One of the problems with being a section hiker is that I have a lot more time to think about hiking than I do to actually hike. This results in a lot of time questioning gear choices and rethinking strategy. Combine this with a lack of will-power and a credit card and it creates a problem.

I have backpacked a few hundred miles over the last four years and my girlfriend and my German Wire-haired Pointer have tagged along on a lot of the trips. In doing so I had purchased several packs for the three of us, trying to find the right fit. It wasn't until we got back from my first trip to Mountain Crossings, that I dug out all of the packs we've gone through in the the last few years and realized that maybe, just maybe I have a problem with compulsively buying gear.

Normally I wouldn't admit to making a mistake, but I live in an 850 square foot cottage and the gear has taken over!



With that said, I thought I'd ask my fellow WBers. How much gear have you bought, and how much of it was out of boredom vs. necessity?

I know I want to take the AT down, but I don't see the point in hiking it up and down. What is the best way to do it?

I always wanted to make a pocket stove from an altoids type tin. Many years ago I visited a Cival War museum and it is there that I saw my first pocket stove. It was military issue and was very interesting. No photos were allowed so I had to wing it LOL.
The pot supports are stainless steel.

The burner is from a Starlyte stove.

The container is ebay brand.

Total weight of stove is 2 ounces.

This is a photobucket video. click on the photo to view it.

Hey, everyone!

So things are going really well thus far. Made it to mile 997 today after completing the majority of the rollercoaster in northern Virginia--it's not bad at all once you've done nearly 1,000 miles.

Keeping weight on still seems to be the major difficulty, but today I dipped cookies in whipped butter for a snack and it was diiivvviiinnne.

Hope y'all enjoy my blog, I've been updating daily and trying to make it as detailed as possible. (Link is below in signature.)

-Rayo

I plan to hike on the Appalachian Trail from Gathland State Park to Wolfsville Rd.(about 21 miles) from Saturday to Monday, May 26-28, 2012. (So far I'm thinking of going to Crampton Gap Shelter and tent, then start first thing Saturday). Right now I'm going solo.

I haven't hiked since January so mileage will be aproximately 7-8 miles a day.

Anyone want to joining me for a hike AT in Maryland?

Tumbleweed

This poll asks about the stankiest water sources your have drunk form on the AT. Please check all that apply.

My first attempt at a Hoop stove that I saw on Youtube by Tetkoba.
http://youtu.be/jaP4kHhJjRk

How about signing a contract to repay any sponsorship $ or gear if you end up quiting? Maybe there would be more sponsors for real attempters and maybe more motivation. If I took a dime from anybody on a sponsor and I didnt measure up, id feel like dirt and want to repay it. Just a thought, im full of it, I mean them.;)

This site has caused me to obsess over pack weight, to the point that I will pack, repack, remove, replace, or redistribute gear for hours on end several times a week. I finally got to weigh my pack last night and it was 21 pounds with food! I have a few things left to replace that will reduce my weight even more. The advice I've received here has been priceless in every facet and quite entertaining. I just want to thank everyone, so this is my way.

This Saturday (May 19), we'll be opening the Cabin for hikers. PM me if you'd like to join us. Looks like it's going to be another nice Saturday in the Berkshires. Cabin will remain open until October 21st.

Speaking of opening, the summit road to Mt Greylock will also open this weekend. Bascom Lodge will only be open weekends for the next month or so as they finish up some more renovations.

Cosmo
http://massatprojects2012.blogspot.com/

We just finished up installing a new kiosk on the south side of Dalton (right by the train tracks). Kids and teachers from Craneville Elementary helped build it and will be maintaining it. See the blog post here


Cosmo

Hello everyone. I just joined the forum a few days ago and have been reading many posts. This place seems like a great font of knowledge. I was in Scouts many, many years ago and used to hike quite a bit. I've been to Katahdin a couple of times, as well as Philmont. I have, however, been away from hiking for about 22 years now.

I've been collecting gear over the last month and feel I'm ready for a nice hike. I was planning on heading up to SNP next weekend for a 3 day, 2 night hike (about 30 miles) but just found out I have 6 days off, so I was thinking of heading up for a nice long break. SNP is about 4 hours from where I live. I feel gear-wise, I'm good. I've just had some random questions pop into mind over the last few days as the time gets nearer.

1. Where do you wash your dishes? In the old days of scouting, we did it in streams or had large containers of water. I know with the LNT principals, this is not cool. I've seen collapsable sinks..is this a good option?

2. what do you all do about batteries, specifically for GPS. I have a Dakota 20 which takes AA's. Should I just bring extras? Do you all use some type of charger? I have a solar charger for my cell, but that won't work to charge the Dakota.

3. I'd eventually like to do some section hiking, with the entire length of SNP being my first goal. In other areas, is it ok to camp pretty much anywhere along the trail? Do you rely mostly on shelters?

4. Can you reccommend a good overall through/section hiking book for the AT?

I'm sure more questions will pop to mind, and I will post as they do, but I greatly appreciate any feedback you all have.

~Brian

I am picking up a new digital voice recorder tomorrow. Plan to start journaling now and then when I start cdt (June/July 2013) I'll be in real good practice. I've looked thru WB for a couple of days on the subject of journals and see that general consensus is paper. It kind of surprises me with our love affair w/tech and elec gadgets. I have used many recorders over the years. From micro cassette recorders I used when I did a short stint as a reporter, school, college etc. I use an inexpensive one (digital recorder) now to track certain things in my life. When I rode w/my son from Amarillo to Oregon coast by bicycle I used a a small cassette recorder w/the usual size cassette. There were extenuating circumstances to why I did not use a micro-cassette recorder. This tech has come so far that of course these recorders are digital. On the bike trip I did my recording in the day and also to talk to certain people. It was a great way to capture many events, memories etc. I had a laugh when we got home, my wife asked me to listen to one of her favorite entries. It's a night when I am in the bag and I talk slower n slower until you hear a long pause n then a snore. So you can capture some neat moments.
So, anyone doing this w/success? I am going to use a Sony ICDUX523. Uses 1 AAA bat. This is a long way from the cheapie recorders. Nowdays when you look at the recording time, storage capacity n then some w/SD cards, USB port, its really something. Will be either swapping out SD cards or emailing portions home. This is why I am doing this now to work the wrinkles out. Will use Dragon Naturally Speaking software for transcribing the recordings. All in all I think its a good plan. Anyone else doing this w/success?

I have a co worker ask me a question if any one has ever hiked the whole A.T, get to the end , turn around and do it again all in the same year. I told him I knew just the place to find the answer.

It's a first time on the trail. We are 50 and 57 years old in good shape, have some camping skills,good walkers. I have a freind in the GA. mountains that can help us with a shuttle so we dont need to do a loop. It would be nice to see a waterfall,follow a ridge with some veiws, have a canopy of old trees, and maybe visit a nice fishing spot. Thinking 4 or 5 days in july.