In one of my other inquiries, Tim indicated he’d hike the AT in 1983. That got me to wondering. What are the differences in hiking the AT now, as opposed to in the 1980’s? I’d be interested to know in terms of equipment, mindset, socially, and in any other way that comes into anyone’s mind.
If there are people out there in a position to compare, I’d love to hear your perceptions, as I hiked in the 1980’s as well. Tim, you’re invited to lead off.
Nunam Iqua
By’89 (AT9) the At was pretty much set in stone. All I had was a heavy cordura backpack too full of gear & eyes to follow the white blazes… I couldn’t have afforded the maps & guidebooks whatsoever… although I had by the halfway point picked up a philosopher’s guide & databook in the hiker boxes. sadly, credit was not so loose since the interest rate was so high; and banks were not national yet; so it was almost impossible to use your bank (ATM) card & almost impossible to get a credit card. Imagine having to use traveller’s checks these days!!!
You could almost go the whole way without a tent & the White Mtn Huts would let thruies work for about an hour for a bunk & AYCE dinner/bkfst!!! Clearcut criminals were laying waste to our public forests right across the trail in Maine & there was no reality show playing up their
actions. Now & then a bunch of white lightnin’ drunk hillbillies might start circling you in their trucks. If you started late in the season & hiked fast, you could meet all the people you were reading about in the journals
(probably also true today). Many of the Smoky mtn/Blue Ridge trees were dying from acid rain & (gypsy moth?) infestations. I couldn’t afford to eat ice cream to celebrate the half way point, so I ate half gallon of berries I gathered & supplemented my diet with ramps (look for the purple cone signifying the biggest most oniony ramps !!!
gingerbreadman
Hi everybody! One of the most inspiring moment to thru-hike in 2006 was finding amazing story about AT. It was written by Alan Strackeljahn - “Gonzo!” This story is about his 1983 thru-hike. I’m highly recommend read this one.
Arius
Another great journal from the time is “Then the Hail Came” by a hiker who actually hiked with Gonzo for a couple of weeks. Both are fun journals. Both my brothers hiked the AT in the late 70s. At that time the trail was constantly changing and guidebooks written the prior year not up to date. Every so often you would come upon new reroute or the guide would mention reroutes that did not happen. The trial was also poorly marked and consisted of loooong road walks at several areas. The attitude to gear was also very difference. Hikers sit around now and brag about how light their packs are. Back then they bragged about how much they were carrying. An average pack coming out of town was around 50 lbs. The most popular tent was a Eureka pup tent. Everyone it seemed had either a Svea stove or an Optimus and the shelters sounded like you were behind a jet during meals. PB&J and honey was stored in Gerry tubes which occasionally would open in your pack and spew out its contents. You could go days without seeing another hiker and would have shelters to yourself many nights even early in your hike. Trail magic was few and far between but I think it meant a lot more because it was so rare. Also much fewer hostels and places that catered to hikers. Several hotels would either not rent to hikers or would charge extra.
Big B
Read Then the Hail Came and corresponded with George before my 2003 thru-hike. Great read!~J.
Journey
Hi, Does anyone know if either Cartago or Olancha in So. Cal. are possible resupply places for the PCT or if they even have P.O.s? Thanks in advance. X-Man
X-Man
To my knowledge, those places are not near the PCT path, but they may indeed have post offices (zip code = post office, I think). Objectively, the whole planet can serve as a resupply stop, although some locations are more conveniently located than others. When hiking on the PCT in 2005, I left the trail and flew from Portland, OR to Portland, ME to buy some lobster. Also, I had a wedding to attend. It was a long resupply, but it was worth it.
All kidding aside, the answer to your question is yes, many people “know if either Cartago or Olancha in So. Cal. are possible resupply places for the PCT”. Yogi probably knows best which are the most used towns for resupply on the PCT. And she published a book about it. That guide book, along with the PCT page of www.trailforums.com (instead of the AT page), would be good resources to use.
jewel thief
No brainer. The current AT wins. After all, where else can you be an unemployed vagrant that constantly gets fed and treated like a celebrity?
Jack
Human beings are the second best endurance animal on the planet, born to walk almost endlessly. It is only natural that some would respond to the call.
Nunam Iqua
i hiked in the 80’s thou not a thru hike. because of gear and technology it was much harder, less people but a tighter group, It is now much easier to stay in touch and coordinate things such as mail drops , since then the whole outdoor movement has grown. I carried a svea stove and heavy tent ot tarp. it was less of a community
seth