To Leki? Or Not to Leki?

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#21

You didn’t mention the one item you used to carry - a full-size picture of Britney Spears.

Do you still take it along or have you gone to someone younger like Hilary Duff?

Bob J

#22

Prior to my 2000 GA to ME hike, I had always hiked with one wooden stick. Twenty years worth of day hikes and weekend backpacking in The White Mts of New Hampshire. On my 2000 adventure, somewhwere around Dicks creek on of my knees began to hurt, In helen I bought a brace. It felt a little better. Finally someone suggested picking up another stick, I did. And within a week the pain went away never to return on that trip. Next year I bought lekis and have used them ever since. I fact I depend on them so much, I have a recurring nightmare, that I have left on a 400 mile trek and forgot my poles.

Weight: If you know me, You know I am not lightweight. Just before I logged on, I finished packing for the Colorado Trail. 41 pounds with 3 liters of water and 6 days of food. By the time I eat everything it will be closer to 33 or so.

Chef

#23

close… but not me. Though I did travel near her for three or four states and she did attend ASWAH FEST…

chef, I love you

aswah

#24

I love you man. I was at Hike inn in April and Jeff and Nancy say hi. Drop em a line man. If i finish early in Colorado I might head your way.

Chef

#25

you will have to drive a little further north… looks like we’ll be in Alaska soon come… i do love you

aswah

#26

pad- I dont use one, I have a delux thermarest and most of the time I use it, im not on it. So its just dead weight. But most of the time im in a hennassee hammock (mind incorrect spelling). And when I sleep in the shelters, I put my fly from my hammock down and sleep on top. I dont mind sleeping on hard ground. Its good for your back.

Poles- Leiki’s are great, they take pressure off your knees, shoulders, and center. You walk faster, and at a more rythmic, steady pace. Those are a must have.

Gaiters- I have a pair of OR gaiters, Make sure they go up high enough, snap into your boot laces and have a strap that goes underneath your boot.

Water filter- Sometimes heavy, space taking, Just get the iodine drops. and some drink mix, that will be about half the wieght of a filter, and about nalgiene bottles, they are heavy, find a lighter bottle.

Mp3’s and radios- I guess its smart to bring a small storm radio, something I should think about getting. I hiked for a while with someone who had an ipod, they had to stop often because they needed to change playlists and songs. Later that day the center button on the ipod stopped working. The point is, everything will break, mp3 players are alot more vulnerable than they seem.

Headlamp- there are a couple good companies that make headlamps. Make sure you spend at least 30 dollars on one. Ive gone through to many of the cheap ones, they run out of batteries, bulb falls out, cracks, the strap snaps, etc. Get a nice one and make sure its bright enough.

good luck and happy trails…

-timbo

Timbo

#27

Try two ski poles. $10 a pair. If you don’t like them, you can buy the expensive $100 poles.

FWIW used ski poles on the Long Trail, the PCT and the Colorado Trail (plus hiking and snowshoeing here in Colorado).

Mags

#28

I’ve done some hiking in the Whites, such as Madison, Adams, and Washington. I own a pair of of Black Diamond backcountry poles, and for steep trails below treeline they are great. They do get a little difficult in the high, all boulder summit cones, but I need both my hands there anyway, so I just strap them to my pack.

Notch

#29

Black Diamond are also great because of the Flicklock closure, which is the most solid I’ve seen of any company.

Notch