Keeping busy

imported
#21

If you can get the free Zoloft samples for six months - that’s great. If not, I know that Zoloft without insurance costs somewhere between $175 and $200 per month for 100mg. If you are taking a smaller dosage, try for the large mg pills and break them in half. But don’t do any of this without talking to your Doctor first.

You might also talk to your Doctor about using St. John’s Wort, an OTC drug that has worked well with depression in some folks. You can find it at any (well almost) drug store. It’s definitely a lot cheaper than Zoloft.

If your prescriptions are on file at a big-name pharmacy (CVS, Eckerds, Walgreens, etc.) you can go to any of their pharmacies and have them transfer the script to there electronically. I believe you can repeat this process as you go to different drug stores.

JAWS

#22

I’m not sure if anyone said this but if you can get to Neels gap, they were the best info on what to bring and what not to bring. An outfitter that is not ON the trail really has NO idea what minimalistic needs a thru-hiker has. I bought so much gear last year before I left and ended up sending most of it out at some point or not using it at all! The only piece of gear that made it from start to finish were my bamboo trekking poles I made at home (and they rocked!!)

Wal-mart does have layers that work just as well as the expensive technical gear from patagonia, etc. Those sport tops are great. I hiked in wal-mart most of the way. I think everything except tent, pack, and sleeping bag can be fudged. Get the alcohol stove or make one, find cheap wool layers and or walmart, use treatment for water instead of filter, just budget food.

The only thing I did from x-mas to march 13th when I started was read trail journals, eat taco bell, and pack and re-pack my bag till the sun came up.

and now that it is over what do I do, go through pictures and trail journals everyother day preaching my crazy advice!!!

Good luck!!!

Captain Pat

#23

I suppose if money was no object you could start at Springer carrying a paper sack with 2-3 days food. Then, when you got to Neals Gap you just throw the paper sack away and buy everything the outfitter suggests you need.

In actuality, you would probably be equipped with some well-suited, high-quality gear. Just make sure you got the big bucks. Everything is a compromise.

JAWS

#24

thanks for the responses, everyone!

I’m definitely planning on going cheap wherever I can, the only place I’m expecting to spend more is on boots and sleeping bag/tent. I may very likely stop at the outfitter’s in Neel’s Gap and pick their brains, but I’m VERY cheap so I don’t think it’s very likely that they are going to talk me into buying a bunch of stuff I don’t need. I plan on testing out all my gear thoroughly before I go so hopefully I will have a minimum of stuff to ditch or replace (of course, everyone probably says that)…I’m interested in what they have to say though, and I’m sure that they can give me a lot of good info since they have a lot of experience.

Anyway, I can’t say thanks enough for all of the helpful advice I’ve been getting on here. I can’t wait to get out on the trail and meet such wonderful people.

By the way, I’ve set a date!!! March 22,2008. My dad’s birthday :happy and hopefully the date when I’ll have enough saved up. Keeping my fingers crossed!!
:slight_smile: Mindi

Mindi

#25

You won’t be needing Zoloft on the trail. The minute you are surrounded by the green tunnel, the healing begins.

Julie