Anyone backpacked the Appy Trail before?

[thehstrybean]

My school has an outdoors club, and they're doing Springer's Mtn in February. Anyone done it? I've heard that the 8 mile approach is considered by some to be worse than the trail itself.

I work at an outdoors store, so I get a discount on some great stuff...
[*]Granite Gear Vapor Trail Pack
[*]Snowpeak Stove (small, takin 2 fuel canisters)
[*]Couple of Cap1 & Cap2 baselayers
[*]Pair of Mtn Khakis (the pair I wear)
[*]Extra socks

I'm torn on the tent and bag. I've heard the Mtn. Hardware Meridian 1 is good, but it's $170, which even with my discount, is expensive. Pro-deal brings it to $99, which sucks...For a bag I'm lookin at a Marmot down (NO synthetic)...either 600 or 800+

Anybody got any suggestions on training for this climb? What should I expect?

 

[tomt4535]

Ive done the AT in PA and NJ before. Its alot of fun, I havent done it in a while and Im dying to go again sometime.

 

[thehstrybean]

I want to do it all this summer. If I make it up that far, you wanna meet up and drink beer and wrastle bears?

ROFL

I've heard the NY part is the worse with the rock gardens...Can take up to 3 days...I dread that...

 

[norcalhiker]

Total noob huh? While I've never been there, I know a lot of people that have done the whole AT and have done the PCT myself. Springer ain't really that hard. 8 miles uphill, if you are in any shape at all, you'll be fine. Just try to keep your packweight down. Why two canisters for your stove? How long you going to be out for? Why take a stove at all? Won't your group be sharing group equipment?

You looking for equipment suggestions? Maybe rent before you buy? I'm not familiar with the Meridian. But I do give thumbs up to my Marmot Helium bag. Oh, and p-deals are industry perks, you're not supposed to be talking about them...

Training... go out hiking. preferably uphill.

Have fun!

 

[thehstrybean]

Originally posted by: norcalhiker
Total noob huh? While I've never been there, I know a lot of people that have done the whole AT and have done the PCT myself. Springer ain't really that hard. 8 miles uphill, if you are in any shape at all, you'll be fine. Just try to keep your packweight down. Why two canisters for your stove? How long you going to be out for? Why take a stove at all? Won't your group be sharing group equipment?

You looking for equipment suggestions? Maybe rent before you buy? I'm not familiar with the Meridian. But I do give thumbs up to my Marmot Helium bag. Oh, and p-deals are industry perks, you're not supposed to be talking about them...

Training... go out hiking. preferably uphill.

Have fun!

We'll be gone for 3 days, so I'm thinkin 1 canister now...We really don't share...

I would love a helium, but $400+ is too much...

 

[doze]

If you don't already have boots buy now and wear them everywhere to break them in. Clean dry socks and underwear are very important so bring extra pairs of each. Forget the stove, bring MRE's.

 

[WildHorse]

Haven't, but I've read that very good 1998 book about it:
A Walk in the Woods , by Bill Bryson, ISBN 0-7679-0251-3

I'd love to hike the Appalachian Trail end-to-end but who has the time?
Have done some California segments of the Pacific Coast Trail.

Gear selection depends on weather & duration of trip.
Your OP list is too brief.
Suggest you try to include:

an inflatable air mattress,
excellent sunglasses & crush-proof case,
definitely a tent,
a couple of lengths of clothesline to dry wet stuff on, & a few clothespins,
a Frisbee or other social toy,
insect repellent,
tweezers to pull ticks off & splinters out,
your water filter I have this one & recommend it,,
maybe a little piece of insulite to use for sitting on the frozen rocks,
an empty pillow case to stuff your clothes into to form a pillow,
a few non-battery wind-up flashlights,
whatever that area calls for in the way of rain gear: rain-proof stuff bags for sleeping bag & gear, rain fly for tent, your rain clothing like parka, etc.
topo map,
really good 1st aid kit,
plenty of small money to buy stuff on the trail from other hikers like fuel, etc.
camera,
etc.

