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Heading to the Appalachian Trail for a 51 mile trek ...
Posted on 6/13/15 at 9:47 pm
Posted on 6/13/15 at 9:47 pm
Will do one quick 11 mile overnighter next Monday to check out some gear, and then the next Monday start a 40 miler between two paved roads. It will be one of the most remote and rugged sections of the entire trail outside of Maine.
For those interested - Dick's Creek Gap, Georgia, to Winding Stair Gap, NC.
This will complete the Georgia section of the AT for me.
I've also hiked some of the AT in the Smoky Mountain and Shenandoah National Parks.
Anyway, for me this is fun. Looking forward to being totally disconnected from civilization for a few days.
For those interested - Dick's Creek Gap, Georgia, to Winding Stair Gap, NC.
This will complete the Georgia section of the AT for me.
I've also hiked some of the AT in the Smoky Mountain and Shenandoah National Parks.
Anyway, for me this is fun. Looking forward to being totally disconnected from civilization for a few days.
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Posted on 6/13/15 at 9:48 pm to GoldenDawg
Solo?
Posted on 6/13/15 at 9:53 pm to GoldenDawg
I'm burning with jealousy, have fun!
Posted on 6/13/15 at 9:53 pm to WhitewaterDawg
quote:
Solo?
No, going with a friend of mine who has never been backpacking before and has seriously caught the bug. He runs marathons for fun and is in great shape. I did a 14 mile one day hike with him at Torreya State park last month and he did outstanding, so I've got high hopes he'll do real well.
Posted on 6/13/15 at 9:54 pm to GoldenDawg
I just watched that Reese Witherspoon movie Wild recently, so this reminded me of that.
Have a great time, man! Sounds like fun
ETA: won't ever be my cup o' tea, personally, but I have to tip my cap to those who are willing/able to hike like that.
Have a great time, man! Sounds like fun
ETA: won't ever be my cup o' tea, personally, but I have to tip my cap to those who are willing/able to hike like that.
This post was edited on 6/13/15 at 9:57 pm
Posted on 6/13/15 at 9:54 pm to GoldenDawg
Just out of curiosity, at what point do you decide that you want to trek for 51 miles especially along the Appalachian Trail? FWIW, I'm not asking as a smartass, but just a general curiosity as to motivation for that (I've asked the same of a friend who competes in the Ironman annually).
Posted on 6/13/15 at 10:04 pm to BluegrassBelle
quote:
Just out of curiosity, at what point do you decide that you want to trek for 51 miles especially along the Appalachian Trail? FWIW, I'm not asking as a smartass, but just a general curiosity as to motivation for that (I've asked the same of a friend who competes in the Ironman annually).
My dad started me out backpacking at the age of 5. My first trip was up Mount San Jacinto over Palm Springs in Southern California. Loved it and never stopped. I started being a camp counselor for backpacking trips in Michigan while a sophomore in high school, including scouting out, planning and leading new backpacking routes in wilderness areas in upper lower Michigan.
As an adult (and dad) I've continued to hike and lead groups of men and boys in backpacking trips in Alabama, Florida and portions of the AT. Took my three boys backpacking in the Smoky mountains at a very young age and they still enjoy it. One of them became an Army Cavalry Scout (he's currently an Army Lt. in the Signal Corps in the reserves) and is married to a gal who is getting her doctor's degree in physical therapy at Western Carolina and they're backpacking in the mountains just about every weekend.
So, anyway, this is not exactly a new thing for me. My wife wants no part of it. She's heading to Boston for about 10 days with my sister.
Posted on 6/13/15 at 10:06 pm to GoldenDawg
I'm going to do the Ozark Trail next year and the John Muir in 2017. I can't wait.
Posted on 6/13/15 at 10:12 pm to GoldenDawg
Enjoy, one of the best ways to really see the beauty of an area
Posted on 6/13/15 at 10:13 pm to Old Sarge
quote:THAT would be fun.
