Animal’s Unorthodox Journal

**-Animal** · 02-02-2014, 13:25

Originally Posted by Pedaling Fool

According to your Journal, you carried anywhere between 8-30#'s in a bucket the entire way. That's pretty good; I can really appreciate that because I do a lot of Farmer John workouts and it can really wear you out gripping something at the same time walking and this is just a little bit on flat ground).

Did you have a method to ensure each hand got "equal time" and did you use anything to wrap around the handle? Do you have a naturally strong grip or did you some how prepare for this?

I remember my feet hurting the worse from my hike, but I imagine if I carried a bucket that I would had also have to deal with some serious hand pains for quite some time.

Thanks for your question. The hand pains were not bad but my shoulders and back probably hurt like your feet. I got my trail arms after about two weeks carrying the bucket. And I wrapped the handle in duct tape because I shattered the plastic one with my grip. I alternated arms whenever they got tired (that was often in the beginning) and took a lot of breaks.
I’ve always been unusually strong. I can lift two wheels, on a small car, off the ground. I think George got to see me lift some large rocks in place when we did trail work last year. I lifted one rock in Maine over 1200 pounds out of a hole. I’m an ex martial artist/bodybuilder.

**George** · 02-02-2014, 17:16

Originally Posted by Tipi Walter

Here's a neat idea---roll an upright piano along the trail for 2,000 miles.

I thought you already kept a compact piano in that pack of yours

**Tipi Walter** · 02-02-2014, 17:29

Originally Posted by George

I thought you already kept a compact piano in that pack of yours

I USED to carry a Moog synthesizer when they first came out but that's old news.

**Scooter2** · 02-02-2014, 18:03

I enjoy reading your journal for its uniqueness...will be following your hike and wish you the best.

**forrest!** · 02-02-2014, 18:47

Animal, I'm going SOBO - hope to meet you somewhere in the middle - you should be easy to spot!

Forrest

**HikerMom58** · 02-02-2014, 18:51

Hope to meet you too, Animal!

**Snowleopard** · 02-02-2014, 18:54

Animal has some ideas that are useful for any hiker, even light weight hikers.

Put aside (save) a special (delicious) meal to prepare and eat just before you go to the next town to resupply.

This can save a lot of money on restaurant meals.

The whole clothing section is good: http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=441936

With everything on you should be warm, sitting at zero degrees. -and you should be able to wear all the layers at the same time.

No, I'm not going to start carrying a bucket yet. I like the idea of spending little time in towns and going a couple of weeks between resupplies. Like TipiWalter, Animal spends more time at a stretch in the woods than many hikers do, and I admire that.

**Valley Girl** · 02-02-2014, 19:10

Animal. Good for you! Ya know I felt I could ask you anything and that helped me prepare for my own hike. It saddens me that more people can't just wish you luck without a sarcastic stab here and there. I admire your sense of adventure and that, not only do you hike the trail you help maintain it and make it interesting. Oh and if in 2016 you decide to take two buckets and a tuba on your back filled with you gear...I will cheer you on!

**Meriadoc** · 02-02-2014, 20:02

Nice posts there Animal.

Good emphasis that your reader should be using their own noggin to decide on how to approach hiking and what to bring.

Good luck this year!

**Malto** · 02-02-2014, 22:25

Regardless of whether you agree or not with someone's tactics, there are always interesting things to be learned. I met animal twice on his 2012 hike, once at about mile 70 and the second time in NJ. I will admit I was shocked to see the bucket in GA but it brought a smile to my face seeing him in NJ and knowing he carried that bucket the whole way. I would have never thought someone would have the perserverence to do this. Good luck Animal, maybe I run into again this year.

**Gervais** · 02-02-2014, 22:57

I enjoyed your journal Animal. Best luck on your next hike.

**Bagge Pants** · 02-03-2014, 01:38

hiking with 8 lbs of water in one hand isn't weird to me, the bucket sounds funny though, I'll have to read the entries and see what everyone is talking about

**George** · 02-03-2014, 03:14

carrying large quantities of food would be practical on some sections of the CDT where resupply is such a PITA - but then it would not be as unique - also not sure how that bucket would hold up to a grizz

**-Animal** · 02-03-2014, 09:21

**Josh Calhoun** · 02-03-2014, 12:53

Animal! good to see your still out there getting some hiking done. i remember our conversation about foraging. you were right the wild wintergreen was all over the trail. my dog had to be sent home shortly after we met. dont mind the bucket haters on here. they also told me i drunk to much beer while on the trail. Is that even possible?? hope to see you out there on some of my section hikes! happy trails my friend - Rash Class Of 13

**rocketsocks** · 02-03-2014, 13:09

Animal, way to think outside the pack (pun intended). like TW, i'm gonna print and bring on next trip, tired of reading the same ole same ole, and looking for somethin fresh, after perusing, yers seems to fit the bill. have a great hike.

**Stroke** · 02-03-2014, 17:08

I'm enjoying this journal. I met you last year during Hardcore and you demolished me in a game of chess. I hope to see you on the trail again.

**-Animal** · 02-03-2014, 19:36

Boone, I’m carrying a chess set this time so I hope we meet up again. Knight odds?
Rash, A bucket can hold a lot of beer…come out and join me sometime!

**Josh Calhoun** · 02-03-2014, 22:42

i sure will buddy, i might be after another AT hike sooner than i thought. missing the **** out of it

**George** · 02-04-2014, 00:25

Originally Posted by Josh Calhoun

they also told me i drunk to much beer while on the trail. Is that even possible??

that usually means: there was not enough left for me!

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