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Several weeks later, during which I've kept the DownMat inflated all the time, the issue with the insufficient insulation of the pad itself seems to...

you can do worse than ten penny nails. Don't use any stake that you can't hammer like heck on.

After 60+ years of using sleeping bags, I go with a lower rating than you think you need. A 40 deg bag means that you will be miserable at 40...

Common sense: Gear your footwear based on the load they carry. Don't put bicycle wheels on a Mac truck, and you don't nideeed massive boots if...

Yeah, I'd agree for most people NOBO is probably easier. Stock up on Ibuprofen when you get to Duncannon, LOL I ran into one guy in PA who'd done...

I had never heard of them growing in Maine but one day I was doing corridor boundary maintenance on the AT in Maine between Hall and Moody mountain...

Agree... I never noticed much difference hiking in cheap sneakers vs. high-end trail runners. They both wear out pretty quickly. Boots are the...

Thanks peakbagger. I'll try that. I know I kind of asked the same thing before, but no luck. So figured I'd try a slightly different...

Good to know.Thanks!

Okay I have only hiked the AT once and have lived and hiked in the whites since 1987 and probably started using poles around 1990. Arm and shoulder...

The sting goes away after a bit,so no big deal,the disapearance of arthritic pain was wonderful. Tea is great and I'm going on a major foraging hike...

Annoying to touch, but great foraging the spring leaves for soup, tea and pesto.

I would question how you're using the straps if you're having issues with shoulder dislocation.

Sorry if folks in your region are having issues using their poles pb, but I will continue to use the straps on my poles as the gods intended....

Its regional issue with straps on poles, in rocky areas like the whites, having your hand in a strap is an invitation for a dislocated shoulder when...

I find it annoying as well but if I ignore it it is gone in about 15 minutes. No doubt, it's the plant from which the adjective "nettlesome"...

At least REI is good about taking returns. I like REI but it isn't a place that caters to long distance hikers which is a small niche market compared...

Do what works for you is a good rule to follow in all your gear choices. I find good boots to valuable to me in the places I go. When I am on trail I...

If you go the route of using cheap sneakers or even trail runners, throw away the inserts that come with them and replace them with a good quality...

Thank you, this is helpful. The vast majority of my hiking is in the mountain-west. Elevation is always a tricky thing, this is what I was looking...

Rocks ? Ha ha I never noticed! thom

FWIW here are my 2 cents. This is an interesting issue that isn't discussed much. Write down all the weights in one direction. Add them top to...

"Redbeards" not redheads,,,,, well, same difference I guess.

I crossed paths with Rambunny too many times to count around 99 and 00 and or 01. Seemed like every flip or turn was Rambunny, Warren and his van,...

Can do that, or use a spreadsheet. There's also a web site called https://lighterpack.com where you can keep track.

Agree with Northbound. Honestly, I think the 35 miles (from Delaware Water Gap to Lehigh Gap) southbound could be a discouraging...

I agree with what has been said. About 40 - 50 rated quilt would be my choice. Some would even just bring a sleeping bag liner... but occasionally,...

The times I have walked through stinging nettle it was more of an annoyance rather than a painful event.

Jewelweed In the mtns is also used as a remedy for poison ivy. Crush and rub.