plans for day one, getting to springer

[Baltimore Andy]

So I'm planning on starting my thru-hike from springer march 1st or a little after. I haven't purchased plane tickets from Baltimore to Atlanta yet. Is anyone interested in getting together with me at Atlanta and traveling together in the same shuttle to save a few bucks?

Any transportation ideas to springer will be a help.

also, what do people think about taking your backpack on the plane, does it have to be checked luggage? I'm using a Granite gear vapor trail and I'll have trekking poles.

[KG4FAM]

hikerhostel.com has a good deal that will get you where you need to go.

They might let you take a vapor trail on, but a lot of airlines let you have one carry on and a personal item. Go to the thrift store and find a cheap bag to use as the personal item and ditch it when you get to atlanta. I have never tried it, but don't think the trekking poles would be kosher as a carry on. If you do think you have to check it you might as well ship it ahead since most airlines charge like 25 bucks for a checked bag.

I prefer to take the train. No worries about checking bags or baggage handlers screwing up.

[Panzer1]

you can also mail some of your "questionable" gear down to HikerHostel ahead of time.

You can use the HikerHostel folks for transportation from the airport to springer. See their website: http://www.hikerhostel.com/

Panzer

[Live the Journey]

No matter what pack you have, you'll have to check anything sharp like multi tools and pocket knives or anything that could be used as a weapon, like trekking poles (and possibly tent poles)

the tricky thing is fuel and any stove that isn't brand new...obviously you can't check fuel, but you also can't check a stove thats been used...the smell of fuel will be detected and your stove, possibly your whole pack, will be confiscated.

I think a train could be a good option for folks trying to get to springer!

[KG4FAM]

the tricky thing is fuel and any stove that isn't brand new...obviously you can't check fuel, but you also can't check a stove thats been used...the smell of fuel will be detected and your stove, possibly your whole pack, will be confiscated.

I have taken my jetboil on a plane in a checked box a couple of times with no problems.

[Panzer1]

One cannot take fuel of any kind on a plane. Its not safe. He can buy a canister when he gets down there.

If he uses the hiker hostel, he can buy canister fuel there or ship his own fuel down to them.

Panzer

[Ron Haven]

So I'm planning on starting my thru-hike from springer march 1st or a little after. I haven't purchased plane tickets from Baltimore to Atlanta yet. Is anyone interested in getting together with me at Atlanta and traveling together in the same shuttle to save a few bucks?

Any transportation ideas to springer will be a help.

also, what do people think about taking your backpack on the plane, does it have to be checked luggage? I'm using a Granite gear vapor trail and I'll have trekking poles.

Josh Saints is great but if he is too busy Survivor Dave is in Atlanta helping Hikers to Amacalola or Springer.

[Chicken Feathers]

One cannot take fuel of any kind on a plane. Its not safe. He can buy a canister when he gets down there.

If he uses the hiker hostel, he can buy canister fuel there or ship his own fuel down to them.

Panzer

It is not legal to mail fuel check postal regulations fuel canisters do not meet the requirements

[KG4FAM]

It is not legal to mail fuel check postal regulations fuel canisters do not meet the requirements

I thought you could if it was ground.

If you don't tell the postal worker then it doesn't matter either way. I was hiking with some folks this summer that said yes when the postal worker asked if they had anything flammable. The postal worker told them to take their box over to the other counter and sort through it and when they got back he would ask them again. They were just bouncing it down the trail so it was going ground anyway even though it was priority.

[bigboots]

BA, I am heading to the hiker hostel on 3/2 and staying the night there. They provide pretty much everything you need and handle all the transportation issues. They even follow your flight/train so that if it is running behind, you don't have to worry about finding a ride. You get to meet a few other hikers prior to hitting the trail. Also as mentioned, if you stay overnight they will provide some fuel and other basics. See you on the trail!

[Pickleodeon]

what do other hiker's do? get a ride from the bus/train/plane and go right to Amicola Falls SP? Camp/Stay there for a night? or go to a hostel? What's the cheapest or most efficient thing to do?

[Dances with Mice]

what do other hiker's do? get a ride from the bus/train/plane and go right to Amicola Falls SP? Camp/Stay there for a night? or go to a hostel? What's the cheapest or most efficient thing to do?

Cheapest is to take one of the various shuttles to Amicalola and start walking or sleep in the shelter immediately behind the Visitor's Center.

[Lone Wolf]

Cheapest is to take one of the various shuttles to Amicalola and start walking or sleep in the shelter immediately behind the Visitor's Center.

OR hike to the top of the falls and get a room in the Lodge, eat a couple of buffet meals and head out in the morning

[Freeze]

easiest in my opinion is hikerhostel.com. You don't have to spend the night. They also offer shuttle services if that is all you require.

[Captain]

It is not legal to mail fuel check postal regulations fuel canisters do not meet the requirements

actually that is not true here is a link to the United States Postal Service's "cheat sheet" http://pe.usps.com/text/qsg300/Q601.htm under "propane and camp stove fuels" it is listed as " Other Regulated Materials" regulates if propane and iso-butane and rubbing alcohol are regulated they are not prohibited, i checked this for my trip last july and it had to be sent marked " Ground Only"and you had to tell the worker what was in the box as well have enough absorbant padding to soak up any spill that might occur, true you might be able to just "sneak" it in there but think all packages go through Xray so if they spot several gas canisters in a package that does not have them declared it could get you in some trouble.

so bottom line ,tell them what is inside, make sure theres absorbant padding inside to soak up any possible spill , mark "ground only" on all sides of the box and be prepared to handle the hazmat fee if any.

It is impossible to think that if guns, bullets, and radioactive materials can be shipped that something as simple as a sealed stove fuel canister can not be after all, the store you buy it from had to have it shipped from somewhere now didnt they.

[Lone Wolf]

i was told by the postmaster in jonesville, vt. that it was perfectly legal to send canisters in the mail

[mudhead]

Ellsworth, ME also. Cannister. Under a volume limit.

The amount of frig invloved, and the time frame, I would seek plan B.

[Pickleodeon]

In response to the shuttle service, they're so expensive! The hikerhostel.com one says $40. Maybe I'm just poor, but $40 for a ride to AFSP or $40 from Gainesville to the hostel. $80! Seriously?

[bulldog49]

In response to the shuttle service, they're so expensive! The hikerhostel.com one says $40. Maybe I'm just poor, but $40 for a ride to AFSP or $40 from Gainesville to the hostel. $80! Seriously?

That is a perfectly reasonable cost, doubt they are getting rich from it. Don't forget, the trip is one way for you, but round trip for hikerhostel.

[Scrapes]

$104 Amtrak on the "Crescent", from Phila to Gainesville arrives around 7am, HikerHostel shuttle to Springer $46, eating lunch with ManySleeps! Sweet!

I've been to Amicalola, saw the scale, went thru the arch, walked the steps, ehh.