hello everyone. i'm new here (first post!). I've been reading every night for weeks and finally decided to register. My boyfriend and I are thinking about doing a 2010 thru-hike together, possibly with another friend as well. I used to camp and do a little bit of hiking when i was younger, but haven't climbed much since. My friend and I are planning on doing some hiking here in the Adirondacks of NY to get me acclimated (starting with small mtns then working up). This idea came to my boyfriend and I from out of the blue, and it seems like the sooner we do this, the better (we're both on the verge of "careers"). I want to be able to have this experience, and if I don't go next year, I fear I won't have another chance for many years to come. And I know I'll always wonder "what if?"
A few questions/requests:
1. If I dont have the "trail leg" muscles yet, what's the best weight to start out with to get used to carrying a pack? I was thinking 15 lbs to start (my first mtn. hike is only gonna be 2-5 miles) but is that too much? I wanna be an UltraLight hiker (I'm only 5'2", 123 lbs.) so I'm thinking 20-30lbs at the most for the thru. I have tendency to build great leg muscles when I do exercise, so I don't think that's going to be a problem once I get the trail legs (but I do have a history of tender knees until I get really fit). And I am starting core/back/shoulder work to help with stability and posture while carrying. I'm also doing sprints to help with endurance.
2. I need a good forum/website/book, what-have-you, on Ultralight packing and what I would need for a thru.
3. I think we're going NOBO, and I'm wondering what's the best time to start to at least attempt to avoid huge crowds (I'm sure we'll end up in a tent for the first 70 miles or so b/c I know shelters will be crowded down there, regardless) and the earliest best time to head north as to not hit terribly cold weather.
4. I'm also thinking of getting a dog, and if any of you have taken one with you on a thru, I'd like to know of any happenings that occured with the dog. I'm almost a certified dog trainer, so my dog will be well-behaved and well-socialized, and i know all the gripes many people have about them (so negativity is not necessary on this subject). I've done a decent amount of research on hiking with dogs; I'm just wondering if there's anything out of the ordinary I should be prepared for that isn't so common.
I'd like to thank you all ahead of time... i'm sure as this forum continues, I'll have plenty more questions for you.
Glad to be a part of this grand adventure!