New to Hiking, but doing a THRU-HIKE

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#21

I will try to follow your hike this summer. Are you going to keep a journal on this site. I’ts really easy and not something that has to be updated all the time.(and it’s free) There will be a lot of people who would love to follow your journey. If you make it up to NH I do some awesome Trail Magic in July @ Aug. My wife @ I have a 4 star Condo resort in lincoln. I’m about a 1000yards up the road from Chets Hostel. He has the only hostel in town and is a good friend of mine. So even if you end up at Chets you could come by and enjoy a great zero. You will need it for the Whites and Maine. Probably the toughest hiking on the entire trail and also the most rewarding. Heated swimming pools, hot tubs, hot food and so much more is what you can expect at the resort. Hope to see you and the boys this summer.
Dan Paradis

Dan Paradis

#22

I started out at springer in 09.I was 50 pds overweight and a smoker.45 years old.My goal was to get as far nprth as i could.Hopefully va line.I made it to gatlinberg approx 250 miles.My pack was way to heavy at 30 pds. Caused me to get tendenitis.I was able to make it that far by hiking shelter to shelter.It seems like most shelters down south are either 8-10 miles apart or 13-15 miles aparThe 13-15 mile ones were just too far.It is very hard to make it without the occasional zero in town.After a long hot 50(over several days) miles a motel room is going to look sweet!!!North of the smokies it looks like there are more hostels along the way.At least that is my hope when i head down to continue in may.I started may 1st.And stayed in shelters the whole way.I carried that 3.5 pd tent for nothing.This year a one pound bivy.Good luck to you and yours!!!

kelly

#23

It’s people like you that made me wanna do this to begin with…You are so supportive. Yes, I am doing a journal, blog, youtube, etc… You can follow me on You Tube at New2TheWild. I am doing the journal. You can find me with my name King and Sons! Here are all my links!


http://new2thewildjb@gmail.com/
https://www.facebook.com/NewToTheWild
https://www.youtube.com/New2theWild
https://twitter.com/New2TheWild
https://sites.google.com/site/new2thewildjb/
http://new2thewildjb.blogspot.com/
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/member.php?46367-KingGator-and-Sons

I can’t wait to get up there and experience this beautiful trip. Just bought an IPHONE today in order to upload the videos on this trail…

KING GATOR

#24

Thank you VERY MUCH…you are so supportive and inspirational. I am gonna try to tent because the critters in the shelters make me nervous…lol…How long did it take you to get your trail legs?

KING GATOR

#25


http://new2thewildjb@gmail.com/

https://www.youtube.com/New2theWild

https://twitter.com/New2TheWild

https://sites.google.com/site/new2thewildjb/

http://new2thewildjb.blogspot.com/
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/member.php?46367-KingGator-and-Sons

KING GATOR

#26

Gator did not mean to offend you. All my advice is from the heart, and it is your choice to take it or leave it. Here are a few more comments…Please note what Dan Paradise mentioned regarding not going any faster than the slowest person in the group. Failure to head this advice will result in an ordeal at best for the slowest person and most likely an injury of some sort if the pace is not relaxed. With this in mind, if you are determined to hike this year just take it one day at a time. Stop and take a break whenever anyone requests one, forget about mileage and just have fun. If the family is having a good time the memories will be that sweeter for all involved.

Please do not forget to count food/water into the pack weight for what you will be placing on those young backs. This is where you may have to pick up the slack if the boys are to get the most out of the trip.

Please disregard the notion that this trip will be somehow novel to the trail community. Thousands have hiked this path before and many have done so with children younger than yours. But more importantly, this comment goes to motivation for the outing. More fun is often had by those who simply head out to enjoy the wilds than those who are somehow trying to prove something (either to themselves of others).

And just to offer another perspective, please bring a few extra dollars along for someone who might be in greater need than you. Each year there are people who start out underfunded and ask for help along the way. Are you up for lending a hand out to others? Sorry to be fresh as this is meant to be food for thought. If everyone just took whatever they could in the world there would not be too much to go around.

Finally, if you are not too upset with my thoughts by now, here is one last thing to ponder. This hike may be a wonderful experience for you guys provided your business does not suffer from your long absence, or the boys miss too much school. Do you plan on bringing materials for them to advance their studies? Or are they just going to repeat a year from all the time missed while on the trail? Of course it is up to you how you raise your family. I only ask that you consider some of the consequences of your decision.

Stealhblew

#27
  1. Start off real slow, say 5 miles on day 1. Add one mile per day, ie day 2 6 miles, day 3 7 miles, etc. Consider a zero-day or near zero-day once a week.
  2. Be patient with your boys. Some little guys need extra time for everything.
  3. Be flexible. Trail closures, extreme weather, illness/injury, etc, mean change of plans/schedule. Something always comes up.
  4. Hike your own hike (HYOH). Listen to suggestions from other hikers but remember, what works for them might not work for you and vice versa.

bowlegs

#28

Gator I do applaud you for taking the time to spend time with your faimly. My last post ended a little harsh and I aplogize for the lecture. :cheers

stealthblew

#29

Infinity’s 2013 AT Journal Post #6 might give you some inspiration.

