Has anyone on here done it? My father and I are planning a through hike for 2016. If any of you are on my FB page, you have noticed that since January, I walk 5 - 8 miles EVERY day, and up to 15 on Sundays. I have wanted to hike the AT for 25 years or better, but I am now at a point in my life where I can, and my dad is in GREAT shape, so when I mentioned it to him, he said why not! So if you have done a through hike or sections, I would like to pick your brain.
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Oyster Baron
NMFS = No More Fishing Season
“Back home we got a taxidermy man. He gonna have a heart attack when he see what I brung him”
Sells…I have a book I’ll drop by your store as soon as I can get up that way…“Hikers Guide to the Smokies”…It’s one that probably may help you plan your trip. This is one I bought back in the late 70’s, so I’m sure some of the trails have changed, but it gives you an idea of what to expect.
I hiked a section of it with a Boy Scout troop, back in the late 1960s. 3 weeks of that was enough for me [:0] That’s about how long it took to realize it was foolish hiking mountains from Ga to Maine when there is a waterway. I’m a born and bred flatlander. I’d rather row a boat from Ga to Maine Admire anybody who can make that entire trip.
quote:I walk 5 - 8 miles EVERY day, and up to 15 on Sundays.
Better practice that every day on steep hills and tall stairs with a 60 lb. pack. 8 miles in Charleston are easy miles compared 8 miles in those mountains carrying a couple weeks worth of gear. I’m sure you know that
On the plus side, today’s gear is much better and lighter than what we had back then, as is the footwear.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
Yep. Mine was a rhetorical question. I gave a similar response to this question a few years ago on this site. The casual response to a 2,000 mile hike always catches my attention and amuses me.
I did all of GA and SC between 95 and 97 in 4 trips. All but one in the fall and the other in the spring. A through hike usually starts in March and ends in September. That’s walking north for seven months and crossing 2200 miles. Average 12 miles a day for 196 days. I would recommend reading “A walk in The Woods” by Bill Bryson. Even if you don’t want to hike the trail it’s a real good read. The four trips I took were all very different. Three with my buddies and one with an ex girlfriend. All were great. That said each one was like a trip out on the water. You learn your weaknesses, strengths, etc… Are you ready to cross the ocean?
quote:Originally posted by jipride
[br]I did all of GA and SC between 95 and 97 in 4 trips. All but one in the fall and the other in the spring. A through hike usually starts in March and ends in September. That's walking north for seven months and crossing 2200 miles. Average 12 miles a day for 196 days. I would recommend reading "A walk in The Woods" by Bill Bryson. Even if you don't want to hike the trail it's a real good read. The four trips I took were all very different. Three with my buddies and one with an ex girlfriend. All were great. That said each one was like a trip out on the water. You learn your weaknesses, strengths, etc.... Are you ready to cross the ocean?
Karma is 360 degrees
Some got to win, some got to lose…
Aren't there 14 states on the trail?
Let’s compare;
I graduated 2 grades out of 14. Just as good.
I was pregnant 14 times and 2 children lived. Just as good.
Bought a house at 2 percent… I now want to refinance at 14 percent. just as good.
I walked across the boarder between two states. Some other guy hiked across 14 states… just as
I did all of GA and SC between 95 and 97 in 4 trips. All but one in the fall and the other in the spring. A through hike usually starts in March and ends in September. That’s walking north for seven months and crossing 2200 miles. Average 12 miles a day for 196 days. I would recommend reading “A walk in The Woods” by Bill Bryson. Even if you don’t want to hike the trail it’s a real good read. The four trips I took were all very different. Three with my buddies and one with an ex girlfriend. All were great. That said each one was like a trip out on the water. You learn your weaknesses, strengths, etc… Are you ready to cross the ocean?
Karma is 360 degrees
Some got to win, some got to lose…
GREAT BOOK! made me want to go now!
.
Oyster Baron
NMFS = No More Fishing Season
“Back home we got a taxidermy man. He gonna have a heart attack when he see what I brung him”
I hiked a section of with a Boy Scout troop, back in the late 1960s. 3 weeks of that was enough for me [:0] That’s about how long it took to realize it was foolish hiking mountains from Ga to Maine when there is a waterway. I’m a born and bred flatlander. I’d rather row a boat from Ga to Maine Admire anybody who can make that entire trip.
quote:I walk 5 - 8 miles EVERY day, and up to 15 on Sundays.
Better practice that every day on steep hills and tall stairs with a 60 lb. pack. 8 miles in Charleston are easy miles compared 8 miles in those mountains carrying a couple weeks worth of gear. I’m sure you know that
On the plus side, today’s gear is much better and lighter than what we had back then, as is the footwear.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
Things are much better now, a normal pack out is under 40#, with 33# being average. On most of the trail you only have to pack for 3/4 days except for the 100 mile wilderness in Maine. That section is mandatory to have 10 days rations. Water purification, camp stoves, synthetic sleeping bags, big Agnes tents, and solomon foot gear have made great improvements in all aspects of trail life, but it is still one hell of a challenge and I am going to give it one hell of an attempt. It is also been great motivation to get my ass back in shape, down 41#'s since January. I hope to drop another 50# by trail date. I am no stranger to humping with a 85# pack while in the Marines, but that was 30 years ago. This
Sells… best of luck and good times. If I could change time and take a father able to do it when he was able I’d have done it. I think.
The fact that you are even planning this suggests a lot. Good luck to you! Really! I respect you quite a bit. Not only have you given good advice on this site, but really impressed me in person. No offence, but you are not in your core weight any more and losing a couple of pounds won’t be so bad… Me too. I just was smarter and did the Air Force branch:wink:[:0] I had a/c in basics.
From all the hard rolling boat activity you take, a little hiking wont’ be so bad…
Wish you the best, and when I’m near your shop I’ll be sure to buy something.
There is a woman from Mt. Pleasant doing it now she has a blog that is linked to the Moultrie News. Interesting reading so far. Her hiking partner had to quit after just a few weeks due to stress fractures in his foot.
I have not yet had the opprotunity to do the whole thing, but have done quite a few multiweek trips and countless other backpack trips so take my advise for what it’s worth.
Best advise I can give:
Be in shape
Learn first-aid
Work out the AT logistics- tons of online resources for this (timeline, gear drops, rest stops, etc, etc.)
Take very seriously the ultralight and fast revolution- lots of resources about this and some good online forums if you ignore the weenies). Gear is lighter in general, but dialing it in to what you actually need is tough. Determine your philosophy on footwear- I don’t believe in boots or Gore-tex.
Best advise- take a number of shakedown trips minimum 7 days prior to the big hike with your Dad. Has to be with your Dad.
Admire anybody who can make that entire trip.
[:0] I had a/c in basics. 