oz. I use it under my butt and legs when I stop to rest or eat. It gives me a dry spot, reduces dirt on me and shorts ( big deal right? ) and keeps bugs at bay. This is a big plus many time I hike bite free when other look like a used smorgas board for bug....esp chiggers.

I wrap my two pegs in it and keep it in an outer pack pouch. This keeps the pegs from doing any damage and eliminates the peg bag.

On the plain side I have printed in large letters "AT HIKER NEEDS RIDE". When Hitching it gets unfolded, wrapped over my pack and pretty soon I'm riding.

In storms I place it over th end of my HH ridge line with my shoes over it to keep it in place, for that little extra protection. Big value if still using the stock fly. Really recommend a bigger fly 8x8 or 8x10.

Lastly because it is well washed and soft, it can be placed inside inside clothing as additional layering or used as ahead cover that is more waterproof than a standard bandana.

Oh did I say, "it was free", asked at a job site... "a scrap, sure" :-?

A-Train - great article and very well thought out. I think it does a couple of great things. First, it gives new hikers some good guides on gear decisions. I think it shows that you need to thoughtfully consider if you really need each item of gear in your pack. Second, it prompted a great discussion of how gear is a very indvidual decision. My gear list is mine and it might not work for you. All to often I think we try to impose our gear decisions on new hikers. New hikers tend to get flooded with suggestions on gear but the final decision has to be thier own. So take all the advice you get, filter through it, and pick what works best for you. You'll make some good decisions and some that you might change along the way.

What will stop heavy bleeding in the field?

At minimum, a deep wound bandage, a good ace wrap and some safety pins. A blowout kit is great, but who has access to that.

Good article, makes a lot of sense, but forgive us if some of us 2005-ers find out some things for ourselves.

Having lightened our 2005 packs with all the good advice here and elsewhere, we newbies sometimes don't understand the zeal with which everything not absolutely essential be jettisoned. Sometimes it seems like a competition. The lightest weight wins. No points for style. No points for enjoyment. Only weight counts.

Perhaps we will find out on the trail about that 2 ounce radio, or 0.5 ounce packcloth, and we may mail them home or leave them in a hiker box. I don't think this will cause anyone any grief, though. For myself, I'm better off trying something and finding out it is works or not, than to not try it and forever wonder it it would have worked for me.

I am grateful for the help you and others have provided, and I'm looking forward (March 20!!!!) to finding out the rest for myself. Hell, if I was inclined to take advice and not have to find things out for myself, I wouldn't be thru hiking this year. Or at all.

The year before my hike, with my unbridled zeal for hiking the AT, I followed a number of hikers religiously on Trailjournals.com. I read about what worked for them and what didn't. I copied my "big three" from different individuals and never regretted it. I watched for any comments they made about what they sent home. Consequently, I ended up sending only a few items home. I can remember one shelter log ask us to list the top three items that we were not using (or wished we hadn't packed or something like that) I remember having trouble coming up with all three.

It is similar to what A-Train has done here. He has saved you some time by summarizing what worked for him. It may be a little late for this year, but if you have the time, find a few hikers (especially ones about your age) and read their entries on Trailjournals and review their gear lists.

The other thing is participating in a Yahoo group and deciding who has credibility and experience...much like here on Whiteblaze. I will be forever grateful to Footslogger for steering me to the Pategonia R1 Flash Pullover. I was about to pack a 200 fleece (bulky) when he told me about it. It was without a doubt my most cherished peice of clothing...compact, light, repelled moisture, plenty warm, zip up neck and zip pocket and it is still as good as the day I bought it. He also had experience in selling footwear. I described a concern I had after doing a couple of day hikes just days before I left for Springer. I thought it was just due to "normal break in" and he recognized it right away as something that I should follow up on. I did and he may have "saved" my hike.

A good post. I got my trail name from carrying 15-20 lbs. of food for the first three days!

I would like to make one comment. If you are fair skinned, sunblock is still a good idea. The leaf cover has not yet grown in early March and you won't always be walking in the shade. :sun

Tourniquets have the possibility of killing whatever limb you put them on, plus the person using them needs to know how to use it (i.e. loosening it every 15 minutes). What you need is a "blowout kit", similar to what is used by soldiers to treat gunshot wounds. They contain a clotting agent which will make a massive wound clot up within a minute or two. Somewhere along the line i believe i read that the original use for superglue
i.e.,the reason it was developed-was as a way to stop bleeding and suture
up injuries in the field.
Is this true or is it urban legend?.One thing is for sure-it will glue your fingers
together and if nothing else was available(or working) you bet i would use it
before letting myself or someone else bleed to death.
Cheers to all.
Oldfivetango:bse

oldfivetango-"Somewhere along the line i believe i read that the original use for superglue i.e.,the reason it was developed-was as a way to stop bleeding and suture up injuries in the field."Here is the info I've got from working in a high tech industry and from wilderness first aid courses. The glue was not developed for this reason but was tried at a later date as one of the many uses for the glue, probably after many people stuck their fingers together. The problem with using super glue is that the glue works fine but now you have a thin layer of glue between the two sides of the wound that hinder the body's natural healing so recovery time is increased. Also what you end up with is increased scarring as body tissue grows around the super glue area. Its use to stop bleeding has been discontinued.

