New 2005ers - Appalachian Trail

imported
#1

Just wanted to introduce ourselves on his great site. My wife and I have officially decided to thru-hike in 2005. This has been a 6 yr dream of mine that I thought would never happen. It has at times consumed my every thought. my wife of three years has been supportive of this interest, but took on the interest herself in the past year. I couldn’t imagine not taking my best friend on this journey-of-a-lifetime. I would like to know if there are others here who are planning that far ahead–any 2005ers? what is your tentative start date? although i have been following the AT thru-hike culture vicariously from Wingfoot’s site to this one, and have been at times dissapointed and encouraged–my wife and i are looking for both a wilderness experience and a social one. However, we arent looking for a party train. We want to enjoy the company of other low-impact hikers and the serenity and wildness of nature. I hope that there are still others who are looking to do the trail for the same reasons.
here are some questions i would love to get answers to:
what do some of you reccomend for toughening feet? my biggest concern is blisters–i want to do what i can to avoid them.
What approach have some of you used to ask for a work leave-of-absence?
Have/are any of you taken/ing a break from school to do this? I will be half way done with grad-school when i start my hike–how difficult do you think it will be to get right back into the books?
thank you for all your contributions!

Kyle & Lisa

#2

K&L, I am planning a thru in ‘05’ if all goes according to plans. I tried a thru in 2000 but only made it to the Smokies before I started skipping and eventually got off the trail. It was a mistake I haven’t been able to live with and have been plotting to get back ever since. My start date will be the last week of March or first week of April. Hope to see you there!!

Big B

#3

It seems frighteningly early to be saying this, but my wife and I also looking to attempt a thruhike again that year. We tried in '01 but my wife’s feet just didn’t make it (she got a neuroma). Now we are pretty sure about 05, but that all important leave of absence from work will be a tough thing to arrange. I’m worried about that one, as we have a house and love where we are. But it’s worth it…

We attempted right after we both finished school and before real jobs. I had a real job lined up. Although there were a few bumps, it worked out well. Personally, I doubt you will have a problem adjusting back to school. You might have a problem not jumping back on trail the next spring though!

As for the feet, wear trail runners. That will help the most. Get your pack weight down to sub 30 lbs.

Don’t plan mail drops except for a few places… I can’t remember those places, but I know that others can say where you really need them. Fontana Dam is one that I remember.

Hopefully we will see you out there! We are really looking forward to making hiker friends. For some reason that didn’t really click for us the first time. We made some great friends, but they were all training for the PCT, and when they left, we were sad…

YIPPIE! 16 months! wow…

Gravity Man and Tuffie (but we want new names!)

Gravity Man

#4

Hi Kyle and Lisa,

Blisters: Stop for a ten minute break every 50 minutes. Rub your feet with rubbing alcohol then powder feet with foot powder. That will toughen your feet. After a month or so, you can ditch the alcohol. At the first sign of a burn, stop and moleskin the hot spot. If possible, change socks at noon.

Tell your employer you are going to spend six months hiking the AT and you would like a six- month leave of absence.

After hiking the AT from end to end, you will be ready to sit down forever and lose yourself in those books.

Good luck.

Margie
AT 02 (bluevist)

Margie Gibson

#5

We are going to go for 9 months. 6 months cuts the ends of the trip a little close. We plan on starting in march, finishing mid sept. That gives us a month and a 1/2 of pad at the end to readjust and also in case of any injury.

I just don’t want to only get 6 months off, then be 2 weeks from finishing when I have to go back too work. Way too much stress!

Gravity Man

Gravity Man

#6

What are trail-runners?

C-Giddy

#7

Never heard of a long-distance bpacker who didn’t get blisters now and again. Are there such people?

As far as giving yourself time after your hike – if you can – I think Gravity Man is doing a wise thing. When I finished the trail in 2000, it took weeks for me to “readjust.” My husband and I were (and are) property caretakers, so we worked (and still work) at home. I sort of wished I could have gone somewhere else for a few weeks as a transition, but after six months away from my husband, I wanted to see him asap. I was pretty moody for a while, though. Man, was he ever patient.

But anyway…

ramkitten

#8

I am also planning a thru hike in 2005. My good friend and I both are retiring and planning to start out around the 1st of March of 2005. Would enjoy hearing from others planning a 2005 thru hike. We have already starting purchasing equipment a little at a time.

Ron

Ron

#9

Blisters…I just finished reading Earl Shaffers book"Walking with Spring".It was an account of his first thru-hike in 1948.To toughen his feet he poured sand in his boots, and didn’t wear socks while hiking.That worked for him.
However, I recommend putting as many miles as possible on your boots prior to your hike.That way they are broken in, and alot of the foot problems will be eliminated.Also pay attention to what your feet are telling you.I attempted a thru-hike in 2000,and had a few minor blisters.Eventually had to leave the trail in the Smokies with stress fractures in my foot.
The worst blister I’ve ever experienced, was on a day hike in Yosemite.Ignored a hot spot,and payed for it for almost 2 years whenever I hiked.
On the subject of hiking with your mate.I wished my wife and I could have hiked on the AT together.When you hike solo,you always see things, that would mean more if your mate were with you.Don’t forget to be patient with each other…that’s a must.

Bill Harris

#10

Thank you all for your responses. Margie, in reference to the leave of absence–why didn’t I think of that?:oh
Good advice on foot care too! I look forward to the next year of planning. After all–that’s half the fun, right? I hope to follow someone’s journal for 2004.
Kyle

Kyle & Lisa

#11

What are they?

C-Giddy

#12

…folks who caretake certain sections of the trail. Their responsibilities include, Leave-No-Trace education, education about local regulations, carrying out trash (for those not familiar with LNT), and reporting illegal activity to authorities responsible for enforcement of local regulations.

Essentially, they are the eyes and ears of the local hiking club that maintains the trail in that particular region. You’ll find them in some areas of the trail (GA, GSMNP, PA) and not others. They are often referred to as Ridge Runners.

Little Bear

#13

disregard previous post. It always helps to read the entire thread before replying…

he he

Little Bear

#14

Trail Running shoes is what I meant. Depending on what you are looking for in a shoe and your foot type, try out the asics gel eagle trail II or NB 806. The NB (new balance) is a more ridged shoe, the asics is a more cushioned shoe. Both have a decent amount of cushioning though…

Gravity Man

Gravity Man