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 zappateer
Shaman begging cacti
Registered: 08/15/10
Posts: 5,498
Loc: Midwest USA, by grace of ...
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 Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike   3
#14821365 - 07/25/11 10:54 AM (1 year, 9 months ago) |
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Hello, Shroomery. I've been meaning to do this for a long while and I finally have a bit of spare time. I thought some of you would like to know that a fellow Shroomerite is attempting an AT thru hike. I started from Mt. Katahdin, Maine on June 13. I'm at a public library in Bennington, VT right now. It has been 42 days and I have gone 578 miles. I've got about 1600 miles to go to reach my destination: Springer Mtn, Georgia.
The trail has been amazing so far: great people, beautiful forest and amazing mountain top views. I have been picking oyster mushrooms and chanterelles along the way and throwing them in my ramen. I will probably start doing the same with lobster mushrooms and chicken of the woods, but those are the only edibles I'm comfortable identifying that grow in the summer. Maybe when I get south I can pick some Cubes.
I am taking lots of pictures but won't have time to post them until I get home. If anyone has any questions I would be glad to answer them but will be unable to check often or give very thoughtful responses until I get home.
Thanks for reading. It's been such an amazing experience that I want to share it with more people.
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ShiVersblood said:
Sometimes men think they are drinking bourbon, but is it that the bourbon....,,is drinking them.
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 BaSSidio Head
Pebble Wrestler
Registered: 03/29/11
Posts: 577
Loc: Highcountry, NC
Last seen: 1 year, 1 month
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: zappateer]
#14821386 - 07/25/11 11:03 AM (1 year, 9 months ago) |
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Enjoy every step, man. It is a beautiful stretch and an awesome experience. I can't wait until I get a chance to do it thru. Are you trying to finish by any deadline or just going at whatever pace you like?
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What's from the earth is of the greatest worth. 
So before u knock it, try it first and you'll see it's a blessing and it's not a curse.
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ifoundwaldo
Registered: 09/28/10
Posts: 8,387
Loc: Denver, CO 
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: zappateer]
#14821531 - 07/25/11 12:09 PM (1 year, 9 months ago) |
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Awesome!! Can't wait to see pictures... Good luck in your search for cubes too. I'm sure that'll just make the journey more epic.
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cbhead23
Frisbee
Registered: 09/16/09
Posts: 533
Loc: GA
Last seen: 26 days, 23 hours
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: ifoundwaldo]
#14823185 - 07/25/11 06:06 PM (1 year, 9 months ago) |
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Happy travels!!
Awesome that you are going southbound!
Looking forward to some awesome pics!
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PDU
travel kid vs.amerika
Registered: 12/04/02
Posts: 9,517
Loc: beautiful BC
Last seen: 1 day, 22 hours
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: cbhead23]
#14823801 - 07/25/11 08:21 PM (1 year, 9 months ago) |
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I am very stoked to read more about this, good luck to you.
I am hoping to thru hike the PCT in the next 3 years.
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GO OUTSIDE.
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bryguy27007
Cosmonaut
Registered: 01/26/08
Posts: 8,239
Loc: Minnesota
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: PDU]
#14826982 - 07/26/11 01:16 PM (1 year, 9 months ago) |
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Whoa, a Southbounder. That's great man! Keep it up! I really want to hike that trail at some point in my life. Maybe I'll do part of it in 2 years to get the feel for it and see if I can do the whole thing in 3 or 4 years.
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supernovasky
Comrade
Registered: 01/11/08
Posts: 8,982
Loc: Louisiana
Last seen: 4 days, 11 hours
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: bryguy27007]
#14830023 - 07/26/11 11:19 PM (1 year, 9 months ago) |
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You are doing great man. Is it everything you dreamed it would be?
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PDU
travel kid vs.amerika
Registered: 12/04/02
Posts: 9,517
Loc: beautiful BC
Last seen: 1 day, 22 hours
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: supernovasky]
#14830366 - 07/27/11 12:21 AM (1 year, 9 months ago) |
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Whats the most difficult part? Favorite part?
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GO OUTSIDE.
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shroom_sandwich
om
Registered: 07/02/09
Posts: 528
Loc: pacha mama
Last seen: 19 days, 20 hours
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: PDU]
#14830430 - 07/27/11 12:31 AM (1 year, 9 months ago) |
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I would love to do something like this, but I don't know how much money it would cost to do it and what'd I'd do about my job. (I don't work that often, short shifts every couple days or so.) I would be so happy to be away from civilization and just absorb the beauty of the surrounding landscape.