Somewhere along the line i believe i read that the original use for superglue
i.e.,the reason it was developed-was as a way to stop bleeding and suture
up injuries in the field.
Is this true or is it urban legend?.One thing is for sure-it will glue your fingers
together and if nothing else was available(or working) you bet i would use it
before letting myself or someone else bleed to death.
Cheers to all.
Oldfivetango:bse

Doctors are using this now in the emergency room instead of staples and stitches. I plan on carrying a tube with me on my long sections. Also, fingernail polish remover will unstick any stuck fingers. I'll carry a very small vial of that too.

I agree with almost every suggestion on A-Train's list for folks hiking the AT. If anyone is doing their planning, print that post and keep it handy when making up your packing list!

Great posts, and a great thread!

I especially like the priceless comment (paraphrased): "If you want to pay to carry a ROCK in your pack, be my guest...hard to find a signal tho...most send the cell phones home." IMHO it's not whether a cell phone "could" be a good thing to have, it's about whether they will even work most places on the A.T. They won't.

Re: ground cloths...They can be a pain, but serve enough useful purpose that I've always used one. Agree if you set up in a gully and that gully gets flooded, the ground cloth won't keep your tent floor dry. So don't set up in a gully. Also--and I'm amazed at how many hikers don't get this--don't let your groundcloth extend beyond the footprint of the tent itself. That only draws rain water under your tent between the groundcloth and your tent floor. Very counterproductive.

But a ground cloth has served well to extend the life of my tent. How do I know? For five years out of the eight it took for me to complete the AT--and doing a lot of other backpacking locally--my tent was a Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight 2. I was on the third groundcloth by the time I retired the CF2. The first two had small punctures in them and were otherwise deteriorating, which I might assume would have meant punctures in my tent floor had I not been using a ground cloth. (Retired the CF2 to go lighter, and because repeated seam sealing was increasingly less effective--not due to floor punctures.) Also, a groundcloth is great for sitting on at rest stops when everything's wet, muddy, or snow-covered; and for those who use shelters, as a base upon which to lay out your pad and bag.

Water holders/Bottles-You will be inclined to fill your canisters so avoid those humongous platypus sacks or 3-4 nalgenes. All you need is 2 1-liter bottles and something to keep camp water in (a small collapsible bag). I saw people leaving springer with like 20 lbs of water, no exageration.


Yes! The small collapsible water bag.

It's also one of my most important gear choices, and one that quite a few have been envious of. One trip to the spring per campsite is more than enough, and by letting any silt in your collected water settle for a few minutes before filtering, it has the added benefit of saving your filter.

awesome post A-Train and an excellent disclaimer :) definitely good for someone who has never done any extended backpacking before to keep from making too many mistakes in the beginning and made sure they knew that this was what worked for you and might not for them. I agree with everything you said, though I always take too much food (i get those days where i just want to eat and eat and eat) and do carry my groundcloth, but again, I will never ever be accused of being an ultra-lighter (heck, i wouldn't even qualify as a "lighter"!!)

like what?
a clear wide-mouth naglene cantene?
anything else?

I used a 6 liter Platypus with zip-top.

like what?
a clear wide-mouth naglene cantene?
anything else?

I use 2 1-liter gatorade bottles instead of Nalgene's just to save a couple ounces, and dollars. I used a 2 liter Platypus water bag that can be folded to almost nothing (and stowed inside your pot bag). They are really cheap and light and pretty durable.

Use a collapsable bag, like a Nalgene canteen or Platypus zipper. They are very light and fold up into nothing. You can find them at any store or web site that sells camping equipment. This is in addition to the container you drink from. I keep a 2 or 3 liter just for hauling, I don't filter the water I put in the bag. The water I use to cook is boiled so why waste time filtering it. I do filter from the haul bag into my drinking bottle.

Gaitors uses...
I never leave my gaitors at home and this is why...

1. keeps sticks out of your shoes
2. keeps leaves out of your shoes
3. keeps small stones out of your shoes
5. keeps mud off of your socks/legs if you happen to step into depper mud
6. keeps you from getting scratches on your shins in overgrowth sections
7. keeps the bottoms of your pants cleaner
8. "could" help prevent a snake bite from actually contacting skin. Oh boy ..the price to pay for saying that...sigh
9. if worn under your rain pants they help to keep your shoes dry in light to moderate rain...if even for an hour I find it very worth it.
10. keeps water from being splashed into your shoes/on socks if walking through a wet area with puddles.
11. keeps stickers from getting caught on your socks and thus annoying the crap out of you.
12. keeps shoe laces from being untied by getting caught on something.
13. small amount of warmth in winter/cold hiking conditions

the end... :sun

Gaitors uses...
I never leave my gaitors at home and this is why...

