WhiteBlaze Pages 2024
A Complete Appalachian Trail Guidebook.
AVAILABLE NOW. $4 for interactive PDF(smartphone version)
Read more here WhiteBlaze Pages Store

Page 1 of 6 1 2 3 4 5 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 149

Hybrid View

Previous Post Previous Post   Next Post Next Post
  1. #1
    Registered User A-Train's Avatar
    Join Date
    01-12-2003
    Location
    Brooklyn, NY
    Age
    40
    Posts
    3,027
    Images
    10

    Default What to leave home/preparation for a thru-hike (Hiker Advice)

    What to leave home/preparation for a thru-hike

    By A-Train 4 Feb 2005

    Thought I'd compile a list of ideas that would be helpful to future thru-hikers planning to leave soon for their journey. This is advice that I would have found useful in making last-minute decisions as what to buy and what to bring. This is intended to help decrease pack weight and shy away from superflous items that you most likely won't use on a daily basis. It's also meant as a way for you, the hikers to save money sending things home that you could just as easily leave home. Lastly, It may save you money from having to buy some things in the first place.

    Disclaimer: This is based on my own experience on the trail as well as witnessing others sending many similar items home and lugging the same things and wondering why on earth they had them in the first place. I can guarantee there will be folks who will disagree with almost every item I deem uncessary. I'm not claiming this is the right way, or that since I don't need it, YOU won't need it. It's simply a suggestion, you can take it for what it's worth. If this benefits one person I'll be happy.

    Pack Towel-This was something that everyone had, sometimes 2 or 3 of them. Sure they could be handy, but why not just carry a bandana. It's lighter and can be used a million and a half different ways. I cleaned my glasses, tied it around my head, wiped condensation off my tent walls, and washed my face with it. It's multi-purpose. Most likely a hostel or motel will have towels. If not you can get creative. A pack towel is not a necessity.

    Tent/Seal seam and boot water proofing- You simply don't need these items often enough to warrant carrying them in a pack for 6 months. When you need them you can split a bottle with other hikers, or find leftover in a hiker box. No need to lug it up the trail.

    Soaps and toiletries-All you really need is a SMALL bottle (like an oz or two) of all purpose or Doctor Bronners biodegradable soap. This can be used to wash you and your pots. No need for special "human" soap. Likewise carrying toiletries like deoderant and shampoo are not necessary. You're gonna stink and the only time to get clean is in town. They have what you need.

    Trowel-I carried the orange shovel for 700 miles before realizing I didn't really need it. Most shelters have a privy. If you can excercise any sort of self control, you usually can time your business around lunch or dinner or breakfast at a shelter. I hardly ever needed to dig. Use a trekking pole, use a boot heal, use your finger. The only section without privies is Erwin to Damascus, so maybe you can pick a trowel up in Erwin if this scares you.

    A groundcloth- I'm sure the masses will want to stone me for this, but I saw absolutely no reason to carry an extra piece of material under my tent. If the tent was going to get wet due to a storm or a poor setup, a piece of material would do little to keep the floor dry. All it seemed to be was another layer of material that didn't do a whole lot. Experiment before leaving with this one.

    Gaitors-Backpacker magazine and the likes like to embed the idea that to be truly hardcore and rugged, we most have these very expensive hot covers on our legs to protect us against all the perils of the woods. Not so. In reality they do very little for you other than make you look goofy or rough, depending on who you talk to. If you haven't bought them, save your money for xtra cheezburgers.

    Mitten Covers- I bought these and never really needed them. Regular fleece gloves are great to keep you warm at night but generally you generate enough heat while hiking that i never needed these, maybe once or twice at most. You can always put your hands in your pockets or use ziplock bags

    XTRA food and clothing-this is generally the source of peoples riciculous 80 lb loads when they leave Springer. You can get more food 30 miles up the trail, even 20 if you run into trouble. Don't start out with 10-15 lbs of food. It just doesn't make sense. Likewise, be prepared for the mountain weather, but there is no need to set off with 4 t-shirts, 3 pairs of underwear and "Town clothes". Your gonna smell, just wear the same thing everyday. Trust me, no one cares.

    A book-I love reading on the trail but realize for many people they are too tired to sit down and attack a novel after a long days walking. You can always pick one up along the way if you are so inclined.

    Radio/Music player-most hikers seemed to not have a need for one until virginia when the days started to get long and motivation decreased. If you can't live a day without, bring it to springer, but realize you may be wrapped up in adjusting to trail and meeting folks the first few weeks. Trust me, you won't be bored if you leave in march or april.

