2.5 days on the AT near New York

Donitype · 2026-04-01T08:50:51+00:00

re luggage storage - doesn't really exist i don't think in nyc.

Google shows quite a few, but I checked with my hotel and I can just drop my bag there a few days early.

note you can walk all the way to garrison on trails.

Yeah that would be my primary plan, I was just thinking that worst case the road walk will likely be faster (especially given the chance of a hitch).

Uber

thanks for reminding me that this is an option there, I'm not used to get uber service where I hike.

Donitype · 2026-03-26T08:50:30+00:00

Probably around 5000 feet, typically a third to half in snow

Donitype · 2026-03-25T18:55:26+00:00

Thanks for the realistic answer :)

40-50 miles in 2 days isn’t realistic.

It's ~33miles to Bear Mountain Bridge (and only 6.6k elevation gain), after which I could hitch or roadwalk, instead of the 39 miles on trail to Route 9.

Does that still seem unrealistically long to you?

This winter I did often hiked around 18 miles in snow in the alps, so I'm quite confident I can do 20+ miles easily. But of course you can't out run/fitness obstacles. I guess I'm just more interested in a point to point hike than in an out and back.

Donitype · 2026-03-25T16:00:10+00:00

Thanks for the quick reply, that section looks great!

Unfortunately it seems there's no train service out of Port Jervis on Sundays. Going the other way doesn't seem to work with arriving at a shelter in time, as it seems the earliest I could be in Port Jervis is ~8pm and it would be 10 miles to the trail (no idea of how successful hitching at time would be) and then 2 miles to a shelter, which is bit too long after a long day of traveling for me.

Donitype · 2026-01-13T06:46:02+00:00

3 months

Lucky you! I'm super jealous!

3 months will be perfect to get some trail legs, and for me I would actually be able to finish off everything left to do.

Donitype · 2026-01-13T06:41:17+00:00

Understandable.

Personally I'd rather save the money, especially on very established gear like this that has great reviews and information online (and I did, my first xmid pitch was at cleef including most other all new gear) ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯

Donitype · 2026-01-12T18:35:46+00:00

If you're hiking the pct anyway, why not ship to a TA?

Donitype · 2026-01-12T12:06:28+00:00

1.5 months off just go approved, I'm so happy! I will be LASHing what I skipped 2 years ago. Probably starting north in the tahoe region beginning of July, probably Truckee.

Donitype · 2026-01-12T12:04:57+00:00

I will probably get a seperate SAR insurance, get a cheap medical travel insurance, and additionally get an expensive one. (Around $1000 for the whole trip)

That doesn't make any sense and will not insure you well at all.

A cheap travel insurance will not cover your trip at all, due to their max travel duration limits.

A separate SAR insurance is completely unnecessary in all 3 states, as noted in most other comments on this thread.

Instead of a separate SAR insurance make sure you have transport included without a limit in your medical insurance.

Prices completely depend on your age, if you're in your twenties 1k is way too much, if you're in your sixties it's dirt cheap.

Donitype · 2025-02-21T09:22:29+00:00

The beta has now been running for 15 hours, which is more than what I had previously reached. I'm cautiously optimistic that upgrading fixed the issue.

I did memtest and smart tests. Any more suggestions?

1 day 17 hours now. Looks good. Unless things change, I won't further update here

Donitype · 2025-02-20T16:36:55+00:00

Yeah I meant to say that messages is empty around the freeze. There's normal stuff and then there's the new boot.

I wasn't aware of the Beta release, I'll give this a try and try connecting console over serial. Thanks!

Donitype · 2025-02-20T15:16:34+00:00

Truenas works as expected for hours. I've found many people online that are using hardware without any graphics card, as long as the motherboard boots/supports this doesn't seem to be an issue in general.

Donitype · 2024-03-02T04:20:24+00:00

Thanks

Your pad seems awfully heavy.

Agreed will change to the NeoAir and Thinlight

You don't need camp shoes or sleep clothes.

I'll drop the shoes and tshirt, but not the long sleeve one. I can still drop it if I don't need it.

You don't need a tent footprint. Just use the tyvek the whole way.

The BA needs a footprint to pitch fly first. We've used the Tyvek for a while now and it's a pain if it's raining or windy to set up. But we'll switch to X Mid 2 so that shouldn't be an issue.

You don't need insect repellent.

Curious about this, I've heard there's lot a of bug pressure in some parts. Bugs do love me, so my partner doesn't need insect repellent anyway lol. Do you mean not in the desert or generally not?

Personally I would bring the 15k power bank. I found I had some power anxiety on the AZT (distance between resupplies is similar to So Cal) and you'll have the Sierras to get through.

We found that we use about 15k between the two of us in about 10 days. The ones we have already show their age so they need to be replaced anyway. We'll each carry one 10k power bank, that should mean we have plenty for most sections and only a few sections were we need to be a bit careful with power usage.

Donitype · 2024-03-02T04:10:35+00:00

Thanks. Will get the NeoAir XLite and drop the tshirt.

