A Son's Promise

[wildcowboy238]

Hello all,,,

Back in 1996 my mother and I had planned to make the thru hike of the AT in 2000 but she passed away in '98. Since then I had lost my drive to go it alone. She and my cousin hiked a bit of it in '94 and she had told me that she wanted to go and do the whole trail but with me.
Here it is '07 and my wife told me it was time. Not knowing what to do or how to get started I am sitting here planning to make the trip in '08. At the moment I have absolutely no gear and only the drive to fulfill a promise I made to my Mother at her funeral.
Over the next few years I plan on hiking all the major trails that my mother wanted us to travel.
I do know one thing and that is that I need a wall poster of the AT for my wife to place stick pins in ans I make the trip.
My children are all for this trip and my wife is behind me 100%. So if anyone can give me any kind of advice I would be most greatful.

[Freeleo]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Map-of-Appalachi...QQcmdZViewItem

go for it and good luck with your planning

[Tsani]

I commend you for desire to carry out this commitment to your mom's memory. I hope you have a great hike! She must have been quite a lady to have wanted this for you. This site is full of great advice on what to carry, what not to carry, and how to make your hike a successful and enjoyable one. Check out the articles for "newbies" and the general interest forums. You'll find a lot of stuff to help you.

Good luck and happy trails!

[weary]

Hello all,,,

Back in 1996 my mother and I had planned to make the thru hike of the AT in 2000 but she passed away in '98. Since then I had lost my drive to go it alone. She and my cousin hiked a bit of it in '94 and she had told me that she wanted to go and do the whole trail but with me.
Here it is '07 and my wife told me it was time. Not knowing what to do or how to get started I am sitting here planning to make the trip in '08. At the moment I have absolutely no gear and only the drive to fulfill a promise I made to my Mother at her funeral.
Over the next few years I plan on hiking all the major trails that my mother wanted us to travel.
I do know one thing and that is that I need a wall poster of the AT for my wife to place stick pins in ans I make the trip.
My children are all for this trip and my wife is behind me 100%. So if anyone can give me any kind of advice I would be most greatful.

Click on "home", then forums, and then articles. The articles contain the basic information you need.

Also useful is a free Appalachian Trail Conservancy pamphlet on hiking the trail. Open
http://www.appalachiantrail.org/site....BEA0/Home.htm

Bounce around the site. You will find a lot of good information.

Weary

[sonic]

Click on "home", then forums, and then articles. The articles contain the basic information you need.

Also useful is a free Appalachian Trail Conservancy pamphlet on hiking the trail. Open
http://www.appalachiantrail.org/site....BEA0/Home.htm

Bounce around the site. You will find a lot of good information.

Weary

You'll also find that map your family wants to use to keep track of your journey. Have fun!!!

[wildcowboy238]

Thank you all...I know this will be a wonderful trip and hope to meet many nice people along the way... I will be putting together a gear list to post and I am sure that I will get loads of comments...lol...

[Smile]

What a great idea for you to hike. Enjoy yourself, and feel free to get input on gear here, this site is a great resource!

[Rain Man]

If I'm not mistaken, you can get the National Park Service (and perhaps the ATC?) to mail you a free NPS AT trail map. I know I've picked them up for free (or a donation) at NPS visitor centers.

Best wishes to you.

RainMan

.

[DawnTreader]

Good Luck, Mothers are wonderful arn't they... You should have a great time planning and preparing on this site.. don't be afraid to ask questions.. and ignore those who tell you your questions are dumb.... Welcome to Whiteblaze....

[Lilred]

I know an outfitter in Nashville that gives away the maps for free. They are about four feet tall and roughly eight inches wide. I'd be happy to get one for you and send it to you if you pm me with your address. Gives me a good excuse to go there again......

[Kirby]

All the power to you, it is great you are fullfilling your promise to your mother.

All the best,
Kirby

[buckowens]

A very fitting tribute and great thing to do.

This site as well as Ebay is good for gear, as well as the sales at the outfitters. All of the cast of characters here have some good input and are very helpful. Go lightweight and good quality and the rest will fall into place. Good luck!!

[map man]

You say you have no idea how to get started and that you have no gear. I assume you haven't done any multi-day backpacking, then. You might want to start with the smaller step of doing a backpacking hike in your area of a week or less. I know Arizona has trails suited for backpacking, and Arizona is one of the few places you can hike at this time of the year without dealing with freezing temperatures. You can rent equipment at outdoor equipment retailers. A city the size of Tucson must have several.

See how you like it. If you really don't enjoy it, you have saved yourself money and a lot of emotional capital. If you do like it, your shakedown hike will teach you a great deal about backpacking and you will be better prepared for a long hike on the AT.

[warraghiyagey]

Hey Cowboy, check your PM's (private messages).

[RITBlake]

You should try doing the trail in 30 days that will make your moms real proud

[warraghiyagey]

You should try doing the trail in 30 days that will make your moms real proud

Yeah, but it won't be a record.

[RITBlake]

Yeah, but it won't be a record.

Technically I haven't broken the 28 1/2 day sound barrier yet, but it's just a matter of time before I do, and will be hailed as the greatest hiker ever, ever.

[warraghiyagey]

Technically I haven't broken the 28 1/2 day sound barrier yet, but it's just a matter of time before I do, and will be hailed as the greatest hiker ever, ever.

Hold on now. I thought it was 27 and a half days. Trying to slide one by us? It would be particularly funny watching you sprint from Lakes of the Clouds to Madison Hut.

[RITBlake]

Hold on now. I thought it was 27 and a half days. Trying to slide one by us? It would be particularly funny watching you sprint from Lakes of the Clouds to Madison Hut.

Maybe it's because I had a second bowl of weaties today, but for some reason, I'm extra confident today. Let's make it a firm 26 day thru hike and be done with it.

[Lone Wolf]

why are you bungholes s**tin all over cowboy's thread. it ain't funny