    Camp Cup-lots of folks had cups or spent much too much on titanium mugs. Thats why we have water bottles. They double as mugs too. Cups don't pack well and take up space. If you are a devoted coffee drinker, this might be a staple for you, though.

    Sunglasses/Sun screen-This ain't the desert or the PCT. There is good tree cover and it's not called the Long Green Tunnel for nothing. Almost everyone ended up sending their spiffy specs home. If you need a pair, go with somehting cheap. Most likely you'll smash them or leave them in a shelter.

    Bug Spray-Sorry if this sounds dumb but you won't need this till later on. Buy some in Kent Ct.

    Sox-3 pairs is perfect. 1 for warm camp wear and 2 to alternate while hiking. Anymore than this seems overkill

    Xtra pants-Go with one pair. Decide what you like better: rain pants or convertible/cool hiking pants. They esentially do the same thing which is cover your legs. Both are NOT water proof. Most thru-hikers seemed to deem rainpants obsolete by the warmer weather (especially after their wicking ability had died) and I tend to agree. Go with a real cheap pair (10 bucks) or use those fancy convertible pants. I had a pair that were quite expensive and the zipper broke on me. Not good. Shorts and tights always works good and is versatile.

    Guidebook-you don't need the state guidebooks unless you are really interested in every turn and twist the trail takes. A handbook and data info and maps will be all you need.

    Don't over do it on the journal. I use loose small paper and pen. Some people had elaborate notebooks which were heavy.

    Water holders/Bottles-You will be inclined to fill your canisters so avoid those humongous platypus sacks or 3-4 nalgenes. All you need is 2 1-liter bottles and something to keep camp water in (a small collapsible bag). I saw people leaving springer with like 20 lbs of water, no exageration.

    First Aid-this is personal of course, and I'm not trying to get anyone killed here, but don't overkill here. Use your common sense. Most likely if the injury is real bad you're gonna need to get off trail. A couple band-aids, antibiotic oinment, some tape to wrap blisters and ibuprofen does me good.

    poles/sticks: I'm a HUGE proponent of these and I do own expensive Lekis. You don't need the fanciest though. Ski poles work well and the cheaper brands often performed as good as the expensive ones. They're great for your knees but don't get sucked into the marketing scheme, if you don't want to.

    Cell Phone- This is highly debated, but most likely its just gonna add weight to your pack and you won't find service. If you wanna pay money to carry a rock in your pack, go crazy, but know the overwhelming majority of folks sent these home.

    As I mentioned, you may find that one or more of these are necessary for you to enjoy your hiking trip. If you want to lug it, go for it! This is only a sugestion as how to trim pack weight and save some money and time. Each person generally has a comfort item and any of these may be what you can't live without. Good luck to all
    Last edited by SGT Rock; 03-22-2005 at 09:56.
    Anything's within walking distance if you've got the time.
    GA-ME 03, LT 04/06, PCT 07'

  2. #2
    First Sergeant SGT Rock's Avatar
    Join Date
    09-03-2002
    Location
    Maryville, TN
    Age
    57
    Posts
    14,861
    Images
    248

    Default

    Great idea.I nominate it as an article for the Newbie stuff.
    SGT Rock
    http://hikinghq.net

    My 2008 Trail Journal of the BMT/AT

    BMT Thru-Hikers' Guide
    -----------------------------------------

    NO SNIVELING

  3. #3

    Default

    A-Train:

    Great post.

  4. #4
    Registered User
    Join Date
    09-05-2002
    Location
    Lakewood, WA
    Age
    50
    Posts
    1,885
    Images
    118

    Default

    Ditto. I wish I was clever enough to think it up. Certainly this is something that new hikers should take a look at.

  5. #5
    Donating Member/AT Class of 2003 - The WET year
    Join Date
    09-27-2002
    Location
    Laramie, WY
    Age
    74
    Posts
    7,149
    Images
    90

    Default

    Way to go A-Train ...

    I've done things like this with individual hikers but never thought to post it here.

    Something like this oughta be posted at Amicolola or Walasi-Yi (Neels Gap). Lots of hikers who attempt the AT do not visit Whiteblaze or read previous hiker journals. The hiker box at Neels Gap might not be overflowing with day 3 discards.

    Since many hikers may respond to your post with their own opinions/experience though, this thread could get pretty involved and confusing. What would you think about a series of threads that dealt one-at-a-time with each of your points ?? Some of this has already been done (eg cell phones) but others have gotten somewhat lost in the multi-topic clothing/gear threads.

    Anyway ...just a thought.

    'Slogger
    AT 2003
    The more I learn ...the more I realize I don't know.

