P-Train
07-15-2012, 14:35
GSMNP TN./N.C. 7/1-7/6-2012
Weight. I bought a Kelty pack that was two lbs. heavier than another choice with more bells and whistles. Should have gone w/ a 3lbs. pack and just made it work.
Hiking boots. I love my Garmont boots but they are best for day hikes. Next time I will have something lighter.
Food. I carried a little too much food but it wasn't that big a deal. Mostly mini- bagels, Ramen noodles, pasta and instant mashed potatoes. TVP was a nice light weight filler. Note to self: eat the heaviest items in the pack 1st.
Clothing: I did well on this. Three shirts, three underwear, two zipper pant/shorts were plenty. Always hiked in the same shorts and slept in the other long pants. Same shirt for two days. No problem. Same underwear for two days. No problem. Luckily I took extra socks and kept me feet dry, changing them out two times a day. Come prepared for all weather.
Taking care of my feet was key. I had three blisters total. One on each pinky toe and one heal. Met an EMT that told me as soon as you feel a hot spot deal with it right then and there. Don't wait until the end of the day. And change out damp socks as needed. Keep those feet dry!
Shelters: It's a crap shoot. In this AT section rangers prefer you NOT to tent. (They can even fine you if they had reason). That means staying in a shelter with strangers. HOWEVER, this turned out to be a lot of fun and I met some GREAT people. Ear plugs worked somewhat. Better than nothing. Not much you can do for the smells but if people could put up with me then likewise. I took my iPod and only used it when going to sleep. Fleet Foxes. What a great band...
So there are some of the things I would do differently. Next time I will be more in tune with what I need and don't. Also I kept a journal and updated it each day. I've never done that before and it turns out I really like it. So many interesting and funny things happen that you want to remember. People, places and things you want to tell your friends and family about when you get back.
I did this solo but ended up doing almost 1/2 of my roughly 75 miles with two or three other people. We just clicked. That ended up being my favorite part of this section hike. Meeting like minded people, doing the same thing I was doing, same weather, same struggle and in the end some of the same food and water we shared. Second favorite was all the different eco-systems this park had to offer at different altitudes. Great views and some rough terrain.
I look forward to my next section of the AT!
Weight. I bought a Kelty pack that was two lbs. heavier than another choice with more bells and whistles. Should have gone w/ a 3lbs. pack and just made it work.
Hiking boots. I love my Garmont boots but they are best for day hikes. Next time I will have something lighter.
Food. I carried a little too much food but it wasn't that big a deal. Mostly mini- bagels, Ramen noodles, pasta and instant mashed potatoes. TVP was a nice light weight filler. Note to self: eat the heaviest items in the pack 1st.
Clothing: I did well on this. Three shirts, three underwear, two zipper pant/shorts were plenty. Always hiked in the same shorts and slept in the other long pants. Same shirt for two days. No problem. Same underwear for two days. No problem. Luckily I took extra socks and kept me feet dry, changing them out two times a day. Come prepared for all weather.
Taking care of my feet was key. I had three blisters total. One on each pinky toe and one heal. Met an EMT that told me as soon as you feel a hot spot deal with it right then and there. Don't wait until the end of the day. And change out damp socks as needed. Keep those feet dry!
Shelters: It's a crap shoot. In this AT section rangers prefer you NOT to tent. (They can even fine you if they had reason). That means staying in a shelter with strangers. HOWEVER, this turned out to be a lot of fun and I met some GREAT people. Ear plugs worked somewhat. Better than nothing. Not much you can do for the smells but if people could put up with me then likewise. I took my iPod and only used it when going to sleep. Fleet Foxes. What a great band...
So there are some of the things I would do differently. Next time I will be more in tune with what I need and don't. Also I kept a journal and updated it each day. I've never done that before and it turns out I really like it. So many interesting and funny things happen that you want to remember. People, places and things you want to tell your friends and family about when you get back.
I did this solo but ended up doing almost 1/2 of my roughly 75 miles with two or three other people. We just clicked. That ended up being my favorite part of this section hike. Meeting like minded people, doing the same thing I was doing, same weather, same struggle and in the end some of the same food and water we shared. Second favorite was all the different eco-systems this park had to offer at different altitudes. Great views and some rough terrain.
I look forward to my next section of the AT!