Date: 2007-12-29
To: Suggestions for hike prepping
Miles today: 0.0

These are just some suggestions or ideas that I've used in the past to help me get ready for a hike.1. I think it's a great idea to buy a small, digital postal scale. The one I use weighs items up to five pounds and cost $29. This is probably my most valuable piece of "gear" even though it never goes on a hike with me.2. Although not a lightweight hiker by design, I do weigh everything and capture the weights in a computer spreadsheet. That allows me to play "what if" and decide which gear to take and which to leave behind (or to put in a bounce box).3. I've never needed to weigh any individual gear that was heavier than five pounds. I can't imagine what I would carry that weighed more than that. For my food, I weigh one day's worth (trying to stay at or under 2 pounds) and multiply that weight by the number of days I'm carrying.4. If you have trouble weighing items that won't stay on the scale, find a large, lightweight plastic bowl and weigh it first. Then put your gear item(s) in the bowl and weigh everything on the scale.5. When I get my pack totally packed I'll just weigh myself and the loaded pack on a bathroom scale. That gives me a weight that is close enough for hiking purposes.6. There are pros and cons whether to use a bounce box or to simply have your support person mail special items you what you need. I found out that using a bounce box can be inconvenient if you don't need anything from the box, yet have to hike into town to again bounce it up the Trail. The post office is not supposed to bounce your box ahead if you call by phone. You are supposed to be at the post office in person. (I've heard that some post offices may be more flexible about that rule).7. If you have your support person send you items you specially need (instead of using a bounce box) you have to have some way to contact him/her. So your cell phone has to have reception or you need to be in a town. And these days there are fewer and fewer pay phones around to use.8. I know this sounds like common sense, but let me say it again: I try to never carry more food at any given time then is necessary. At two pounds per day, you can save a good amount of weight by reducing the meals you carry. I don't mean to cut back on your food. I mean to take advantage of every re-supply place close to the trail where you can either buy food or receive a maildrop from home. For example, when I start my hike I know it will take me 5-6 days to get to Hiawassee. So I could plan on carrying say 5 days of food when I start. But just three days into the hike you are going to go through Neals Gap. The hostel is a perfect place to buy three more days of food to get you to Hiawassee. Even better, have your support person mail a 3-day food supply to Neals Gap. By doing this you have just reduced your pack weight by six pounds (2 pounds times 3 days) from the start of your trip until you get to Hiawassee. And those first five days of hiking are a lot easier with less weight.9. Before you leave, make sure your support person has a list of everything you want in your regular maildrops - not just food, but things as simple as toilet paper - which becomes pretty important if you don't have any.10. There may be some pieces of gear that you may eventually need, but you don't want to buy them and/or carry them at this time. For example, you may plan on starting with a 40-degree sleeping bag that you THINK will probably be warm enough. But if it turns out you really need a 20-degree bag, you would rather not buy one until you know you will need it. That's when your support person can be a big asset. Before you leave make sure to give him/her the specs on the bag, where it can be bought, etc. It's a lot easier if you do your research before your hike and your support person is informed of what you may need at that time.If any of you have any suggestions of your own, I'd really appreciate hearing them. I know there is usually a better way to do things.