Search:

Saw The Way. Liked it.

Nothing wrong with calling yourself a thru-hiker from the get go. If you start off planning to make it to Maine and you voice that thought often, you increase your chances of success. Words do have...

I dissagree. I guess everybody is different, but I find that it is both more expensive and more stressful to totally resupply at stores along the way. I like having the majority of my food bought...

It's all challenging! The first half is harder physically because your just beginning to hike, the second half is harder mentally because it's a long tedius trek. That being said, it's all fabulous!

I am a cold sleeper myself and I would recommend returning the bag to REI and getting a zero. It is a whole lot easier to cool down a warm bag (unzip, skip the liner) than it is to make a colder bag...

Mail drops help you to know at least your basic food expenses up front. I've done it both ways and I find that sending the basics and then buying fresh when you can is the most cost effective for me...

Hi there. My trail name is snail and Blue and I will be on trail on April 11. Maybe we'll catch ya. Good Luck!

Pocket rocket. Totally reliable, and you can control the flame.

Footwear is a very personal choice. I use trail runners as early as March and all through the summer. I prefer no gortex. If there is a particular shoe you like buy a couple of pair and mail them...

Your body will tell you when you need more. There is no magic formula for figuring this out. Everyone is different, and your needs will change throughout your hike. I mail drop myself the basics...

Never used them, wear trail runners, never got a lot of debris in my shoes.

Mountain house has some great meals, and all that is required is hot water.

April 11th is the day that blue and I plan to hit the trail. We'll see you there!

I find that oatmeal is the breakfast that works best. The instant packets are lightweight and one packet is enough to give you great energy without making you feel bloated. Sorry.

Just the baseball cap.

How about a female perspective that doesn't involve tears. Or better yet, a book that captures the experience in its entirety. Less look at what I did and more of look at what I saw and the people...

Post offices will hold your packages so you can send them all ahead. That way it doesn't matter if you get ahead of or behind your planned schedule.

Plenty of time.

Don't forget the duct tape!

If you are at all particular about what you want to eat keep your maildrops. Resupply is very expensive at Fontana Dam and anywhere north of PA.

Always hang your food, cookware, and trash. Always!

I vote for a down puffy layer for camp. I agree that you do not want to hike in your insulating layer.

Not too many bears out at that time. For the most part they just want your food when they are out. hang you food properly and you won't have any trouble. These are just black bear and they are...

I sleep cold so I use a zero bag with a therm-o lite liner. A lot of people prefer the silk liner for the feel of it, but the therm-o-lite seems to hold in the body heat better. I also wear a hat...

If you want to break up the Smokies you can catch the NOCs free shuttle to Gatlinburg at the gap. Hitching out of there is not as easy as folks think. Got a free ride from the NOC people both ways...