You say "no synthetic fill in sleeping bag," but that's better in wet areas.
I only get away with my goose down bag because of my rain-proof tent, otherwise down would never work. So reconsider your decision on that.

You might be able to rent a good bag & save much of your $600.

 

[thehstrybean]

Originally posted by: scott
Haven't, but I've read that very good 1998 book about it:
A Walk in the Woods , by Bill Bryson, ISBN 0-7679-0251-3

I'd love to hike the Appalachian Trail end-to-end but who has the time?
Have done some California segments of the Pacific Coast Trail.

Gear selection depends on weather & duration of trip.
Your OP list is too brief.
Suggest you try to include:

an inflatable air mattress,
excellent sunglasses & crush-proof case,
definitely a tent,
a couple of lengths of clothesline to dry wet stuff on, & a few clothespins,
a Frisbee or other social toy,
insect repellent,
tweezers to pull ticks off & splinters out,
your water filter I have this one & recommend it,,
maybe a little piece of insulite to use for sitting on the frozen rocks,
an empty pillow case to stuff your clothes into to form a pillow,
a few non-battery wind-up flashlights,
whatever that area calls for in the way of rain gear: rain-proof stuff bags for sleeping bag & gear, rain fly for tent, your rain clothing like parka, etc.
topo map,
really good 1st aid kit,
plenty of small money to buy stuff on the trail from other hikers like fuel, etc.
camera,
etc.

You say "no synthetic fill in sleeping bag," but that's better in wet areas.
I only get away with my goose down bag because of my rain-proof tent, otherwise down would never work. So reconsider your decision on that.

You might be able to rent a good bag & save much of your $600.

Down works great in rain. Bags now have been separated into individual, waterproof compartments. Bags are also coated in DWR (Durable Water Repellent), and down packs down really small. I can cram a down bag into a Nalgene. Synthetics also lose their warmth after ~4 years.

I'll check out the book, though. I've wanted to do the Pacific trail too. Man, so much to walk...

 

[dug777]

The Bill Bryson book rocks

 

[shortylickens]

No, but I have died numerous times on the Oregon Trail.
JOKES ON THEM! I finally made it without dysentary.

(25 years later . )

 

[thehstrybean]

Originally posted by: shortylickens
No, but I have died numerous times on the Oregon Trail.
JOKES ON THEM! I finally made it without dysentary.

(25 years later . )

My fvckin ox keeps dyin as I ford the stream...must be a fvcking stream of acid...

 

[Midlander]

Dale Evans Rogers: 'Appy Trails to you.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

1. The GG Vapor Trail is a good pack. I have the GG Nimbus Ozone myself, but I would also look at the Latitudes for the ease of access to your gear. The Latitudes have a number of downsides though, including heavier weight and lower capacity because they don't have the extension collar at the top that the Vapor Trail and Ozone have.

2. For the stove, have you considered a Jet Boil? VERY easy and quick all-in-one unit. Don't even need a seperate windscreen, and the fuel canister fits inside the cup part of the stove for storage. Fuel use is very good because it boils so quickly. I use it often with Campbell's Chunky soup and it literally starts getting hot enough to eat in a minute or two. The first time I used it I actually burnt the soup because I didn't realize how quickly it would cook. Not really ultralight, but it's still a very good weight for the sheer convenience and performance.

3. The Meridian looks nice. What I really look for in a tent is the ability to freestand without stakes, for when you're pitching on rocks or ground that is just too hard or frozen to stake into, and the ability to fastpack, meaning you can set up the tent with just the groundsheet and rainfly, decreasing weight substantially. A nice vestibule is good too.

Maybe look at the Marmot EOS 1P as well?

http://www.backcountrygear.com/catalog/tentdetail.cfm/MA8230

Freestanding, a bit lighter than the Meridian, and the solid tent walls extend a bit higher than the Meridian, meaning less drafts going through the mesh.