1. keeps sticks out of your shoes
2. keeps leaves out of your shoes
3. keeps small stones out of your shoes
5. keeps mud off of your socks/legs if you happen to step into depper mud
6. keeps you from getting scratches on your shins in overgrowth sections
7. keeps the bottoms of your pants cleaner
8. "could" help prevent a snake bite from actually contacting skin. Oh boy ..the price to pay for saying that...sigh
9. if worn under your rain pants they help to keep your shoes dry in light to moderate rain...if even for an hour I find it very worth it.
10. keeps water from being splashed into your shoes/on socks if walking through a wet area with puddles.
11. keeps stickers from getting caught on your socks and thus annoying the crap out of you.
12. keeps shoe laces from being untied by getting caught on something.
13. small amount of warmth in winter/cold hiking conditions

the end... :sun

You missed: Can keep poison ivy off of your legs.

If you wear high gaiters, you might save yourself some discomfort. I got 3 cases of poison ivy on my lower legs last summer in about 1150 miles of hiking on the AT. Gaiters would have kept this from happening, I believe.

But, I'd then have had perptually sweaty legs and looked like an idiot, something I was not prepared to do. Maybe panyhose would work just as well and be more stylish.

like what?
a clear wide-mouth naglene cantene?
anything else?

Here's a link to the bag I use on the Campmor site (Campmor item 80728). It's also available at many storefront outfitters.

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=13743&memberId=12500226

You forgot that gaiters may help in the prevention of the tiny seed
ticks.After they became a problem some years ago i dont go in the woods
without tall boots-knee high tall or lately,gaiters.
IMHO it keeps the lil buggers from sensing a warm blooded creature and
jumping on for the ride.After I started wearing leg protection of some sort
I have NEVER gotten another seed tick.Anybody else have the same experien ce? Oh, and at my age you don't really care how goofy you may look to others out in the woods.
Cheers to all,
Oldfivetango:bse

14. Poison ivy wont get you with gaitors


Good call Chris

Thanks so much for this post. probably one of the most useful posts this beginner to intermediate hiker has read.

I am personally undecided as to weather gaitors in rain are helpful or not. Do those with gaitors find that their feet stay drier in prolonged rains? if they don't then they would not be useful in my book.

David
I think dry feet are highly overrated. I wear trail runners and wear 2 pairs of thin nylon mens dress socks (the .97 per pair type). The only other socks that I carry are Thorlos for in the tent at night.

When those slinky nylon socks start getting crusty, just rinse them out in the creek. (If you don't use soap, the sweat itself won't hurt the fishies.) Hang 'em on a tree or over your tent overnight and they get really close to dry by morning. If your feet get dry once a day in your sleeping bag, the all-day-wet in the rainy season won't blister you up very bad at all, especially if you wear extremely breatheable shoes. I'm a trail runner fanatic, but I won't even start that flame war. :)

As far as soap itself goes, you really need a very tiny amount. Your pot gets very clean by filling it up with leaves and pine needles, scrubbing them around in there, and repeating until clean. Unsanitary? You betcha. But what's the next thing you're gonna do with that pot? Boil water in it!

The absolute only thing that I'd add to what A-Train posted was this: find a way to test your setup out on at least one weeklong getaway before you leave for your thru-hike.

Would you really think it'd be a good idea to do a 6-month hike without testing yer rig?

Frank/Nightwalker

Good post about thinking in terms of weight penalty.
And a good reason to use the Gear Weight Calculator.

I've lost a lot of pack weight with this thing and a 30 dollar digital scale from Office Max.

http://www.chrisibbeson.com/pages/GearWeightCalculator.html

It's a freebie as well. That's always a good thing.

Frank/Nightwalker

I think dry feet are highly overrated.

Spend a week in wet socks and boots and you'll change your mind right quick fast and in a hurry! :D

The original post will no doubt be very helpful to prospective long distance hikers. It may seem obvious, but don't forget a headlamp. The small and light Petzl Tikka worked fine in camp (not so great for night hiking) and it's really fun to say. Go ahead, say it. Petzl Tikka. See! Also, carry some duct tape by wrapping it around your hiking poles (if you carry them). It'll come in handy at some point.

Spend a week in wet socks and boots and you'll change your mind right quick fast and in a hurry! :D
Been done. Dry socks at night, wet ones back on in the morning. Mind still not changed.

If you plan on somehow bringing enough socks to constantly wear dry ones, well, I tried that a long time ago and it never worked. I just started wearing ones that didn't care if they were wet or not. The double-nylon trick totally stopped blister production. Totally.

