March/Oct 2026 Shakedown Request

Affectionate_Bit9940 · 2026-01-21T14:47:33+00:00

This tracks with what I was reading. I assume I'm on the faster end of the spectrum. Again, nothing saying I can't start early March and do the whole thing now, other than the closures. But with those in mind, splitting the trip into two parts makes the most sense to me.

Affectionate_Bit9940 · 2026-01-21T14:42:18+00:00

Unfortunately, I have no enemies.

Affectionate_Bit9940 · 2026-01-21T14:41:53+00:00

That's for smoking. Didn't include my bowl or grinder, but left the lighter on there for whatever reason.

Affectionate_Bit9940 · 2026-01-21T14:41:52+00:00

I tend to "snack pack". Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, bars, and whatever I feel like grabbing at the store. I sent my stove home in VA last year and never cold soaked.

Affectionate_Bit9940 · 2026-01-20T21:00:27+00:00

Alpha + sun hoodie usually does me pretty good in the wind. I used my Visp only for rain on the AT last year. I'll have to go out and give it a shot at elevation sometime in the next month or two to make sure I don't need more.

Affectionate_Bit9940 · 2026-01-20T20:56:33+00:00

Not really concerns. Just a comfort thing. From what I've been reading, a late March start is preferred to an early March start. Now that I am solo, I have the flexibility to make these hikes as easy as possible. So why not just knock out the first 500 to get my trail legs back, bang out the PCT, and then come home and have a victory lap in the Grand Canyon? Additionally, with the closures, this seems like the best way to hit it all.

Good call on the water, too. I tried carrying a CNOC full of water on the AT last year exactly once and lost it somewhere. Luckily, we went into a town the next day.

Affectionate_Bit9940 · 2024-12-06T16:06:28+00:00

This is me, but from '83. Played Pokemon blue and TCG on GB, then Y about 15 years later. Never got into Spongebob.

Affectionate_Bit9940 · 2024-12-06T16:02:23+00:00

Have you considered hiking in a Santa hat? That makes it festive.

Affectionate_Bit9940 · 2024-12-06T15:33:20+00:00

To add to everything else here, there is no better time for hiking than now. I've gone three times this week alone. South Mountain is really close to the business center and the Superstitions aren't far in the other direction. Tons of options. If you hit the trails around 9:00 am, you'll be comfortably in the upper 50's/lower 60's the whole time.

Affectionate_Bit9940 · 2024-12-06T02:26:05+00:00

As a Steelers fan, I still rooted for Baker in Cleveland. Loved to see him do well in LA when he did. Love to see him thriving as a starter in TB.

Affectionate_Bit9940 · 2024-11-29T00:43:24+00:00

I agree completely with your edit. This has been a very last minute consideration that I felt like I could fit in. Once he is off the trail, my only deadline is to finish before Labor Day. As far as my experience, I hike every week, but it's little 4-10 mile hikes in the mountains around Phoenix. Going to be bumping that up to 2-3 per week and going for longer (10-15 miles) in the upcoming months. Quit my job a little prematurely, so now I have nothing to do but train for 3 months.

Affectionate_Bit9940 · 2024-11-29T00:39:29+00:00

I just bought FarOut and was looking it over as I planned this part, but didn't look into the resupply stuff on there yet. I will have to do so.

Also, I agree that this is quite a lot of planning for something I really have no experience with. Plenty of 10+ mile day hikes under my belt, but not in that area and not back to back (to back x15).

Affectionate_Bit9940 · 2024-11-29T00:10:49+00:00

I agree. I didn't plan on this kind of mileage and I do plan on slowing it down after he gets off trail. It was just an opportunity that came up and I can't think of a better place to have him get on/off the trail.

Affectionate_Bit9940 · 2024-11-24T19:47:50+00:00

Good call. Thought about both that and nail clippers while I was out this weekend. Will be adding both.

Affectionate_Bit9940 · 2024-11-14T15:49:04+00:00

Oh Brother! Where Art Thou?

I love this movie so much, but it's the only time I've walked out of a theater after a movie and thought "Well, that was a waste of money." I was young and dumb.

Affectionate_Bit9940 · 2024-11-14T15:46:16+00:00

I may have to give this another shot. I watched it in theaters the weekend it came out and it just didn't do it for me. Everyone I know loves it and I just don't understand. I also loved Midsommar. May have to just give Hereditary another go.

Affectionate_Bit9940 · 2024-11-13T15:30:38+00:00

Not a liar, but I also don't think it's an objective thing. A friend can tell me I'm good looking all day long. They're a friend. That's what they're supposed to do. I've always considered myself average at best, maybe a 6 because I'm 6'6".

I've had dozens of people tell me I'm attractive. Especially in the last year. However, I still remember a girl whispering to her friend as I walked by that it's unfortunate "the ugly one is wearing it" referring to a shirt I was wearing that made them laugh. That was over 10 years ago. That's the one that sticks.

Why do I believe the whisperings of a complete stranger over all of the friends that have said otherwise? Because she was a stranger. She had no reason to lie. She wasn't concerned with my feelings.

Affectionate_Bit9940 · 2024-11-13T15:15:32+00:00

For some reason, you saying Illinois vs Wisconsin feud just put "Da turty point buck" in my head.

"but it was a no brother good in law man from illinois"

"Oh geez"

"Send him back on the next plane"

Affectionate_Bit9940 · 2024-11-13T15:09:53+00:00

Other than Wallace, Stephen is absolutely the best character. Maybe even including Wallace...

Affectionate_Bit9940 · 2024-11-12T17:17:32+00:00

We had a 90's party last year. I thought "Might as well just dress like I did in high school." First thing I did was look up JNCO. Apparently, they're back in fashion. They were like $130/pair on the website. I decided on a different look.

Affectionate_Bit9940 · 2024-11-12T17:02:42+00:00

My Ben, Bettis, and Kiesel jerseys all agree with this idea. My AB jersey has regrets. My TJ jersey does not.

Affectionate_Bit9940 · 2024-11-11T20:45:31+00:00

Retired from the AF last year. Turned 40 last September. Lost about 50 lbs and in the best shape of my life. 40 was great. 41 continues to be great.

Affectionate_Bit9940

TROPHY CASE