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"Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children. -Ancient Native Proverb
“Chaos is what we've lost touch with. This is why it is given a bad name. It is feared by the dominant archetype of our world, which is Ego, which clenches because its existence is defined in terms of control.” -Terence McKenna
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gerryjarcia
biophiliac
Registered: 05/29/10
Posts: 1,862
Loc: the woods
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: zappateer]
#14831501 - 07/27/11 07:40 AM (1 year, 9 months ago) |
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this is awesome  i live not to far from the AT in North Carolina. pm me when you get closer, i might be able to help with some supplies 
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"We are all intoxicated. We were born into an insane asylum, a world crazy-making. We believe what we see and hear. The real myth is the myth of sanity, of rationality: it's a disease that is eating away at the earth. All the poisons flow from our denial. We deny madness, we forget our crimes, we dismember the corpse, we imprison our children. We need poison to poison the poison, to remember the sacred nature of intoxication, the green body of the young god." ~ Dale Pendell
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Az0th
quantum transfiguration
Registered: 02/13/00
Posts: 53,427
Loc: The Void
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: zappateer]
#14831517 - 07/27/11 07:45 AM (1 year, 9 months ago) |
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Awesome man! I've always dreamed of thru hiking the AT, I've only done sections
A rare southbounder.. I've heard it's quite solitary and zen-like compared to 'the hustle' of NOBO 
Enjoy the trail magic  
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~Thought Creates Reality~
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BaSSidio Head
Pebble Wrestler
Registered: 03/29/11
Posts: 577
Loc: Highcountry, NC
Last seen: 1 year, 1 month
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: shroom_sandwich]
#14831637 - 07/27/11 09:04 AM (1 year, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
shroom_sandwich said:
I would love to do something like this, but I don't know how much money it would cost to do it and what'd I'd do about my job. (I don't work that often, short shifts every couple days or so.) I would be so happy to be away from civilization and just absorb the beauty of the surrounding landscape.
I think it ends up costing around 5,000 give or take
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What's from the earth is of the greatest worth.
So before u knock it, try it first and you'll see it's a blessing and it's not a curse.
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SummerDaisies
Out of Retirement
Registered: 12/04/06
Posts: 8,608
Loc: Rocky Mountain High Or at...
Last seen: 2 months, 29 days
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: BaSSidio Head]
#14832926 - 07/27/11 02:39 PM (1 year, 9 months ago) |
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man this sounds amazing, i would love to do something like this
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[quote]Abuse said:
summerfaggot is one of the biggest cunts on this site.[/quote]
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PDU
travel kid vs.amerika
Registered: 12/04/02
Posts: 9,517
Loc: beautiful BC
Last seen: 1 day, 22 hours
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: BaSSidio Head]
#14835712 - 07/28/11 12:03 AM (1 year, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
BaSSidio Head said:
Quote:
shroom_sandwich said:
I would love to do something like this, but I don't know how much money it would cost to do it and what'd I'd do about my job. (I don't work that often, short shifts every couple days or so.) I would be so happy to be away from civilization and just absorb the beauty of the surrounding landscape.
I think it ends up costing around 5,000 give or take
I am certain it could be done on the super cheap if one was to dehydrate their own meals.
OP - i would be interested to hear about your food set up and what your eating.
walkin, walkin, walkin..
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GO OUTSIDE.
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BaSSidio Head
Pebble Wrestler
Registered: 03/29/11
Posts: 577
Loc: Highcountry, NC
Last seen: 1 year, 1 month
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: PDU]
#14837668 - 07/28/11 10:35 AM (1 year, 9 months ago) |
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But you have to have that food shipped to places, plus most often you have to buy ultralight minimalist gear so you don't have a 65 lb pack. I am sure you could do it cheaper, but things add up pretty quickly
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What's from the earth is of the greatest worth.
So before u knock it, try it first and you'll see it's a blessing and it's not a curse.
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pmb
12121212
Registered: 08/11/08
Posts: 2,565
Loc: Washington
Last seen: 3 months, 26 days
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: zappateer]
#14839006 - 07/28/11 03:52 PM (1 year, 9 months ago) |
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Sounds like a lot of fun, One day I want to hike this trail. I need to find a couple buddies to walk it with me to make it a little more interesting.
