Self-sufficiency while hiking the AT

[NorthCountryWoods]

.....a good practice? Or waste of energy?

I realize the AT is close to civilization in most places, and read so many threads about leaving essential stuff out of the long hikes. Rain Gear, maps, nail clippers, tents, etc.

Is it better to run on the edge or be prepared for the unexpected? Is self sufficiency overkill on the AT?

Discuss.

[Lone Wolf]

there's nothing to discuss. be prepared or suffer

[Jaybird62]

I agree. You have always got to be ready for anything to happen.(rain,snow,sleet,etc.)

[NorthCountryWoods]

there's nothing to discuss. be prepared or suffer

Then why all the "should I bring ____" threads?

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

I agree that you need to carry what you need or suffer the consequences of being without it. Other hikers will help you out if something you couldn't be expected to foresee happens, but nobody likes to have to loan out gear or give special privileges day after day to gram weenies who don't want to carry what they need.

[Pedaling Fool]

It's a personal choice, I choose to carry maps, but I don't argue with anyone that decides not to, but I will lay out the risks involved. Others carry a personal locator beacon, I wouldn't, but others consider it important and I can't think of an argument against it, other than money.
"Close", like everything else is a relative term. If you're 5 miles from town and on the way to town you fall down a steep slope and break both legs then 5 miles is consideralbly further distance now. It just may be a personal locator beacon is what saves your life, but me, I'll just have to die there, because my life isn't worth that much money

[scavenger]

I guess I don't define self sufficiency the same way as you. It sounds like you just mean being prepared versus risking your safety for a few ounces... cause a hiker certainly doesn't live self-sufficiently in the woods.

[dessertrat]

Don't be bumming my maps because you couldn't be bothered to carry a map.

Don't be asking people to leave a shelter because you couldn't be bothered to carry a tent.

Don't bum food because you underestimated, due to not wanting to carry the weight in your pack.

There isn't much "should I bring" debate except at the edges. Certain things all should bring, or be prepared to do without.

[envirodiver]

Then why all the "should I bring ____" threads?

IMO a lot of those questions come from people that do not have much experience in the woods/wilderness. It seems that there are some folks that begin backpacking with an AT thru attempt.

That seems to me like beginning a race car driving career at the Daytona 500. But, to each their own.

To me, part of the allure of backpacking is the self-sufficiency of having everything that you need on your back. If you choose to carry some luxury items, cool, you carry the weight and enjoy it later. If you choose to roll the dice and leave some things that are heavy, but may be needed...cool again. You may win or if you lose suffer the consequences of your personal decision and learn from it. That's the beauty of it...you are on your own. I recognize that an AT thru is not exactly like that, but...I'm just saying.

[dixicritter]

Even my kids know to make sure they have their gear they need when we go out on the trail. Seems like a no brainer to me.

[River Runner]

Some things are essential to different people at different times. Unfortunately there are some who try to persuade beginners they don't need things that they may find they do. Fortunately there are those who tell them they need it, so it balances out.

[10-K]

Don't leave home with out it. And 3 extra candles.

Thomas

ps. but seriously, I had to spend the night alone at Jerry Cabin shelter while it was pouring down rain. I lit my candle lantern and hung it from a food hanger and it really cheered me up.

I like my candle lantern.

[Marta]

I like my candle lantern.

Me, too...in the winter. In the summer I wouldn't think of bringing one.

Seriously, there's a difference between what you might die if you don't have it; what you'll be suffer if you don't have it; and what you'll be bored/uncomfortable/whiney if you don't have it.

Leaving category 1 things behind is just stupid. A few people choose to leave category 2 things out of their packs and just hang tough. Category 3 items can make a hike more enjoyable.

There's enough traffic on the AT, and it's close enough to civilization that you will likely be rescued even if you omit category 1 items...but everyone will think you're an idiot.

[JAK]

Absolutely. If I can't have a fire I can at least have a candle lantern.

Pyromania. It's what separates us from the lower life forms.

[fiddlehead]

It just may be a personal locator beacon is what saves your life, but me, I'll just have to die there, because my life isn't worth that much money

thanks for the smile on my face here this morning.

I had no idea people actually carried these things on the AT though. Geez, you're never THAT far from a road.

ever read the book: "Touching the Void" ???

[Pedaling Fool]

...
1) I had no idea people actually carried these things on the AT though. Geez, you're never THAT far from a road.

2) ever read the book: "Touching the Void" ???

1) I think more people are considering carrying one as they become more available: http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/show...locator+beacon

2) Never heard of that book.

[Marta]

ever read the book: "Touching the Void" ???

I read it a few months ago. It was the scariest damn book I've read in years.

[Blissful]

...

Is it better to run on the edge or be prepared for the unexpected? Is self sufficiency overkill on the AT?

Discuss.

To me self sufficiency means you ARE prepared. For cold, for hot, for rain, for injury, for getting lost, for ticks, for an ingrown toenail that can give you so much pain you can't take another step, for whatever. But I can tell you, on a trail like the AT, for over 2,000 miles, you are never totally self sufficient. You're always gonna need someone or something sometime along the way.

[Kirby]

The "should I bring threads" a lot of time have item X or item Y to choose from, or are asking about something that some people carry, and some don't. Always be prepared.

Kirby

[SGT Rock]

This sort of thing reminds me of a teenager I once overheard talking about how you don't have to make credit card payments because if you just stop making payments they can't do anything to you.

Someday they will get it, just not in a good way.

Saying you don't need to have your own shelter, maps, compass, or something like that is about the same logic.