Taking ultralight to the next level

[Safari]

hey,
just thinking, as my thru hike is gonna be like a 5 month or so holiday for me in the US, I could probably go the whole 'holiday' mode route and just not carry anything, that way I can take photos, be astounded by the stunning scenery, eat 'pop tarts' (whatever they are) and just generally bomb along the trail like a tourist... problem is I need a couple of people to carry my stuff...Nepalese trekking style, set up my tent and cook me breakfast & dinner, nice bowl of warm water in the morning, someone taking notes for my trail journal and a rum & coke & foot massage in the evening, thank you very much... how can i go about recruiting for this style of thu hiking? Any one gone this leisurely way before or heard of it? Bear in mind, the Aussie dollar is known as the 'Pacific Peso' and well, you guys are in the financial poo so the two balance each other out...

[Reid]

Man o mayonaisse. I don't really know what to tell you but I'd rather just carry my own gear.

[Feral Bill]

It would really cost you. Americans don't work cheap, at least not hard.

[Safari]

yeah, i kinda figure it may the wrong country to attempt to recruit slaves for my expedition into Appalachia... plus they would have to be amusing, able to suck up and fake interest in my conversation and be prepared for days when i wished to be carried on a litter... talent in a musical instrument and massage techniques would be a must as well.

[mooseboy]

I have to assume you're joking. I admit I cracked a smile at your proposal, as I pictured you in jodphurs and a safari hat sipping tea on the veranda, while your "porters" unloaded your massive luxury tent. I've gotta say, I've never met a hiker with his own bearers. I don't think such hiking trips are still in vogue in the Americas (they were all the rage from Columbus up to about John Wesley Powell), but hey, for the right price I'm sure it could be done.

At first thought, this seemed like an mockable upper-class misadventure-- after all, the economy's bad here, but not THAT bad. But then I started thinking; many hikers spend a considerable amount to hike the AT. But you're offering to get paid to thru-hike the AT? Let's talk. If 2 guys each carried their own gear and 1/2 of yours, you might find takers. You'd have to arrange benefits as well-- when you take a zero day in a motel, are you covering them? Are you providing their food? Their gear? Is the foot massage mandatory? etc.

This thread may be closer to "Hiking Humor"...

[Safari]

yeah, just having a slow day, was trying t come up with ways to lighten the pack and that was by far the most expensive(not to say lazy)... but hey, if i went ahead and did it, imagine the controversy, the 'ultra, ultra lightweight slave driver hiker' sightings, the celebrity, the fame... as i said, it's been a slow day...

[Jayboflavin04]

hey,
just thinking, as my thru hike is gonna be like a 5 month or so holiday for me in the US, I could probably go the whole 'holiday' mode route and just not carry anything, that way I can take photos, be astounded by the stunning scenery, eat 'pop tarts' (whatever they are) and just generally bomb along the trail like a tourist... problem is I need a couple of people to carry my stuff...Nepalese trekking style, set up my tent and cook me breakfast & dinner, nice bowl of warm water in the morning, someone taking notes for my trail journal and a rum & coke & foot massage in the evening, thank you very much... how can i go about recruiting for this style of thu hiking? Any one gone this leisurely way before or heard of it? Bear in mind, the Aussie dollar is known as the 'Pacific Peso' and well, you guys are in the financial poo so the two balance each other out...

If your payin Im Hikin!!!!

[kayak karl]

i'll do it.
meet you at springer. you pay in advance and off we go. ill be a little slow at first, but you just hike ahead and wait for me at hawk mt shelter.

[greg burke]

thats funny thanks for maken me laugh so early in tha morning.Greg

[Engine]

I'll carry your stuff for $10.00 a mile.

[MyName1sMud]

It would really cost you. Americans don't work cheap, at least not hard.

werd

I would recommend hiring some Mexican help. Mexicans are some of the HARDEST working people I have ever seen.

[Mags]

An easier idea. You only need one item, and one item only, to make an easy walk on the trail. The AT crosses enough roads where you can get a hotel room almost every night and a nice meal.




ENJOY!

[Spogatz]

What if you were to inflate bladders in your backback with helium or maybe tie weather balloons to lighten the load.....

Then you could talk like a munchin while in camp......lololololololololol

[10-K]

I'll carry your stuff for $10.00 a mile.

Then you'd sub it out for $5.00 and keep the difference, right?

[ZeroC]

Yeah i'm sure for about 20 grand you could find someone to do that.

[reddenbacher]

its a job.someone needs to do it.imm in i would love toooo.now we need a few more.
safari style,wall tent folding chairs,the works?

[kayak karl]

if i did this. could i collect unemployment when I'm done.

[Homer&Marje]

You pay for our thru hike and supplies and you've got your sherpas

[YoungMoose]

Whats the point of thru-hiking. The sweat and the grime and pain is part of it thats why as of this years prediction only 25-35 percent of the people finish Plus i bet the people who are carrying your stuff would just walk away becuase they dont want to do it. Us americans look for easy ways out most of the time. At least i do that. Hehe i am proud of it too

[kythruhiker]

I'm more than happy to Sherpa your gear, cook you meals, etc...for 5 months salary. No foot massages, you'll have to hire someone else for that.