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Don't smell the flowers, They're an evil drug to make you lose your mind
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BaSSidio Head
Pebble Wrestler
Registered: 03/29/11
Posts: 577
Loc: Highcountry, NC
Last seen: 1 year, 1 month
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: pmb]
#14839074 - 07/28/11 04:06 PM (1 year, 9 months ago) |
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I wouldn't want a lot of people with me, two tops. But I would want somebody to share the experience with
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What's from the earth is of the greatest worth.
So before u knock it, try it first and you'll see it's a blessing and it's not a curse.
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SummerDaisies
Out of Retirement
Registered: 12/04/06
Posts: 8,608
Loc: Rocky Mountain High Or at...
Last seen: 2 months, 29 days
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: BaSSidio Head]
#14839224 - 07/28/11 04:35 PM (1 year, 9 months ago) |
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i wanna do this with a lady friend of mine
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[quote]Abuse said:
summerfaggot is one of the biggest cunts on this site.[/quote]
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gerryjarcia
biophiliac
Registered: 05/29/10
Posts: 1,862
Loc: the woods
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: BaSSidio Head]
#14839226 - 07/28/11 04:36 PM (1 year, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
BaSSidio Head said:
I wouldn't want a lot of people with me, two tops. But I would want somebody to share the experience with
me too. i'd only hike with one other person. the more people you throw in the mix the more potential for drama.
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"We are all intoxicated. We were born into an insane asylum, a world crazy-making. We believe what we see and hear. The real myth is the myth of sanity, of rationality: it's a disease that is eating away at the earth. All the poisons flow from our denial. We deny madness, we forget our crimes, we dismember the corpse, we imprison our children. We need poison to poison the poison, to remember the sacred nature of intoxication, the green body of the young god." ~ Dale Pendell
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cbhead23
Frisbee
Registered: 09/16/09
Posts: 533
Loc: GA
Last seen: 26 days, 23 hours
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: SummerDaisies]
#14840286 - 07/28/11 08:13 PM (1 year, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
SummerDaisies said:
i wanna do this with a lady friend of mine
I was on the trail a few years ago and my buddy and I ran into a guy who was hiking with his girlfriend. He said they had planned a couple weeks of hiking.
We did the approach trail that day and ran into them at the top of Springer Mountain. We chatted, ate, and slept. End of day 1.
Next morning they were headed back down the trail. He said his girl was fucking done. Bummer. He seemed like an avid hiker from his stories.
Just make sure she knows what she is getting into. I've seen plenty of females hiking solo though! My Dad and I picked up some hot German chick after a our weekend hike and drove her to town. She had been hiking for months!! We saved her a fat chunk of time getting to civilization!
Good ole' trail magic! 
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Az0th
quantum transfiguration
Registered: 02/13/00
Posts: 53,427
Loc: The Void
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: BaSSidio Head] 1
#14847459 - 07/30/11 09:00 AM (1 year, 9 months ago) |
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I was obsessed with thru-hiking the AT for years, never fully did it but talked to tons of thru-hikers from previous years
General consensus was that you COULD do it for as little as ~$1,000. Provided you have most/all of the gear already and dehydrate most of your meals in advance and supplement along the way with wild foods and go super thrifty style and go without a lot of the special luxuries people like to get along the way. (some people like to take 1 or 2 day "town" breaks, where you spend a day in a hotel or hostel or something in town to rest/shower/clean clothes/pick up supplies/gorge on food etc. ) And when you are in the woods for weeks at a time those days are precious.
Most people plan for it costing around 2-3k total is about the average consensus for a "comfortable" trip. 2k at least JUST for the trip without any gear seems to be about the minimum most people are comfortable with. 5k seems like a little overkill to me but I guess overall including all gear and splurging on stuff that might be a little realistic. I'm just taking a random guesstimate here, but you could get fully decked out in ultralight gear for a thru hike for ~1k. I've bought all my stuff pieces at a time over long periods of time so I'm not sure but I'm guessing around that.
Also depends how many miles you cover a day. Some people a full thru-hike takes ~3 months some people takes 6-7.
Also have to consider you are gone from "reality" for 6 months, so you are not working, and if you have bills and rent.. well need to figure that out too.. that's the main thing that ever held me back from fully doing it. I just couldn't afford that... AND leaving work, and not paying rent. If you have the monies and can escape from society for months at a time then I would do it in a heartbeat. Although it takes a certain kind of person, not everyone wants to or can walk 2,000+ miles in the woods with a backpack.