A lot of people also like the Big Anges Seedhouse SL tents.

Unfortunately, I think by your post you're going to be pretty much limited to your budget it seems. $100 for a brand new Meridian is certainly a VERY good price.

4. When you buy a bag MAKE SURE you size it right for your height and torso and maybe even your waist. I have a very slim figure, and my old bag, a Moonstone Maxima, was too wide and cavernous on the inside that I had a very hard time getting warm because I had to heat up all that dead air inside. There was one time when I wasn't sure if I was even going to make it through a night because it was just so cold. I've since switched to a Montbell Super Stretch Down Hugger #2 and it's a lot slimmer and compact inside, meaning I stay warmer. The #2 is rated at around 25F. I've slept down to -7F comfortably in it in the Rockies, wearing a down jacket, a beanie, and sleeping on a double layer of a Thermarest Prolite 4 and an Exped Downmat 9.

Sleeping pads really really matter. If I had a choice between a -50F sleeping bag + Thermarest Prolite 4 for a 0 degree night, or a 30F bag and a Prolite and Exped (or even just the Exped itself), I'd still go for the latter.

As for height, leave about a half foot of clearance so that you can put things like water bottles or wet socks at your feet to dry them or keep them from freezing overnight.

And yeah, synthetic is horrible. And never use compression sacks on your bags. It's a good way to instantly kill them.

5. Footwear. I don't use boots because they are heavy. I've used them before, and since I've switched to trailrunners, it's been GREAT. My load is light enough that I don't really need ankle support, I'm not climbing Mt. Rainier, I don't need Goretex because the shoes dry rather quickly (if you're concerned with staying dry wear waterproof socks instead), and they are light light light.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Went from Katadin (sp) in Maine to Greylock in Mass my senior summer.
I used equipment from the previous year of scouting that was well broken in.
Pack, boots, bag.
Being summer, I was able to leave the winter gear behind and just bring decent fall weather. Some summer grear was used; but not until July.

Best 6-8 weeks I ever had.
Supplies were pre-mailed to general Delivery along the route.
Hiked alone, but plenty of companionship along the trail to talk with and bunk the nights.

 

[GasX]

Common wisdom has it that you can completely equip yourself with highend gear for free just by starting the AT a week after the beginning of the season. When you have a few thousand miles of hiking in front of you, it only takes a few days to realize that barebones is king and suddenly the trail becomes littered with nice but superfluous gear...

If you can take care of your feet, stay dry, and keep warm at night you are 90% of the way there...

When you carry stuff on your back, less is more.

 

[Specop 007]

I dont know what your experience level is, so I'll just give a few basic tips.

First off, tents. When the only thing between you and the rain, wind and cold is a peice of fabric you want a good peice of fabric. You want a DAAAAMN good peice of fabric.

Get a quality tent sized for you and get the best damn tent stakes you can find.

As to shoes. Get shoes that fit and fit well. Make sure there broken in. Take some Mole Skin with you. Take care of your feet! You can have all the plans, maps and gear in the world to have the time of your life. If your feet quit, YOU quit. Stop every few hours on the trail for the first few days and tend to your feet. Any place thats rubbing or red, treat it. Treat it well, treat it often. I've heard (but never personally seen) of people who had to make camp for 2 or 3 days just to let their feet heal because they hit the trail with new fancy hikinh boots that didnt fit and got themselves a nasty blister and couldnt push on.

Hope for the best, plan for the worst.

 

[Feldenak]

I did about a 250 mile section of it, ending in Harper's Ferry, MD. One of the best times I ever had on the trail. The AT and Philmont are my two favorite times backpacking.

I want to hike the whole thing one day but I just don't see that happening.

 

[Chunkee]

link

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enjoy

jC

 

[jhayx7]

I have hiked the approach trail, 2 years ago. It is not that bad of a hike, I was able to do it in ~6 hours. You don't need any training but if you are lazy, start walking around with a pack on your back filled with water jugs or bricks.

