Okay, I know it’s not something generally brought up in discussion of the AT, but on days that you’re snowed in, recuperating from an especially nasty blister, or whatever- how do most folks pass the day away? I imagine books, cards and writing will be top three on the list… Any others? Love to hear what folks have to say!
J.F.
I’ve been snowed in once in a shelter. It was about 20 degrees for the day’s high. I stayed in my bag and read. It got boring after a while, so I got up, went outside the shelter and took all of my clothes off - for about 30 seconds. After that, the bag didn’t seem so boring any more. I guess everything is relative.
A lot of hikers associate a zero day with being in town. But in nice weather there is nothing wrong with hanging around a nice shelter and just relaxing for a zero. Check out a side trail, work on or clean gear, read, catch up on journal, etc. It doesn’t cost you anything and you still let the body relax a bit.
jaws
On the last leg of sectioning the AT, I was the victim of food poisoning, which “kicked in” about the time I got to Saddleback. Made it way after dark to Poplar Ridge Shelter, where I tented, but moved into the shelter and took a zero there the next day hoping to recuperate.
It did get boring, but trying to hike would have been worse. During the day I had a few visitors–both NOBOs and SOBOs–and I spent the rest of the day (in between hurling) reading. Once I felt a little better I got ambitious enough to even clean the shelter! By late afternoon, the shelter filled up as it was raining and that makes shelters a magnet for hikers (in between rain I set the tent back up again to spend the night in it).
A zero in the woods isn’t a bad thing, and sometimes it’s even necessary due to illness or weather. Things could be a lot worse.
Skyline
I always carry 2 books. One is an easy to read adventure story, the other is a difficult though popular science book. Time passes pretty quickly as you try to decipher some difficult subject you’re interested in. THE WHOLE SHEBANG by Tim Ferris - a history of cosmology and science with excursions into quantum mechanics and string theory is well written and a real thought-inducing activity, particularly if you’re alone. Ponder the unanswerable “Why are we here?” under a zillion stars.
booger
I’m a big fan of naps. We also played a lot of cards. And talked about utterly ridiculous stuff. This year Grasshopper would actually go to town, do her thing, head into the woods and zero there. She really liked just hangin’ out in a cool spot on the trail. I’m too A.D.D. to do that though
Nokia
obviously most people take their zero days in town, but on those days there are always so many errands to run that you won’t find much time off. In town, if you have time, then it’s bath, beer, bed.
A zero in the woods can be spent cleaning up your food bag, journaling, and often I’d get some water and wash my clothes. Another good idea is to take the entire day to hike 10 or so miles up the Trail.
I remember a six-mile day I did, and I was very happy just to pace around and ponder my situation.
0101
I always thought a day off in the middle of the woods was great. Enjoy a quiet morning, get organized, wash up, do a wash, read, journal, hang up a line and air out the sleeping bag, eat up all the odds and ends of food…
Loved it.
Conan.
Ckonan
I always thought a day off in the middle of the woods was great. Enjoy a quiet morning, get organized, wash up, do a wash, read, journal, hang up a line and air out the sleeping bag, eat up all the odds and ends of food…
Loved it.
Conan.
Conan
I agree, take advantage of the peace and quiet and zero-out in the woods.
I agree, take advantage of the peace and quiet and zero-
out in the woods.
jaws
still jaws
jaws
Well I cant tell you guys what I do but it involves a nap afterwards. and when there are other people in the shelter with me it is even more delightful!
CAPTAIN CAVEMAN!
Captain, You are so disgusting! pickin your nose all day can be very dangerous.
Ritchie Rich
Dont worry so much about bordem. Just become part of the experience and a new world will open up.
Virginian
God, the baiting that goes on at this site!
Hard to believe sometimes that anyone actually gets into the woods.
Or, perhaps, doing so doesn’t always have a healthy effect on people.
Jeez…
Conan.
Conan
well when i get bored by being snowed in or something like that i just get walking down the trail. that will definately fix the boredom issue!
have a great evening all!
TYVEK
TYVEK
I like to set up a mile from a shelter in the woods, and then I do a perimiter sweep, I work on my stealth movements and then I take a nap and then I work my way to the shelter inch by inch, closer and closer I am so good I am invisible to all. and as the evening progress I move in slowly and carefully, sometimes it takes me a hour to move 5 feet.I stop I listen I am never seen.For I am The Hunter of People!..:eek:
Ritchie Rich
And some night, when you least expect it, you’ll end up with a leki protruding from a critical juncture of your anatomy. The hunter becomes the hunted.
Hunter of hunters
I like to whittle. A good pocket knife and a stick of wood can provide entertainment for hours. Just make sure you’ve got some band-aids…Slicing a finger open is a possiblity.
Be artistic. Make intricate artwork with leaves,sticks,and dirt. Make sure its temporary, so that the winds will take it away later…remember leave no trace.
bryan
Here’s a thought.
I work in a hectic, stressful urban environment where I literally have to constantly be on guard for sudden threats to my safety. Plus, there’s lots of information coming in and going out at irregular intervals that I have to process and deal with, quickly, as I guard against threats to my life and safety.
When I finally get out on my long distance hike, there will be times when I will make a point to lay on my back in the least populated place I can find. I’ll look at the sky and contemplate and relax. I’ll close my eyes and contemplate and relax. I’ll turn and contemplate the ground and relax, wiping all thoughts of my off trail life from my mind. I’ll contemplate the horizon and the treeline and the deep woods I may be in; I’ll be as observant of the moment and my surroundings as I can.
I’ll put thoughts of people and civilization out of my mind, and think of how content I am to be here, now. I’ll make sure I smile while I do that.
That’s one of the big reasons why I look forward to my zeros and neros.
Long distance hiking may just be training for the best quality contemplative zeros.
Then I’ll raid the bear bags.
Bear Bag Ninja
Sloghound