r/AppalachianTrail

I’ve hiked the first 200 miles on the trail. Thinking back at it there were a lot of spots that were pretty small. One of the biggest criticisms for the X-Men two is how laughably humongous it is. Did anybody have a problem with this or is there any other problems with the xmid that I should take into consideration before I buy it?

My brother and I are starting the 16th and I was wondering if we’d have a chance of running into anyone else starting this little journey.

Ive read several of the newer AT books along with the Shaffer one but I'd like to know more about the days before cell phones and specialized gear. Any recommendations or first hand accounts? I searched but found little.

Pretty much said it all. I'm 46 recently got out of a relationship and I'm going to graduate with my bachelor's soon for a career change n I figure If I don't do it now I never will.

I hope to compile a gear list over time shooting first next March/April to start.

Guna fly or bus to Ga n NB through hike.

Anything jump out right away guys? Been and continuing to rehab the knees so it shouldn't be a problem but will find out with training.

I've been wanting this experience for EVER.. final got the breakup I needed to be able to do it. Keeping it positive... Feel me? I'm broken trust me, but I've wanted this.

Now, I'm guna give you my measurements cuz I'm an ex pro powerlifter so it may matter:

275 - if I'm training for endurance, 6'4", 19"neck, 20" arms low as they go now. My endurance you may be surprised, is exceptional. The best powerlifters do cardio in the form of general physical preparedness ie: not jogging but guerilla sprints, not jogging but hill runs with a weighted backpack, not walking but tire sled drags with up to 300lbs of plates in the tire forward up turn and backwards back trip.= 1 Rep. We do about 10 reps and up the weight. Get it?

So idk how my form of preparedness will translate but I have learned sport specific training beats all, ie u wanna be good at hiking - train by hiking, so I will. I'm smaller tails which gives me a chance to test my gear and know how/ingenuity.

I'm going to keep posting until trip day. I'll fly or bus to Ga (price) and NB thru hike it sounds like starting March or April.

I need advice on gear and basics esp for my size.

I'm thinking a hammock shelter for between shelters and when my introvert personality needs care.

What pack can I get away with at my size?

What trail shoes will be comfortable, should I get mid tops?

Sleeping bag requirements for my hike dates?

Hammock, no pad?

Need a GPS? or will my cell suffice with a good lasting charger like an Anker prime.

Outer layers for rain etc I can get by with that won't get shredded?

Hammock over tarp? Poles/tarp pole duo?

Bringing plenty of paracord

What about water transport for my size (I sweat like a whore in church).

Pack rain cover

Hat?

Shades?

Bear spray?

I'm allergic to ivy etc. Pants or gators with shorts? I get hot remember.

Good site to learn to buy make n pack my own meals?

An electrolyte supplement?

A multi.

Will I need a face gator or etc in any areas?

Will I need 2 types is shoes I've heard yes n no cuz of snow at end and or beginning.

Good trail light and head lamp, battery more than brightness matters to me.

Help me answer and add on. Id like to be ready for the next coming hike season.

this was back in 2015. However there was a certain spot on Knifes Edge that we had someone tell us about at a hostel. zero chance to find it otherwise.

if you dropped down and pulled a few rocks away, there was a little cavity with a fun thing and a log book inside.

anybody know if this still exist? just popped into my head today and was curious.

apologies for intentionally being vague, not trying to blow up somebody‘s tradition.

Hello again! I posted a while back about trying to catch some of the sobo bubble at the north end of Bigelow in Maine for trail magic, early July is here and I have some time between July 5th and 12th that I could set up at the parking area for the little Bigelow trailhead right on the trail.

I'm hoping some folks hiking south right now could chime in with estimates on what days theyd be going through there so I can time it to catch the maximum number of hikers going through. Probably be looking at lunchtime through dinner time, set up with proper Maine red hotdogs and movies (and some other typical trail magic stuff of course) I'm not sure which days yet that I'll be there so info from those on trail will help me plan!

Hihi I am wondering why there is so little info on a flip flop that starts and ends in HF? Is the infrastructure totally dead in the southern half in Aug/sept down south then picks back up in the fall for the sobos?
What are the reasons to do HF to springer to finish your flip flop instead of doing Springer to HF with the same late August early September start date?

If you're on the trail now, remember it's okay to take a break and wait for better weather. 105 degrees is not good hiking weather. Taking a week or two off will not end your thru, but getting injured because of the heat will! Be smart, and watch the back of those around you.

https://lighterpack.com/r/i4p9ox

I know I could ditch a lot of stuff like bear spray, extra long-sleeve shirt, and bag liner but I want to know what people think would make the biggest impact? I know, I'm far from an ultra-lighter... for now.