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~Thought Creates Reality~
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BlueLightRain
WhoaUnbrokenChain
Registered: 01/14/11
Posts: 327
Last seen: 26 days, 7 hours
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: zappateer]
#14850909 - 07/31/11 11:49 AM (1 year, 9 months ago) |
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Hey zappateer...if you get a chance could you post your gear list? Thanks!
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mushroomjoe.com - that's me!
The elusive moose-dung mushroom, Panaeolus papilionaceus!
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moonrockmushy
certifiedpoopface
Registered: 07/01/05
Posts: 5,519
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: zappateer]
#14860037 - 08/02/11 06:20 AM (1 year, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
zappateer said:
I am taking lots of pictures but won't have time to post them until I get home. If anyone has any questions I would be glad to answer them but will be unable to check often or give very thoughtful responses until I get home.
Thanks for reading. It's been such an amazing experience that I want to share it with more people.
Awesome!!! Hope to hear more!
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i like cow poo
Nature Lover
Registered: 10/20/09
Posts: 2,655
Loc: Mother Nature's Vagina
Last seen: 2 hours, 14 minutes
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: moonrockmushy]
#14864424 - 08/02/11 11:36 PM (1 year, 9 months ago) |
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living the dream. I eat like a bottomless pit and I'm only 135lbs!
I'd be worried about having enough food on the trail! And getting mugged.
But I do wish to make this same exact epic journey someday!
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Az0th
quantum transfiguration
Registered: 02/13/00
Posts: 53,427
Loc: The Void
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: i like cow poo]
#14865597 - 08/03/11 04:33 AM (1 year, 9 months ago) |
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Don't think you have to worry about getting mugged on the AT.... not many thugs in the middle of the forest 
Seriously though, people that hike the trail are like an extended family. They look out for each other. I've never really run across a complete douchebag backpacker.
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~Thought Creates Reality~
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i like cow poo
Nature Lover
Registered: 10/20/09
Posts: 2,655
Loc: Mother Nature's Vagina
Last seen: 2 hours, 14 minutes
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: Az0th]
#14866191 - 08/03/11 09:42 AM (1 year, 9 months ago) |
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thats awesome! how often do you restock food?
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gluke bastid
Stinky Bum
Registered: 12/21/00
Posts: 3,240
Loc: Charm City
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: BaSSidio Head]
#14874629 - 08/05/11 01:04 AM (1 year, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
BaSSidio Head said:
But you have to have that food shipped to places, plus most often you have to buy ultralight minimalist gear so you don't have a 65 lb pack. I am sure you could do it cheaper, but things add up pretty quickly
Shipping doesn't cost that much. A flat rate usps box that costs 10 bucks to ship held about 2-3 weeks worth of dehydrated food when I did it. I opted for the cooking stove made out of an empty cat food tin. Really doesn't need to be expensive.
A food dehydrator, especially if you dumspter dive, pays for itself very, very quickly.
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Society in every form is a blessing,
but government at its best is but a necessary evil
- Thomas Paine
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sasquatch
Living Proof
Registered: 07/14/11
Posts: 203
Loc: United States of America
Last seen: 3 months, 21 days
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: gluke bastid]
#14893146 - 08/09/11 12:10 AM (1 year, 9 months ago) |
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I too am gearing up for a AT hike, though I won't be able to through hike it just yet, my situation won't allow it at the moment sadly, I will be starting a section hike at Springer Mountain on May 31 or June 1 of 2012, and I will be ending at Hot Springs, North Carolina. Around 278.2 miles I believe to be exact! I will be taking it very slow as my girlfriend and soon to be fiance will be joining me covering about 8 miles a day, it will take about 30 days with some zeros in there too! Good vibes to you and your grow my lad!
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** R.I.P. Colter **
BE EASY
In 1965, Leary commented that he "learned more about his brain and its possibilities and more about psychology in the five hours after taking these mushrooms than he had in the preceding fifteen years of studying and doing research in psychology."
   
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zappateer
Shaman begging cacti
Registered: 08/15/10
Posts: 5,498
Loc: Midwest USA, by grace of ...
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: sasquatch]
#14971038 - 08/24/11 03:21 PM (1 year, 8 months ago) |
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Wow, this got a lot of responses, thanks. I don't have time to answer each question right now, but I will make sure to do so when I get home.
I've really been cruising lately, 20-25 miles a day. I'm in Harper's Ferry, WV right now at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy HQ. I'm about 1167 miles in with about 1014 to go. Later today or tomorrow I will enter Virginia, which contains more of the trail than any other state: about 550 miles.