How do you propose to keep your feet dry? I don't think anyone's managed to do it yet! :D

When I was in ROTC we went on a week long camping trip in Florida. From the moment we got off the bus to the time they left, it poured, almost non stop. We managed to set up the mess tent (I was in charge of that detail)to have a semi-dry place to stow gear while we waited for the rain to let up to the point we could pitch our tents. While I was working to get the mess set up, the guy I was sharing a tent with thought it would be a good idea to begin unloading the bus (because the bus couldn't stay) and so everything was piled on the ground, in the rain, actually in a runoff, for about an hour. Everyone was soaked, our gear was soaked, my tentmate was a moron, my stuff was on the bottom of the pile and got the worst soaking, and our Commander refused to admit defeat. The mess tent looked like a laundry mat with clothes everywhere. We tried to use the camp stoves to dry stuff, but nothing ever did. On the 5th morning I called home and my sister came and picked me up. I went to the ER for my feet as they were so waterlogged they hurt when I moved. I never understood what was wrong, I think they were just running tests, but after a night in the hospital, the doc prescribed bed rest for 2 days - it took them that long to un-prune.

Now, I am obsessed with how to keep stuff dry. I line my sil-nylon stuff sacks with trash bags, line my pack with a trash bag, and still use a pack cover. And in the center of the bag is a pair of emergency socks, inside two ziplock bags - at some point I will have something dry to put on! :D

Very good post, A-Train. I agree with almost every suggestion.

I am personally undecided as to weather gaitors in rain are helpful or not. Do those with gaitors find that their feet stay drier in prolonged rains? if they don't then they would not be useful in my book.

David

My $0.02 worth:
Gaiters help to keep your socks clean, in some conditions they help to keep small pebbles/sticks/etc out of your shoes.

Do they keep your feet drier? Not in the long run. If you are in a prolonged rain, your feet will get wet. However they do delay the soaking in my experience. Most folks don't wear rain pants as a rule, so much of the rain that runs off your jacket or poncho ends up on your legs. This water runs down your legs and into your socks, thus soaking your feet quickly. My experience is that the gaiters delay this soaking by diverting most of this runoff past your socks.

That said, I have not carried gaiters for summer hiking in years. Too little benefit for the added weight/bulk. I do use them for snowshoeing always.

Lyle

I've never worn gaiters, but I can understand why people do.

One brief comment, tho: The high ones, especially if they're electric blue, are REALLY goofy looking. :D

Also, carry some duct tape by wrapping it around your hiking poles (if you carry them). It'll come in handy at some point. I dunno about that one. If you keep duct tape wrapped around your hiking pole, that is more weight that you have to swing when you move your poles. I think you're better off keeping it somewhere that it's handy, but you don't have to move it each time you move your poles/hands. I keep a few feet of duct tape wrapped around a tongue depresson in my pack, but in a handy place for when I need it. :banana I just like the dancing banana. I wish they had one on HF!

Gaiters help to keep your socks clean If you're worried about clean socks, might I suggest ping pong or maybe playing bridge? :p :eek: Seriously, though, who REALLY gives a crap about clean socks when you're backpacking?

I've never worn gaiters, but I can understand why people do.

One brief comment, tho: The high ones, especially if they're electric blue, are REALLY goofy looking. :D

The high gaiters always remind me of Alice the Goon in the old Popeye cartoons.

"A-Train"

wish i'd had this list in 2000 when i started section-hikin' my way up the A.T....."on-the-20-year-plan"


thanks for posting this:D

When those slinky nylon socks start getting crusty, just rinse them out in the creek. (If you don't use soap, the sweat itself won't hurt the fishies.) Frank/Nightwalker

What happens when Frank washes his socks in the creek! :eek:

Just a minor comment here about sun block. If you leave Springer mid-march there is is very little tree cover. I got sun burn right on the top of my ears that still peels off occasionally (2000 hike) now I carry a small amount in a tiny screw top jar and wear a boony hat.

For you people who like to hike in wet feet for long stretches, I think you should do a little research on Immersion Foot aka. Trench Foot. If not tended to, can evolve into Jungle Rot. Dry feet are important to a long and happy hike.:banana Take it from someone who had to learn it the hard way.:(

First of all your article was very helpful. But I am puzzled about what to do if I only have one pair of pants and it is time to do laundry.

Jumper

put on your rain pants

First of all your article was very helpful. But I am puzzled about what to do if I only have one pair of pants and it is time to do laundry.

Jumper

My solution: the shorts I wear for hiking are of a lightweight synthetic fabric. I wash them in the sink with soap. They air-dry in minutes. Put them back on (perhaps even a bit damp...) and wear them while washing everything else.

ground clothes make good skirts too while doing laundry

Tourniquets have the possibility of killing whatever limb you put them on, plus the person using them needs to know how to use it (i.e. loosening it every 15 minutes). What you need is a "blowout kit", similar to what is used by soldiers to treat gunshot wounds. They contain a clotting agent which will make a massive wound clot up within a minute or two.