My adult daughter and I are taking a 5 day backpacking trip in the White Mountains in mid-July. We have reservations at Madison Spring, Highland Center, Galehead, and Lonesome Lake huts the four nights of the trip. We were hoping to make it a relatively light gear "fast packing" trip, but I am wondering about any insights folks might have in terms of necessary gear (sleeping bag, rain gear, etc.) or expectations for weather, temperatures, and such. We are pretty experienced, fit backpackers/hikers/runners with most experience being Western US, Rocky Mountains.

I managed to cut about 6lbs from the last version, so, here I am again! Hoping for tips or tricks to make double use of things (such as clothes for pillow which I'm going to try out), anything i can to lose a bit more! If you saw the last post, thank you for your input! (This version was without having to spend a lot and trying to make do with what I had already from years gone by!) Have at it! (Don't be afraid to be blunt either, I need it haha)

https://lighterpack.com/r/w0kp21

Here in the NE it's gonna be a scorching few days and was thinking about the folks on the trail right now.

Was able to pull the top shelter highs from a weather app w/ shelter coordinates.

| # | High | Shelter | State | Mile | Elevation |

|---|---|---|---|---|---|

| 1 | 100F | Matts Creek Shelter | VA | 695.5 | 915 ft |

| 2 | 99F | James Fry at Tagg Run Shelter | PA | 991.9 | 840 ft |

| 3 | 98F | Alec Kennedy Shelter | PA | 999.5 | 928 ft |

| 4 | 98F | Eckville Shelter | PA | 1108.7 | 636 ft |

| 5 | 98F | Ten Mile River Shelter | CT | 1312.6 | 341 ft |

| 6 | 98F | Johns Hollow Shelter | VA | 699.9 | 1132 ft |

| 7 | 98F | Rocky Run Shelter 1 | MD | 926.8 | 978 ft |

| 8 | 98F | Cove Mountain (PA) Shelter | PA | 1023 | 1204 ft |

| 9 | 98F | Windsor Furnace Shelter | PA | 1100.1 | 942 ft |

| 10 | 98F | Ed Garvey Shelter | MD | 918.5 | 1142 ft |

Please be careful out there and am sure some trail angels will be providing hydration along the way...

~grc

What is everyone doing to handle these 100 degree temps coming up?

Hi there, we are coordinating a trip in October to the Appalachian trail and could use some suggestions on what parts to hike (overnight backpacking). Here are the details of what we’re looking for

3-4 nights
20-30 miles total
Sleeping on the trail/hiking in our gear
Elevation gain- moderate>difficult
Scenic views (obviously)
Coming from Florida, so something south ish would be preferred

Our group is 4-6 relatively beginner hikers, all men between 35-45 years old. Our gear will be pretty basic.

A buddy and I are planning to set up some trail magic in Pine Grove Furnace, PA, on Friday. Our goal is to bring a bunch of food, cold drinks, etc. to give out, and hear people’s stories.

The only variable that gives me a bit of pause is the temperature. Current forecast shows 98F with 66% humidity. I’m not sure how that impacts the kinds of food/drinks that are helpful.

What would you like to have available for a blazing hot day on the trail?

I have done a good bit of hiking, and have spent a bit too much on bags already, all for them to not be as warm as I had thought. Right now I have a 25 limit/35 comfort rated quilt, as my warmest quilt. I am trying to figure out if that will be enough for a last week February or first week of march start from Georgia. I honestly can't tell you if I sleep cold or not, but I do know, once I get cold, I STAY cold, so that is a concern. My current setup weighs 4 lbs 7 oz if I layer quilts, which will for sure be warm enough, but is just too heavy! I'm hoping someone in here has some recommendations on where to look or what I can do! (Hopefully without breaking the bank but, if will do if absolutely necessary)

Right now I have a copper spur 2, and I really need to save some weight out of my pack. I like the design, but, not the weight or it being made of nylon. So, looking for recommendations on where to look, I have an X-Mid 2, and have tried an X-dome but the footprint was just too big on the mid and the dome doesn't fit my pad in it! If there are any non US brands, like Trekkertent, I like their stealth 2, but I can't tell if the head room is enough from the photos, I'm roughly 6' (and use a 4.6 in pad) and want to be able to sit up comfortably inside it! Also, if you know of any subs where I might get better info feel free to let me know! I've pretty throughly scoured the US market so hence why I'm thinking maybe non US companies!

I have been going over this for a year and, despite my best efforts, I've reached a setup that would work for me, but now it weighs a ton! Any tips or info would be greatly appreciated!