AWESOME TRIP

now let's plan for 2011!!

I have 4 canisters of propane

CHECK MARK for the propane camp stove

propane not included. we need to buy a canister of it. this set comes in a nifty box but i'll probably just repack it on its own to save space.

Got a few things off the list

1. I got a pot that can hold 5+ cups of water in it and ways about 3 oz. I just tested it and it is a good enough material that on a hot plate it can boil 5 cups or water in under 10 minutes. This should be great to make any pasta or quinoa for breakfast dinner whatever.


2. Bear bag stuff, well i forgot the bag but i got a great rope that ways like 5 oz so its awesome


3. Stakes for the tent.

smart wool

who needs it. i gots it.
srsly tho -
i want to buy myself a smart wool top, one to wear all week ha. well two to rotate.
do you guys need one? can get one for like 35 bucks probably -

Answers for Matt

1. When are you getting in ? Are you riding with alise now?


2. Are we going to start at Jarvin Gap and hike to Hucksville Gap?


3. Are we going to have two cars?


4. Why did I answer all these with questions?

some A.'s for matt's Q.'s

1. who cares.

2. let's just sell them for more trail money.

3. I think we should yes. SO, we can meet at one check point, then drive to the other end and start - OR, we can all meet in one place, take a bus, then hike back to our cars. I think this is a great option if only this bus actually exists.

-----------------------

p.s. the google doc already exists - i invited you too it. so check your gmail docs or maybe you got an email inviting you to it? lemme know -

Protect thy self

Knowledge is power.

Less than two weeks till were doin the damn thang.

Who here is pumped? If you're pumped say WOODSMAN.. 1.2.3.. WOODSMAN. Alright, who's the wise guy in the back that said lumberjack? Anyway we need to make a list of all the things we still need to figure out. Also, can someone make the earlier mentioned Google Doc with lest of supplies so we can tally off what we'll have and who is bringing it. (I don't know how to make a Google Doc or Excel file or whatever)

- - Problems to ponder- -

1. Where are we spending the night of the 23rd

2. Where are we parking the cars and how much will it cost

3. Are we parking one car at the start point and the other at the end point

Please respond by number to the questions above as the answers are discovered.

Your friend and bear battling ally,

-Matt-

divvy it up

i think that after we do get an official list of WHAT needs to come on this trip, i think its just as important to figure out WHO will bring each thing.

for example - i found a camping stove at my house tonight.

So, once we have an official list of things that need to come on this trip, i think we should start a google doc where can we put dibs on what items we can get a hold of. I don't plan on buying much - I have plenty of friends here in williamston that can supply those general camping items like stoves or water purifiers, etc. So as we find these items, we can tick them off the list. Also this counts for shopping... if one person takes the task of stocking up on granola bars, we can keep track of cost on here too, to divvy up expenses.

SO, the list you guys put together looks great for now and also I plan on having a long chat with my uncle, who is a big time hiker to see what he has to say. I'll post condensed notes from what i assume will be a rediculously long but informational conversation this weekend!

Maybe we can have a goal of having an official list of things we need to bring by this weekend, and have it divvied up by the 16th at the lastest maybe? Those are just random dates i threw out there ha so let me know if you object.

Aight.

T minus 21 days to AT extravaganza. Wooooot!

Updated List

Updated list

Pack:

- Stuff Sack

- Back Pack

- Water Resistant Cover (trash bag)

Shelter:

- Tent

- Stakes

Sleep:

- Sleeping bag or fleece sack?

- Sleeping mat

Cooking:

- Fuel

- Camping Stove

- Water Bottle

- Pot

- Iodine Tablets

- Utensils

- Bandanna (collander)

- Bear Bag (rope and bag)

-  Lighter

Hygiene:

- Pack Towel

- Hand Sanitizer

- Zip locks

- TP

- toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, deodorant, hair soap, body soap

Navigation:

- Trail map

- Compass

- Light

First Aid: (need to research more)

- Band Aids

- Bandanna

- Bug Spray

- Cell phone

Rain Gear:

- Jacket

- Pants??

- Hat

Clothing:

- 2 pairs of Socks (polypropylene)

- Shoes

- 2 Shirts

- 2 pairs of Underwear

- Watch

- Pants vs. Shorts

- Sunglasses

Extra:

- Camera

Food:

- Quinoa

- Rice

- Pasta

- Dehydrated Meals

- Dried Fruit

- Nuts

- Bars

- Pop Tarts

- Instant Coffee

- Instant Noodles, potatoes, ....

ANY THING TO ADD????

