How worried should I be?

imported
#1

I suppose January is a natural reality-check for most thru-hikers. Suddenly you realize that you’ll be taking to the trail in a matter of months, rather than “sometime next year.”

I guess I just wanted to gauge this communtiy reaction to my lack of preparation.

Lets see… I have:
-backpack
-sleeping bag
-tent
-headlamp
-camera
-trail runners
-water filter
-saved $4,500
-a tentative ride to Georgia as long as I satrt on a weekend
-completed a 4 day trial hike in Yellowstone

Still Need:
-some sort of stove/ fuel
-maps
-to plan out mail drops
-pot, lid, mug, spoon
-figure out what clothing I’ll take
-a backup memory card

Anyway, am I majorly behind on planning, or do i still have enough time? I’m planning to start during the first week of March.

Is there anything I’m not even thinking of?

Nomad

#2

That is about where I am. I have till mid-April though, so I have another good month to slack off!!! :tongue

I don’t think you are majorly behind. As others have said on here, I think you can get everything done in a week or two if you really had to.

I’m not stressing it toooooo much, but I know I need to kick it into high gear, especially on the saving end!!! I still have to sell my car too, which might be a pain in the arse. Just think, at least you won’t be working in three months!!! That is the only thing that is getting me through!!! :cheers

reggaemylitis

#3

maildrops - ditch
mug - ditch
maps - ditch
clothing - if your not wearing it when you hike, dont take it.

hmm pocketmail for journaling? :slight_smile:

Bloody Cactus

#4

Nomad,

Don’t sweat it too much, everything will come together. I am still working on getting all of my gear together; I know what I want I just haven’t purchased it yet. Savings are taken care of as well as my ride out there. As far as maildrops go, if you can buy it on the trail then don’t ship it. The cost of shipping sometimes outweighs the savings you may find at home on certain items.

reggaemylitis is right - no work in 3 months!! See you all on the trail - starting 4/4/05.

Big Slick

#5

One guy started at Springer with a 5-gallon bucket. true tale.
Ask Bob Peoples for the story when you get to Kincorra (Dennis Cove Rd, TN).
The guy made it too, although Bob wheddled the bucket off of him, in “trade” for a backpack.

PS Anything you need, except maybe a pocketmail (define “need”), you can get at Neel’s Gap. Great folks. Anyone can last 30 miles. By then, you’ll have a clearer idea of what you really “need,” and it will be less than you think. Skip maildrops if possible.

Take a hat, and don’t forget to write.

Jan LiteShoe

#6

You won’t need a lot of clothes, but you will need a small 1st aid kit, maybe a pocketknife (swiss army/leatherman), and a toiletries kit (toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss).

Pretty much everything you will use on a thru-hike will be what you will need for a 4-5 day hiking trip in the woods…you’ll just be constantly repeating that 4-5 day hiking trip.

bearbait

#7

Jan is right. You can get everything that you are looking for at Neel’s Gap (or the REI in Atlanta). But, be warned, Neel’s Gap is expensive. They do a nice job giving you a “shake-down” but they do influence you with their own opinion (which if you have no clue, it’s good to take) about gear. Make a list of gear (now’s a good time to learn Excel) and go over it MANY MANY MANY times. Read what others have taken and what they left behind; especially near the end of the trail. Gear is MUCH cheaper over the internet or during sales at your local outfitter.

Neel’s Gap is a good place to switch out things and “tune” your gear list. I saw people drop over $1300 for completely new equipment at Neel’s. That’s such a waste of money. Think about your gear before you go.

Dave and Miranda

#8

Well said Jan. Just get out and hike. Bring some warm cloths and some food. The trail will tell you what to buy at Neels Gap. Tell Winton Hi from Subman

Sub 03

Subman

#9

yep, just find a gear list from an experienced person who’s also going (I’ll volunteer mine if you want, as I’m sure others will also) and check off what you have vs. what you need.
The only thing you really need to do ahead of time is get a list of the things you need yet. The gear itself can be bought in a day.

0101

#10

I met a chick in 2001 called 3 Days, cuz she was told about the trail and in 3 days she packed up what she had and decided to hike. No that is NO PREP. When we talked in Hot Springs she was having a great time. Sue/HH

Hammock Hanger

#11

For many years this place has saved thruhikes for a lot of people. I have been there and watched pack “shakedowns” where some truly crazy things went home. Sometimes the gear changes are simply because someone saved a fortune buying this really cool pack on the internet. Then they find out that the pack doesn’t fit them at all or the onsale 8 pound tent is tooo heavy or the new boots would be great climbing Everest! Sure, hikers will spend a little more replacing gear there but they will be getting solid advice from experienced long distance AT hikers. Not just thier opinions. But in the end it will be what you carry “inside” you that keeps you on the trail. The lightest, most expensive, high tech gear in the world will not carry you up the AT.

Miss Janet