My advice on gear is to go as light as possible. Screw a tent, get a bivey sack and a light sleeping bag. If you can't afford a nice light stove, consider making one. Do a google search for a "cat can" stove, That is what I made and took on the trail with me. It is lighter than anything you can buy and burns denatured alc. Invest in some good thick wool socks and good boots (be sure to break them in before you go hiking).

I repeat, go as light as possible. I started the hike with a 55lb pack and regreted it. My friend did the entire AT and started with 50lbs and started shipping things back and ended up with a 35lb pack. The approach trail a short hike and anything over 40lb is over-kill.

Make sure to take a little bit of duct-tape. It is invaluble on the trail. Great for covering up blisters and patching things.

I hope you had better luck than I did. The trail leading up to the top of the waterfall was closed due to hornets so I had to take the stairs. All ~750 of them... After huffing up those stairs and hiking 8 miles with a 55lb sack, my legs would not work the next morning. I am not kidding either, they would not move at all. After rubbing them and moving them around with my arms, they started to loosen up.

Good luck!

 

[Chunkee]

I hope you had better luck than I did. The trail leading up to the top of the waterfall was closed due to hornets so I had to take the stairs. All ~750 of them... After huffing up those stairs and hiking 8 miles with a 55lb sack, my legs would not work the next morning. I am not kidding either, they would not move at all. After rubbing them and moving them around with my arms, they started to loosen up.

Good luck!

ROFL...sorry...I just pictured this...i have been there...and it is funny...its like you are a paraplegic....i woke up...and was like WTF...help, help...

jC

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally posted by: jhayx7
I have hiked the approach trail, 2 years ago. It is not that bad of a hike, I was able to do it in ~6 hours. You don't need any training but if you are lazy, start walking around with a pack on your back filled with water jugs or bricks.

My advice on gear is to go as light as possible. Screw a tent, get a bivey sack and a light sleeping bag. If you can't afford a nice light stove, consider making one. Do a google search for a "cat can" stove, That is what I made and took on the trail with me. It is lighter than anything you can buy and burns denatured alc. Invest in some good thick wool socks and good boots (be sure to break them in before you go hiking).

I repeat, go as light as possible. I started the hike with a 55lb pack and regreted it. My friend did the entire AT and started with 50lbs and started shipping things back and ended up with a 35lb pack. The approach trail a short hike and anything over 40lb is over-kill.

Make sure to take a little bit of duct-tape. It is invaluble on the trail. Great for covering up blisters and patching things.

I hope you had better luck than I did. The trail leading up to the top of the waterfall was closed due to hornets so I had to take the stairs. All ~750 of them... After huffing up those stairs and hiking 8 miles with a 55lb sack, my legs would not work the next morning. I am not kidding either, they would not move at all. After rubbing them and moving them around with my arms, they started to loosen up.

Good luck!

Good tips. My experience comes really from solo winter alpine-ish hiking, so my gear recommendations are a little on the heavy side.

A bivy is really nice and light, but inconvenient, and a pain to get into and out of, especially in pouring rain. Plus it's really small on the inside. Normally I'm not claustrophobic, but out in the woods by myself, 10 miles from the nearest establishment and in the dark, I generally like some space in my personal space.

I used a pop can alcohol stove for about three years. Super light, sturdy, and cheap, but not the quickest to boil or maintain a strong flame. Overall convenience is kinda low.

Your pack should not be over 40lb, especially in summer. When I get back from classes I can compile a list of gear and their corresponding weights.

 

[GasX]

As a backpacker, the only time I would ever have 55lbs on my back would be if I was desert camping and had to pack in all my water.

 

[daveshel]

I would submit that anybody who could use such an inane nickname would probably be a danger to themselves on the AT.

 

[thehstrybean]

We need an ATOT Appy club...we all meet up and do it...

 

[jhayx7]

Originally posted by: thehstrybean
We need an ATOT Appy club...we all meet up and do it...

I'd be in for a weekend hike!