Date: 2009-02-16
To: 2008 Hike Summary, part 1
Miles today: 0.0

Time to wind down the 08 Trailjournal, summarize the practical and the philosophical, and then open an 09 journal for the rest of the trip!For readers just coming in, the short story is that Auntie Mame (my sister) and I hiked north from Georgia during March, April, May and early June last summer. We got off unexpectedly at Loft Mountain Campground in northern Virginia to help out a family member, and realized it would not be practical to resume in Virginia that summer (we come from Maine).Later on in the summer we did hike several sections in northern New England with 07/08 hiker Certain, a wonderful consolation for having to interrupt the hike earlier. Our plan now is to return to Loft Mountain in late May this year and continue to hike north.I'll write a summary of the practical stuff here, and then one about the more philosophical aspects in the next "Post" entry.FEET & FOOTWEAR: Started out with Montrail Stratos (now discontinued), a lightweight, "softshell" type boot which fit very well and worked fine til the seams gave up altogether by Pearisburg. Switched to low-cut Montrail Hardrock hiking sneakers, which were okay for the relatively gentle terrain we were getting into at that point. Feet had a few blisters in the first two weeks, despite having worn the boots a lot beforehand. Nothing really gets the feet ready for 7-8 hour days under load. They complain. But the blisters healed up fairly soon, and were not much of an issue. Later in the trip, foot pain on the bottoms of both feet was a constant - but most hikers were experiencing this then, also. The pounding all day, every day just gets to them.It took a month or so after stopping hiking before my feet felt "normal" again. This is actually pretty good, compared to stories of other hikers' recovery times.When we hiked in New England I used Keen Voyageurs, boots like the Targhee but not waterproof. They worked great on the rougher, rockier terrain. Would go with the Targhee for spring and fall, and Voyageur for summer I think.PACK: Started out with Montainsmith Boundary - classic, kind of old-fashioned top-loader with a separate sleeping bag compartment on the bottom, a top lid, decent side waterbottle pockets, uppr side zip pockets, and GREAT suspension. Really comfy. A little over 4LB so not exactly ultralight. But Mame and I had tried a lot of different packs in the search for the right ones, and this model impressed both of us substantially more than others. Later on, in the interests of cutting weight, and as the need to carry cold-weather gear diminished, I decided to go with the ULA Catalyst - a little over 2 LBs, significant weight savings - but not as comfy, and lacking the exceedingly handy top lid. Still haven't found the perfect pack...I love the ULA's huge side and back pockets, and the generous waistbelt pockets, though. TENT: Tarptent Rainbow worked very well, lightweight (about 2 LBS), roomy, packed small. Only improvement I would want is both sides opening, for access and ventilation. (I see the new Tarptent, Scarpa, has this feature at some additional weight). Not yet a hammock convert, but stranger things have happened.STOVE & POT: Caldera cone and soda-can alcohol stove worked really, really well. I still think it's the best choice for efficiency, stability, simplicity and durability. Used with a MSR titanium mug (large) to cook and eat in.CLOTHING: Long sleeve black "Chill Chaser" top by CuddleDuds, thin stretchy nylon long underwear shirt, was incredible - wore it every single day til the weather got too hot (Pearisburg). It is still in perfect condition, amazing garment. Hiking shorts by Mountain Hardwear had pretty good pockets and were durable and not too heavy. Smartwool socks, heavy for boots and 3/4 lightweights for lowcut shoes. All these socks are still fine, too. Smartwool longsleeve midweight shirt, and wool liner gloves were excellent in the cool weather. Nylon t-shirt worked well in warm weather. Need a visor cap in the spring, before the leaves are out in the forest - much sun in the face otherwise.BAG & MAT: Down Ultralite 25f by Western Mountaineering worked great for cool weather. By Waynesboro I switched out to 45f LaFuma 600x which was cut for women and very light weight. Also carried a silk liner to either add warmth or allow for extra warm nights. All worked fine.Down-filled mat by Exped worked well for cool weather, then switched to women's Thermarest but was spoiled by the cushion of the air mattress - went to Big Agnes air mat and was happy. Used a very thin foam sheet on this when it was cool - helped.ELECTRONICS: Phone - Motorola Razr, US Cellular service worked about as well as anyone's. Pocketmail was wonderful, worked fine. Camera - didn't bring one and wish I did! I let Auntie Mame do the photography, but next summer I'm bringing a camera too. IPod was fun to have, but I didn't use it very much. That's okay because it doesn't weigh much, either.FOOD: Lots and lots and lots of Milky Way bars, little cellophane tubes of cashews and packets of Toast Chee peanut butter crackers, (now on everybody's s*** list from the salmonella scare, a pity), Nido milk powder and Kashi Crunch cereal, mozarella sticks, almond butter in packets, mayo in packets, pepperoni and pita or english muffins...and I still like all that stuff! One more entry then I'll start up the 09 journal.