Quote:
Originally Posted by gravedigger07
The plan is to do the entire trail at once. It is my hiking buddy and me and that is it....right now I have a osprey atmos 50...I am pretty lightweight as far as gear goes. I am just not sure how to go about setting up a BIG thru hike...like the entire at for example.
|
I'm not too keen about mens packs, but if it's you and one other person, and you're lightpacking it, I'd say about a 3500 or 4000cu ft pack. Plan on getting supplies in trail towns about every 4-5 days. You must definately have some type of water purification, the UV handheld wand is the best, but you can buy cheaper (but bigger) filters. I wouldn't even bother with the tablets, it doesn't kill everything and the last thing you want is Giardia in the middle of the woods. Plan on 2 pairs of boots. Get the smallest camp stove, ethanol fuel based is the best way to go for a thru hike. Most people make boxes up of food and supplies and have them sent to stores and post offices along the entire AT so you won't have to keep alot of money on hand, or if you can't find something in the stores. Plan on leaving in March, you have to allow enough time to make it to Mt. Katadhin in Maine (the end of the AT) before Baxter State Park closes in mid October due to the snow. Definately get the bundle of maps and the current data book for the AT, available in the AT store on their website. Get a good first aid kit, don't forget to include moleskin for the awful blisters you will get. I'd recommend hiking poles, I got a midgrade set from REI that are lightweight and shocklite. You will need them to get up some of the tricky parts. Anything else you can pretty much do as you want. Just ask away if you have anymore questions.