Way OT: AT/PCT Thru Hikers
I have always been obsessed with the Appalachian Trail, and the desire of some day completing a thru-hike from Georgia to Maine. As I am reading "AWOL on the Appalachian Trail", the author writes about meeting a young man who goes by the trail name "WOLVERINE". It is later in the chapter that the author uncovers that the man goes by WOLVERINE due to the iconic block M on his hat. This got me thinking about the board, wondering if any of my fellow wolverine faithful have ever completed this 2,200+ mile journey through 14 states? Any humorous/terrifying/strange stories from the trail?
I know this is quite off topic but there has to be a few hiking enthusiasts out there!
Edit: I don't know much about the PCT, but would also love to hear some thoughts/stories on it!
Haven't you ever seen Deliverance?
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Now squeal like a pig.
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"Sweet Home Alabama?"
Another good hiking movie is The Way with Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez. Sheen plays an America doctor whose son is killed just prior to starting the Camino de Santiago pilgramage in France and Spain. Sheen decides to hike the trail with his son's ashes. Well worth the view.
The Reese Witherspoon movie was Wild. Pretty good, but I enjoyed the book more.
Rule xxixvixixxvixiixxiixxixiixiixiixv no religion
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So that's the Super Bowl the Lions will win
thats just the next one they'll let Detroit host.
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but I do think it is one hell of an accomplishment for those that do it.
It is one of our nation's finest pieces of infrastructure. Easily graded (unlike the AT) it roams 2,600 miles strategically taking as high a route as possible from saddle to saddle.
I found long-distance hiking the closest thing to perfection that exists. You literally carry as light a load as possible, giving total freedom for your mind to wander and the hardest decisions you face surround food. Ice cream first or straight to the loaded smoothered burrito (or two)? Meanwhile, your body is consistently in extraordinary condition.
If you are obsessed with the AT (as I was the PCT)...DO IT!!! You will not regret it. My primary thought: less is more. After about two weeks you get into this very satisfying rhythm where living in the mountains feels natural. You have everything you need and nothing you do not. Most people think you need to carry all kinds of extra stuff to adequately "be prepared". That is false. To have everything in it's proper place and truly directly rely on all your possessions (but have no excess) is a special kind of living very much contrary to messages from contemporary society. It is glorious.
Ahhhh...enjoy!
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I have never done the AT so my opinion is also moot, but I suspect that if you like socializing and are newer to backpacking than the AT would be amazing. If you like great weather, spectacular landscapes, and relatively more isolation than the PCT is where it is at.
Then.
/sorry
This is one of the reasons I like this place. Leaders and best.
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If you're eating that every night on the PCT you're carrying a helluva pack load, not to mention the freezer you're dragging behind you on a very long extension cord.
Good fitting, quality footwear is a must. Asolo, Salomon, some of the higher end Merrel (as opposed to their cheaper models) boots are okay too.
I've never hiked the whole thing, but I don't think there's any need for specialized footwear if you're only doing 14 miles. Good-fitting sneakers worked well enough for me when I did a chunk of it.
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Leave the boots for winter adventures. It is all about trail runners. Vastly superior footwear for the trail.
Short answer: yes.
Longer answer: work on that weight. Buy high quality and less is more.
Agreed with all. I did the triple crown in trail runners, either Altra's or Brook's Cascadias. Boots are completely unneccessary. Part of the old boy scout mantra of 'be prepared' that is thankfully phasing out...
Were you carrying a relatively heavy backpack? That's the difference.
IMO, only true ultralight hikers/backpackers should wear trail runners. If your pack is over 25-30#, you should wear boots, you need the stiff sole. Trail runners don't have that. It doesn't need to be a full leather boot, but should be designed for the purpose.
I'm very much a novice, just for the sake of full disclosure. Nothing I say should be taken as gospel on this subject.
If you're looking to try again, check out the forums on backpackinglight.com. Lots of good info there, but those guys are insane about weight, there are guys with sub 10# pack weight. I can't see ever getting below 25.
Nothing better.
Well, sub-10 pounds before food and water. 8 days of food and 5 liters of water can turn an 8 pound pack into a 30 lb pack.
Depends on the load you'll be carrying and the condition of your feet and ankles. If you will be lugging a tent, sleeping bag, food, bear canister, etc. you'll want sturdy boots. If you are going ultra-light then trail runners will most likely work for you.
Hiker helper is extremely valuable on every long trail. Especially while walking into the dusk barechested with a gentle breeze invigorating you a couple more ridgeline miles to the next perfect bed-down spot. At least that is what comes to mind...
DAMN good living!
I've been reading this board for the better part of the last decade, and never have I felt the need to comment (I gain my info from the board, and don't have expertise on the team to add) However, I surely have something to add to this OT message!
I did both the PCT north bound and AT southbound in 2014. I remember being SO excited to watch the Notre Dame game, so I hustled to a small town in New York, found a small dive bar, and had them put the game on. It was my worst night on the trail, and I was happy as a clam to have a great excuse to not watch another game that season...
In all, I enjoyed the PCT far more than the AT or the CDT for that matter (did that last summer). If you want a wilderness experience, do the PCT, or do the AT southbound. I think there were around 50-70 SoBo thru-hikers on the AT in 2014, so it felt pretty empty. I've heard going NoBo on the AT is a walking party, which could be a lot of fun if that's what you're looking for. It all just depends.
Glad I'm not thru-hiking this fall though, as I'm excited to have a watchable football team this year :)
Cheers! - Steven (Trail name 'Twinkle')
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Nice style!
Glad you posted your trail name, because I remembered it from Carrot's book & blog about hiking the PCT. Congrats on the Triple Crown. What a great accomplishment!