Any hikers/backpackers out there?

GatorJ

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I read that guy's cool book about hiking the AT and then the other one about the Pacific Trail, made the movie with the woman. I dont hike but canoe now. Sort of hiking on small bodies of water and rivers.........

Get a kayak. Way better than a canoe.
 

bradgator2

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If you are searching for a “trail running” shoe that will will provide the maximum comfort and support and cushioning.... then look no further than Brooks. Their shoes were a game changer for me:
Brooks Running
 

Tay Bang

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Try these inserts for your hiking shoes 51. I’m on my feet a lot. These solved a lot of my feet pain.
IMG_1538.JPG
 

bradgator2

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Try these inserts for your hiking shoes 51. I’m on my feet a lot. These solved a lot of my feet pain.
13097

Interesting wish list :lol:
 

AugustaGator

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Take pack and shoes off every two hours. Go ultra light. In summer can cut down the weight substantially. Stay out of smokies and you can do 10 and stop. Remember in summer you have longer hours. There are plenty trails in no ga at area. Also have the Pinhoti in AL. I want to start doing this one.
 

Gator515151

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Take pack and shoes off every two hours. Go ultra light. In summer can cut down the weight substantially. Stay out of smokies and you can do 10 and stop. Remember in summer you have longer hours. There are plenty trails in no ga at area. Also have the Pinhoti in AL. I want to start doing this one.
My baseweight is under 20 lbs for a winter hike with 4 days of food and a litre of water I go out with a total weight of about 25 lbs. That puts me right on the edge of ultralight. I hike with my dog so I have to carry a 2 man tent. Spiderdog carries her own food and water.

28576794_10204249855843501_7267376292655991610_n.jpg
 

Gator515151

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Hiking with Spider is a hoot...You can tell she listens real well. I couldn't believe she was going over that cliff. Don't have a clue what was down there she was interested in.
 
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AugustaGator

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My baseweight is under 20 lbs for a winter hike with 4 days of food and a litre of water I go out with a total weight of about 25 lbs. That puts me right on the edge of ultralight. I hike with my dog so I have to carry a 2 man tent. Spiderdog carries her own food and water.

28576794_10204249855843501_7267376292655991610_n.jpg
Approach trail?

Last weeked in Dec did unicoi gap to Brasstown. Wore my ass out. Lots of falls. Trail was a mess. Took the side trail down to a campground. Beautiful but very steep and difficult climb. Very slippery.

Have you done any of the pinhoti?
 

Gator515151

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Approach trail?

Last weeked in Dec did unicoi gap to Brasstown. Wore my ass out. Lots of falls. Trail was a mess. Took the side trail down to a campground. Beautiful but very steep and difficult climb. Very slippery.

Have you done any of the pinhoti?
Yes the Approach trail. Last year I retired in Feb and made a snap decision that on March 1 I was going to start a thru hike attempt. Don't ask me how things turned out. Spider couldn't do the 700 step staircase to the top of Amacalola Falls due to her paws going through the grates in the steps so I had to do the staircase without her then catch a ride back down to the trailhead and take spider up the back side of the mountain which added about 3 miles to my first day. By the time I got to the end of the 8,8 mile + 3 mile 1st day I was exhausted.

It started raining about 1 hr before dark and they were predicting 20 degree temps and 40 mph winds that night. I got to the top of Springer Mountain and saw a sign that pointed right and said Lynn Foot Hiker Inn 1 mile. I decided a warm bed sounded real good so made a run for the inn. I got to the inn only to find out they don't allow dogs, wouldn't even let me throw up my tent on the back of their property. Add another mile back to the top of Springer. I arrived after dark and had to set up camp in the wind and rain. Woke up the next morning and everything was frozen. I hiked the 2nd day cold and exhausted on frozen ground and decided if I continued I was going to die out there LOL. Springer Mountain had broken my spirit. I hiked out to the nearest trail head and hitched a ride to Jasper Ga where an old school buddy of mine owns a cabin. Spent the night with Bob and his wife and ended my thru hike 2100 miles short.
 

