Hiking the Appalachian Trail... help!

FSCJedi

FSCJedi

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Ok, here's the dilema. My fiancee and I are planning to hike the trail (not all of it, just about 3-4 days worth) with another couple (two women and two men total) from upper VA through WV and stopping at Harper's Ferry.

What I need to know is what kind of food should I take for myself (and suggest others to take) that would be light, as well as nourishing? I already plan on having hard tack in my pack (the wheat flour/honey kind) and some dried fruit and jerkey. Is it possible that I could carry enough food so that I would not necessarily have to re-stock for myself?

I personally would like to go as "period" as I can, just for the fun of it. However, I know that several "period" foodstuffs would also be just as good for today's treking, correct?

Also, what's a good way to carry water/liquid?

Any suggestions along these lines and just general "you should also do this" suggestions are very welcome. Help?
 
Throw in some MRE's- easy to carry & high caloric value. As for water, a Camelbak or similar hydration system packs well. Carry more water than you think you'll need. You'll need it.
 
Just read Bill Bryson's "A Walk in the Woods". From that I gathered that at the various AT shelters there is ample Potable water, or water that you can filter for drinking. However I would want to doublecheck with various AT organizations to confirm that. Make sure that you carry enough for you and a little extra for your loved one and make sure that you have mapped out locations where you can easily re-supply, confirm those locations shorly before the hike as well so that there are no supprises. If you get into trouble, make sure you know how to get some emergency water if needed, like sweating the water from trees into zip-locs if need be. I'm sure that trail managers would frown uppon that, I only say it as a last resort option. A little advance planing should ensure you a comforable supply of water.
And read Bryson's book, it was the most enteraining bit of AT literature I have read (not a how to book though).
 
FSCJedi,

Until things really dry out around August you should have plenty of places to find water. Rugger is right in that you will drink more than you think but usually you can find and treat water along the way. I’ve never done a spring hike on the AT that I didn’t get rained on. A good set of trail maps will show the locations of springs and where the trail crosses streams. Most of these are year round water sources unless it is an exceptionally dry summer. Carry Potable Aqua Plus™ and treat water as you need it for the next section of trail.

Take advantage of the trail shelters along the way that are marked on your map. These are usually three sided cabin-type structures. They will have a logbook that people hiking in both directions will record trail conditions in. Even if you don’t stay in one read the logbook and record your observations for others. Whoever shows up at the trail shelter gets to stay there. I’ve never had a bad experience sharing a trail shelter.

MRE’s are great and easy to prepare. They are a little heavy but they really do simplify things. They’re not “period” at all. I always pack instant oatmeal and Folgers coffee singles for breakfast. Five-minute boil in the bag rice is about as light a food as you can get. One of these with a bullion cube makes a filling cup of chicken and rice soup.

One of my favorite things to do on the AT is to pack a frozen steak in a zip-lock bag, wrapped in paper towels and an extra zip-lock. The meat thaws during the first day and will still be frozen in the center on the first night. Season the meat with some garlic powder and a few soy sauce packets from a Chinese restaurant. I cut a green stick and roast the steak over a hardwood fire. If you want “period” food this is about as good as it gets. Wash this down with a cup of sassafras tea. Mac
 
I second Picts suggestion for the steak! I dont know what you mean by "period" but I am assuming "frontier" since you mentioned jerky and dried fruits. You may also want to take along a can or two of pillsbury cinnamon rolls to wrap on a stick and roast on the fire over the coals. Then add the frosting and its a real treat. I know the prior suggestion was not "period" but its good...I promise! As for water, if you boil it, put a cover on it, that way smoke doesnt get in the water. As far as other foodstuffs I have no more suggestions. Maybe, if you know how to do this, make some pemmican (jerky/berries/fat mix) You should find some recipes on the net.

Everyone's right about the water, and make sure you dress in layers with an underlayer that will wick moisture out to the outer layers. Socks! Lots of SOCKS! Oh, and bring another lightweight pair of shoes/mocassins, they feel GRRRRRRRRRRRRREAT after a long day in the good ole boots.

Just wanted to add something about socks...wear nylon socks under the other socks to minimize blisters chances of popping up.
 
VMI sends the entire Freshman class (RATs) into the George Washington National Forest every year for a survival FTX. Granted it has been 2 years since I went on mine, but I do remember a couple things that stood out. As some quick background, we were divided into groups of 9, dressed in BDUs, boots and field jackets, web belts and 2 qt canteens. Each group was given 7 bags of trail mix, 2 poles, 2 ponchos, 20 feet of 550 cord, and one bottle of Aqua tabs. Here are somethings i would suggest:

1) the water purification tabs cannot be overemphasized. I brought two extra bottles and we went through them all.
2) i dont know what you plan on doing for shelter, but by all means BRING A PONCHO of some kind. The rain was ridiculous.
3) the idea of a polypro or underarmor is also great. i saw a thread a few days ago which was discussing how cotton, when wet, remains wet and drops your body temp considerably. Wool is a good outer layer though.
4) best way to carry water IMHO is in a camel bak or a platypus (sp?) bladder in your pack. if you opt for canteens, go with with small ones placed in such a way that they balance each other, however wide-mouth plastic water bottles from 7-11 or Wal-Mart would do it too.

