[at-l] thoughts on various hiking items, etc.

[spiriteagle99@hotmail.com (Jim and/or Ginny Owen)]

Desert Nomad wrote:
>Less pack weight means less stress on the body and the ability to hike
>more miles, and thus not have to carry as much food between town
>stops. It also means more enjoyment during the actual hiking, and a
>few less comforts when tenting or staying in a shelter. Also, lighter
>hiking footware is important to me. I read that a pound off your feet
>is like 5 off your back. I would go with trail runners which are more
>durable than sneakers, but lighter than hiking boots. Now thoughts on
>different items:
>  1. camera: not that essential, the long distance shots are not great
>     unless a human is in the center of the photo and without one you
>     don't need to deal with film and battery issues, etc.

Nomad -
Been reading Jardine, huh?  S'OK - he has some good ideas - also some bad 
ones, but you'll have to figure out which are which - for you.  In general, 
leaving the camera behind is one of the bad ones.  5 years after the hike 
you'll wish you'd taken those pictures so you could remember what you saw.  
Besides - what are you gonna show the family and friends when you get home?  
   :-)))

Trail runners - eat my feet - literally.  Lightweight boots do fine.  I use 
Lowas.  But that's a personal problem.  Most people "can" use trail runners.

>  2. stoves: I would go without one. You also don't have to carry the
>     pot, spoon, fuel bottle, etc. Note, this means a little added weight 
>in food, but the hassle of cooking is out.

Some people go this way - sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
Personal choice - and, as always, you get to live with the consequences  
:-))

>  3. knife: not needed

Again - personal choice.  But I find the knife too handy to leave behind.

<snip>

>10.tent: lightweight Eureka clip flashlight for me. Keeps me away from
>    the snorers in the shelters and bugs. Also, great for privacy,
>    warmth, and keeps me from losing items I would lose that I had
>    scattered around a shelter. Also, I have more options where I can
>    spend the night.

A Nomad is lighter.  We used a Clip on the AT and then again on the CDT.  
But we used the Nomad 2for2 on the PCT - now we don't want to give it up.


>11.  Maps, data book, Wingfoot book, etc. are not needed, but I like the 
>data book since it is light and helpful. Other hikers usually have >one if 
>you have any questions.

None of them are indispensable on the AT.  All of them are handy - as long 
as you don't carry too much of them.  But depending on other hikers is a bad 
habit to get into.  We've been too many places where there are no other 
hikers to ask.  Get in the habit of carrying your own information sources.  
When/if you hike other long trails you don't need bad habits - they don't 
work.


>12.  mail drops: they are a big pain for the most part; lost mail, bad
>timing coming into town, being sick of food you have prepackaged
>are all problems. Most of the time you can hitch to a grocery store
>so don't worry too much about it.

LOL - no argument there -


>17. small pack: with less stuff a large, heavier pack is not needed

Thank you - I hear an echo.

>18. sunglasses and suntan lotion: not for me

That's what I said on the AT --- and ended up with precancerous skin 
lesions.  But I got smarter later - you REALLY don't want to blow those off 
on the PCT - or the CDT.

Hey - welcome to the campfire/zoo.  Hope you got a smashmellow.

Walk softly,
Jim



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