AugustaGator

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Yes the Approach trail. Last year I retired in Feb and made a snap decision that on March 1 I was going to start a thru hike attempt. Don't ask me how things turned out. Spider couldn't do the 700 step staircase to the top of Amacalola Falls due to her paws going through the grates in the steps so I had to do the staircase without her then catch a ride back down to the trailhead and take spider up the back side of the mountain which added about 3 miles to my first day. By the time I got to the end of the 8,8 mile + 3 mile 1st day I was exhausted.

It started raining about 1 hr before dark and they were predicting 20 degree temps and 40 mph winds that night. I got to the top of Springer Mountain and saw a sign that pointed right and said Lynn Foot Hiker Inn 1 mile. I decided a warm bed sounded real good so made a run for the inn. I got to the inn only to find out they don't allow dogs, wouldn't even let me throw up my tent on the back of their property. Add another mile back to the top of Springer. I arrived after dark and had to set up camp in the wind and rain. Woke up the next morning and everything was frozen. I hiked the 2nd day cold and exhausted on frozen ground and decided if I continued I was going to die out there LOL. Springer Mountain had broken my spirit. I hiked out to the nearest trail head and hitched a ride to Jasper Ga where an old school buddy of mine owns a cabin. Spent the night with Bob and his wife and ended my thru hike 2100 miles short.
I’d love to be able to try it. I hope I will be able to retire and still be in good enough shape and finances to try. If nothing else just spend a couple months on the trail. The most I’ve done is 4 nights but not in cold rain/snow.

Last may spent 4 nights. Rained and I mean rained every night and the last morning. By the time I got to Neal’s my pack weighed 80lbs in water! Well maybe not 80 but it felt like it. Was hoping to get to unicoi, but decided to pull out at Neal’s and spend some time with my sister so I understand.
 

Gator515151

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In 1967 we did Springer Mountain Ga to Fontana Dam Tn about 170 miles of the AT. I was 16 I found it was a lot tougher than I remembered mountain hiking at age 67 lol. I hike 7 or 8 miles all the time on Florida trails with nothing but a day pack, throwing a 25 lb pack on and climbing mountains was a whole new ballgame to me. I hope to go back up in March, I don't intend to thru hike but would like to see how far I can make it with proper training and preparation. I'd like to think I can at least complete the Georgia section.
 

AugustaGator

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In 1967 we did Springer Mountain Ga to Fontana Dam Tn about 170 miles of the AT. I was 16 I found it was a lot tougher than I remembered mountain hiking at age 67 lol. I hike 7 or 8 miles all the time on Florida trails with nothing but a day pack, throwing a 25 lb pack on and climbing mountains was a whole new ballgame to me. I hope to go back up in March, I don't intend to thru hike but would like to see how far I can make it with proper training and preparation. I'd like to think I can at least complete the Georgia section.
Oh yes you can do it. Take your time. Rest when you need. You can make camp just about anywhere in GA. I’d take a hammock to make your camp where you want. At points flat ground is limited.
 

Gator515151

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A hammock is not an option for me. I have to have a 2 person tent because of Spider dog. I use the Big Agnes UL2, not the lightest 2 man tent on the market but close. In order to get any lighter I would have to go with cuben fiber and I don't trust cuben fiber with Spiders claws.
 

Detroitgator

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I’ve lived on Merrell’s and Asolo Fugitive’s for almost 20 years.

The insert option I use is find one of those Dr. Scholl’s machines you stand on and it analyzes your foot and weight then tells you which color insert to wear. I swear by that too for inserts
 

Gator515151

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I love my Merrell Moabs and continue wearing them and would recommend them to anybody who hikes or walks long distances but with my current foot condition I just have to have a softer sole for anything over about 4 miles.
 

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