I will post a gear list when I get home along with pics and thoughtful responses. I'll try to post a couple more times before then too.
--------------------
ShiVersblood said:
Sometimes men think they are drinking bourbon, but is it that the bourbon....,,is drinking them.
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PDU
travel kid vs.amerika
Registered: 12/04/02
Posts: 9,517
Loc: beautiful BC
Last seen: 1 day, 22 hours
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: zappateer]
#14973711 - 08/25/11 12:13 AM (1 year, 8 months ago) |
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Rock on zappateer. Good health too.
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GO OUTSIDE.
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supernovasky
Comrade
Registered: 01/11/08
Posts: 8,982
Loc: Louisiana
Last seen: 4 days, 11 hours
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: zappateer]
#14973760 - 08/25/11 12:22 AM (1 year, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
zappateer said:
Wow, this got a lot of responses, thanks. I don't have time to answer each question right now, but I will make sure to do so when I get home.
I've really been cruising lately, 20-25 miles a day. I'm in Harper's Ferry, WV right now at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy HQ. I'm about 1167 miles in with about 1014 to go. Later today or tomorrow I will enter Virginia, which contains more of the trail than any other state: about 550 miles.
I will post a gear list when I get home along with pics and thoughtful responses. I'll try to post a couple more times before then too.
Dont catch the Virginia blues.
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BlueLightRain
WhoaUnbrokenChain
Registered: 01/14/11
Posts: 327
Last seen: 26 days, 7 hours
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: zappateer]
#14981511 - 08/26/11 01:20 PM (1 year, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
zappateer said:
I've really been cruising lately, 20-25 miles a day. I'm in Harper's Ferry, WV right now at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy HQ. I'm about 1167 miles in with about 1014 to go. Later today or tomorrow I will enter Virginia, which contains more of the trail than any other state: about 550 miles.
You're half way through dude that's badass!
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mushroomjoe.com - that's me!
The elusive moose-dung mushroom, Panaeolus papilionaceus!
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thetonebone72
Hunter -Gatherer
Registered: 03/11/06
Posts: 1,028
Loc: Oregon
Last seen: 28 days, 20 hours
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: zappateer]
#15133525 - 09/25/11 08:04 PM (1 year, 7 months ago) |
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Can't wait to hear about the journey Zappateer!
Trudgin' through the forest, mile after mile...all the way down to Georgia. Watch out for Nanook. 
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Hunt On, Good Fellow
  
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Meetzu
G̙̗͙̞̮͖̥a͉̭̹r̝̹͖̬d̞̮̻̪en̫̭e̱r̼
Registered: 11/22/10
Posts: 432
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: thetonebone72]
#15189610 - 10/07/11 01:30 AM (1 year, 7 months ago) |
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Posting to follow this. I did 26 days in Jan-Feb in 06 just to kind of push things as far as body and mind. I admire this dedication.
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zappateer
Shaman begging cacti
Registered: 08/15/10
Posts: 5,498
Loc: Midwest USA, by grace of ...
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: Meetzu]
#15305994 - 10/31/11 11:25 PM (1 year, 6 months ago) |
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Hey all. I finished my thru hike October 20 in the cold fog on Springer Mtn. It was the coldest afternoon on the trail. The journey took 4 months and 1 week. It was the most fun I have ever had.
I've been meaning to post this for a while, I've just been really busy since I got home. I also wanna take time to answer all questions.
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ShiVersblood said:
Sometimes men think they are drinking bourbon, but is it that the bourbon....,,is drinking them.
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zappateer
Shaman begging cacti
Registered: 08/15/10
Posts: 5,498
Loc: Midwest USA, by grace of ...
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: BaSSidio Head]
#15306009 - 10/31/11 11:27 PM (1 year, 6 months ago) |
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Quote:
BaSSidio Head said:
Enjoy every step, man. It is a beautiful stretch and an awesome experience. I can't wait until I get a chance to do it thru. Are you trying to finish by any deadline or just going at whatever pace you like?
I didn't have much of a deadline. I went into it with no idea of how long it would take. Toward the end, when I was familiar with my pace I had my eyes on October 13, which would have made a 4 month thru hike. However, I ended up meeting some people to hike with and we just took it easy and chilled for the final few hundred miles.
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ShiVersblood said:
Sometimes men think they are drinking bourbon, but is it that the bourbon....,,is drinking them.