Here's the latest thing to stop massive blood loss. And it's cheap, to boot!
Anyone running a chain saw around the house would do well to consider this! http://www.basegear.com/quikclot-z-medica.html

or you go to a pet store, look near the animal nail clippers and find quikstop, half the price, i carry a small amount w/ me in a little plastic baggy, it stings, learned about it from grooming dogs.

You can get a styptic pencil or powder at any drugstore with the shaving supplies. It's basically alum. I'm not sure why you would need it on the A.T.

Be sure to carry that spare pair of boots. I actually went on a scout 50 miler (started at Amacolola) with a guy that carried a spare of everything. Yes, he did outhike me; I was carring all the food. My pack weighed in at 72 lbs. his was 50 lbs. Since that experence, I carry no more than 25-30 lbs tops. MACHO vs STUPID! Got to say that I learned the hard way what not o carry.

Goofy or not I love my gaiters. I tend to end up with a bushel of sticks and leaves in my boots if I hike without them. I got my first pair at the Mt. Rogers Outfitter and have worn them every since. I also carry a small radio that clips on my chest strap. It has saved me some wet days of hiking by knowing when rain is coming. I have avoided a few severe thunderstorms by hiking extra miles to town or getting to a shelter since I don't carry a tent. It's great on long climbs to take you mind off the pain.

put on your rain pants

LOL, I did that. I had a pants and shirt set of Frogg Toggs. I wore the pants only once. I was doing my laundry wearing my frogg togg pants when I bent down. The pants split open from front to back. It wasn't a small matter...it was the full monty. It was a special moment for me and the old woman who was waiting for her laundry. She dealt with it pretty good...at least she didn't giggle and point.

Not sure if it has been suggested already but if you are set of bringing a book, why not an audio book if you are already carrying sometype of player. Personally, I like my Zen. Its small, light, built in radio & voice recorder, AA batteries, etc. If you really wanted a book just upload it onto your Zen and your done. No extra weight. Also, you can record your voice for reminders later on down the trail if needed.

Somewhere along the line i believe i read that the original use for superglue
i.e.,the reason it was developed-was as a way to stop bleeding and suture
up injuries in the field.
Is this true or is it urban legend?.One thing is for sure-it will glue your fingers
together and if nothing else was available(or working) you bet i would use it
before letting myself or someone else bleed to death.
Cheers to all.
Oldfivetango:bse

I use glue on cuts every now and then. White sticky glue from the art store. Its stronger and better then elmers. It actually works really well on small cuts on hands and arms. I wouldn't reccomend using it on large cuts. The glue is non toxic ( yes you can eat it too), and has no harsh smell. I'd stay away from the stronger clear cement glues.

LOL, I did that. I had a pants and shirt set of Frogg Toggs. I wore the pants only once. I was doing my laundry wearing my frogg togg pants when I bent down. The pants split open from front to back. It wasn't a small matter...it was the full monty. It was a special moment for me and the old woman who was waiting for her laundry. She dealt with it pretty good...at least she didn't giggle and point.
I had something similar happen with my ProVent pants (same stuff as FroggToggs) right up the crotch seam. I got a Tyvek mailer envelope and made a patch that covers the hole and reinforces the area - it is still going strong a few years later.

Not sure if it has been suggested already but if you are set of bringing a book, why not an audio book if you are already carrying sometype of player. Personally, I like my Zen. Its small, light, built in radio & voice recorder, AA batteries, etc. If you really wanted a book just upload it onto your Zen and your done. No extra weight. Also, you can record your voice for reminders later on down the trail if needed.

I suggest a mp3 player with a removable sd card slot. Then get a couple of sd cards and get someone to send you audio books on the sd cards. Many public libraries have audio book collections you can rip/transfer to sd cards.

Audio books move fairly slow so turned down low, you can still enjoy the scenary/ bird songs/ etc while listening to a good book.

It is getting harder to find MP3 players with SD cards and AAA batteries. But Sansa still makes a couple (the e140 and the e130). A 1 gb SD card can hold about 10 audio books.

<!-- / message --><!-- controls --> http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/wb_style/buttons/quote.gif (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=334486)

made my first 'attempted' thru hike Feb. '01.

Thanks for a great post A-Train.

Just a few notes from an old Army medic and several times failed AT thru hiker. Hopefully I have learned something useful from some hike ending mistakes ?

First the "mental" load. Remember this is the "AT", your not going off to the end of the earth. Except for the northern part of the AT, one is rarley more than 1/2 to 1 day hike from help. It's my understanding that if you make it as far as Maine you will no longer have any gear fears. Lighten up.