I’m sure you have noticed the trend from almost all the previous posts.

Take it slow at first and as your body adapts to the workload, very gradually increase your mileage.

You have a huge challenge ahead of you. Best of luck. I’ll be rooting for you.

Wingo

#30

Stealth, I am not offended bro. I am sorry that it sounded like that at first. I admit, I was a little frustrated with how it sounded, but I definitely thank you for taking the time to respond to me. You know how the internet is with trolls, so I did not know for sure your goal. I do believe I do now. Your lecture does not bother me. I appreciate true advice and knowing the CHALLENGES that are before me. However, they are just that…challenges. I have all intentions in going slow and ENJOYING the trail. That is TRULY why I am going. I am not going to earn the title “thru-hiker”. The truth is that I do not know for sure if I ever will come back to these boards and sites once it is all over. Something tells me I might, but my point is that I do not NEED this title. I feel that I already am a KING in my life and do not “need” titles. This is all about memories to me.

In terms of others with children, I know they exist on the trails, but I have yet to see a thru with the kids documented on Youtube or anywhere else. If you know of any, please let me know where I can find them.

I actually do intend on sharing on the trail. Despite not being RICH, I am sure that others will probably be less fortunate than I am. I will gladly go without one night for a person that has already been without a few nights. I have 100% intentions on helping out the community when I can. I do not want to TAKE from the trail. I want to add to it. My respect for the trail is at maximum level right now.

Now, lets get into the school stuff. I homeschool my kids OR have them in a virtual online school. I do not send them to government funded schools because to be honest, I am a conspiracy theorist and not really into the “history” or “education” that our schools teach. Most of the history is inaccurate and told by the winners. There is a saying that the stories of the wars are told by the winners. That is true. They are only gonna miss a month or two of schooling. Both of my children have STRAIGHT A’s. I am gonna make sure that they take their major test before we leave. Even if they take ALL F’s in a final semester, they will pass with HIGH MARKS.

Considering the fact that I basically am their teacher, I will be teaching them throughout this entire trail. The lessons that this trail will teach them are FAR MORE IMPORTANT than learning many of the things in public schools. That is the truth. Thank you for your advice and I hope that I answered your questions. In my opinion, the time that I spend with my family and the adventures that we take are FAR MORE IMPORTANT than anything else in life. They are only children once.

Bowlegs, thank you for that information. I like the “add a mile” routine. I think I may definitely roll with that. I do think that I will end up hiking my own hike, but I still love all the tidbits that I get on these sites.

Wingo, I will definitely check that out. Thank you for your support and I will remember you and your “rooting” at the end of this trail. We can celebrate together.

KING GATOR

#31

Gator, looks like you are heading for some great times this year. Here are a few tips to consider for reducing pack weight.

  1. Return your tents and pick up two lightweight tarps instead (campmor sells an 8 X 10 sil/nylon for about 60 dollars). If that is too costly, consider finding some tyvex (that white house wrap stuff they put over the plywood as a wind and water barrier) from a building sight and make you own.
  2. Share your gear- when possible. For example… only need one water filter (check out sawyers).
  3. do not bring a stove- instead learn how to build small cooking fires (plenty of small sticks around established fire rings) by building a tri-pod out of sticks and suspending your pot over the flames.
  4. Pack nutritious food if possible (weighs a little more but will make you feel good inside).
  5. Start checking out people’s gear lists that have completed several hikes and you will start to notice a trend of what works best for most people. The idea is to find one total outfit with many layers that combined will keep you comfortable in the worst expected scenario. This same outfit should also be capable of the hottest weather expected too. How? With many thin layers. For example. Maybe a thin hiking shirt, a polypro top, a fleece jacket, and a wind breaker/ or rain jacket. The bottoms may start with shorts, then polypo long bottoms and wind paints for cold weather. Always have mittens/gloves and a skull cap and a bomber hat. Anything more might be redundant. I have found some great hiking clothes at the Salvation Army. You might need several pair of sneakers for everyone during the trip. A company called Sierra Trading Post is an online outfitter that offers a daily flier. If you check this daily, usually within 3 weeks of so they offer a blow out sale. I bought 6 pairs of Brooks running shoes for 33 dollars/pair and shipping was free with an order over 100 dollars. A little pricy but good foot ware goes a long way in preventing injuries.
  6. Pick up a thru hikers companion guide at a local library and check out all the possible places to resupply along the way. You will find that in many places large supermarkets as resupply options. This option can save postage and change up the menu a little too. And do not forget to pack all your resupply boxes before you leave as not to overburden your wife. Flat Rate Priority boxes work well. However, send UPS to local businesses when possible to avoid having to wait around on weekends for the PO to open up.
  7. Look up a search on the web for homemade gear/ and inexpensive hiking gear/ hobo gear/ ect… you get the ideal. As long as the stuff works to keep you dry, why pay more?