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zappateer
Shaman begging cacti
Registered: 08/15/10
Posts: 5,498
Loc: Midwest USA, by grace of ...
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: PDU]
#15306060 - 10/31/11 11:38 PM (1 year, 6 months ago) |
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Quote:
supernovasky said:
You are doing great man. Is it everything you dreamed it would be?
Yes it was. All the freedom, solitude, beauty, satisfaction and comeraderie I had hoped for.
Quote:
PDU said:
Whats the most difficult part? Favorite part?
The most difficult part was also my favorite: Maine. My opinion on the difficulty is biased because it was the first terrain I faced, so I wasn't in good shape yet. But it was definitely intense hiking: lots of rocks, streams to ford, steep inclines, lots of bugs and few resupply points. Granted, Maine is a long section (281 miles) so there's bound to be a lot of variety. There were some easy portions but it was mostly difficult.
It was also my favorite section because of its ruggedness. The challenge was fun and I was rewarded with the greatest views on the trail. There were a lot of bald mountain peaks where you could look as far as you could in any direction without seeing a man made obstruction.
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ShiVersblood said:
Sometimes men think they are drinking bourbon, but is it that the bourbon....,,is drinking them.
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bryguy27007
Cosmonaut
Registered: 01/26/08
Posts: 8,239
Loc: Minnesota
Last seen: 2 hours, 23 minutes
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: zappateer]
#15306087 - 10/31/11 11:42 PM (1 year, 6 months ago) |
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Congratulations! That's awesome man! I'd love to hear more about it. I don't know what questions to ask though, haha.
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gluke bastid
Stinky Bum
Registered: 12/21/00
Posts: 3,240
Loc: Charm City
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: zappateer]
#15310994 - 11/01/11 11:27 PM (1 year, 6 months ago) |
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Quote:
zappateer said:
Hey all. I finished my thru hike October 20 in the cold fog on Springer Mtn. It was the coldest afternoon on the trail. The journey took 4 months and 1 week. It was the most fun I have ever had.
I've been meaning to post this for a while, I've just been really busy since I got home. I also wanna take time to answer all questions.
Great Job dude!
What was your favorite section?
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Society in every form is a blessing,
but government at its best is but a necessary evil
- Thomas Paine
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zappateer
Shaman begging cacti
Registered: 08/15/10
Posts: 5,498
Loc: Midwest USA, by grace of ...
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: PDU]
#15314230 - 11/02/11 08:07 PM (1 year, 6 months ago) |
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Quote:
PDU said:
OP - i would be interested to hear about your food set up and what your eating.
walkin, walkin, walkin..
I ate a wide variety of food on the trail. The most important quality of trail food is calorie to ounce ratio. Anything you carry should be at least 100 cals per ounce.
For the first 1700 miles I carried a stove. For the final 500 miles I ate only cold food. I prefer hiking w/o a stove because it saves the hassle of fuel resupply and it saves a lot of weight between stove, fuel and cooking pot.
The staples of my trail diet were: peanut butter, bagels, pepperoni/salami, cheese, trail mix, ramen, candy bars and power/energy bars.
Other foods I sometimes carried were nutella, instant mashed potatoes, tuna and Lipton pasta/rice sides.
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ShiVersblood said:
Sometimes men think they are drinking bourbon, but is it that the bourbon....,,is drinking them.
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zappateer
Shaman begging cacti
Registered: 08/15/10
Posts: 5,498
Loc: Midwest USA, by grace of ...
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: i like cow poo]
#15314291 - 11/02/11 08:16 PM (1 year, 6 months ago) |
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Quote:
i like cow poo said:
thats awesome! how often do you restock food?
It depends where the next resupply opportunity is. It could be anywhere from 1-5 days. Normally I would hold out and only stop at the really convenient places, even if it meant carrying 6-8 days' food. The trail passes near a lot of towns and even right through some towns. If the town was within 1 mile of the trail I would walk. If it was further I would hitch hike or hire a shuttle.
There are very few sections on the trail where resupply is inconvenient.
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ShiVersblood said:
Sometimes men think they are drinking bourbon, but is it that the bourbon....,,is drinking them.
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moonrockmushy
certifiedpoopface
Registered: 07/01/05
Posts: 5,519
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: zappateer]
#15317672 - 11/03/11 05:20 PM (1 year, 6 months ago) |
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I'm psyched to hear you made it! I was rooting for ya!
I have a few questions
How heavy was your pack and gear in total?
