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Scubaru
08-29-2011, 00:15
I didn't see a "Newbie" section or any of the sort, but every forum I join I like to do some sort of an introduction to get an idea of the community.

So I'm 21 and currently going to school for Manufacturing Engineering at the Pennsylvania College of Technology. I basically am here to try to learn as much as I can about doing a thru hike on the AT which has been a dream of mine for some years. I figure with having roughly 2 more years of schooling left that will give me enough time to learn all the ins and outs of how to concur this dream and time to both mentally and physically prepare for after school.

Now I can say I have done my share of hikes and camping. When I was in Boy Scouts, I did a good deal of hiking and camping all over the Northeast. A few were on small sections of the AT. My biggest achievement was hiking in Philmont, New Mexico for 10 days through the vast wilderness of the rockies.

However, I'm here to learn as much as I can. I realize there is a huge difference between a 10 day hike in New Mexico with 12 friends vs a 6 month trip through 14 states alone. And I want to prepare myself for that. I recently watched a National Geographic documentary on the AT and some of the views and things that exist on the AT just blew me away, kinda re-sparked the dream.

I'm looking forward to learning a lot on here and hopefully in a few years, I might see a few of you on the trail! :)

4eyedbuzzard
08-29-2011, 00:24
Welcome to WB.:welcome

Scubaru
08-29-2011, 00:48
I don't know if I can edit my post on here or not. But anywho.

Curious if there were any good reads or section to hit up first. I also have a lot of random questions and don't know if there was an area to just ask them all at once vs making 60 threads in 40 sections.

4eyedbuzzard
08-29-2011, 01:33
Click on the forums tab and read through the articles. And ask away too. 10% of replies will be extremely helpful, 10% argumentative, 20% unintelligible, and the rest will be conversation. As long as you have a reasonably thick skin and enjoy some sarcastic replies at times you'll love this place. And there really is a lot of good advice/info to be found here.

grayfox
08-29-2011, 03:01
Welcome, get these books, they will answer most of your questions:Frequently Bought Together

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Q33RYKEaL._SL500_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-big,TopRight,35,-73_OU01_SS75_.jpg
+
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51dA%2BpkYmKL._SL500_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-big,TopRight,35,-73_OU01_SS100_.jpg (http://www.amazon.com/Ultralight-Backpackin-Tips-Inexpensive-Lightweight/dp/0762763841/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b)
+
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51aqmHRBKgL._SL500_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-big,TopRight,35,-73_OU01_SS100_.jpg (http://www.amazon.com/Allen-Mikes-Really-Cool-Backpackin/dp/1560449128/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_c)


Price For All Three: $30.18
Show availability and shipping details (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/#)

Buy the selected items together

This item: Lighten Up!: A Complete Handbook for Light and Ultralight Backpacking (Falcon Guide) by Don Ladigin Paperback $10.06
Ultralight Backpackin' Tips: 153 Amazing & Inexpensive Tips for Extremely Lightweight Camping (http://www.amazon.com/Ultralight-Backpackin-Tips-Inexpensive-Lightweight/dp/0762763841/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b) by Mike Clelland Paperback $10.06
Allen and Mike's Really Cool Backpackin' Book: Traveling & camping skills for a wilderness environment (http://www.amazon.com/Allen-Mikes-Really-Cool-Backpackin/dp/1560449128/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_c) by Allen O'Bannon Paperback $10.06

Scubaru
08-29-2011, 12:04
Click on the forums tab and read through the articles. And ask away too. 10% of replies will be extremely helpful, 10% argumentative, 20% unintelligible, and the rest will be conversation. As long as you have a reasonably thick skin and enjoy some sarcastic replies at times you'll love this place. And there really is a lot of good advice/info to be found here.

Yeah I'm on Nasioc (North America Subaru Impreza Owners Club) and its about the same over there only I would assume about 20x as many members vs here. Where would be a good place to ask a large quantity of random questions?

Ladytrekker
08-29-2011, 12:10
Since you have the time read. My favorite is "A Season on the Appalachian Trail" but I have also read "Walking Home", "Hiking the Appalachian Trail", and "Awol on the Appalachian Trail". I enjoying reading all the different accounts of the thru hike. "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson well its just funny but in the humor you can learn what not to do and the book goes into the history of the Appalachians which is pretty interesting.

mountain squid
08-29-2011, 12:45
However, I'm here to learn as much as I can. I realize there is a huge difference between a 10 day hike in New Mexico with 12 friends vs a 6 month trip through 14 states alone. And I want to prepare myself for that. I recently watched a National Geographic documentary on the AT and some of the views and things that exist on the AT just blew me away, kinda re-sparked the dream.

I'm looking forward to learning a lot on here and hopefully in a few years, I might see a few of you on the trail! :)http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-signs087.gifto WB.

Check out my how to hike (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?73587-how-to-hike) thread. There are links to threads of some of the more frequently asked questions here on WB.

Have fun with the planning and researching . . .

See you on the trail,
mt squid