DavidNH
08-28-2006, 19:22
Hi everyone,
Just wanted to tshare this with everyone .. that I am still progressing up the AT.
I started on the Approach trail to Springer Mountain in Georgia back on March 21 2006. As of August 26 (have taken 2 zero days so now it is 8/28) I am in Gorham, NH. I have finished the Whites and am ready for the Mahoosics and the forecast looks good for rest of the week. I have 298 miles left to Mt. Katahdin and hope/plan to get there by end of September. Unlike many, I want to not rush..I want to enjoy Maine to the fullest! In fact, when I got to New England I reduced my mileage to 15 or less mpd and did only 5-10 miles per day through most of the whites.
On this trip I have found:
Pennsylvania was perhaps my biggest test. 4 days of near solid rain after Port Clinton. Eastern PA I walked over Rediculously rocky trail that destroyed a pair of boots. Less than stunning scenery. And the state covers 240 miles of trail.
I have experimented with light weight gear (ie alcohol stove, sneaker foot wear, tarp tent etc) but now I am back to the gear I started with.. ie warmer bag, whisper lite stove, self supporting all weather 4 lb tent, boots (new pair.. vasque breeze). I just find that this works better for me. I am carrying a 40-45+ lb load (but never over 50) and yes its heavy.. but I can carry it and I find that the pack is always heavy regardless of weight..it always seems to gain weight during course of day even as food and water is consumed. Go figure. Anyway, better to have a few extra pounds and some comfort. Besides.. all the ultra lite folks seem to always hike so fast.. If someone would hike light AND slow then I'd be more impressed.
I keep a slow but steady pace, always looking around and stopping when I want to take pictures or snack.
I will absolutely summit Katahdin, barring injury or a very early winter. At this point I am convinced. That is a long way to come from all my nervousness and self doubt at the start of the trip.
My trail name...chosen by me... is Snickers. I love eating snicker bars on the trail.
The weather has mostly cooperated. Wonderful in the south in spring when in rained buckets in New England and now getting nice and cool and dry here in New England!
Some may have trouble believing this.. but it really is possible to thru hike the AT with out drinking Beer. I don't drink, never have, and after what I have seen on the trail, never will drink! Ditto for smoking ciggarettes.
David (Snickers).
PS A special thanks to Roland who gave Bama and I a ride into Gorham this past Saturday!!
PPS Don't let anyone in any way deminish how great an accomplishment thru hiking this trail is...regardless if it is done in 4 months, 6 or 7 months. It is really hard. Even if your pack is heavy or you slack it is still hard.
By the way.. I want it known that I have not and will not be doing any slack packing ...except perhaps for going up Katahdin which I think most everyone slack packs!
Just wanted to tshare this with everyone .. that I am still progressing up the AT.
I started on the Approach trail to Springer Mountain in Georgia back on March 21 2006. As of August 26 (have taken 2 zero days so now it is 8/28) I am in Gorham, NH. I have finished the Whites and am ready for the Mahoosics and the forecast looks good for rest of the week. I have 298 miles left to Mt. Katahdin and hope/plan to get there by end of September. Unlike many, I want to not rush..I want to enjoy Maine to the fullest! In fact, when I got to New England I reduced my mileage to 15 or less mpd and did only 5-10 miles per day through most of the whites.
On this trip I have found:
Pennsylvania was perhaps my biggest test. 4 days of near solid rain after Port Clinton. Eastern PA I walked over Rediculously rocky trail that destroyed a pair of boots. Less than stunning scenery. And the state covers 240 miles of trail.
I have experimented with light weight gear (ie alcohol stove, sneaker foot wear, tarp tent etc) but now I am back to the gear I started with.. ie warmer bag, whisper lite stove, self supporting all weather 4 lb tent, boots (new pair.. vasque breeze). I just find that this works better for me. I am carrying a 40-45+ lb load (but never over 50) and yes its heavy.. but I can carry it and I find that the pack is always heavy regardless of weight..it always seems to gain weight during course of day even as food and water is consumed. Go figure. Anyway, better to have a few extra pounds and some comfort. Besides.. all the ultra lite folks seem to always hike so fast.. If someone would hike light AND slow then I'd be more impressed.
I keep a slow but steady pace, always looking around and stopping when I want to take pictures or snack.
I will absolutely summit Katahdin, barring injury or a very early winter. At this point I am convinced. That is a long way to come from all my nervousness and self doubt at the start of the trip.
My trail name...chosen by me... is Snickers. I love eating snicker bars on the trail.
The weather has mostly cooperated. Wonderful in the south in spring when in rained buckets in New England and now getting nice and cool and dry here in New England!
Some may have trouble believing this.. but it really is possible to thru hike the AT with out drinking Beer. I don't drink, never have, and after what I have seen on the trail, never will drink! Ditto for smoking ciggarettes.
David (Snickers).
PS A special thanks to Roland who gave Bama and I a ride into Gorham this past Saturday!!
PPS Don't let anyone in any way deminish how great an accomplishment thru hiking this trail is...regardless if it is done in 4 months, 6 or 7 months. It is really hard. Even if your pack is heavy or you slack it is still hard.
By the way.. I want it known that I have not and will not be doing any slack packing ...except perhaps for going up Katahdin which I think most everyone slack packs!