"To thine ownself be true." As someone mentioned earlier try to have your gear gathered and tried out at least 7 to 10 days before starting your AT thru, or section hike. More time with your gear is better here, so if you have to change some gear, hopefully you have time.

Field test everything, even if you only have time to hike out to your yard.

I know my neighbors get lots of chuckles everytime they see me 'camped out' in the yard. And my two favorite grandkids have lots of fun spraying me with the garden hose. But I know "before" I start my hike if I have any water leaks, and have time to correct and prepare for this problem if it, and it probally will, happens again.

Check all gear throughly. I got me a nice super-light shelter sometime back that needed all the tie-out points redone. Much easier done at home on the sofa watching the boob tube than out in the trail in the wind and/or rain. Check all of your gear before leaving your humble adobe. Discovering your stove doesn't work, missing a tent peg or some needed line, your footwear really isn't correct for YOU, etc., etc. out on the trail is NO FUN at all.

As much as possible know your and your gears limitations.
Example: If your starting your hike from Springer in Feb. You really need to know for sure if you have the correct temperature sleeping bag for YOU. Are you a cold or warm sleeper ? This can make as much as 10 or 15 degree difference in your SB rating. I have seen to many hikers try to skimp on this. This is where you spend most of the night doing the hot water bottle thing so you don't freeze to death. Yes a platapus will hold boiling hot water. Be careful here ! If the water leaks inside your bedding your not going to like it ! This is one mistake I haven't made yet..I usually error on the side of to much bag.


I know my now ex-wife really thought she was helping me when she got me that BIG Gregory Palisade backpack for a year 2000 x-mas present.
Of course I felt duty bound to go FILL IT UP with 50 lbs of food, water, and gear. The only piece of gear I have left from that attempt is my old faithful Feathered Friends 10 degee Sleeping Bag( please no flames about the never ending down VS synthetic debate).

Lesson learned. Get your gear, make sure it's what YOU need and want.
Then sort out the correct backpack for YOU. I wouldn't part with my Breeze(14 oz.3700ci) or the ULA pack I got for heaver loads At Walasi-Yi a few years back( don't like overloading my fav. grandson, and need the hip-belt for the 25 to 30 lbs I usually end up with. I have to live long enough to get him back huh..lol ). The Breeze doesn't have a hip-belt, the ULA does. I don't miss the over 6lb, 5000ci Palisade even a little bit. Of course if I decided to do some hiking out in Footslogger country I might want to borrow one ?

Because I am special 'lol' (Type II diabetes) I always carry a 2oz. bottle of rubbing alcohol to refresh my feet with once or twice a day as I hike. Some matches and homemade sewing kit(thru-hiker.com) inside a used 35mm film container. And because I am a natural born CLUTZ and would find a nice sharp stick to punch a hole in my pretty, light-weight shelters floor, expensive too ! I always carry and use some Tyvex.

I have found Gore-tex products to be a expensive waste of funds. Your feet are going to get WET. Get footwear that DRYS quick !
The high dollar Gore-Tex boots I used on my first hike weighed over 8lbs each on the scales at Neals Gap after just ONE day of hiking in LIGHT rain. Besides that after just a couple of hours the insides were full of cold water that couldn't get out. Hiking down that long down into Neals was NOT fun that day ! They did make some useful motorcycle riding boots though. Sheese I had to figure out how to get my monies worth somehow huh ?

And I have some shortie gators that I use in trying to limit the scree from getting inside my footwear and seems to help keep scud and snow off the laces. I do believe they help, but probally will not ever replace.

Well these "notes" have got much to long. Pack a light, worry free mind is what I mostly want to add to the already great list. If it's going to bother YOU during your hike, if at all possible take care of it before you start. I have found that 'worry' weighs to much for me.

I always carry a extra white hankerchief and make sure my trip-light line is handy in case a 'pressure dressing is called for. Almost anything will work, including one's hand to stop bleeding, at least temporarily. Might want to make sure the injured party is breathing first ! And head wounds, not always, but usually look much worse than they are. If ithe wound is not spurting a cold water soaked cloth will usually do the trick on head wounds .If it is 'spurting', ie.arterial bleeding, get pressure on the wound ASAP with whatever you can find. Worry about proper cleaning and antiseptics later.

This site might help in sorting out some first aid options.
The American Red Cross does offer some real good inexpensive classes in CPR and First Aid.

http://www.tnstate.edu/interior.asp?mid=2773&ptid=1

Thanks again A-train

This thread has give me a few new ideas and reminded me of an old forgotten trick.

ZZZdyd-

Thanks for taking the time to add your input and suggestions. I very much agree with your ideas regarding familiarizing yourself with your gear and learning to trust it. I think your post should be required reading for future AT hikers

I think that you must carry antibiotic cream as well as large band-aids,
sterile pads, gauze tape. If you did have a bleeding injury, these are all necessary to prevent infection -- super-important on the trail. I also carry an Ace bandage for possible sprains and temporary "twisting injuries." Safety Pins (my trail name!) But they're a good idea, too.

