[at-l] Questions for Former Thru Hikers

[carol1944 at brmemc.net (Carol Donaldson)]

1- Did you use zip up jacket(s) or would zip-neck pullover have worked as well?

2- What was your most treasured piece of equipment during your hike and why?

3- Fleece or fill for a jacket or pullover/zip neck?

4- How did you treat water?  Iodine, Aqua Mira, Filter (what brand)?  Would you change for another Thru Hike?

5- Did you take a vest as well as a jacket/pull-over?

6- Did you use two sleeping bags?  One for spring and fall and one for summer?  If so, when did you send back your spring/fall bag and when did you get it mailed back to you?  Also, was it down or fill?  What did each bag weigh?

7- What is the least expensive item that you'd never be without (doesn't have to be most treasured) on a Thru Hike?

8- What is the most expensive item of its type (not necessarily the $400 sleeping bag but perhaps the $800 sleeping bag; not the $100 wrist watch but perhaps the $300 wrist watch; not the $250 tent but perhaps the $650 tent) that you carried on your Thru Hike?

9- What items were usually in your Bounce Box?  How often did you Bounce and how often did you send items home as 'no longer needed for an enjoyable hike?'

10- How many Zero Days did you have on your Thru Hike?  Would you have more or less the next time?

11- Did you blue blaze to the 'vista sights' along the Trail or did you just 'hike straight to Katahdin'?

12- Did you ever waver in your decision to Thru Hike while hiking?  If so, what did you do that kept you focused on Katahdin?  If not, do you have an explanation as to why you never wavered?

13- Describe hiking through the Presidentials -- what is the terrain, elevation gain, etc like and what are the Huts like?

14- Describe Mahoosuc Notch and Mahoosuc Arm in terms that won't scare the beegeebees out of those of us just planning to Thru Hike in the next couple of years, but give us an honest evaluation of the conditions we'll be hiking in when we get there.

15- What were your thoughts as you topped Katahdin (if you can share them)?  What did you think as you touched the sign and realized your Thru Hike was over?

16- Describe one way in which your Thru Hike changed you from the person you were pre-hike.

As usual, thanks, Coosa

http://auntiecoosa.blogspot.com
http://exerciseandabeer.blogspot.com