[at-l] Suggestions for Year 2002 Thru-hikers

[datto_atl@yahoo.com (Datto)]

Here's the beginnings of a list of suggestions for
Year 2002 thru-hikers -- listers...add to it if you
have an idea or suggestion:

*) Don't buy an MSR Dragonfly Stove -- you'll end up
being the scourge of the Trail because of the jet
engine noise that sucker makes at the shelter
(terribly inconsiderate toward other hikers to fire up
a Dragonfly at a shelter -- ruins everyone else's
peace and quiet). If you already have mistakenly
bought a Dragonfly, sell it.

*) Consider writing a daily journal (public or
private, paper or electronic). It'll be so valuable to
you after your thru-hike! It's worth the effort, even
if you only write two paragraphs per day. It's easier
to be consistent when writing a journal on the Trail
if you write at the same time of the day each day.

*) Carry a protein supplement with you and use it
every day from the beginning of your thru-hike. It'll
help you keep from losing so much muscle mass at the
end of your thru-hike (and thus, keep you in better
physical shape when you need it most -- in New
Hampshire and Maine). A cheap protein supplement is
dried milk (Carnation type) that you can put into hot
chocolate every night. A more expensive (and
effective) option is to carry ZipLocs of something
like Weider's Whey Supplement (available at Wal-Marts
-- chocolate or vanilla) which has three times the
useable protein that dried milk has for the same drink
quantity.

*) Budget your money such that you have half of your
money available to you when you cross into Connecticut
(for northbounders). This will keep you from running
out of money and still being comfortable in the
northern states.

*) If you haven't yet bought your trail gear, consider
spending the money necessary to get the total sum of
the weights of your a) empty backpack, b) sleeping bag
and c) tent as far under 10 lbs as possible (mine was
7.75 lbs startup up Springer from the visitor's center
at Amicalola Falls). If you're a northbounder, you'll
thank me at about...oh...the climb up Sassafras
Mountain in Georgia.

*) Don't rush! You'll make it fine. Geez, the whole
idea here is to take it easy. Enjoy yourself (and
being with yourself). There's plenty of time. Don't
panic and start hiking 18 mile days in North Carolina.
Hey...slow down and take a nap in the afternoon once
in a while.

*) You'll likely encounter some of the best memories
and closest future friends during the first two weeks
of your thru-hike.

*) At your local Dollar store, see if you can find
discounted Band-Aid Brand Compeed for your blisters.
Get some smalls and medium sizes and carry those with
you on your thru-hike. Compeed is probably the best
blister treatment available for thru-hikers.

Datto



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