Is it still thru-hiking when...

[whitefoot_hp]

You hire one of these guys http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherpa#...mountaineering

and have him carry a bunch of luxurios and heavy gear while you follow him with cigarrets and a camera?

[The Doctor]

Of course it is, as long as you pass every blaze then it counts, doesn't matter who's carrying your gear. That's just common trail knowledge you moron. Little ditty bout' jackl and diane!

[saimyoji]

What if you miss one blaze? Could that be forgiven? What if you don't know where all the blazes are? How would you know if you passed every blaze? How many blazes are there, so we can count as we hike?

[emerald]

What if you miss one blaze? Could that be forgiven? What if you don't know where all the blazes are? How would you know if you passed every blaze? How many blazes are there, so we can count as we hike?

Hi! I'm a newbie and I have a few questions to add to those I've quoted. Since I want to hike my own purist hike on which I will drink only untreated spring water or Purist Pale Ale brewed by Appalachian Brewing Company in The Keystone State of the A.T., I wonder if you might clarify a few things for me about tagging those "friendly white markers?"

1. Do I need to tag blazes on trees that have fallen?
2. What about leaners?
3. Must I touch only blazes I on the south sides of trees when hiking northbound and vice-versa when hiking southbound?
4. Which blazes do I tag when the trail runs parallel to the lines of latitude as on Blue Mountain?
5. What about those blazes that seem to be on neither one side of the tree nor the other?
6. Do double-blazes need to be tagged twice?
7. Are blue blazes not tagged with the left hand by those who are right-handed?
8. What should I do in Pennsylvania if I encounter a fat blaze on a sapling that may or may not mark a State Game Lands boundary?

Also, I plan to hike only when there's no snow on the ground. How do you guys who hike in the winter in New England tag the blazes when the snow gets above breast height?

[rafe]

Also, I plan to hike only when there's no snow on the ground. How do you guys who hike in the winter in New England tag the blazes when the snow gets above breast height?

...or when wind-blown snow obscures all the blazes -- those on trees, and on the rocks on the footpath. (Been there, done that.)

[emerald]

...or when wind-blown snow obscures all the blazes -- those on trees, and on the rocks on the footpath. (Been there, done that.)

Is a purist hike under such conditions even possible? It must have taken you forever under such conditions! Did you have the coordinates for each blaze and carry a wisk broom and small shovel? Guess you needed extra food too.

[rafe]

Is a purist hike under such conditions even possible? It must have taken you forever under such conditions! Did you have the coordinates for each blaze and carry a wisk broom and small shovel? Guess you needed extra food too.

I do very little winter hiking/camping and this experience is one of the reasons why. I spent way too much time trying to find the trail or reassure myself that I was still on it. It would have been very easy to get lost, and if I had, it would have been a seriously bad situation. FWIW, this was on the Centennial Trail, the AT between Rte. 2 and the summit of Mt. Hayes, just east and north of Gorham.

[emerald]

I guess that winter hiking stuff is for more experienced hikers. Maybe I should stick to 3-season hiking until I get hiking under those conditions sorted out.

[Lion King]

I hear if you miss any blazes in PA the ghost of Earl shaffer will snore beside you all the way through till CT.

Im still haunted....

[freefall]

Hi! I'm a newbie and I have a few questions to add to those I've quoted. Since I want to hike my own purist hike on which I will drink only untreated spring water or Purist Pale Ale brewed by Appalachian Brewing Company in The Keystone State of the A.T., I wonder if you might clarify a few things for me about tagging those "friendly white markers?"

1. Do I need to tag blazes on trees that have fallen?
2. What about leaners?
3. Must I touch only blazes I on the south sides of trees when hiking northbound and vice-versa when hiking southbound?
4. Which blazes do I tag when the trail runs parallel to the lines of latitude as on Blue Mountain?
5. What about those blazes that seem to be on neither one side of the tree or the other?
6. Do double-blazes need to be tagged twice?
7. Are blue blazes not tagged with the left hand by those who are right-handed?
8. What should I do in Pennsylvania if I encounter a fat blaze on a sapling that may or may not mark a State Game Lands boundary?

Also, I plan to hike only when there's no snow on the ground. How do you guys who hike in the winter in New England tag the blazes when the snow gets above breast height?

What about just having hikers purchase those fast pass thingies you see stuck to windshields in areas with toll roads? We could embedd all the white blazes with sensors and wear the fast pass thingie on our foreheads. That way there's no question.

[rafe]

What about just having hikers purchase those fast pass thingies you see stuck to windshields in areas with toll roads? We could embedd all the white blazes with sensors and wear the fast pass thingie on our foreheads. That way there's no question.

Now I'm thinking of the toll booth in Blazing Saddles. "Somebody go back and get a whole *****tload of dimes!"

[whitefoot_hp]

so, is it still thru hiking if you have a sherpa?

[emerald]

so, is it still thru hiking if you have a sherpa?

Sherpa, van, what's the difference? Is an ascent of Mt. Everest supported by Sherpas not a legitimate, recognized ascent?

[Newb]

You're all on drugs. I'm convinced. Don't deny it.

[emerald]

You're all on drugs. I'm convinced. Don't deny it.

I deny it completely. I will admit I've not been right and can't seem to get right since MinnesotaSmith Update was closed! I also seemed more normal when posting after mweinstone.

[freefall]

Now I'm thinking of the toll booth in Blazing Saddles. "Somebody go back and get a whole *****tload of dimes!"

LMAO good one!

[Joshrm78]

Can i ship a sherpa to the us ? would be nice to have how much u think they cost lol...

[freefall]

Sherpa, van, what's the difference?

Does Sherpa Van have a WB account?

Oh, wait. Sherpa. Van. I get it but I don't think you can get a van up Everest.

[emerald]

Can i ship a sherpa to the us ? would be nice to have how much u think they cost lol...

Sure a Sherpa would be nice, but could you handle the burden of the shipping?

[weary]

Hi! I'm a newbie and I have a few questions to add to those I've quoted. Since I want to hike my own purist hike on which I will drink only untreated spring water or Purist Pale Ale brewed by Appalachian Brewing Company in The Keystone State of the A.T., I wonder if you might clarify a few things for me about tagging those "friendly white markers?"

1. Do I need to tag blazes on trees that have fallen?
2. What about leaners?
3. Must I touch only blazes I on the south sides of trees when hiking northbound and vice-versa when hiking southbound?
4. Which blazes do I tag when the trail runs parallel to the lines of latitude as on Blue Mountain?
5. What about those blazes that seem to be on neither one side of the tree nor the other?
6. Do double-blazes need to be tagged twice?
7. Are blue blazes not tagged with the left hand by those who are right-handed?
8. What should I do in Pennsylvania if I encounter a fat blaze on a sapling that may or may not mark a State Game Lands boundary?

Also, I plan to hike only when there's no snow on the ground. How do you guys who hike in the winter in New England tag the blazes when the snow gets above breast height?

The proper protocol is to kick the blazes on fallen trees. If in doubt about whether a blaze is for north or south bound hikers, hug the tree. Cut down any confusing blaze trees. If in doubt about the meaning of a blaze, call Harpers Ferry on you cell phone.