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All the better then. A worker gives there time, skills and energy to a company and that company lays them off (you have to be fired/"laid off" in CA - and every state I believe - to get...

The anger some people have about this issue is really amazing.

Governments take money and put it back into the country in various forms. My taxes might pay for a road, a soldier's medical supplies...

Went commando with a kilt in 2009. No better way to hike.

I second the Hiker Hostel. Best way to start a thru-hike.

Don't get too nervous, Class of 2012. You'll feel like old pros by the time you reach Hiawassee.

Ah... finally, a read hiking thread.

California:

There's always the PCT and the John Muir Trail, but for my money, I think you get the best California experience on the Lost Coast Trail. Three days with it all ... beaches, rocky...

Really, we're talking about a relatively small amount of heat being trapped in dark fabrics that are in the sun. Minuscule compared to the amount of body heat you generate while hiking. Also, if it's...

On the JMT, the Ridge-rest will serve you the best. Inflatable pads are definitely more comfortable and warmer and I was damn happy to have one on my AT thru-hike. But the vegetation here in...

I thru-hiked in 2009 and since then it's been few and far between that I've met other thru-hikers. Sure, I keep in touch with my friends from the Trail (mostly on the East Coast), but I have yet to...

Everyone hates the Velocity. I bought a pair in Leray, VA on my thru-hike and I summitted Katahdin in them. Over 1,300 miles. And there was still life in them. I threw them out after the hike only...

I agree with Bag "o" Tricks, in that you will probably want to give yourself more than 7 days for that section.

Also, for the same price as buying one of those shower kits, you can stop off at...

I wouldn't worry so much about your pack weight. People usually find a happy place with their packs and it's often way away from what that "golden ratio" says it should be.

I think you should...

There are two sides to a successful thru-hike: the physical and the mental.

I personally think the physical is the easy part. Most of those I know who dropped out, did so because of physical...

I'd say invest in a good tarp and pad and skip the hammock.

When I did a pre-hike budget for my '09 thru, I estimated the price to be slightly less than $1500. I was also thinking that I'd stay in a hostel/hotel/motel only about every two weeks and wouldn't...

After all these years, I'm still casting my vote for the MSR Pocket Rocket.

The weather's a little different each year and at each place. This year (so far) it's been dry with a couple of scattered heavy days. However, they're saying rain to make up for the drought may be...

I don't believe the one about the thru-hiker finding the dead guy at The Doyle. Seems like it's always someone who knows someone who was friends with the guy kind of thing. I keep waiting for the...

I carried a bank debit card only. Most places (groceries, hotels, restaurants, post office) will take a debit card. I also always made sure I had $30 or so cash. Whenever the cash got low, I would...

Hi bindhii. I'm a male, so I'm not your hiker companion. But, feel free to contact me with any questions you might have. Also, I live in Manhattan, very near the park, so if you wanted to see a...

Everyone has noted how much weight will be food, and that is undoubtedly true. However, if your hiking the Northeast at this time of year, making provisions for carrying extra water might not be a...

One of my fellow thru-hikers in '09 didn't like his Henry Shires Tarp Tent, so he dumped it in a hikerbox in Franklin. Someone had a happy day when they came across that.

Don't forget the REI Half Dome. By all accounts though, this year's model is not as good as the last one. (I don't own this year's so I can't compare the two.) Also, the Big Agnes Seedhouse is...