After22 years, getting back into it. Have questions

[rocketsocks]

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

Brian,Stop now,beware,turn back,run away run away!.It's hard to put the genie back in the bottle,things will never be the same once you start reading these pages,you have really gone and done it this time.Have a great time hiking and reading all the great threads.

[Theosus]

I carried too much on my first hike last month.

Regarding cooking, I dropped back to one pot to boil water, and some type of dehydrated food. I just boil water in the pot. I made a caldera cone/alcohol stove to replace my giga power canister system.

Less is more.

I like my gps, but the weight of it and spare batteries gets me down. I think if i take it next time I will keep it in my pocket, with no spares. I didnt really find it useful, although it is fun to play with.

A map and compass (which you will probably have anyway) won't fail and don't need batteries.

At home, get a small bag. Put everything you would like to take, but don't absolutely need, into the bag. Weigh the bag. Or just pick it up. My gps, spare batteries, phone backup charger, extra pot, poncho, camp towel, paracord, etc weighed about 4 pounds! I switched jackets, dropped the poncho, don't need the little towel, use a bandana instead, didn't use the extra pot....

And my pack is lighter.

[Blue Jay]

Are you sure about that?

I honestly don't know -- but I would have "guessed" that most carry The Companion as it is available thru and supports the ATC.

Yes I'm sure, around 850 miles so far this year. The only ATC book I saw the entire time was mine. I've always supported the ATC, however this is the last time I buy their book. AWOL actually updates his.

[rocketsocks]

One of the cheapest ways I seen people do dishes is to take a gal milk jug,cut the bottom off to make a basin,works great,cheap,and light,but I prefer freezer bag cooking,or just boiling water,no clean-up required.I still use a map and compass,because thats what I enjoy.I try to keep items that use batteries to a minimum,phone,flashlights,occasionally my sierra stove,sometimes a radio has even accompanied me,and I try to conserve battery life for my Ipod,so it is used sparingly.

[Pumba]

Thanks everyone. I'm heading out to SNP tomorrow for my first hike of considerable distance. I plan on taking the first two days fairly easy, and then progressing to a more challenging section. I'' be there through Tuesday morning. I appreciate all of the feedback. I have yet to weigh my pack, but it feels pretty heavy and that's without food and water. I've been trying to buy lightweight, but I guess we'll see. I'll be bringing the GPS to try it out. If it becomes more cumbersome than it's worth, I'll ditch it when I get back home. I'm sure in the end, my keen scouting skills will all come back to me and a map and compass will work fine.

Maybe I'll catch someone out on the trail. I'll be doing the Jones Run Trail and Doyles River Trail the first two days, and then progressing over to Austin Mountain Trail, Furnace Mountain Trail and Trayfoot Mountain Trail, with some sections on the AT.

Oh, and I've changed my username to Pumba if anyone was wondering why the thread seemed different.

[Rocket Jones]

Good luck and have fun!!

[Pumba]

I'm back! I've been inactive in both hiking and the forum for a couple of years but I'm getting the bug again, especially now that I live mere miles from the AT. I had been laid off from work and had decided it would be a great time for me to make a move to Ireland. I spent 7 months and one trip over but nothing came to fruition and I was quickly running out of money. I reluctantly sold all of my gear in order to live and pay my mortgage. I ended up not getting a job in Ireland, selling my house in NC and moving up to Rochester, NY. Hated that job so I quit and now I'm in PA at a company I worked for years ago. Unfortunately, Owlet, my daughter, is still in NC with her mom, but I see her often.

Anyways, as I mentioned, I'm very close to the AT in Boiling Springs and have recently done an 11 mile hike from the AT office South. I've got the bug and will slowly be getting my gear back, with some changes based on what I learned from the first round. It's good to be back in a place that is filled with so many knowledgeable people and I look forward to reading many posts and hopefully being able to help others.

[Pumba]

After typing the above post I realised I probably should have started a new topic. I know there will be many that read this from the beginning and have no clue what's going on until they get to the above post, so for that, my apologies.

[FlyFishNut]

After typing the above post I realised I probably should have started a new topic. I know there will be many that read this from the beginning and have no clue what's going on until they get to the above post, so for that, my apologies.

I thought I was going senile for a moment there! I read most of the thread - and then noticed the dates. I thought I had clicked on archives or something. Then the last post tied it all together. Whew - glad I'm not losing my mind.

Welcome back - sounds like you've been through the wringer. I'm guessing a woman caused the move to Ireland....

Anyway - hope all goes well!

[rocketsocks]

Hey Pumba, welcome back, glad things are looking up for you.