Hey All!
I am planning on doing a through walk of the AT, north bound, in 2020. I'll be 62 that year. I am in much better shape than I was 3 years ago, and still working on that aspect. At least I'm off of all meds now. Almost don't need the CPAP anymore. I'm feeling good about my chances. The problem is that I've not had a lot of experience in hiking/camping. I've already made the mistake of buying my hammock, sleeping bag and backpack without a lot of knowledge or advice. I figure I should be ok with these items for my training time before I actually start the trail.
Would you be comfortable with a 30 degree mummy bag, or would you recommend a 0 degree? I plan on starting in Georgia at the end of February, or beginning of March, and ending in August, maybe as late as early September in Maine. Generally, I don't mind the cold at all, but realize that sustained cold is a different animal than a couple hours at 20 F dressed in a light jacket.
Currently, I am walking around ten miles a day, and need to build that up to about 20. I'm just walking around town at this point, so it is mostly flat, and unobstructed. I live on the plains, so this really is about the only practice I will get apart from hiking out to the local county and state parks for an evening or two of camping. I know the AT will require a lot more out of me than my training will, but will this be sufficient to get me on the AT, and then let the trail toughen me up as it can?
Sorry for sounding so pathetically clueless, but I am pathetically clueless right now. This insane idea of doing a through walk hit me about a month ago, and I'm just in the beginning phase of figuring it all out before I go. I may have the opportunity to do a four week hike next summer as I have friends that live near the Smokies.
Any advice you have for this old duffer, to help me get myself ready would be greatly appreciated.