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gzuf
٩(̾๏̮̮̃̾๏̃̾)۶



Registered: 07/13/09
Posts: 6,535
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Dear Shroomery Appalachian Trail Mountaineers and Other Hiking Folks. 1
#13818271 - 01/20/11 12:28 AM (13 years, 11 months ago) |
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I'm planning on walking south on the Appalachian Trail this year from Pennsylvania with two buddies of mine. We will probably go for about 3 weeks before we turn around or, which is more likely, find a train or some transport. I've hiked trails for extended amounts of time but have never hiked the Appalachian besides small parts in other trails I blaze, metaphorically I don't take this lightly though and have been gorging on general knowledge for quite a bit now. I plan on doing this when the spring warms up and was just curious if there were any past/present/future Appalachian Trail hikers with any advice or just people who hike in general. Stories and such are needed. Fill this empty thread with stuff. Perhaps one day I will pass you on a trail
-------------------- +1 Post ٩(̾๏̮̮̃̾๏̃̾)۶
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memes
Blessed



Registered: 01/11/05
Posts: 27,785
Loc: In a Tree
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Re: Dear Shroomery Appalachian Trail Mountaineers and Other Hiking Folks. [Re: gzuf]
#13819414 - 01/20/11 09:38 AM (13 years, 11 months ago) |
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Be careful of bears! My girl and I hike/camp the trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway in virginia (up near Staunton) quite often and bear runins aren't uncommon. Last time we went backcountry camping out there we passed a ranger on our way into the trails who had two seperate runins with bears on that day alone.
Just be smart about your food and camp layouts. Nothing you shouldn't already know.
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the_drummer
Stucking Foaned



Registered: 03/20/09
Posts: 1,647
Loc: The Kan-Abyss
Last seen: 7 years, 8 months
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Re: Dear Shroomery Appalachian Trail Mountaineers and Other Hiking Folks. [Re: memes]
#13868062 - 01/28/11 08:02 PM (13 years, 11 months ago) |
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I'm going to hike SOBO with my Pops from Harpers Ferry. A train ticket from where I live is only $100. I'm so psyched. It's all I can think about anymore. I doubt my Dad will go much more than a few weeks, probably just through Shenandoah. I myself would love to make it all the way to Springer but of course there are a lot of factors that will determine whether or not this is a possibility.
I just want to get away from it all for a while. My friends are always talking about going to cities or fests or whatever and to me that sounds like the exact opposite of a vacation. Give me a pack and some solid shoes and just let me walk.
As far as bears, I've seen them up-close several times but always from inside of a car. It's a little scary to think about, not gonna lie. But obviously that is their home so I'm just going to try and respect it and make sure I let them know I'm there. I'll be carrying whistles and rattles and maaaaaybe some pepper spray or something along those lines. I'd really rather not, though it would be good for peace of mind.
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"That's the vernacular, isn't it?" --Mrs. Peel
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RogerRabbit
Bans for Pleasure



Registered: 03/26/03
Posts: 42,214
Loc: Seattle
Last seen: 1 year, 10 months
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Re: Dear Shroomery Appalachian Trail Mountaineers and Other Hiking Folks. [Re: the_drummer]
#13870399 - 01/29/11 10:39 AM (13 years, 11 months ago) |
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If it's black bears, they shouldn't be a problem on the trail. Keep your food out of reach, and throw rocks or sticks at them if they happen to come too close. Black bears will fight to defend territory, but if they're on human territory(trail/camp) they'll yield to you or your dog. Crap, I even watched my neighbors kitty cat chase a black bear out of his yard last summer. We both laughed our asses off after that one. RR
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"I've never had a failed experiment. I've only discovered 10,000 methods which do not work."
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PDU
travel kid vs.amerika



Registered: 12/03/02
Posts: 10,675
Loc: beautiful BC
Last seen: 9 years, 4 months
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Re: Dear Shroomery Appalachian Trail Mountaineers and Other Hiking Folks. [Re: RogerRabbit]
#13870538 - 01/29/11 11:13 AM (13 years, 11 months ago) |
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I would take pepper spray, people have been in the woods for thousands of years without it.
Just learn to be bear smart, hang your food, and don't eat in your tent!
-------------------- GO OUTSIDE.
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Anhoktohen
iamthecheese



Registered: 05/30/09
Posts: 310
Last seen: 11 years, 1 month
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Re: Dear Shroomery Appalachian Trail Mountaineers and Other Hiking Folks. [Re: PDU]
#13926439 - 02/08/11 09:18 AM (13 years, 11 months ago) |
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I did SOBO in Maine and NH last summer. Had to quit because I got sick, so my advice is to filter your water, and to always take it from fast moving streams...
also, get a good pair of boots. A lot of people on the AT swear by trail runners. they seem to think they are more comfortable or stylish or easy on the feet or something, but after 300-500 miles they wear out and you have to get new ones. each pair can cost $100 or so. A good pair of boots will last 2,000 miles and costs 230. I never got blisters when I was out there.
lastly, the culture of the trail is very fun. most people are friendly and kind, but watch out. every now and then some asshole will rear his ugly head.
-------------------- "Less reality, more fantasy!"
~Hedonism bot, Futurama
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