AT Articles

By SGT Rock, 21 March 2005

In an effort to make WhiteBlaze the best possible AT site, we are trying to create a collaborative effort of articles aimed at helping a new hiker prepare and plan to hike the Appalachian Trail. We are trying to make WhiteBlaze more than just a forum and picture gallery. We are trying to make this a place where a new hiker can find easy answers to what they need to know before they get on the trail and a place where even experienced hikers can learn a thing or two.

To do that, we have created a system to tap into the knowledge of thousands of hikers by taking some of what YOU the hiker think is the most useful of information posted here on WhiteBlaze and turn it into articles that anyone can find on their first visit here, or there 10,000th visit. These articles are living documents in some cases. An article on re-supply can be updated by the writer as needed years after he wrote it. And each article is part of an active thread where people can post their questions or observations about the article.

In order to become an article, a post is judge on it's merits. An article may happen accidentally - someone may say something that we decide to capture for everyone to benefit from for a long time. OR you may have an area of expertise and think you have a great idea for an article. In the latter case, a forum is provided (Article Submission Forum (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=364) )so you can submit your article. It could be about first aid, photography, trail maintenance, specialized advice, etc. When you submit, be prepared for everyone to have some comment because it will be on an active forum!

Once an article has been through the ringer and edited, it ill be moved to a new forum called WhiteBlaze Articles (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=366) and linked so that it can be found through the Appalachian Trail Hiking Primer (http://whiteblaze.net/index.php?page=content&t=8122)

To alleviate the worries of anyone that is considering submitting an article that doesn't want that article to later end up in print some day used without their permission, we here at WhiteBlaze promise that if we ever decide to create a project like this (or any other) we will get your permission first.

We look forward to expanding this section, please help!

We are looking for volunteers to write about the following things:

1. A basic primer on packing lists. What the very basic ideas are of what you need and perhaps why.

2. A packing list that someone used on a thru-hike using a tent the entire way. But it should be more than just a list, it should also include information like changes in gear made and why, why some gear never changed, and what you might do differently next time.

3. A similar packing list for a hammock user - if one exists.

4. An article on getting to the trail at Springer Mountain.

5. An article about getting to the trail at Kahtadin.

6. And a good article about first aid, like what should be in a 4oz first aid kit, stuff you can improvise using standard backpacking gear, and what first aid skills are important.

7. An article about how to save a bunch of money on gear, something like the $300 challenge, but not just a gear list, more like how to not overspend getting ready to outfit yourself.

Other than that, we will continue to look for good, solid posts to turn into articles.