I hone my list of 'got to have' things on local hikes around North Florida. If I don't need it here, I probably don't need it on the AT. Nothing should go on a long hike, if you have not tested it in advance. Nothing.

Anyone Out There Ever Bring Or Attempt To Bring A Guitar On A Thru? Im A Die Hard Musician And Would Really Like To Bring One Along. There Are Models Out There That Are Made Just For Backpacking, Very Lite, Streamlined Versions. I Just Wonder What Kind Of Problems I May Have With Trees, Brush And The Like Along The Trail.
Any Input Here Is Welcomed, No Im Not Crazy, I Just Like Having My Ax Nearby. Mother Nature Has Inspired Many A Song In Her Time. Maybe Its About Time Someone Wrote About The A-T, Or Sang About It As The Case May Be.

Anyone Out There Ever Bring Or Attempt To Bring A Guitar On A Thru? Im A Die Hard Musician And Would Really Like To Bring One Along. There Are Models Out There That Are Made Just For Backpacking, Very Lite, Streamlined Versions. I Just Wonder What Kind Of Problems I May Have With Trees, Brush And The Like Along The Trail.
Any Input Here Is Welcomed, No Im Not Crazy, I Just Like Having My Ax Nearby. Mother Nature Has Inspired Many A Song In Her Time. Maybe Its About Time Someone Wrote About The A-T, Or Sang About It As The Case May Be.

by all means take one. I usually always carry a Martin Backpacker. They weigh 2 lbs but the case and extra strings and some words along (might as well work while i'm out there) probably get the whole thing closer to 4 lbs.

I always used the case that it came in, but i tie a string (like a shoelace) around the top to compress it where the neck is, and then i have a special pack cover that i had made that has a sort of closed sleeve that fits right over it. Never had any problems on the AT although out west, the desert cracks the wood. Martin told me not to take it into the desert but gave me a new one when i told them it was a "Backpacker" guitar and i was hiking the CDT.

anyway, that's the model i prefer cause i think it's the lightest one out there. Not good for a part cause it's not very loud but great for yourself and keeping your skills honed. have fun.

Reading thru some of this thread, i will say that the Original post was excellent advice. I also would say you don't need all that parachute cord everybody seems to take. If you want to take some line for hanging up clothes to dry (on the AT? yeah right) go to a union construction job where they are doing brick or block work and ask for some of their line that they use for the straight line guide between rows. This is incredibly strong and lightweight string. I have used it on my tent for my tent stakes (about 4' on each with about 3 or 4 loops tied into each for options) for 3 thru hikes now without breaking any. and i have been in some very windy conditions out west.

Hi,

I've never done it, but I know of folks who have. Takoma Tedd did, and those who got to enjoy his many impromptu concerts were glad that he did! (His Martin Backpacker guitar took a little spill -- in the the Notch in 2001, I think, but it's since been repaired and lives happily with his *new* Martin Backpacker.) Woody carried a banjo on the PCT; not sure about the AT. I've seen other guitars on trails, but can't vouch for they're having been carried for entire thru's, all.

Ready

Also, how much your first aid kit is a safety and comfort issue. You can probably hike the entire trail with just a few band-aids and some moleskin. But, then again, it's real nice to have more if and when you need it. Same goes for compass, whistles, repair parts, duct tape, and maybe maps.[/quote]

Don't forget the Powerglide or Immodium!

The "blowout kit" sounds good. Where can I get one?

I enjoyed reading too much to go without a book, a paperback only weighed 7 oz, and it helped me sleep. After sunset, people usually only BS'd a couple hours before climbing into their sleeping bags. There were still too many hours of darkness left for me to sleep the rest of the night. Reading a good book until 12:00, then sleeping soundly until dawn, was better then waking at 3:00 a.m. and lying awake for 3 hours.

Spiderwebs and cobwebs are good. Cloth can help. Many bad wounds- gunshot wounds included- have been plugged with fingers until tourniquets could be applied.
And, yes, tourniquets can cause the loss of a limb. Or you can bleed to death worrying about whether nor not to use one. If something turns blue, loosen it a little bit until the aforementioned area "pinks up". It ain't rocket science at that point, it ain't even medicine, it's survival.

I've never even bought a groundcloth. Of course, I've only been doin this for 40 years, so maybe I've been missing out lol. Of course, I am picky where I pitch my tent and clear out the sharp stuff....

Have you tried the Amazon.com Kindle? I'm thinking about getting one.

No one in this thread has thus far mentioned the importance of boots to dry feet- just socks. I usually hike (in Appalachia, at least) in plain old Chuckies, same as I did 40 years ago; and one of the big reasons I do so is how rapidly they dry out.

