Updates

It's been a while since I've posted, but I still think constantly about the AT in 2007! I've been doing a few day hikes and just this past weekend, discovered some major difficulty with one knee. So I am endeavoring to strengthen it with a few resources I have (some Sports Medicine books), getting into a routine of exercises, etc. I am also walking as much as is feasible on the days I can't hit the trail. If I need to resort to a neoprene brace, I will, but for now, I hope the exercises will help. That and taking some weight off the old thighs wouldn't hurt!

I was able to visit one of the major stops along the AT - the famous Harper's Ferry a few weeks back and enjoyed being one of only ten people in the entire town! Unfortunately the outfitter there was closed, but I did hike up to the ATC center along with my son and checked out some of the materials they have. I also picked up last year's copy of the AT Data Book for some section hikes we plan to do this spring. It is our hope to cover the section of the trail between Front Royal and Harper's Ferry. Then we will have completed the trail between McCormick Gap in SNP to Harper's Ferry and can then skip that section on the thru-hike next year. We want to make sure we have enough time to get to Katahdin before October. And I need the time for a short vacation off the trail next year - specifically to Hawaii - which is a condition I agreed to! :)

Just to add - the ATC or Appalachian Trail Conservancy is a great place to find materials and support if one is interested in hiking the trail. They also have a web site with a wealth of information available, as well as deals on last year's printed material (and yes, another book I can memorize!).

Getting the Gear

Getting the gear for this is a challenge. So is trying to keep my thoughts on work, home, and other things while still scanning the web looking for deals. It's hard to decide what to take and what to leave. Weight is very important as you don't want to lug some inconsequential thing over 2,000 miles. I've come to the decision that I just need to backpack when I can and see what works. I am poring over journals, forums, etc to get ideas. I also am keeping track of gear ideas, what I have and don't have, in a seperate Word file. I've put down ideas as well concerning when I will need certain kinds of gear (like my down jacket which I definitely don't need after May but likely will by the time I reach NH and ME). And of course, I also have to consider my son who will be on this trip with me.
But for now this is my sample gear list so far, with modifications bound to come -

Lightweight down jacket (Sierra Designs)
Terramar zip top
Moving comfort tights
Heavier silk long underwear (get ?)
Two pr shorts (need extra new one for summer)
One duofold t-shirt – grey (one more for summer)
Duofold long shirt (get a heavier one)
undies
Fleece hat
Fleece gloves
3 pr wrightsocks (need 2 more)
Marmot precip rain jacket
North face rain pants
North Face zip jacket
Gaitors (get)
Synthetic hankerchief (get)
Hiking boots (Salomon GTX – 2 pairs)
Crocs (China pink ones)
Clothing stuff sack – possibly use turkey bag
Bug net (get)
Instep crampons (?)
hiking poles
Osprey Areil pack or GG nimbus ozone (?) – get
Trash compactor bag to line inside of pack
Pack cover – green one (?) or sil nylon (?)
Ultralight belt case for snacks, maps
Tarpt tent
20 degree synthetic bag - get
Ultralight stuff sacks - make
Big Agnes pad, one ridgerest until May, then maildrop back at Glencliff
Thermorest seat pad
Thermorest pillow stuff sack
Ultralight Pillow ( 2) – do have two sm travel pillows but bulky
earplugs
Snowpeak Titanium cookset
spork
Carry one small jackknife with tweezers, scissors on it
sm lighter
Stove – alcohol, fuel, wind screen – (possibly convert Whisperlight to shaker for three people)
Alcohol bottle
food
Synthetic towel
Castle soap
Silnylon Stuff sacks (2 – one for kitchen, one for food to hang plus rope)
Aqua Fina bottle for each
Hiker Water filter – (?), Aquamira
Hydration sack and tube – (?) or Aquafina bottles, possible hydration bag without tube for water collection
Sm first aid kit – antiobiotic cream, band aids, Ace wrap, tape for blisters, sm hydrocortisone (Ziploc), Sm sunscreen, chafing powder, epi pen, DEET
T.P.
Glass case - light
Sm sewing kit with one thread, needle, pins in Ziploc
Medicines
Sm toothbrush and paste
sm deodorant
Brommers peppermint soap and reynolds oven bag for trail laundry, cleaning
Silnylon stuff sack for personal items, meds for each
Headlamp
Journal - Phone numbers, e-mail addresses, pen, stamped envelopes, Ziploc
sm Bible – remove cover
Thru hiker companion info, ATC Data Book, Maps
Watch
Travelers checks, credit card, phone card, some cash for hostels
MP3 player with extra batteries
Ultralight trowel
Rope for bag hanging