I know these suggestions arent exactly food related, but thought i would share anyway! :D

Jonathan
 
Water is heavy. You need it, but you will make your hike miserable if you try and carry enough for the whole trip. Bring purification supplies and some containers that you can rotate so that you treat one bottle while you drink from another. I kind of like home made trail mix for snacking on. I like peanuts, cornuts, raisens, and dry Cheerios. I don't know about the AT, but around here you want to be careful about attracting bears. Pungent things like jerky or jam can attract bears. I try and minimize that stuff. I like to use heavy duty zip lock bags to seal things in. I don't sleep with my food.
 
First thing I stress, wear comfortable well broken in hiking boots. I've hiked that trail up here in Jersey plenty of times and I will always remember the first time that I ever did 15 miles in one day I wore right through the inside bottom of the sock and boot I was wearing. The trail (atleast up here) is pretty rocky and will be tough on your feet. Someone reccomended carrying another pair of light moccasins for the end of the day, I can't second that enough. Now, water, there were quite a few water stops along the way (again, speaking from around here) but I would purify them just to be safe (then again I didn't and I was okay). But, you will go through a lot of water. I was wearing my camelbak with two Nalgene bottles the first time and by the end of the first day my first time I think I was down to having half a bottle left. Make sure you drink often. With the food don't be afraid to bring stuff full of carbs. Grains, Nuts, Jerky, ect. Check out hiking websites on the net, there are a lot of good recipies and things to bring for main meals. Make sure you keep them seperate from your pack at the end of the day as they will attract critters (my buddy lost part of his pack to a raccoon posse). Finally, as mentioned cotten is not your friend, believe me. My final thought is have fun and enjoy the sites, don't be one of those people who try to hike just for miles. Go slow and enjoy everything around you. Good luck and have fun! :cool:
 
FSCJedi,

If you really want to have fun then check out the sat photos of the area you will be hiking through. The map shows all the man made stuff. The photos mark things like clearings in the forest and vegitation types. On terraserver you can switch between topo maps of the area and then click onto the satellite image in the same resolution and projection.

http://terraserver.microsoft.com/

I did this, this past summer planning for a three day off-trail navigation exercise with my brother. The photo images can get you down to 1 meter of resolution and show all sorts of trails not marked on the maps. The photos I was using were taken with the leaves off the trees. You could actually make out the AT for most of its course.

We also used it to camp by a small man made pond not marked on the map. We located it by comparing the position in the photo with known landmarks on the map and hiking out to it by compass. The sat photos really enhanced the trip. Mac
 
Also, what's a good way to carry water/liquid?

I have seen lots of water bottles/containers that can be attached to hiking packs, that have a long thin hose that enables the user to just get a swig whenever they want. I would read more on that information, since you are going on more than a weekend hike, I would not recommend lugging lots of Deer Park water bottles out there :D . In the recent Backwoodsman, there is an article about the hydration bottles on backbacks, the author states that he uses empty plastic soda bottles for his pack, this may be cheaper than buying an elaborate setup from someone like Cabelas, but the plastic may be of a lower quality. I used to fill up used 2 liter soda bottles, and use them for weeks, after washing them every day with hot water and soap. They didn't last too long, and if they lasted for more than a week, the water tasted bad. For my everyday water bottle, I use a FROZN gallon water bottle, that rides in my truck, along with a case of water behind the seat for easy access.

BTW, theres nothing worse than having the squirts at camp, and the closest modern toilet is about 5 miles away! :grumpy:
 
All good ideas above.

More ideas:

Carry a nylon draw-string bag and 25' of rope, and a carabineer for a "bear bag." Suspend food at least 10' off the ground and 6' from trunk of any tree or bush ('coon ladder) The critters need to eat too, but not your rations.

Every shelter we came to on one trip was full+. Don't depend on shelters to spend the night.

Rain, rain, rain (mud, mud, mud).

Mosquito and tick repellant.

Natural sponge for "baths."
Kitchen sponge to "bail" tent.

Bandanna: prefilter before treating water; pot-holder; sun screen; bandage (not dressing); sweat band; etc.; etc.

Walking stick (esp. good as "brake" on down-slopes and when crossing steams).

Small can of foot powder (rain, rain, rain. crud, crud, crud)

Prices in Harper's Ferry are prety steep.

Have fun.
 
lumpymike1 said:
Just read Bill Bryson's "A Walk in the Woods". From that I gathered that at the various AT shelters there is ample Potable water, or water that you can filter for drinking. However I would want to doublecheck with various AT organizations to confirm that. Make sure that you carry enough for you and a little extra for your loved one and make sure that you have mapped out locations where you can easily re-supply, confirm those locations shorly before the hike as well so that there are no supprises. If you get into trouble, make sure you know how to get some emergency water if needed, like sweating the water from trees into zip-locs if need be. I'm sure that trail managers would frown uppon that, I only say it as a last resort option. A little advance planing should ensure you a comforable supply of water.
And read Bryson's book, it was the most enteraining bit of AT literature I have read (not a how to book though).
Click to expand...