I took your advice and left the sunscreen at home, now I have skin cancer and 3 months to live...
Okay I'm kidding but I think a little bottle of sunscreen is a good idea until you get tanned. You don't need the super family size but if you are hiking in early spring, the highlands, or spend a lot of time in the sun (heh), sunscreen is a pretty nifty thing.

I'm curious. I never see poncho's mentioned for rain gear. Am I missing something? I have a lightweight ripstop nylon poncho. It serves a lot of purposes besides keeping the rain off. eg. a lot easier to change clothes in a poncho than inside a sleeping bag.

I'm curious. I never see poncho's mentioned for rain gear. Am I missing something? I have a lightweight ripstop nylon poncho. It serves a lot of purposes besides keeping the rain off. eg. a lot easier to change clothes in a poncho than inside a sleeping bag.

ponchos work great. no need for that high dollar marmot stuff

Wow! I am hiking the AT for the first time in late March. I have been reading, planning and training in preparation. After reading this thread, I am grateful to all of you who have offered up such great information. Just wanted you to know what us newbies were thinkin' ;)
Happy Trails

I took your advice and left the sunscreen at home, now I have skin cancer and 3 months to live...
Okay I'm kidding but I think a little bottle of sunscreen is a good idea until you get tanned. You don't need the super family size but if you are hiking in early spring, the highlands, or spend a lot of time in the sun (heh), sunscreen is a pretty nifty thing.

You silly, the UV rays do damage well after you've tanned-you just don't get a sunburn! :P I know this because I have to wear sunblock very day regardless of where I am-both sides of the fam have had melanoma before, so it isn't really a risk I'd like to take. Sunglasses too, though I suspect I'll be replacing them repeatedly over the hike!

Light eyes, hair, and skin = skin cancer risk.

Also, like mentioned above, if you're bleeding out your femural or inguinal artery it isn't going to matter much if you lose the limb. You're much more concerned with living, period. While I don't know if the Quikclot for sale commercially is the same as what we have as medics, if it is, that **** is AWESOME. GET SOME. NOW. >8D Of course, I'm the one carrying about a full darn aid bag plus my backpack...lol.

Just make sure if you improvise a tourniquet that the straps are at LEAST half an inch wide! String does NOT make a good tourniquet, and I saw a guy die even after his fellow soldiers tried making one with string, wire, and a pencil. Get yourself either four or five pencils and tape 'em together, or even better a good seven or so popsicle sticks, and use that plus the straps from your compression bag or something wide rigged on the outside of your bag. You can sometimes get away with thinner straps if you put some material down first but I think it's better to just use a wider strap in the first place.

A-Train

You just reinforced my ideas about what to take on the AT. I am going to keep items at a minimum and think posting your thoughts at one of the earlier "spots" hikers always go to would be an exceptional idea.

Thanks for you help ...

Ham hiking in March 2010 NOBO

in regards to the first aid kit..

Theres a product out there called Coban - its a stretchy roll of "tape" that adheres only to itself. It's useful in that when wrapped around something (i.e. a limb, finger, head) it will act as a pressure dressing without cutting circulation. It can also be used to secure a "splint" if needed. Tops is that it is VERY lightweight, comes on a roll in different sizes, doesn't require tape. Its in my kit and I use it at work daily...

just my nurse two cents...

I think I may start referring to my cellphone as my "pet rock"

Awesome post! I will be heading out from Springer in early April, and while I have some backpacking experience it has been nothing like what I will encounter on this trip. I have been doing quite a bit of research, and while my initial estimate of a pack was about 50 lbs I now hope to pare that down to about 35lbs. I definitely agree with the point of view about the pack towels and ground cloth, but I will be bringing that cup for coffee:)

Anyway, my thanks as a newbie for your thoughts.

Tourniquets have the possibility of killing whatever limb you put them on, plus the person using them needs to know how to use it (i.e. loosening it every 15 minutes). What you need is a "blowout kit", similar to what is used by soldiers to treat gunshot wounds. They contain a clotting agent which will make a massive wound clot up within a minute or two.


The Much less advertised part of those kits is that the "QUICKCLOT" agent that is used actually burns the wound closed, and it is almost ALWAYS required to amputate the limb that has had the "QUICKCLOT" applied to it. There are many warnings about getting it in your eyes, as it causes blindness, and if you have small open wounds when appliying it, you will find it burns like the dickens.

I am an active duty airman with almost 1000 days in the desert during operations over the last 15 years. We have annual training on the medical gear, and I am also a volunteer ski patroller with a great deal of experience with all the medical gear we have floating around in Europe.

Direct pressure is the way to go. If that does not work, then direct pressure and pressure points. After that comes the drastic steps of tourniquet/"QUICKCLOT" which results in limb loss.

All that being said, if that's what it takes, Stop the bleeding! Dead vs no leg... seems like a no brainer to me.

>Take only memories, Leave only footprints<
Celticbound