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Hiking the Appalachian Trail
- Thread starter Marc123
- Start date
- Joined
- May 28, 1999
- Messages
- 106
I hiked the complete trail, different sections at different times back in the 70's. a friend of mine and I did it. Have you tried the "Appalachian Trail conference. This is the organization that keeps the trail open. They have different clubs in the differnt states that volunteer to keep sections of the trail maintained in their states. Did you try a Google search?. I have been away from the hiking scene, I still hike alot, I used to work for a outfitter that sold hiking gear and I taught rock/ice climbing.
I'd suggest pouring through http://www.whiteblaze.net
www.trailquest.com
Definately check out the ATC also.
I am planning to do the Long Trail in September this year, or next depending if I am back in the states.
Are you planning to go ultralight, or traditional?
Definately check out the ATC also.
I am planning to do the Long Trail in September this year, or next depending if I am back in the states.
Are you planning to go ultralight, or traditional?
Great! 25 pounds is what I am trying to get my load down to. I have not decided on using hiking poles or if they are hype, but I am thinking of getting a lighter tent that uses the poles as support. The rest of my gear is pretty fixed, so the best option is lighter or less clothing. I've switched from a tarp to tent because of the tick problem, I have two friends who contracted Lyme disease and the fun factor goes down after you have pulled a couple ticks from those hard to reach areas. Not THEIR hard to reach areas, but you get the idea.
Have you considered which knife you will be taking? Why are you leaning towards that make or model, size, steel, etc.?
Have you considered which knife you will be taking? Why are you leaning towards that make or model, size, steel, etc.?
http://forums.backpacker.com/index.jspa
Its a good forum with a lot of good info on the topics your looking for, although I wouldn't try talking knives with them as they (meaning the ultralighters and skeptics) will scream bloody marry if they see anyone talking about fixed blades with things like "ITS TOOK HEAVY :jerkit: "all i need is to open food :barf: " and things like that. Although there is a lot of good info. Whiteblaze.com is all about the AT as well.
Its a good forum with a lot of good info on the topics your looking for, although I wouldn't try talking knives with them as they (meaning the ultralighters and skeptics) will scream bloody marry if they see anyone talking about fixed blades with things like "ITS TOOK HEAVY :jerkit: "all i need is to open food :barf: " and things like that. Although there is a lot of good info. Whiteblaze.com is all about the AT as well.
hiking stick or trekking poles are a must for me. More that once I have had to cross fairly quick moving streams, and that "third or forth leg" gives extra stabitity. There also a blessing downhill as well as rocky terrian. Firebrand Pass out in Glacier is one example of pole usefulness. As for knives, my fixed blade is a BRKT North Star. Enough blade for almost any occasion while hiking/backpacking (I also have a SAK and folder 
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Crossing Ole creek Glacier Nat Park Montana
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Crossing Ole creek Glacier Nat Park Montana
The people who taunt others about what is too heavy and what is not are also the same ones who preach "hike your own hike". I used to carry a SAK with a three inch blade, but after some time discovered the thing was too short for peanut butter jars, some cans and the like. so I went to the four inch. Then after more hiking experience, discovered I never used any of the tools in the knife, and went with a four inch fixed blade, which was not only stronger, but easier to keep clean. yes, it was a little heavier, but for me the trade off was great enough to compensate the difference. I have had people sit and lecture me about saving weight on the trail while using their laptops.
Their are many amusing people out there. So enjoy and hike your own hike. there have been people who have hiked the trail with all kinds of wierd to others things. from umbrellas and plastic flamingos to funerary urns and television sets. It is very trendy now to take almost nothing with you and "yogi" (beg) from others. I basically go with simular gear to when I started hiking years ago, but get lighter stuff as things wear out, or I learn new tricks to the trade. Try some, take some, leave some. Don't have a worry or a care as to what other people say about what you carry. they probably have a teddy bear in a stuff sack they use as a pillow. Keep your feet happy! Having ranted all that, the bark river mini Canadian seems like a solid choice to me! actually, might be a better choice than the swamp rat I carry. See? Once again I am learnin' from the young'uns. At least it gives me a reason to check out some other knives.
Their are many amusing people out there. So enjoy and hike your own hike. there have been people who have hiked the trail with all kinds of wierd to others things. from umbrellas and plastic flamingos to funerary urns and television sets. It is very trendy now to take almost nothing with you and "yogi" (beg) from others. I basically go with simular gear to when I started hiking years ago, but get lighter stuff as things wear out, or I learn new tricks to the trade. Try some, take some, leave some. Don't have a worry or a care as to what other people say about what you carry. they probably have a teddy bear in a stuff sack they use as a pillow. Keep your feet happy! Having ranted all that, the bark river mini Canadian seems like a solid choice to me! actually, might be a better choice than the swamp rat I carry. See? Once again I am learnin' from the young'uns. At least it gives me a reason to check out some other knives.
One thing to keep in mind on the A.T. is that times have changed. The A.T. is not that safe a place, and when it comes near any large towns or big cities you are getting a criminal element there.
Living just north of Washington D.C.the A.T. is close enough that it has been a favorite spot for us for decades. In the 70's and 80's we took our children hiking and camping there, and even now my wife and I will drive over to the Skyline Drive area to go for a walk on the A.T. for the heck of it. There has been a couple times over the last twenty years where we have met up with some less than wholesome types, and I was glad to have a concealed handgun on me.
On the part of the trail from mid-Virginia to New Jersey exersise caution.
Living just north of Washington D.C.the A.T. is close enough that it has been a favorite spot for us for decades. In the 70's and 80's we took our children hiking and camping there, and even now my wife and I will drive over to the Skyline Drive area to go for a walk on the A.T. for the heck of it. There has been a couple times over the last twenty years where we have met up with some less than wholesome types, and I was glad to have a concealed handgun on me.
On the part of the trail from mid-Virginia to New Jersey exersise caution.
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2005
- Messages
- 19,385
I'm no expert on hiking or the AT. My next door neighbor hiked the entire trail two years ago. He is actually on the video that has been shown on PBS. My comment is about a possible knife. Consider the SOG Hunter Revolver as a possibility. It is light (6 oz) and sufficiently strong unless you abuse it. The cool thing about the knife is the saw blade that might come in handly and considerably more user friendly than a SAK. Check it out at the SOG web site easily accessible from the SOG forum here at Blade forums.
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2005
- Messages
- 19,385
The Revolver has an excellent saw. You will surprised just how aggressive the teeth are. I would still carry a SAK, just a smaller one such as the Soldier. Also the Hunter Revolver has a really nice leather sheath vs the kydex on the Seal Revolver. You might like the serrations though on the Seal.
A while back one of the SOG affectionatto's did some testing on the Hunter Revolver... batoning and so forth (pictures and all). You probably can find that if you look within the SOG area. I have a number of the SOGs and have been impressed with the steel quality, sharpness, and ability to hold an edge. I just don't care for the kydex sheaths.
A while back one of the SOG affectionatto's did some testing on the Hunter Revolver... batoning and so forth (pictures and all). You probably can find that if you look within the SOG area. I have a number of the SOGs and have been impressed with the steel quality, sharpness, and ability to hold an edge. I just don't care for the kydex sheaths.