tintin
10-30-2009, 06:23
I am in the planning process of a 2010 nobo hike in early March and am a trying to resolve a dilemma I'm having with equipment in terms of:
hammock vs tent
trainers (sneakers) vs walking boots
I have a hennessy hammock that served me very well whilst I was living and working in the jungle earlier this year. The speed it can be put up and down was a joy, especially in torrential downpours. However, even in the tropics, I would awake due to being too cold. A tent would provide more warmth and have the added bonus that it's a bit more "homely". But they can be uncomfortable to sleep in if you don't get a good spot and heavier. I also don't have a practical tent for the trail so it means buying one and eating into more of my budget.
Does anyone have long-term experience with both on the trail?
I would never have considered wearing trainers on the trail until I read up on it more. I consider it to be irresponsible when going up any height over 5,000 ft and would not let any member of a group I was leading go up a mountain without adequate footwear, especially with a heavy pack. Yet I am now tempted by lightweight footwear. I just think it would be a very long flight home if I was forced to board that plane because of a an easily avoidable injury. These are just my thoughts and I want to stress I'm not passing judgment, just what has been drilled into me and what I drill those I've lead as part of my work (expedition leader). But then I've never thru hiked 2000 miles before!
What is more important: practicality or safety?
Any thoughts would be appreciated!
hammock vs tent
trainers (sneakers) vs walking boots
I have a hennessy hammock that served me very well whilst I was living and working in the jungle earlier this year. The speed it can be put up and down was a joy, especially in torrential downpours. However, even in the tropics, I would awake due to being too cold. A tent would provide more warmth and have the added bonus that it's a bit more "homely". But they can be uncomfortable to sleep in if you don't get a good spot and heavier. I also don't have a practical tent for the trail so it means buying one and eating into more of my budget.
Does anyone have long-term experience with both on the trail?
I would never have considered wearing trainers on the trail until I read up on it more. I consider it to be irresponsible when going up any height over 5,000 ft and would not let any member of a group I was leading go up a mountain without adequate footwear, especially with a heavy pack. Yet I am now tempted by lightweight footwear. I just think it would be a very long flight home if I was forced to board that plane because of a an easily avoidable injury. These are just my thoughts and I want to stress I'm not passing judgment, just what has been drilled into me and what I drill those I've lead as part of my work (expedition leader). But then I've never thru hiked 2000 miles before!
What is more important: practicality or safety?
Any thoughts would be appreciated!