Date: 2007-11-22
From: BlackBerry Lodge, Elijay, Georgia

To: BlackBerry Lodge, Elijay, Georgia
Miles today: 4.0

Today, I climbed up and down the approach trail and the 600+ steps that go up Amicalola Falls, Ga. My truck was still there! The lady that had just got over pnuemonia back on Jan 9, 2007; shook my hand when I introduced myself. It was very crowded and as I saw day hikers struggling up the trails; i said, "can you see why a few thru hikers quit their thru hike after this first mile?"                         FAQ #31)What kind of gear do you use? This is actually a more general question than what I usually hear. It is more like:2)What kind of (insert type of hiking equiptment here) do you use or recommend? I answer these questions with what gear that I am presently using with a much more important general hiking methodology answer. And I mean from the philosphical hiking definition/standpoint: "the underlying principles and rules of organization of a philosophical system or inquiry procedure." A hiker and particularly a thru hiker should take a look at his reason for hiking 2000 miles. Some are lightweight junkies and will sleep cold, eat minimal, use hip padless packs and wear tennis shoes. Others are part of the "heavywieght devolution". They want to sleep warm, "eat like kings", use external frame packs and wear hiking boots with steel shanks and Norweigan Welts. Most of us fall somewhere in between and try to carry as little as possible in most situations. I do know some lightwieght "freaks" that will get their base pack wieght down to 15 pounds, just so they can carry their computer. I know heavyweight "throwbacks" that will keep their pack wieght around 1/3 of their body weight(EX 210 pound man= 70 pound pack). So they can carry a hatchet. I have do not have any loyalties to either end of the pack wieght spectrum; but, I love to be well fed, sleep warm, use an external frame(it is better for my back and shoulders) and prefer a boot with a steel shank. Boots Vs Shoes: it all depends on how your feet feel. At the beginning of a long hike, your feet will hurt. It does not depend on your shoes or pack wieght. Hiking for 8 hours or even standing for 8 hours can be difficult; if your not used to it(Tip your waitress). You can keep from permanent damage or long term pain induced by shoes/packweight/terrain; if you are conscious of protecting them. !light pack, light foot support, soft level terrain(easier). !heavy pack, heavy foot support, rocky terrain(tougher). !light pack=bigger miles; but, less creature comforts. !heavy pack=less miles; but, more creature comforts. !Heavy pack with light foot support in rocky terrain=pain. !Light pack with light foot support in rocky terrain=pain. !ETC. External Frame Vs Internal frame: It all depends on how it feels. A pack without a hip belt will be light; but, it will shift around on your back and it puts alot of stress on your shoulders. An external frame pack will allow your pack to rest high on your back that will put most of your weight on your hips and legs. An internal frame pack seems to pull at my shoulders, instead of resting on my back. They are lighter; they are also hot resting right on your back. This brings up the time of year you are hiking. When I hike The Florida Trail, I will problem go totally lighweight. With no hip pad on my pack, shorts, lightwieght shirt, hammock, running shoes, etc. Now starting a thru hike in Jan, Feb, or Mar and even April calls for carrying some serious gear and definetly heavy boots, pack, hiking poles, zero degree bag, etc.