What did you use for footwear?
How did your feet/ankles/knees/back do?
What was the most challenging aspect of the hike?
Would you do it again?
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zappateer
Shaman begging cacti
Registered: 08/15/10
Posts: 5,498
Loc: Midwest USA, by grace of ...
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: moonrockmushy]
#15320684 - 11/04/11 06:58 AM (1 year, 6 months ago) |
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Quote:
moonrockmushy said:
How heavy was your pack and gear in total?
What did you use for footwear?
How did your feet/ankles/knees/back do?
What was the most challenging aspect of the hike?
Would you do it again?
I started out with a pack that weighed 52 pounds (including food and water). I had to start out with a lot of food though because the trail starts with The 100 Mile Wilderness, a section where there is little to no resupply opportunity. After getting out of The Wilderness, I dropped a lot of unnecessary gear, a process that continued throughout the trip. By the time the trip was over my pack was probably around 35 lbs. with 6 days of food and 2 liters of water.
For footwear I used Merrel Phaser Peaks for the first 1700 miles. These were traditional hiking boots that go past the ankles with Vibram grip and Goretex. I was very happy with these boots because the first pair lasted 1300 miles, but when I ordered the replacement pair I asked for 1/2 size too big. The new, bigger pair was causing me a lot of discomfort so I switched to Montrail Mountain Masochists, a trail runner shoe. I felt like a brand new hiker after switching to sneakers because they were so much lighter and comfier.
Overall my body held up well, but there was usually some lingering ache or pain. Feet caused the most problems for me. Anytime my boots were wet for an extended period of time it would result in a lot of raw spots on my feet. Also I had some tendinitis in the muscles between my foot and lower leg and possibly a slight stress fracture in one ankle. I had a problem with knees for the first month because of my heavier pack and the more difficult climbs in Maine and New Hampshire. My back never had any problems.
I think the most challenging aspect was dealing with rain. It never got real bad, but the times it would rain multiple days in a row were really hard to deal with. It's really hard on morale and it sucks when your shit gets wet.
I would definitely do the AT again, but I would first like to do some other long distance and moderate length trails like the Pacific Crest and Colorado Trails. I don't think any other trail could match the AT's social dynamic though, so I'm sure I'll re-hike it. Next time I want to go northbound just to mix it up
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ShiVersblood said:
Sometimes men think they are drinking bourbon, but is it that the bourbon....,,is drinking them.
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PDU
travel kid vs.amerika
Registered: 12/04/02
Posts: 9,517
Loc: beautiful BC
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: zappateer]
#15326581 - 11/05/11 02:18 PM (1 year, 6 months ago) |
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Care to share any particular stories about friendship or comraderie (sp?) amongst fellow hikers?
What was the social dynamic like?
Were you able to pinpoint a certain demographic on the trail, or is a little bit of all ages, sexes, nationalities, backgrounds?
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GO OUTSIDE.
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gerryjarcia
biophiliac
Registered: 05/29/10
Posts: 1,862
Loc: the woods
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: PDU]
#15328548 - 11/05/11 10:26 PM (1 year, 6 months ago) |
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first off, congrats on the thru-hike! awesome you did the whole trail in one go.
how did you stay mentally stable throughout the journey? seems like it would be tough to stay motivated and sane when going it alone.
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"We are all intoxicated. We were born into an insane asylum, a world crazy-making. We believe what we see and hear. The real myth is the myth of sanity, of rationality: it's a disease that is eating away at the earth. All the poisons flow from our denial. We deny madness, we forget our crimes, we dismember the corpse, we imprison our children. We need poison to poison the poison, to remember the sacred nature of intoxication, the green body of the young god." ~ Dale Pendell
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mundane
Comfy in Nautica
Registered: 08/05/09
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Loc: Los Angeles
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: gerryjarcia]
#15346234 - 11/09/11 08:29 PM (1 year, 6 months ago) |
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Love it! I'm sure it was incredible. I dream of doing the American Discovery Trail one day.
Thought of a question: how'd you handle water?
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 Tips for a good trip
drink me
Edited by mundane (11/13/11 08:06 PM)
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zappateer
Shaman begging cacti
Registered: 08/15/10
Posts: 5,498
Loc: Midwest USA, by grace of ...
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: PDU]
#15404698 - 11/21/11 09:19 PM (1 year, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
PDU said:
Care to share any particular stories about friendship or comraderie (sp?) amongst fellow hikers?
