Date: 2011-07-09
From: Skippy's

To: Skippy's
Miles today: 0.0

Someone asked me advice on thru hiking so here goes...Pack light, leave everything home, except bare essentials. simple is better. Try to get pack weight under 30 from the beginning. (if you do forget something, its not hard to find out on the trail)In the winter/early spring to keep warm, keep your shoes on up until you go to bed, have a beany. Head lets of 80% of body temperature. In the summer great way to cool off: take off your shoes. Best way to get trail magic, talk to everyone. If your not a girl hike with one, they get hitches faster, and are invited to peoples houses more often.   Have a good camera, if you like music get a mp3 with normal batteries (rechargeable don't last as long and are a hassle)Three things worth spending money on, a backpack, a tent, and a sleeping bag, the lighter in weight the better. everything else you can be cheap with. you don't need a water filter, is heavy and breaks. Aqua mira is the norm, bleach works too. If you have mail drops, be careful. if its possible only make a couple, then have someone at home, put together new ones. Or you will get sick of what you packed. Even better, don't have mail drops, they are more expensive anyhow. The places it's smart to have mail drops, Fontana Dam and Harper's Ferry. And you get exactly what you want. when you buy it straight from the store. Good food to start out with, Cereal, Tortillas/bagels, with cheese and barbecue sauce, or peanut butter and jelly, summer sausage...ect couscous with raisins and hot sauce. and hot chocolate. Give yourself enough time to finish, plus enjoy the trip, 5.5-6 months. Take your time in the beginning, don't over do it. 12's are good. When you can do 20s no more then two a week. Virgina is long, beautiful but long, pace yourself. Once you get to Harper'e Ferry you may rush until the whites, then take your good old time. Taking zeros is a good thing, great way to relax and you will enjoy your trip better. Go your own pace, and then find people to hike with. you don't want to go someone else's pace, or make then go yours.If you go in early march you won't be crammed in shelters, you don't need to bear bag, leave the rope at home. There are hangers in the shelters, beginners hang bear bags.If you want to save money, stay away from motels, or at least spit the room. Hostels, are okay. If you want to save money don't eat in restaurants, its faster, cheaper, and you get exactly what you want in a grocery store. Guys like hamburgers, pizza, beer, and soda. it's kinda universal. Guys expect to lose weight, girls expect to gain muscle. For silverware all you need is a simple kitchen spoon. Won't beak.Trail runners are a good shoes, lighter the better, expect to go through 3 pairs of shoes, your feet will grow. If you have a heavy pack, you'll need boots. Gators arn't necessary. It's easy to make your own stove, got a cat food can punch out some holes, you may want to make some sort of stand, and tinfoil works as a wind screen. The fuel is denatured alcohol and heet is even better, it's the stuff people add to their gas. Lastly everyone likes the AWOL guidebook, above all the other ones.