I'm going to do the Ozark Trail next year and the John Muir in 2017. I can't wait.
Never hiked in the Ozarks (but I've visited an enjoyed it) and it's been a long time since I've hiked out West.
Take pictures and post them.
P.S. We must discuss gear at some point.
This post was edited on 6/13/15 at 10:15 pm
Posted on 6/14/15 at 12:00 am to GoldenDawg
I did the Georgia part of the AT when I lived down there. I hope to get back to hiking it soon. For anyone starting the AT from the Georgia end, Springer Mountain is rough but Blood Mountain will test your humanity.
Enjoy your time in the Green Tunnel. I can't imagine a better vacation.
Enjoy your time in the Green Tunnel. I can't imagine a better vacation.
Posted on 6/14/15 at 12:15 am to GoldenDawg
Seems like a hot time of year to tackle this.
Posted on 6/14/15 at 12:20 am to GoldenDawg
My son left for Philmont in Cimmaron NM to do Trek 2 for the next 12 days. My claim to hiking was from the Rim of the Grand Canyon down to the Havasupai Village/falls and back out for a week.
Posted on 6/14/15 at 12:34 am to Kentucker
quote:
For anyone starting the AT from the Georgia end, Springer Mountain is rough but Blood Mountain will test your humanity.
Blood mountain is the overnighter I'm doing on Monday. Starting at Woody Gap and camping the night at Slaughter Gap. We'll set up camp and then head up to the top of Blood Mountain to cook dinner with those amazing views. Then we'll hike back down to Slaughter Gap for the night. The next morning we'll summit Blood Mountain again and head down to the Walisi Yi Center at Neels Gap. This is the only section on the entire AT that came close to being completely closed down to overnight camping because of conflicts with bears in 2012.
Posted on 6/14/15 at 12:36 am to BigOrangeBri
quote:
Seems like a hot time of year to tackle this.
It is. But it's not as bad as where I'm at in Florida. The humidity becomes a LOT less in the mountains this time of year. And most of our hiking on the 40 miler will be above 4,000 ft. So it will be hot, but not unbearable, especially around dusk and dawn.
Posted on 6/14/15 at 12:37 am to GoldenDawg
That's awesome. I'm too much of a city girl and would be terrified to be out in nature for that long by myself.
Posted on 6/14/15 at 12:43 am to GoldenDawg
Badass, man. That can be some rough country...I hope you two have fun. I hope to one day thru hike the AT, hike the JMT, and maybe some of the continental divide.
There isn't much better than being out in nature. Things make more sense out there.
There isn't much better than being out in nature. Things make more sense out there.
Posted on 6/14/15 at 12:49 am to GoldenDawg
What weight is your pack loaded? We spent a lot of time on backpacking light downloading as much info as possible. Was fun for me and my son to prepare him for Philmont. He wasn't excited about driving from Cali to NM though. lol
This post was edited on 6/14/15 at 12:55 am
Posted on 6/14/15 at 3:03 am to GoldenDawg
I'm also interested in your equipment weight. Every hike I take I drop something from my pack for the next hike. Also have used a lot of Zpack's stuff, very strong and ultralight.
Next topic - your feet. I know you know this already, but Keep.Them.Dry.At.ALL.Times. Every time you sit down for a break, take you boots AND socks off to dry. Ok, preaching over.
Next topic - your feet. I know you know this already, but Keep.Them.Dry.At.ALL.Times. Every time you sit down for a break, take you boots AND socks off to dry. Ok, preaching over.
Posted on 6/14/15 at 5:29 am to Old Sarge
I'm burning with jealousy, have fun!
Ditto, big time!
No cell phones. No TV. (I would bring an iPod to chill out with Willie and Waylon at the campfire) nothing like being in the woods.
Oh, and, pics or GTFO!
Ditto, big time!
No cell phones. No TV. (I would bring an iPod to chill out with Willie and Waylon at the campfire) nothing like being in the woods.
Oh, and, pics or GTFO!
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