Also, your health will improve tremendously though out this trip if you do not push too hard. We are all very dynamic in nature and just as we can fall out of shape, we can get back into it too. Just take it easy. One of the benefits of going a little slower than most would be that you will get a chance to meet may more people and have a great time. After all, it is the smiles and not the miles that count when it is all said and done.
Please feel free to shoot me an e-mail regarding any other questions you may have.

Hope you find some of these tips helpfull. Good luck this year.

stealthblew

#32

Now THAT is what I am talkin bout! That’s some kick ass advice and I appreciate every bit of it…Please follow the journal and keep up with my hike. It would mean alot. I just ordered the Companion book. I am looking forward to it’s arrival and planning mile by mile. (I wont overplan)…I do need to learn to make a fire though…definitely. I was gonna do the ol’ cat food stove.

KING GATOR

#33

check out the 2005 AT journal of Troll, Anchor & Oblivious. They started March 16, about the same time you are. Oblivious was 10 at the time. They all completed the trail in 6 months and 5 days. I didn’t think they would complete the AT but they did. Oblivious and his dad Troll have since done the Triple Crown.

You must have the record for the most posts on the Forum. Lots of advice, some bad. Don’t count on cooking over an open fire. Rainy days, fire bans, etc. Good luck!

swamp fox

#34

Just…wow. But that’s not important right now.

What is important is that you DO NOT consider giving your sons LESS food during this walk. I am hoping your comment ‘I do wonder how they will deal with less food’ means something different to you than it means to, well … other English speaking people. Please plan for giving your kids MORE food during your walk.

Honestly, I get the feeling (and pray fervently) that we’ve all been had.

debra

#35

Thank you very much for your advice…means alot. I don’t know about the record or not.

KING GATOR

#36

Ok, what do you mean by giving my sons LESS food during the walk? I mean less food as in “LESS FOOD THAN AT HOME”…How the hell else could it sound? Are you sitting here thinking that I meant “less food than me”? That is just ridiculous. Obviously we are not at home, so we will be eating MUCH LESS than we do here at home. That’s obvious.

You say that you’ve all been had? What exactly does that mean? Are you suggesting that this is some troll ****? You do realize that I never have even CONSIDERED getting into the “hiking community” in my life. Im from urban areas and I do not just randomly go trying to become part of communities that I normally would have nothing in common with.

Ive read some negative AND positive comments, but yours is just odd as hell.

  1. You think I mean I would give my kids LESS food than me.
  2. You think you’ve been had.

Yea, right…I got nothing better to do in my life than come onto a strange forum and “fool” a bunch of strangers that other than on the trail, I would never meet in a million years.

You have DEFINITELY won the craziest comment of the post award.

KING GATOR

#37

"I mean less food as in “LESS FOOD THAN AT HOME.” “…so we will be eating MUCH LESS than we do here at home”

Yup, that’s pretty much how in the hell it sounds. So let me be abundantly clear: DO NOT give your kids LESS food than they typically need at home.

Jesus.

debra

#38

Some people just don’t care how odd their comments sound apparently. This is why 99% of my comments and journal entries are LONG. I like to explain things in a little bit more detail so it should be easily understandable. How people can MISUNDERSTAND is insane. Especially when they interject their own odd thoughts without RE-READING what they just read. It’s almost laughable. I have bumped into this a few times on these “forums”.

I do not wish to argue or debate, but with comments like that, it becomes really REALLY hard to not just curse someone out and tell em to STFU. I would really hope that people ask me what a comment means rather than assume something INSANE on their own.

Some things have ZERO logic…So…Im the type of father that would spend all that time at all the places I mentioned above with my children. I am the type of father that spends EVERY WAKING HOUR with my children. I am the type of father that is so good at his job, his kids are ALL honor students and on the right track. I am the type of father that is now planning a 6 month long hiking trip with my children.

With all of that said, you think I would be the type of father that would eat MORE food than my children during a time where food is NOT plentiful?

INSANE.

Even worse is that this is being considered a “scam” or something by that same person…

All I got to say is some people must have KEPT getting high after them nights in the shelter on the trail.

KING GATOR

#39

Are you f**kin kidding me? HOW CAN YOU NOT give them less food on a hiking trip than at home?

JESUS yourself.

We can’t carry a refridgerator…lol…only so much food that can be in 20-25lb packs.

Holy ****.

KING GATOR

#40

I got this parenting stuff down Debra and Im quite good at it…either comment or give advice on the hike itself and not my parenting or kick rocks with ya comments. Nothing that you said was helpful what-so-ever. Actually, it just pissed me off…period.

I know how to parent…what I dont know how to do is hike or camp…that’s the bottom line.

Trust me, parenting advice is not needed. I do this 24/7 365 and have ZERO biological children. I parent because I CHOOSE to (3 kids), not because I have to.

KING GATOR