70kgman

2-20 HR

2-16 HRwager

2-7 HRwager

2-2 BOL

wow, good story.  Why did you carry suck a heavy pack?  70 pounds?  JFC.  Do you know the name if the guide that tells you where are the water and supply places are along the route?  I would want to have that.

Awol guide.

http://www.amazon.com/T-Guide-Northbound-2016/dp/0982980892/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454099097&sr=8-1&keywords=awol+guide

Back in 92 I hitch-hiked from Ohio to the start of the Appalachian trail at Springer Mt Georgia. My parents dropped me off along the interstate highway and I waved as they drove away. I was on a mission. It took 3 days and 19 rides.

 

My 1st day on the AT was Sept 28th. It started pouring rain which lasted 4 straight days. On day 2, I see a black bear that runs away when it sees me. Right after that I come across a skinny looking dude heading south. We have a great conversation. It turns out that the guy was thru hiking from Mt Katahdin Maine and was only 1 day from the finish. Over 2000 miles. He had been on the trail for about 5 months and was the very first south bound thru hiker to make it that year. I could tell he was the real deal and not feeding me bullshit. He gives me some tips and hands me his philosophers guide, which was a giude that tells you where all the resupply points are along the trail like country stores, gas stations, restaurants. It also points out all the drinking water locations and natural springs along the trail. Invaluable, it was like the bible for a hiker. He tells me he's down to his last $2 and says he's the president of the Pennsylvania Maple Syrup association. If I loan him $20 he will send a gallon of pure maple syrup in the mail. I don't hesitate and hand him the money. I was carrying about $1200 cash. The maple syrup was sent about 2 weeks later and arrived to my house while I was still on the trail.

 

So I continue my hike and cross into the Smoky mountains in early October. The fall colors in the smokies will melt your mind. Perfect timing. I meet tons of other hikers along the way and sleep each night in the hiker shelters spaced about 10 to 15 miles apart along the length of the trail. I was averaging about 17 miles a day which is a brutal pace in the mountains while carrying a 70lb backpack.. One of the steepest climbs had 15 switchbacks. 

 

Around the 26th of October as I'm heading into southern Virginia a major snow storm hits.. I hike in snow up to my knees at the higher elevations. I'm the only hiker on the trail for 2 days. I hike into a small town in southern Virginia that has a free hikers house called "the place" which is one of the most famous places along the trail. I spend 2 nights at the place and decide to end my hike and hitch-hike back to Ohio. I ended up hiking 451 miles in 30 days from Sept, 28th to Oct, 28th. A true epic journey that I will never forget!!!

 

Do the thru hike 70kgman!

 

It will be one of the most incredible experiences of your life.

 

Most thru hikers who attempt it every year don't make it.

 

It will be a very physically and mentally demanding journey.

 

Good luck and ask me any questions you have.

 

Sounds like an awesome experience.  And I am sure glad ultralight gear has come a long way since '92.  I can't even imagine carrying a 70 pound pack.

wow man, I'm super jealous.  Keep us updated.

I will.

Have you ever seen the solo wood burning stove?  I love mine.  It burns twigs and leaves.  Obviously requires a little more effort to boil water than a gas stove, but totally worth it in my opinion to not have to worry about carrying the weight of a fuel canister and having to figure out how to refuel on trail every 3-5 days.   And stove + pot weighs only 1lb.  If it is raining out, I can always keep some dry twigs in a stuff sack handy in my pack.

The whole thing?  I'm impressed.  Should take about 6 months

Yep.  Plan on starting around the last week of March/first week of April.  Have most of my main gear already, still have lots of smalls and accessories to get before I leave.  Hoping to keep my base weight before food + water to under 18 pounds.

I am actually planning to thru hike the AT this year.  Doesn't sound like we would cross paths though.

1-25 HR

1-23 BOL

1-20 HRWager

1-17 BOL

1-11 HR

12-31 HR

Thanks for the contest HRW/TGF.

12-28 HRwager Bowl Contest

I got "free payout".  lol.  I already get free payouts with bitcoin.  I knew that was what it was landing on as soon as I saw it as an option. Definitely not a random wheel spin, clearly set up to award anyone up a lot on them with a worthless prize.  Any loser with a low or 0 balance I am sure got the 100% deposit bonus, anyone in the middle probably got some sort of appropriate sized FP/FB.

12-20 BOL

If he ever does pay Monty back.  Delay submitting his FP request that same length of time.

Streak: 1

552 Samford -5.5 (-110)

Streak = 0

717: CS Northridge +4

I have made my deposit

12-13 BOL

12-6 BOL