Appalachian Trail

[Prof Sublime]

I would junk the mres they taste like poop and it is easier to just carry rice, grits, cream of wheat, or something similarly easy to make. Have different sets of seasonings shipped to different points so your meals change every once in a while. I would scrap the hammock tent, they are generally less comfortable than they look. If you were going for longer than a couple of weeks I would suggest grabbing a real pack, I tend to like Osprey packs because they are lightweight and tend to be as well constructed as any light hiking packs I have found yet. Never put one through the paces of actually being a day in day out months long work pack but so far they haven't let me down. Fire stick is a must, and a good knife and compass. Hmmm what else.... oh yea echo what others have said.... great boots and socks.

thanks man ill take that to heart, I opened this thread to learn from the experienced.
Since we are going out for 2 weeks we were fixing to just pack ALL of our food with us, hopefully it wont end up being too much.
Do you have any recommendations on those multifunction weather radios/ usb charger, windup and solar ran radios?
cheers

 

[zenoonez]

The solar ones are better in general than the windup ones in my experience but either way you are going to have to spend the money to get a quality one. I would do my research on that stuff as it isn't something you are going to want to buy twice. Due diligence before you take the trip saves you a miserable time on the trip. As to carrying everything, I wouldn't just because it is a pain carrying a heavy pack and detracts from the experience. Whenever I can I shave pounds on what I carry. The trail isn't a hard trek though so I guess it depends on the discomfort you and your buddy are willing to endure. That is something to consider also on the pack thing, if you hike a lot I would suggest a real pack, if not just hump it with the old one. I would do one thing, once you have everything planned and on hand, put everything in the pack and carry the pack around for a few hours, go out to the local lake or where ever you can get on a trail and carry it around for at least 4 hours to get a feel of what its going to be like. Then go back and take out what you don't need. OH.... big thing, carry some good waterproof stuff, jacket and pants.

 

[DiscoBiscuit]

You might take advantage of civilization as far as food goes. Two weeks is a long time to eat on the fly unless you're used to it.

Pack a small fishing rod it you get the chance. Mountain trout and eggs is a great breakfast.

 

[HighDesertJoe]

Don't forget the TP something soft, and BUG repellent

Two weeks will go by faster then you think.
Enjoy

 

[DiscoBiscuit]

definitely... and a first aid kit

 

[Prof Sublime]

Yeah Ive read a few reviews on the radios and looks like if you spend around 100 you can get a good one, most seem to have a solar and a windup charger too.

I use to hike more often and had a nice old skool rail style pack but has been years and years since. I definitely was going to wear my pack around and start walking around town more and prep my body for it.

Ill see how much my pack weighs and if needed I will have it shipped half way thru my trip to cut back. I surely dont want to have a overly heavy bag and be salty.


Cheers

 

[Prof Sublime]

O ya definitely getting a 1st aid kit, snake bite kit and sum survival type stuff. My friend already has a nice handhelf gps he will bring too.

 

[zenoonez]

Ditch the snakebite kit, they are useless. If either of you get bitten, stay calm and get off of the trail quickly. Don't run unless you are a LONG way away from a trail head and call the ambulance and tell them to meet you at the trail head. Also, know the snakes in the area so you can identify the snake when you get to the hospital.

 

[Collie Man]

I'm planning on hiking the whole Appalachian Trail after I get out of college. I don't know if I would do it by myself or with a partner. Anyways, I like sleeping in hammocks and I think they are very comfortable. What are you views on sleeping in a hammock for the whole trip? The only problem I see would be, places where I couldn't hook it up....but i feel like that wouldn't be a problem.

Hey discobiscuit, what did you do exactly in the tourism industry?

 

[DiscoBiscuit]

lodging

Don't forget a tarp to hang over yer hammock, Collie Man. Will keep ya nice and dry until the wind blows.

 

[zenoonez]

If you can sleep in a hammock at home for months on end then I see no reason why you couldn't while you were on the trail, there are trees everywhere but I would figure out some solution for a rainy night because those will happen. Oh, and do it soon Collie, you would be amazed by how things just don't happen after college when life actually starts happening and you have to make plans. Good luck man.

 

[Prof Sublime]

Yea down in VA there can be a few venomous snakes, I believe cottons and some kind of rattler. Ive had snakes almost my whole life to so I am use to them. As far as I know cut off circulation to the bite instantly and get my friend to try and suck the venom out, then be off to the hospital. haaha ill save my loot on the snake bite kit and get a better 1st aid...

we will be hiking with 3 people at the least so we can split up the gear somewhat which will help on all the smaller things.