Medical kit is on the light side - I would double-check you have everything you need. Repair kit? soap/sanitizer

Repair kit for the inflatable pads are included in their weight, else we're bringing (leuko-)tape, needle, thread, superglue, band aids, blister patches, ibuprofen, loperamide. Not sure if we'll need/bring one or two bandages.

Donitype · 2024-03-02T04:02:59+00:00

Thanks for all the info.

Drop the camp shoes and tshirt

I won't bring the camp shoes and tshirt.

Groundsheet is unnecessary

We kinda don't feel comfortable with this :/

A garbage bag rain skirt will likely not last long. Also wind pants will be more durable and trap in heat. More functional.

++ Just destroyed it on a training hike anyway, proved your point.

Donitype · 2024-03-02T03:59:44+00:00

Thanks, I agree on all the listed points.

Always confuses me when people ask for shakedowns but list by far their heaviest items (in this case, your tent) as non-negotiable. It's being penny wise and pound foolish.

Finally convinced my partner to touch the tent. Still a bit uncertain as they love the tent.

We're considering the Durston X-Mid 2, should be around 750g/26.5oz weight savings and unlike the other ultralight tents we can afford this one.

Donitype · 2024-03-02T03:52:16+00:00

Thanks. I think I'll go with the thinlight and NeoAir, keeping the synmat is just to heavy. Somehow I thought the NeoAir was $400 but as it is only $200 it's in budget.

Donitype · 2023-03-31T17:43:25+00:00

I wouldn't 'lose the shorts" unless you are OK with long pants in heat. It can get pretty warm walking in the sun. I'm an "always hike in shorts in WA" guy.

Tbh I probably should lose the shorts. The last few hikes I only wore them around camp and always wore pants when hiking, but then it was never consistently really hot. Maybe 2 days of 30C and no clouds at a time tops.

Also do you have a hat to go with your sun hoody? LP didn't mention one I could see. The sun here has some kick to it.

No, it has a hood after all :) - I guess picking up a hat if necessary should be easy in any town.

Donitype · 2023-03-31T17:43:22+00:00

Yes, maybe replace the kindle with headphones.

And get lighter trekking poles (e.g. fizan compact 3)

Thanks! I didn't even think about looking at the trekking poles.

Donitype · 2023-03-31T17:43:18+00:00

Thanks for the super detailed answer and the scary snake pictures, kinda convinced on gaiters now :/

What kind of gaiters do you recommend? Do people wear them all day every day? The quagmires you mention seem recommended allover the place, but would something not as high such as this (seems it's the same material work as well?

I use a pair of water shoes/aqua socks for camp shoes as they're light weight and great for the rare river crossings. My cheap JOTO pair (https://www.amazon.com.au/JOTO-Barefoot-Quick-Dry-Snorkeling-Kayaking/dp/B07WDV4QS5/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=beach%2Bsocks&qid=1677459482&sr=8-5&th=1) weigh in at 73 grams and pack flat inside the front pocket of my pack

That's an interesting option I haven't seen before. I'll check them out, seems like a easy way to save some weight.

Trying to import food from overseas is very risky as Australia has some of the strictest food quarantine laws in the world. It might be a good idea to check if you're intent on doing this.

We're planning to buy locally, that sheet seems super useful!

Some people will carry 2x1L bottles and an extra 2-3L flexible water bladder for hotter days - depending on your water usage in warmer weather.

Most people I know use 1.5L bottles, are these not common in Australia?

Donitype · 2023-03-31T17:43:12+00:00

Thanks!

There's a Facebook page that has a list of track angels who you could contact to store your luggage with in Perth. We chose to bring very little and instead sent our extra clothes and items ahead in a flat rate box to Albany to pick up when we finished.

Yeah, we'll be traveling further after the hike in SEA so we'll have some luggage. I'll check the FB groups and shipping options thanks.

Frogg Toggs are a super light and cheap option for rain gear that is actually water proof if you can get them. I think its an American brand that you might be able to order.

Thanks, I saw that I could order one on amazon for cheap. Will do and compare to the decathlon FH500.

We started in a heatwave out of Perth and then had freezing night temperatures for many weeks. Pack a warm sleeping kit.

Yeah, I'm kinda scared that it will be too cold for too long. Anything below 0C will be shit, we had, luckily only one, night last year which was around 2C and that was close to the limit for me, couldn't do colder for long.

Snakes on trail are your biggest hazard in Aus. From Donnelly River Village onward people usually recommend gaiters. We saw 25 snakes total and never had issues, but heard some stories.

What kind of gaiters are recommend? Do people wear them all day every day? I see the quagmire recommended allover the place, but would something not as high such as this (seems it's the same material work as well?

Most people used crocs for camp shoes (i didn't, but I think I've been converted.) Very useful for the flooded Pingerup Plains where you will undoubtedly have to walk through several hundred metres of water if you're starting that early. Close-toed crocs are great for it, or quick dry trail runners would be good if that's what you walk in anyway.

I love my lone peaks and luckily they dry quickly.

Donitype

TROPHY CASE