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About a quarter mile walking through the woods. A mile or so if I drive down the hill into Hot Springs NC. :-)

Just my two cents based on my AT hiking experience in Georgia North Carolina and Maine last year. Any bag rated over 20 degrees will be inadequate until the cold weather is permanently gone. Many...

I tried a WM bag but found it too confining. After comparing girth specs I settled on a Mountain Hardware SL 20. I am very happy with it. I am very cold natured and I have never been chilled in it....

In purely practical terms there's a lot to be said for your plan. Not everybody's cup of tea but I'd consider it. Go for it.

I purchased a copper spur last year and have only used it a few times in warm conditions. I'm sure it would be plenty warm even in wind since I had to open every vent to be cool enough. Its very...

Knees are my most common ailment. They usually get better in a day or two. An Achilles tendon injury was the worst so far had to limp on it 16 miles or so. It took six weeks to stop limping.

Here's my two cents. I starred with a good synthetic bag but the weight and size became so important almost immediately I changed to an 800 fill brand name down bag. My down bag outperforms its...

Smart wool only seems expensive until you try it. I griped about the price all the way home from the outfitters. Then I actually wore it on an extended hike and now I wouldn't be caught in the...

I'm really stoked about my granite gear crown 60. Simple light very tough so far.

Base layers are only really a concern in cold weather. I have tried all the options from poly pro to smart wool. Hands down smart wool is worth every penny. I can't think of anything worse than...

Many people myself included do pack hardshell pants for rain. They won't often be used on the trail but when needed you will be truly glad to have them especially in cold wind. The biggest use for...

Frog toggs are great for the car or boat for unexpected rain but not for hiking. Friction from waist and shoulder straps will fray and shred them in short order and they will soak you to the bone. ...

Hemlock hollow is a rare treat on the trail. I stayed there for a couple of days this spring waiting out a sore knee. Very hiker friendly place and good prices. The walk from the trail is not that...

My smartwool longjohns have been hands down the best clothing decision I have made. I put it off for a long time due to the severely high cost but once I hiked a few days in them I am completely...

When hikers travel I think they should go by train whenever possible. No luggage / TSA issues. Its way cheaper and much roomier than any coach class plane. Just grab your bag get in sit down and off...

I stopped at this store a few weeks ago on my way to hemlock hollow. I was really impressed with how nice they were to me. And since it was pretty warm out a cold soda and a burrito made for a...

What worked for me (59yo 5'8" 150lbs) was a thermarest scout. If you compare it side by side with more expensive pads it holds up quite well in terms of weight vs insulation etc. As for tents I...

Ask yourself if your boots are adequate. I had to spend some serious money to find boots that didn't make my feet scream.

Three maybe four days tops will get you to neels gap just fine. Then you can resupply there or run down to blairsville.

Lost 4 lbs of pack weight with mine. I'm a big fan. :)

All trail magic comes from the heart of the person or persons who provide it. How can anyone criticize anyone who goes out of their way to do something nice for a stranger. One is always free to...

Another vote for the GG crown 60 here. It's a key reason my base weight w/o food and water runs around 18lbs. :D

I section hiked Springer to hogpen gap in mar 11. I thought frog togs would be ideal but I was completely wrong. They are great for keeping in a boat or car for an occasional deluge but they are...

I've been using the Crown 60 for about 150 miles now in preparation for a thru hike with my daughter starting in mar. I weigh about 150 and stand about 5'8". I'm carrying it with about 28lbs. on 10...