  6. #6
    Registered User A-Train's Avatar
    Join Date
    01-12-2003
    Location
    Brooklyn, NY
    Age
    40
    Posts
    3,027
    Images
    10

    Default

    I'm certainly OK with opening it up for discussion, since every point and item can be debated heavily. In fact I thought I was gonna get 100 angry posts about me being the devil for suggesting not to use a groundcloth..

    And I'd love it to be part of the archives/articles section if people are ok with that.
    Anything's within walking distance if you've got the time.
    GA-ME 03, LT 04/06, PCT 07'

  7. #7

    Default Your bag full of food can be heavy...

    I liked A-Train's comments on packing too much food. On the AT I could never seem to get it right as I always had too many dinners and not enough Snickers. I think I ended up packing too much because I had room in my Ursack and it kinda felt like a "safety item". When I decided early on that I didn't want to cook breakfast I had all of this oatmeal at my maildrops that I ended up leaving in hiker boxes. I also remember packing an unopened tuna packet for something like 500 miles...that's 3 ounces. But the worst was peanut butter. I love peanut butter but made the mistake of carrying an 18 ounce jar. I found I didn't always want to fool around spreading it on Ritz (which BTW were expensive to buy in town) and ended up using the prepacked peanut butter crackers half of the time. I don't want to tell you how far I carried an unopened jar of peanut butter on my thru-hike. Now when I "went cold" on my section hike last summer, I packed the jar and used it everyday so it made sense then. If you can plan your food it will go a long way in reducing your pack weight.

    Now, about the gators...look up the thread as there was some great discussion pro and con. I love mine and even wore them in the hot weather and also on the JMT...I guess I looked goofy anyway so it didn't matter.

  8. #8

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by A-Train View Post
    I'm certainly OK with opening it up for discussion, since every point and item can be debated heavily. In fact I thought I was gonna get 100 angry posts about me being the devil for suggesting not to use a groundcloth..
    It's all good A-Train. I'm with you on the ground cloth. Or how do they say that in Brooklyn? I'mwhichyouse?
    'All my lies are always wishes" ~Jeff Tweedy~

  9. #9
    Registered User Peaks's Avatar
    Join Date
    09-04-2002
    Location
    Marlboro, MA
    Posts
    3,056

    Default Ground cloth

    To each their own.

    I might add that I carry a ground cloth and use it not because I'm trying to keep the bottom of my tent dry. Rather, it provides a little layer of cushion between the floor of my tent and the ground so that the tent floor does not get punctured by sharp sticks and stones. Plus, I spread it out in a shelter to keep my sleeping pad and bag that much cleaner. I'd rather replace the ground cloth then replace the tent. Thus far, the tent has lasted for the entire AT, plus a cross country bike trip.

    As far as the other items go, I'd advocate that when starting out, think about what are really going to use. I know that I packed along a lot of the items that are on your list not to bring.

  10. #10
    Registered User DavidNH's Avatar
    Join Date
    01-02-2005
    Location
    Concord, NH
    Age
    61
    Posts
    2,050

    Default regarding what to leave out

    Thanks so much for this post. probably one of the most useful posts this beginner to intermediate hiker has read.

    I am personally undecided as to weather gaitors in rain are helpful or not. Do those with gaitors find that their feet stay drier in prolonged rains? if they don't then they would not be useful in my book.

    David

  11. #11
    Registered User
    Join Date
    11-20-2002
    Location
    Damascus, Virginia
    Age
    65
    Posts
    31,349

    Default

    Gaitors will NOT keep your feet dry. They will keep your sox a little cleaner and keep the rare stick or pebble from getting into the shoe. I don't use them. Besides, they're goofy looking. Spend the $ on something more functional.

  12. #12

    Default

    Great list. My only change would be dump the first aid kit you stated and bring something to stop heavy bleeding. Twice, I've used mine. Once, when there was a serious danger of bleeding to death when some one fell on a sharp stone water bar. The second time was for a serious dog bite. Most people fall more than a few times between Georgia and Maine. All it takes is to land on one small tree stub or pointed rock and you'd be surprised how fast the red stuff comes out.

  13. #13

    Default

    What will stop heavy bleeding in the field?

  14. #14
    Donating Member/AT Class of 2003 - The WET year
    Join Date
    09-27-2002
    Location
    Laramie, WY
    Age
    74
    Posts
    7,149
    Images
    90

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Alligator View Post
    What will stop heavy bleeding in the field?
    =======================
    Depends on what type of wound/bleeding. Direct pressure is the generic answer but if the wound involves a major artery on an extremity you might need a tourniquet.

    'Slogger
    The more I learn ...the more I realize I don't know.

  15. #15

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Alligator View Post
    What will stop heavy bleeding in the field?
    At minimum, a deep wound bandage, a good ace wrap and some safety pins. A blowout kit is great, but who has access to that.

