Date: 2013-09-03
From: Pinkham Notch Visitors Center

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

While I will never be a thru hiker, and may never complete the trail as a section hiker, I have learned a great deal about long distance hiking from experience as well as other hikers. Knowing how much I learned from this site during my preparations, I would like to just write down some thoughts while this train rambles on toward Ohio. Obviously everyone is different and my ideas won't work for everyone, so take what you need and leave the rest.1. The AT will probably be the toughest thing you ever do. For me the mental aspect was the toughest. I was actually pleased with how I handled it physically.2. Being in shape before you start will help, but you can hike yourself into shape. Just take it slow.3. Don't worry about going alone, you will find a group of friends very quickly. I think it's better going alone, because you have no obligations that way. 4. Quit worrying about bears, moose, and mice. They are scared of you and will run away. The only thing that changes this is leaving food around campsites. They come looking for this food after you leave, and if rewarded often enough, will get more bold.5. Remember, when hanging a bear bag, it needs to be out of bear reach from the ground AND the tree trunk.6. If your shoes are wet from the day before, put the wet socks back on. If you use dry ones, they will be wet again anyway. I carried 2 pair of socks. 7. Use trekking poles. I suggest carbon fiber. Papaw had aluminum and bent both of them. My poles may be my favorite piece of equipment. They are Black Diamonds. I take the wrist straps off so I can let them go if they get hung up and I fall. 8. I like trail runner type shoes. They are light weight which is easier on the legs. I had trouble with room for my toes and Solomans ended up being my favorite. 9. I did not do mail drops. I was always able to resupply along the way. 10. I liked my Pepsi can alcohol stove, but would seriously consider going without a stove. You can eat hot food in town. Papaw quit carrying his stove and did fine.11. I used Aqua Mira drops for water treatment and had no trouble (I did run out once). I didn't use a filter and occasionally had "floaties" in the water, but got used to drinking them. The little packets of flavoring are great too. It adds a little variety and is lightweight. My favorite is lemonade. 12. I used my 20 degree down mummy sleeping bag all summer. Other than In March, it was way too hot. I never even zipped it up. 13. Vitamin I (ibuprofen) is very effective.14. Take the time to rinse off every evening. Go well downstream from where hikers get their water. If you have a dog, keep it away from the water. 15. Use the same clothes to hike in daily, but change into another set for sleeping. 16. Carry a backup light. I use clip on type on my visor.17. Carry a guidebook. I like the AWOL version.18. Carry some cash, credit card, medical cards, cellphone (if desired). I carried a cellphone with a battery charger and was able to maintain my journal daily without the phone ever going dead.19. I carried rain gear, but rarely used it. It is handy to wear when you are doing laundry. Thank you all for following my journal this summer. I really enjoyed writing it. If you have any other questions, just send a comment and I will get back to you. Sent from my iPhone