Hiking the Appalachian Trail... help!

[silenthunterstudios]

I would recommend:
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

As for number 4, I've heard that duct tape works, I think they said it was to prevent foot problems, not sure, Google it.

For number 5, don't pick up other peoples trash without industrial strenght gloves, okay? You could get something to take home with you other than memories of your trip! Common sense, but I've seen people at the beach pick up all kinds of nasty crap. Be concerned about the environment, but don't get injured while doing it. Also, remember, bears love garbage too, so if someones camp site looks like a junk heap, theres a good chance a bear has already found it and may be sleeping off his "buffet line" nearby.

As for people doing drugs etc on the trail, as long as you didn't do anything, and there are no LEO's nearby, you shouldn't get excited about that. If the above poster is talking about magic mushrooms, if you don't know which ones make you trip, the AT is not a good place to find out, those mushrooms growing along the trail will make you very sick and then kill you!

 

[jokrswylde]

As for number 4, I've heard that duct tape works, I think they said it was to prevent foot problems, not sure, Google it.

For number 5, don't pick up other peoples trash without industrial strenght gloves, okay? You could get something to take home with you other than memories of your trip! Common sense, but I've seen people at the beach pick up all kinds of nasty crap. Be concerned about the environment, but don't get injured while doing it. Also, remember, bears love garbage too, so if someones camp site looks like a junk heap, theres a good chance a bear has already found it and may be sleeping off his "buffet line" nearby.

As for people doing drugs etc on the trail, as long as you didn't do anything, and there are no LEO's nearby, you shouldn't get excited about that. If the above poster is talking about magic mushrooms, if you don't know which ones make you trip, the AT is not a good place to find out, those mushrooms growing along the trail will make you very sick and then kill you!

The powder is to keep feet dry. Blisters are caused by friction, which with sweatty, wet socks, happens much quicker.

As for cleaning up the trail, many people don't think twice about leaving candy wrappers, soda/beer cans, etc. lying around. Seeing someone's trash is not my idea of a fun wilderness experience. So sure, be careful, but if it safe to pick up the snickers wrapper, please do, the people who come after you will appreciate it.

The "trail magic" was an inside joke for all you AT Thru hikers out there. Many people will leave food/drinks/goodies stashed along the trail for the thru hikers(I have done it before). I took a buddy on a weekender in the smokies section of the AT, and a thruhiker kept mentioning "trail magic". My naieve buddy finally asked if this "trail magic" was something you smoked....

Glad to hear you are "getting out there". Have fun.

 

[Thomas Linton]

. . .
For number 5, don't pick up other peoples trash without industrial strenght gloves, okay? You could get something to take home with you other than memories of your trip! Common sense, but I've seen people at the beach pick up all kinds of nasty crap. Be concerned about the environment, but don't get injured while doing it.

A sharpened stick can help the trash safely into the collection bag.