Rock Bag Why didn't I think of that.

http://hikinghq.net/gear/rock_bag.html

I am pretty sure I am going to get a MSR pocket rocket, whether i get it at an REI in GA or order it online because the wonderful state of Florida doesn't have REIs, I am getting it. It is so cool and light weight and I read some great reviews on how this little guy is on fuel. Here is what somebody on REIs site had to say. (and they were not alone) http://www.rei.com/product/660163


Comments about MSR Pocket Rocket Backpacking Stove:
we used this stove on a 4-day backpacking trip in the high country at sequoia national park and loved it! we were impressed with the light weight, compact size, ease of lighting (didn't fail even in below freezing temps) and the minimal use of fuel. we only used one 8 oz fuel container for 3 of us, 3 hot meal per day and coffee in the mornings...still had a tad of fuel left over at the end of the trip! i feel the price is exceptional for the product. i have already recommended it to several friends.
BOTTOM LINE Yes, I would recommend this to a friend


I think as far as pots go we should be able to get by with conventional stove if not, I found this great site that talks about making your own camping gear ha. But they also said you could by a cheap grease catcher that holds 5.5 cups or something like that. We can test that out though with a mock packing. Here is that site for making stuff if anybody wants something to do ha http://www.backpacking.net/makegear.html.

Cooking Stove

 I am pretty sure I am going to get a MSR pocket rocket, whether i get it at an REI in GA or order it online because the wonderful state of Florida doesn't have REIs, I am getting it. It is so cool and light weight and I read some great reviews on how this little guy is on fuel. Here is what somebody on REIs site had to say. (and they were not alone)

Comments about MSR Pocket Rocket Backpacking Stove:

we used this stove on a 4-day backpacking trip in the high country at sequoia national park and loved it! we were impressed with the light weight, compact size, ease of lighting (didn't fail even in below freezing temps) and the minimal use of fuel. we only used one 8 oz fuel container for 3 of us, 3 hot meal per day and coffee in the mornings...still had a tad of fuel left over at the end of the trip! i feel the price is exceptional for the product. i have already recommended it to several friends.

BOTTOM LINE Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

I think as far as pots go we should be able to get by with conventional stove if not, I found this great site that talks about making your own camping gear ha. But they also said you could by a cheap grease catcher that holds 5.5 cups or something like that. We can test that out though with a mock packing. Here is that site for making stuff if anybody wants something to do ha http://www.backpacking.net/makegear.html.

We're gonna need this.

https://www.atctrailstore.org/catalog/iteminfo.cfm?itemid=44&compid=1

Things We Will Need for Hiking

- Trail map

- Compass

- Swiss Army Knife

- Water purifying tablets

- Light

- Water bottle

- Shoes

- Shorts, shirt?

- Sleeping bag

- Sleeping mat

- Tent

- Coat

- Back Pack

- Sunglasses

- toilet paper (sugar/ degradable)

- toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, deodorant, hair soap, body soap

- Bandana

- Stove? Cooking stuff

- Food: Mac and cheese, VIA coffee, Instant hot cereal, granola, bars

- Shovel

- Hand Sanitizer

- Camera

Mileage

What you said is true. I am watching Without a paddle (not the best source but...) and thinking that maybe we should know how to do some basic camping things. Like how to react to a bear or what do in certain situations. I am thinking that I will try and read up on some advice about week long camping trips.

mileage

so, this site says that it's realistic to do 7-8 miles a day for beginner hikers on the trail. i was thinking originally 8-10. also here is a pdf the site had to offer up more tips for hiking: download pdf

So Virginia it is

Our Criteria Thus far is:

 1. We are at some point going to be in lynchburg, VA and traveling to the trail to drop off our car.

  
 2. We want to know what would be the best route for beginner hikers who want to hike 85-95 miles.

 

  3. We will need a ride back on the 30th.

  

  4. Might be couch surfing on the 22nd.
 5. our new friends http://www.mvshuttle.com/rates.html

Virgina might be nice

I'm diggin this stretch of trail. Its near Lynchburg so I could take a train and its in a national forest in the Blue Ridge.

pick your spot

Ok everyone the trail spans across multiple states so which one do you want to hike? I am voting North Carolina, but i want to see what states you guys think would work for our time restraint and experience level.

So get on it pick a state. Then we can research them all a little and then vote on which one we think is the best.

The MTA stops at the AT

There is an MTA train stop on the trail. I enjoy the description, connecting service- none

station parking - None, taxis- None, ticket machines- none

p.s. this would be a really convenient place for me to start or end hiking at.

http://as0.mta.info/mnr/stations/station_detail.cfm?key=167

Let's avoid these.

Let's go here.

We need more posts.

http://www.mahalo.com/how-to-hike-the-appalachian-trail

Things we (sort of) know

1. We are hiking a particular stretch of the Appalachian Trail.

2. Said hiking will take place between 8/22 & 8/28 of 2010.

3. Jon Duke & Matt Arnold are guaranteed to be hiking (anyone else interested is encouraged to join).

3. We have a lot to figure out