  16. #16
    Registered User randyg45's Avatar
    Join Date
    10-18-2008
    Location
    Princeton, WV
    Age
    72
    Posts
    327
    Journal Entries
    1

    Default

    Spiderwebs and cobwebs are good. Cloth can help. Many bad wounds- gunshot wounds included- have been plugged with fingers until tourniquets could be applied.
    And, yes, tourniquets can cause the loss of a limb. Or you can bleed to death worrying about whether nor not to use one. If something turns blue, loosen it a little bit until the aforementioned area "pinks up". It ain't rocket science at that point, it ain't even medicine, it's survival.

  17. #17
    Registered User
    Join Date
    01-21-2011
    Location
    nationwide
    Age
    52
    Posts
    146
    Images
    3

    Wink How to stop bleeding in the woods.

    Quote Originally Posted by Alligator View Post
    What will stop heavy bleeding in the field?
    I know this is an old post to be commenting on, but for the sake of anyone reading........

    As a nurse/hiker/survivalist I can give you a few trail options to stop bleeding. Outside of the direct pressure, sport-clot, and tourniquet (which I advise against), there are a couple of options left for the minimalist/ultralight-er.

    #1) Sugar- plain granulated sugar poured directly onto wounds helps to stop bleeding. The Glucose activates some of the clotting factors in the blood. NOT artificial sweeteners, and don't rub a Snickers in your wound.

    #2) Spiderwebs- Any kind as long as they are "clean" (no bugs). The glucose and protein that webs are made from work the same way as the sugar.

    #3) The styptic pencil. Virtually weightless and can be fit into any shaving or first-aid kit and can be found at any chain retail store with a "shaving" section.

    Though none of these are instant nor do they work on spurting arterial bleeding... they DO greatly decrease bleeding time.
    The hand may be quicker than the eye, but it is often proven that the mouth is a thousand times faster than the brain!

    Gipsy

  18. #18
    Registered User ckwolf's Avatar
    Join Date
    12-04-2011
    Location
    Stewart, Ohio
    Age
    61
    Posts
    32

    Default

    Dialysis nurses use a powder involving some sort of starch to stop bleeding, comes in small patches too, don't know if it is commercially available but would think it might be
    The mind can go in a thousand directions,
    But on this beautiful path, I walk in peace.
    With each step a gentle wind blows.
    -Thich Nhat Hanh

  19. #19
    Registered User Jess F'in Jaycox's Avatar
    Join Date
    04-23-2012
    Location
    Shelter Island Heights, NY
    Age
    37
    Posts
    6

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Alligator View Post
    What will stop heavy bleeding in the field?
    You can try pressure dressing(gauze, which is light and easily pack-able), elevating of course and , if it is a deep wound, you can pack it in the best you can with a hemostatic dressing which would go directly in a wound. The Hemostatic dressing is relatively expensive but if you are concerned about bleeding out on the trail it is a good option.

  20. #20
    Registered User Nightwalker's Avatar
    Join Date
    11-04-2003
    Location
    Mtns of Pickens County, SC
    Posts
    2,479
    Images
    20

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by NHhiker View Post
    Thanks so much for this post. probably one of the most useful posts this beginner to intermediate hiker has read.

    I am personally undecided as to weather gaitors in rain are helpful or not. Do those with gaitors find that their feet stay drier in prolonged rains? if they don't then they would not be useful in my book.

    David
    I think dry feet are highly overrated. I wear trail runners and wear 2 pairs of thin nylon mens dress socks (the .97 per pair type). The only other socks that I carry are Thorlos for in the tent at night.

    When those slinky nylon socks start getting crusty, just rinse them out in the creek. (If you don't use soap, the sweat itself won't hurt the fishies.) Hang 'em on a tree or over your tent overnight and they get really close to dry by morning. If your feet get dry once a day in your sleeping bag, the all-day-wet in the rainy season won't blister you up very bad at all, especially if you wear extremely breatheable shoes. I'm a trail runner fanatic, but I won't even start that flame war.

    As far as soap itself goes, you really need a very tiny amount. Your pot gets very clean by filling it up with leaves and pine needles, scrubbing them around in there, and repeating until clean. Unsanitary? You betcha. But what's the next thing you're gonna do with that pot? Boil water in it!

    The absolute only thing that I'd add to what A-Train posted was this: find a way to test your setup out on at least one weeklong getaway before you leave for your thru-hike.

    Would you really think it'd be a good idea to do a 6-month hike without testing yer rig?

    Frank/Nightwalker

Page 1 of 6 1 2 3 4 5 ... LastLast
++ New Posts ++

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •