OK, I did it...

[jcheil]

I had always planned to do a thru hike sometime around 2018 or 2019.

But for some unknown reason, or force within me, I sat at my cube typing away as a software developer last Friday afternoon and suddenly just said, "to hell with all this...life is too short". I went into my boss's office at that moment and told him I needed a Leave Of Absence for 4-5 months. I explained what I wanted to do and kept my fingers crossed.

Well, let's just say, my trail name could be "Awol v2.0" because they do not offer LOA's. However, he told me that he'd hire me back the day I return, so I guess it's not all that bad. And the irony of the "Awol v2.0" thing is that as you can tell from the little bit I mentioned above, my story/life is exactly, except for the slight ages in our children, the story of David Miller (Awol). So maybe I'll just shorten my trail name to "2.0" (two point oh) Obviously you have to be a computer geek to get the irony of that name.

So, I'm planning on leaving April 10th. I'm on a mad shopping spree right now to get everything I need. So suggestions are welcome.
I used to camp/hike (weekends) all the time back when I was a teenage living in Western Massachusetts, but have never hiked since then. Oh yeah, and been in FLorida since then too - so I am fearing the cold!

I will be asking a bunch of questions over the next couple of days so please bear with me and thank you for your answers.
And if anyone is leaving around that time, please let me know. I am hiking alone, but my Girlfriend and I are staying at the AFSP Lodge on the 9th and I start walking on the 10th.

This is the craziest, most snap decision I have EVERY made; but it just feels like the right thing to do at this point in my life.
Jay

[aficion]

Seems to be going around. Enjoy yourself, the trail, and all the new friends you are going to have. Treasure abounds.

[rocketsocks]

Jay, I suppose this is what is meant when Thoreau said to live deliberately, or at least the first step towards. Have a great hike, so many roads to choose, and you only just begun.....Cool

[treesloth]

Jay - I'm midlifin' it a bit myself here lately... and I agree with you wholeheartedly. I'm going to "AWOL" it myself and barring some unforseen circumstance, my attempt is slated for 2014. Don't know how long you've been down here but for me it's been long enough that I'm a total softie with the cold and concerned with that too. But having grown up in Pa and visiting every winter, I at least know what I'm getting myself into. I guess I'll be starting within a week or two of this time a year from today.

You hopefully only have 4-5 weeks of chilly weather left to deal with, depending on the fronts. These late winter storms are having their way, hope you don't see any of them. Good luck to you and have a great hike.

[Feral Bill]

Some books to start with: The Complete Walker IV and Advanced Backpacking
Everything you need to know in a convenient format.

[Datto]

April 10th is a great time to start a northbound AT thru-hike. That is when I started my AT thru-hike and for that year I couldn't have picked a better start date. You avoid much of the cold (you'll still have a little) and yet have plenty of time to reach Katahdin in one season.

Suggestions:

Gear -- Focus your dollars on lightening the weight of these three things that make a difference in being light weight:

* Backpack (make sure this is under 3 lbs empty weight -- if you have no idea what to buy, start with a Granite Gear Vapor Trail)
* Tent/Tarp (look closely at an 8x10 silnylon tarp -- lightweight but can still protect you from the wind and rain -- Youtube videos will show you how to set it up)
* Sleeping Bag -- 20*F bag or 15*F bag from a reputable brand name (if money is no object, get a Western Mountaineering down bag or a Marmot down bag)

If you can, get an insulating jacket that has man-made insulation since you'll be wet much of the time and the insulation of your jacket will likely be wet some of the time (down doesn't insulate much when it's wet). Don't buy a fleece jacket and expect that to work.

Clothes -- only take one of something (one hiking pants, one shirt, one rain jacket, one insulating jacket, one swim trunks/shorts) except for socks (take two pairs of socks). Don't take camp shoes -- just wear your regular hiking shoes. Don't take rain pants -- just take a rain jacket only.

You can get a down sleeping bag because you should be able to protect the down in a sleeping bag inside your backpack (whereas a down jacket will be outside your backpack and exposed to all the rain you're likely to experience). Keep the down sleeping bag inside it's stuff sack that it came delivered with and put that inside a trash bag that goes inside your backpack.

Sleeping Pad -- See if you can get used to sleeping on a Ridgerest. If not and you have lots of money and need a fancier pad to make it more comfy, look at a NeoAir pad (you'll need to keep it from being punctured but it is comfy).

Make sure to take three eyehooks and some string so if the wind and rain get bad, you can block the front of the shelter with your tent/tarp to keep the rain from coming in on you by stringing up your tent/tarp.

Take a Mylar space bag (made by the Space company or a company that starts with American something) -- those are the Mylar type bags that held up. If you run into bitter cold, you can put the Mylar bag inside your sleeping bag, put your body and heated hot water bottles inside the Mylar bag and you'll likely be toasty and will be able to get sleep even in the most bitter of cold nights on the AT.

Use Gatorade bottles for water bottles -- they're lighter than Nalgene bottles, they hold up well to the stresses of an AT thru-hike and when they get the green mold on them, you can just thrown them away and get new ones rather than having to clean out a Nalgene bottle.

Make sure you buy a pair of collapsible hiking poles -- they will help save your knees on the climbs and descents of the AT. You may be able to use them as the structure for your tent/tarp also. Leki is the brand that has the greatest market share.

Here are my articles with Datto's AT thru-hiking tips:

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/show...ru-Hiking-Tips

Here are my articles to help the Class of 2013 AT thru-hikers (which you will be a member):

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/show...ike&highlight=
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/show...cks&highlight=
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/show...ies&highlight=
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/show...ers&highlight=
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/show...ome&highlight=
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/show...ike&highlight=
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/show...nal&highlight=
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/show...ess&highlight=
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/show...ike&highlight=


Datto

[Datto]

Also, get something to carry a large amount of water (such as a 96 oz Nalgene Canteen). The trips in the evening to get water can be way down a cliff and you'll want to get enough water for the evening meal as well as the water for the next morning, all in one trip in the evening.

Make sure you take some kind of material to protect your sleeping bag from the underneath side when you sleep in an AT shelter -- there could be barbeque sauce and other niceities on the surface of the shelter and you'll want to protect your expensive sleeping bag from that gak. Look at kite-weight Tyvek as the material -- it's lightweight and it holds up to the strain of an AT thru-hike.


Datto

[Datto]

As I'd said above about protecting your knees from the strains of uphills and downhills. The knees are the 2nd weakest part of your body. The mind is the 1st weakest.

An AT thru-hike is a test of adaptability so you'll want to relax from a day-to-day standpoint (and be happy you're away from the pressures of day-to-day coding and learning to enjoy the moment on the AT), even though it may have rained continuously for seven days. Humor is important. Also, there are lots of steep uphills and downhills on the AT -- it's something those who thru-hike get used to and just accept rather than saying, "Oh no, another one". If you start on April 10 at Springer Mountain, GA you have plenty of time to get to Katahdin in central Maine (my AT thru-hike took 195 days and I averaged about 12 miles per calendar day). You'll want to shorten that number of calendar days by a couple of weeks (I finished in a blizzard).

Money -- for an AT thru-hike you'll likely need a total $5,000 available to you from the time you leave your front door to the time you return to your front door.

Resupply -- if you have someone at home mailing things to you, that's great. If not, then you can buy along the way. Lots of articles here on Whiteblaze that tell you how to do that.

Planner -- get the ALDHA Companion (http://www.aldha.org) to help you with the stops along the Trail and the AT Databook (gives you the distances from one point to another) and the AT profile maps (profile maps help you plan your hike while you're on the Trail since the maps will show you the steepness coming up).

Places to make up mileage if you fall behind -- Virginia north of Waynesboro all the way to the southern Connecticut state line. In the beginning, don't rush -- that will save your body from the physical ravages of the terrain in Georgia and North Carolina and help to prevent your body from being injured (you'll always have scrapes and bumps).

Most difficult trail sections -- First place for difficulty is New Hampshire and Maine -- second place for difficulty is Georgia and North Carolina.

Water Treatment -- many people start with a water filter and then discard the filter soon after starting and instead, use Aquamira, Potable Aqua tablets (that's what I use -- not for people with thyroid problems) or Polarpure. Reason: the water filter is a big pain, weighs a ton, and the bad water always gets into the good water. Most AT thru-hikers eventually choose to use something with less weight and trouble and send the water filter home.


Datto

[Datto]

Boots -- most thru-hikers use trail runners (such as the New Balance AT series of trail runner shoes). There's a good chance your feet will expand on your AT thru-hike after a couple of weeks. Mine jumped from a street shoe size of 10.5B to a street shoe size of 12.5W and a trail running shoe size of 13 wide. That expansion has stayed with me since my AT thru-hike. You probably won't want to use those old-school heavy boots -- way too clunkly for an AT thru-hiker. Think light-weight. It's five million steps from Springer Mountain, GA to Katahdin in Central Maine.


Datto

[Datto]

Hat -- I use a balaclava type fleece hat that can cover the face if need be and that worked well for me on my AT thru-hike. After a couple of weeks you'll only be wearing it at night when you're sleeping. Make sure your rain jacket has a hood to cover your head in the driving rain.


Datto

[Datto]

Backpack cover -- you'll need one to protect your backpack from rain. Most use a lightweight silnylon backpack cover. Don't use a trash bag as a backpack cover -- the tree and bush branches will tear that up as you're hiking and your stuff will get wet while the silnylon backpack cover will hold up much better and keep most of your backpack dry (in case you haven't guess, everything will get wet and you'll be hiking in the rain much of the time for the first month or so and the last month of so of your AT thru-hike).

Also, there's another AT guide that has become popular in recent years that may allow you to lessen the number of map/guidebook items. I can't remember the name of it but you'll be able to see the name of that guidebook soon when someone jumps in to provide that guidebook name here for you.


Datto

[q-tip]

Great for You!!! I have some pretty extemsive gear lists with costs if you are interested, please send a PM
Q-tip

[etboy]

Good for you! You only live once.
If your at a complete loss on equipment, techniques etc, I would suggest Andrew Skurdas new book, its up to date, and in my opinion THE book that every new hiker should purchase. Also get a digital scale and weigh EVERYTHING. It is absolutely amazing how those extra half/three quarter ounces start adding up, let alone the almost eight ounces you can lose, not lugging that lightweight pillow/cushion along (don't ask).
Best of luck. Hope to see you on the trail.

[jcheil]

Thanks for all the great suggestions! Please do offer any more advice, I will greatly accept it.
And I have David Miller's guide book for 2013, I like that one best out of all that are available.
I'll have some specific questions that I will post later, if I cannot find them being answered in past threads.

Thanks so much again. I have to admit small periods of being nervous the past 48 hours since I made this decision but 99% excited. But, this AM I just paid for the plane tickets to Atlanda, and the room at the lodge, so I guess there is almost no backing out at this point!

[q-tip]

Base Gear List-7
Big Three:	Base Kit	Cold Base Kit	UL Kit	$ Cost
Granite Gear Crown 60	35.50	35.50	35.50	$200
o Cuben Pack Cover-	1.00	1.00	1.00	$55
· TT Contrail (Wild Oasis Tarp)	32.00	32.00	15.50	$200
o Ground Cloth	1.70	1.70	2.40	$8
o Stakes (10)-	4.00	4.00	4.00	$35
o Stuff Sack-	0.70	0.70	0.70	$20
· WM Alpinlite 15D (Kodiak 0D Tamarak 35d)	34.30	57.00	19.00	$465
o Stuff Sacks	2.00	2.00	2.00	$0
· Thermarest Neo Air (Foam Pad)	14.00	14.00	6.00	$130
Pad Stuff Sack	0.70	0.70	0.70	$0
Total:	125.90	148.60	86.80	1168.00
	7.87	9.29	5.43
Clothing (Carried)
· MB Wind Pants-(Go-Lite Tumalo Pants)	3.10	7.00	3.10	$90
· Marmot Mica Jacket-(Go-Lite Tumalo Jacket))	7.00	12.00	7.00	$140
· Marmot Dri-Climb Vest	0.00	6.20	0.00	$100
· Mont Bell Down Camp Jacket-	6.60	6.60	6.60	$160
· Silk Lite Weight Sleep Shirt-	2.80	2.80	2.80	$24
· Silk LiteWeight Sleep Leggings-	0.00	0.00	3.20	$24
· Sleep Socks (1)-Wool	2.60	2.60	2.60	$4
· Hiking Socks (X-tra-1)-	2.60	2.60	2.60	$5
· Sock Liners (X-tra-1)-	1.00	1.00	1.00	$5
· Nike Hiking Leggings-	4.70	4.70	0.00	$50
· Fleece Hat (1)-	2.00	2.00	0.00	$10
· Running Gloves	1.00	1.00	0.00	$30
Camp Gloves	0.00	1.00	0.00	$5
· Garbage Bag Rain Shirt-	0.00	1.50	0.00	$0
· Stuff Sack-	0.80	0.80	0.80	$25
· Dirty Girl Gaiters	1.20	1.20	1.20	$20
· Pillow Cover	1.70	1.70	1.70	$25
Balaclava	0.00	2.00	0.00	$10
Bandana	1.00	1.00	1.00	$3
MLD Mitten Covers	0.00	1.20	0.00	$4
Camp Shoes	9.00	9.00	0.00	$15
· Mesh Camp Shoes	0.00	0.00	0.00	$10
Total:	47.10	67.90	33.60	$759
	2.94	4.24	2.10
Hygiene/Medical/Emergency/Stuff
· Tooth Brush-Toothpaste	2.00	2.00	2.00	$3
· First Aid Kit-	1.20	1.20	1.20	$10
o Medical Tape-	-	-	-
o Gauze-1 Roll-	-	-	-
o 3 Band Aids-	-	-	-
o 3 Alcohol Wipes-	-	-	-
o Tweezer-
· Toilet Paper-	0.50	0.50	0.50	$1
· Hand Sanitizer-	1.00	1.00	1.00	$1
· Vitamin I-	0.00	0.00	0.00	$10
· Medications-	6.00	6.00	6.00
· Sun Screen-	0.00	0.00	0.00	$2
· Lip Balm-	0.00	0.00	0.00	$1
· Duct Tape-	1.00	1.00	1.00	$4
· Emergency Kit-	2.00	2.00	2.00	$8
o Needle-Thread-	-	-	-
o Safety Pins (4)-	-	-	-
o Tent-Pad Repair Kit-	-	-	-
Bladder Parts
· Bic Lighter (1)-	0.40	0.40	0.40	$1
· Waterproof Matches (1 Box)-	0.30	0.30	0.30	$3
· Spare Batteries-	0.00	0.00	0.00	$5
· Pen-Paper-	0.50	0.50	0.50	$0
· Head Lamp-	3.00	3.00	3.00	$40
· Trail Maps-	0.00	0.00	0.00	$25
· Deet-	1.00	1.00	1.00	$3
· Extra Plastic Bags-	1.00	1.00	1.00	$0
Food Bags
Garbage Bag-Grocery Bags
Stuff Sack	1.40	1.40	1.40	$25
Total:	21.30	21.30	21.30	$142
	1.33	1.33	1.33
Cook System:
· Soto Stove + Windscreen	3.30	3.30	3.30	$65
Windscreen-Alcohol	0.00	0.00	0.00
· Stuff Sack (Stove)-	0.80	0.80	0.80	$0
· Fuel (4 oz)-	7.00	7.00	7.00	$4
· Oil Camp XLS Cook Pot-	7.90	7.90	7.90	$26
Pot Cozy	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
· Spoon- (2)	1.50	1.50	1.50	$5
· Stuff Sack (Food)-	1.60	1.60	1.60	$25
· Bear Rope-	2.50	2.50	2.50	$0
· Towel-	0.50	0.50	0.50	$5
· Pot Stabilizer	1.00	1.00	1.00	$8
Bear Vault
Total:	26.10	26.10	26.10	$138
	1.63	1.63	1.63
Water Treatment:
· Steri Pen w/ Batteries-Case-	4.60	4.60	4.60	$125
Spare Batteries	1.00	1.00	1.00	$10
· Aqamira Tabs	0.50	0.50	0.50	$6
· Nalgene UL Water Bottle (1)-	3.00	3.00	3.00	$6
Nalgene Soft Bottle	2.00	2.00	2.00	$8
· MSR Bladder (80 oz)-	6.20	6.20	6.20	$25
Total:	17.30	17.30	17.30	$180
	1.08	1.08	1.08
Wearing:
· Ex Officio Long Sleeve Shirt-	7.10	7.10	7.10	$30
· Running Shorts-	3.20	3.20	3.20	$25
· Hiking Socks-	2.50	2.50	2.50	$4
· Sock Liners-	0.90	0.90	0.90	$3
· Hiking Poles-Leki-	19.40	19.40	19.40	$125
· Montrail AT + Train Runners	26.60	26.60	26.60	$75
Olympus Tough TG-320	5.50	5.50	5.50	$150
· Knife/Whistle/Compass-	1.40	1.40	1.40	$35
· Heart Rate Monitor-	3.20	3.20	3.20	$200
· Knee Brace	6.00	6.00	6.00	$30
Ankle Brace	8.00	8.00	8.00	$90
· Running Hat-	2.00	2.00	2.00	$20
· Glasses	3.00	3.00	3.00	$40
Total:	88.80	85.80	85.80	$827
	5.55	5.36	5.36
Electronics:
· MP3/Headphones/Charger-	3.00	3.00	3.00	$85
· Cell Phone/Charger	4.30	4.30	4.30	$60
Camera Charger + Spare Battery	2.30	2.30	2.30	$20
Total:	9.60	9.60	9.60	$165
	0.60	0.60	0.60
Other:
· Ditty Bag-	1.20	1.20	1.20	$12
o Credit Cards (2)-	1.00	1.00	1.00
o Cash-	-	-	-
o Drivers License-	-	-	-
o Insurance Card-	-	-	-
o Phone Card-	-	-	-	$25
o Extra Reading Glasses (1)-	0.70	0.70	0.70	$10
o Emergency Numbers-	0.00	0.00	0.00	$0
Total:	2.90	2.90	2.90	$47
	0.18	0.18	0.18
Total Cost:				$3,426
Food-Water
Water Carried-	33.00	33.00	33.00
Food-4 Days-2.0 Lbs/Day (32 OZ.)	128.00	128.00	128.00
Totals:	161.00	161.00	161.00
	10.06	10.06	10.06
Grand Totals:
Base Weight In Pack:	250.20	293.70	197.60
	15.64	18.36	12.35
Weight Worn:	88.80	85.80	85.80
	5.55	5.36	5.36
Skin-Out Base Weight:	338.20	397.86	295.75
	21.14	24.87	18.48
Weight Pack+Food+Water	411.20	454.70	358.60
	25.70	28.42	22.41
Total Skin Out Weight:	500.00	540.50	444.40
	31.25	33.78	27.78
Total Skin Out/Body Weight (150 #):	3238.20	2940.50	2844.40
	202.39	183.78	177.78

[wornoutboots]

Sweet Decision!!! Enjoy the Adventure!! & Your are Right.... Life is too Short, Live Everyday!!

[k2basecamp]

Yes, life is short. I assume you gave your boss sufficient notice and that's why you're leaving April 10th and also why you may be hired back at the end of the year. Unless you have been doing marathon training be sure to start out slow. Shin splints are common overuse injuries especially with the newer lightweight trail shoes. Many don't understand the effect of carrying additional weight on their backs combined with footwear that loses much of its impact ability and stability when wet which they will be most of the time.

[jcheil]

Yes, life is short. I assume you gave your boss sufficient notice and that's why you're leaving April 10th and also why you may be hired back at the end of the year. Unless you have been doing marathon training be sure to start out slow. Shin splints are common overuse injuries especially with the newer lightweight trail shoes. Many don't understand the effect of carrying additional weight on their backs combined with footwear that loses much of its impact ability and stability when wet which they will be most of the time.

I can't decide on footwear. I always hiked the weekend trips back in the day with boots, but I got a pair of trail runners lasdt year and have used them for general walking around (granted not up and down mountains) and "feel" like they support my feet well, and are lightweight. PS I am 6'2" 135lbs (and I eat non-stop; sorry to all that are trying to lose weight, I guess it's just something in my genes)

Does anyone "know" what actually causes blisters? Too loose footwear, too tight, not enough sock thickness, etc?

[k2basecamp]

Do you have a tapeworm?

[prain4u]

...... what actually causes blisters....Too loose footwear, too tight, not enough sock thickness, etc?

........Yes.