What was the social dynamic like?
Were you able to pinpoint a certain demographic on the trail, or is a little bit of all ages, sexes, nationalities, backgrounds?
Going southbound is a completely different social dynamic than northbound because 90% of hikers go northbound. Going south, there are a lot fewer hikers around you. I hiked by myself for the first 1300 miles. For the first 1/3 of the trail I was passing a lot of northbounders. After that it got a little lonely for a while. Eventually I caught up to some other southbounders. For the last 900 miles i hiked with a group of 4 other people. You get really close to people really fast when you're hiking together everyday and sharing the exact same experience. Me and 2 of the friends I met are still together, more than a month later on a visit to Seattle.
Almost everyone on the trail was white, but I did see a couple black people and a few Asians. Most people were either fresh out of college or retired, but there were occasional middle-agers as well. 90-95% of thru hikers are men. I met 1 Japanese, 1 Dutchmen, 3 Germans, a Frenchman and the occasional Canadian. The vast majority were American though.
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ShiVersblood said:
Sometimes men think they are drinking bourbon, but is it that the bourbon....,,is drinking them.
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zappateer
Shaman begging cacti
Registered: 08/15/10
Posts: 5,498
Loc: Midwest USA, by grace of ...
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: gerryjarcia] 1
#15404724 - 11/21/11 09:24 PM (1 year, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
gerryjarcia said:
first off, congrats on the thru-hike! awesome you did the whole trail in one go.
how did you stay mentally stable throughout the journey? seems like it would be tough to stay motivated and sane when going it alone.
Thank you.
For the most part it was easy to stay mentally stable. I was hiking alone for the most part, but I was still crossing people on the trail and conversing every day. Also, there were usually people to hang out with at campsites/shelters. Toward the middle of the trip I was feeling kind of lonely and overwhelmed by the distance ahead of me. I ended up meeting hiking friends after that though, and I never felt like that again.
The biggest thing was taking it day by day and not thinking about the great distance. Whenever I got to a nice view point I would remind myself how fortunate I was to have this opportunity, and that helped.
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ShiVersblood said:
Sometimes men think they are drinking bourbon, but is it that the bourbon....,,is drinking them.
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zappateer
Shaman begging cacti
Registered: 08/15/10
Posts: 5,498
Loc: Midwest USA, by grace of ...
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: mundane]
#15404744 - 11/21/11 09:27 PM (1 year, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
mundane said:
Love it! I'm sure it was incredible. I dream of doing the American Discovery Trail one day.
Thought of a question: how'd you handle water?
I don't know much about the American Discovery Trail
Water was easy for the most part. I used a pump filter for the first 1700 miles, but dropped that to save weight. For the last 500 miles I used chemical drops to treat the water. Over the vast majority of the trail streams and springs are plentiful. My guidebook said where upcoming water sources were so it was usually easy to plan.
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ShiVersblood said:
Sometimes men think they are drinking bourbon, but is it that the bourbon....,,is drinking them.
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i like cow poo
Nature Lover
Registered: 10/20/09
Posts: 2,655
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: zappateer]
#15404880 - 11/21/11 09:50 PM (1 year, 5 months ago) |
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any pictures?
what guide book did you get? I might do this once I graduate college
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bryguy27007
Cosmonaut
Registered: 01/26/08
Posts: 8,239
Loc: Minnesota
Last seen: 2 hours, 23 minutes
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: i like cow poo]
#15405614 - 11/22/11 12:44 AM (1 year, 5 months ago) |
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Wow this sounds so amazing. I would really love to do this after I graduate. I should do the Superior Hiking Trail and maybe some PCT this summer to prepare and see if I'm up for a thru-hike or a section hike of the AT.
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zappateer
Shaman begging cacti
Registered: 08/15/10
Posts: 5,498
Loc: Midwest USA, by grace of ...
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Re: Introducing My Appalachian Trail Thru Hike [Re: bryguy27007]
#15423465 - 11/25/11 09:22 PM (1 year, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
i like cow poo said:
any pictures?
what guide book did you get? I might do this once I graduate college
I haven't uploaded any of the pics yet, but I will post the best of the best on Shroomery and post a link to the full slide show. I don't have the flash drive with me, so it'll be a few weeks.
I got the ALDHA Thru Hikers Companion, put out by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. That was good and the other guide book is good too.
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ShiVersblood said:
Sometimes men think they are drinking bourbon, but is it that the bourbon....,,is drinking them.
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