 

[Prof Sublime]

We talked about getting a three man tent too, might be a better idea in the long run. Since we only have two weeks to hike basically, we wanted to avoid walking into towns and such as much as we could.

Summer break is plenty long in college to hike lots n lots of the trial, no need to wait til you graduate.

 

[DiscoBiscuit]

eastern diamondback rattlers aren't too bad unless you happen upon them in relatively close quarters. copperheads seem more aggressive and won't shy away.

 

[zenoonez]

Save the time cutting and sucking and start walking. The venom will be so deep and already into your blood stream it would be a waste of time not to. As to the tourniquet not unless you want to lose the place where you were bitten. I wouldn't waste the time with it, I would get to the hospital pronto.

 

[mean mr.mustard]

If you have a scalpel or razor blade in your first aid kit then you already have a snakebite kit... but they are far from useless!!! Ambulances are also very handy in that scenario.

Make sure you get at least some of the poison out... it buys you time and limb...

The torniquet is best to simply stop it until you get done attempting to remove the nearest toxins.... I don't think I'd leave it on tightly if at all afterwards.

PS Cottonmouths are to be wary of... copperheads generally run away from you. I have had a cottonmouth look at me from the shore of a river I was in and it actually slid into the water and started swimming towards me!

 

[JaceBudSculptor]

Nat Geo has an amazing documentary on it. Not sure if you've seen it. Makes me want to hike it.

 

[kannubis]

If you have a scalpel or razor blade in your first aid kit then you already have a snakebite kit... but they are far from useless!!! Ambulances are also very handy in that scenario.

Make sure you get at least some of the poison out... it buys you time and limb...

The torniquet is best to simply stop it until you get done attempting to remove the nearest toxins.... I don't think I'd leave it on tightly if at all afterwards.

PS Cottonmouths are to be wary of... copperheads generally run away from you. I have had a cottonmouth look at me from the shore of a river I was in and it actually slid into the water and started swimming towards me!

Take a small bottle or large vial of turpentine, open it and put the open mouth over where you made the cut and watch the venom rise like a string out of the body up into the container.

 

[HighDesertJoe]

A trick I've learned living in the snake infested desert is to drag or shuffle your feet a little bit the vibration alerts the snakes and they scurry away.
I'd be more worried about diarrhea, blisters, lack of drinking water, mosquito's sunburn and crazy fellow hikers.
If you ask me a three man tent is going to be crowded. Weather permitting nothing like sleeping out under the stars.
Don't scrimp on a sleeping bag pad or mattress.
I'm not sure but don't you need a permit to hike the trail? you might check in to it early.

 

[Hash Zeppelin]

IMPORTANT ADVICE FOR THAT TRAIL

IMPORTANT ADVICE FOR THAT TRAIL

QUALITY IS KEY. each person on the hike will NEED this stuff.
The weather in that part of the trail can go from perfect to deadly in a matter of minutes.

1. GO TO REI to shop if you can. dont be a cheap ass with this adventure or it will suck. This store has served me and my family well for decades.

2. High quality Boots are a must. High quality knife is a must.

3. DO NOT WEAR A MILITARY OUT FIT! NO COTTON ANYWHERE. COTTON SUCKS!!! NO Blue jeans either.

4. bring and wear layers. wear thermal thin under layer, then a wool fleece, then a top layer that is Water Proof, and Breathable. No cotton socks or boxers either.

5. Get a quality pack like an Osprey or Deuter. also pack covers suck, and leak. so dont just rely on it. also put things in water proof bags. also consider a newly designed external rfame pack they are more comfy over long distance, and should have some at REI.

6. bring a light weight tent, and seeping pad, with good rain fly. the shelters on the trail are often full, and or shitty.

7. get a small back packing barometer, and study storms in the area

8. BEAR MACE or a gun. I prefer a .357 revolver with the first two rounds being snake shot. bring at least 12 extra bullets.

9. 3 sources of fire. matches in a water proof container is like 2 dollars at wal mart. 3 BIC lighters, bic is iportant cause if they get wet they can be dried out easier than others. finally a flint for emergency.

10. not only should you bring a small carbon water filter, you should bring some purification tablets on each person just in case.

11. bring a small tin, or a plastic water bottle, and a camel back. dont let your camel back get crushed. the tin water bottle is incase you need it. also water can be boiled in it.

12. MOST IMPORTANT! Proper bear cans or bags, and hang your food! DO NOT BRING ANY FOOD IN YOUR TENT WHAT SO EVER! bears have a sense of smell 12 times better than a blood hound. double check your pack and pockets ever night before you get in your tent.

13. Check for Ticks every night. lime disesae can kill you, and is hard to detect.

14. Bring good weed and make sure it is kept water proof.