That is one of the funniest books I have ever read. I laughed so hard I woke my wife up several times. When his friend shows up with the paperboy delivery bags full of snickers I nearly died. More of a "How Not To" book than a "How To".
 
All good advise here.

I've done the AT and I love the packets of the Ramin noodles. Not period, but they will keep ya going, are fast and easy to make, can be used as a base for more elaborate dishes and will get more fluid in ya if made in soup. Plus a four day supply dos'nt weigh hardly anything at all.

Sometimes if I'm out alone without the wife along I take a package of sourdough rolls, peanut butter, honey, and some jerky.
 
I would recommend:
1. Get a cool "trail name" (your bf id will work)
2. For a weekender, a) Carry 4boxes of Mac& cheese...empty contents into ziploc baggie to save space, b) 4 days worth of Ramen noodles, again emptied into ziploc, c) Three packages of hot chocolate/coffe, your preference, d) CRAP or GORP (candy, raisins, and peanuts..or Good Ole Raisins And Peanuts...Ziploc Bags.
3. Also recommend a poncho that will cover your pack, or a waterproof zip on cover for your pack..
4. Great suggestion about the foot powder, I will try that, if not change socks frequently.
5. Use the emptied ziploc bags for trash (both yours and any you might see along the way!
6. Look out for "trail magic"...some people like to smoke it at the shelters after supper :D
 
Mountain House makes a freeze dired food that isnt that bad at all. All you need to do is boil some water, set in the pouch and let it sit. They weigh almost nothing and come in different flavors. There are also many ways to dehydrate food, so go to www.backpacker.com to the community area where the forums area and ask there.

Also how i carry my water is a 3 leiter camalbak unbottle system in the mesh pouch of my Aether 75 and 2 32 oz nalgene bottles in the watter bottle pouches. Aong the AT there should be seveal springs, creeks, etc to refill your water. So its not to hard to stop and filter at a spring or creek.
 
Watch "The Blair Witch Project" before you go. Great 'introduction to hiking' video.

4 people of various hiking skills, cold, run out of food and water, lose their map and get lost ...... just about everything a party can do wrong on a hiking trip.
 
You might try taking a short course on wilderness survival and foraging. With foraging, as long as you know what you can and can't eat, you can eat as you go. This saves from having to pack so much and gives you a true sense of freedom knowing if you get lost, you will survive. A good book or two on the subject wouldn't hurt, either. You can study up before heading out. My children even know what plants they can survive on and what plants they can use for medicine or bandages...so on. This can truly be a lifesaver in certain situations. Even if you know just a FEW plants you can eat, would be a great help....some are delicious, too. Dandelions, dock, and several other plant leaves make a great salad. You can also fry up dandelion greens for a turnip green type dish. I make dandelion fritters for my kids...you take dandelion flowers and dip in a simple batter and fry them...they taste like a cross between popcorn and cheerios!!

Rhonda

FSCJedi said:
Ok, here's the dilema. My fiancee and I are planning to hike the trail (not all of it, just about 3-4 days worth) with another couple (two women and two men total) from upper VA through WV and stopping at Harper's Ferry.

What I need to know is what kind of food should I take for myself (and suggest others to take) that would be light, as well as nourishing? I already plan on having hard tack in my pack (the wheat flour/honey kind) and some dried fruit and jerkey. Is it possible that I could carry enough food so that I would not necessarily have to re-stock for myself?

I personally would like to go as "period" as I can, just for the fun of it. However, I know that several "period" foodstuffs would also be just as good for today's treking, correct?

Also, what's a good way to carry water/liquid?

Any suggestions along these lines and just general "you should also do this" suggestions are very welcome. Help?
Click to expand...
;)
 
stircraz said:
You might try taking a short course on wilderness survival and foraging. With foraging, as long as you know what you can and can't eat, you can eat as you go. This saves from having to pack so much and gives you a true sense of freedom knowing if you get lost, you will survive. A good book or two on the subject wouldn't hurt, either. You can study up before heading out. My children even know what plants they can survive on and what plants they can use for medicine or bandages...so on. This can truly be a lifesaver in certain situations. Even if you know just a FEW plants you can eat, would be a great help....some are delicious, too. Dandelions, dock, and several other plant leaves make a great salad. You can also fry up dandelion greens for a turnip green type dish. I make dandelion fritters for my kids...you take dandelion flowers and dip in a simple batter and fry them...they taste like a cross between popcorn and cheerios!!

Rhonda


;)
Click to expand...

Salads, of course, have virtually no calories. But, hey, you could take fast-food packages of salad dressing. :D
 
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