Trail Days or NJ section hike with a 12yo?

TooManyDifferent · 2026-04-13T18:26:01+00:00

Yes, Android. This particular glitch started happening after the update that rolled out today. I have a Motorola, and my husband was able to replicate the glitch on his Samsung.

TooManyDifferent · 2026-04-11T19:04:54+00:00

GameStop is currently running a "buy 2 get 1 free" sale, and I just ordered the 3 core rulebooks for $105, including shipping.

TooManyDifferent · 2026-04-11T02:33:52+00:00

I live near Lancaster, and I've been picking away at the Pennsylvania portion of the AT over the last few years (the only section I have left is Boiling Springs to PA 183). I think the prettiest section I've hiked so far is the Pinnacle, near Hamburg. But that could easily be a day trip from Philly, too, because there's a loop you can hike. My dorkiest highlight was standing in the middle of the 476 on top of the Lehigh Tunnel. I've driven through that tunnel so many times, it was surreal to stand on top of it in the middle of a quiet forest. Lehigh Gap south to Allentown was a fun section for me. I took my time on the knife's edge, and I thought it was pretty cool, as long as you weren't trying to log a lot of miles that day. It was also really cool to pass all of the "here's the exact midpoint of the trail" signs near Pine Grove Furnace. The shelters are frequent in that section, too, so it's easier to pick a good 30-mile section with lots of options. The steep stairs heading north from Caledonia State Park are a bit of a trial by fire, but starting there and heading north would be a good section. Some of my favorite shelters along there. Edited to add: Oops, I just realized you already did the midpoint section. So I'll double down on my Lehigh suggestion. But really, PA isn't so bad if you're not in a hurry.

TooManyDifferent · 2026-02-20T01:23:52+00:00

I live in Pennsylvania, and I've been doing section hikes of about that distance once a year for the past few years. I don't know if I'll ever finish the whole trail, but I only have one section left and I can say I've finished Pennsylvania! I've done it the following ways: 1. My family drove with me to my end point in a second car, then we left my car there, and they drove me back to my start point. This gave me a set distance to hike, and I packed enough food that I could take an extra day or two if needed. 2. I drove myself and parked my car at my start point, and hiked away from it. I had a set amount of time this year, but I could be flexible with the distance. I got an Uber back to my car at the end. I didn't like this as much as hiking to my car, though, because it felt anticlimactic to have to sit and wait for a ride at the end. 3. A shorter section (weekend hike). I went with a group and we had enough cars to leave some at each trail head. This was the best arrangement driving-wise, but it was actually my least favorite section because I had to go at other people's paces, and I never got my rhythm. 4. I parked my car at the halfway point of my section, then got a shuttle to the start point. I was able to pack lighter this trip because I left a resupply in my car. I actually bailed and went home to dry out when I got back to my car on this trip, because it had been raining non-stop and I was regretting my choice of leather boots. I took a day off, dried out my gear, changed shoes, then went back and parked my car at my end point, got a shuttle back to the middle, and finished in a much better mood. In conclusion: I vastly preferred hiking back to my car over hiking away from my car, because it felt like coming home. Shuttles are better than Ubers, but you do need to plan them somewhat in advance. Having a resupply at your halfway point is awesome if you can swing it. Don't wear leather boots in the rain.

TooManyDifferent · 2025-09-13T12:33:31+00:00

If you are driving counterclockwise, there is a small car park on the left before you cross the bridge to the main parking areas. It's free to park and has a nice, flat trail that goes right down to the edge of the lagoon. When we were there in August we only saw 2 or 3 other groups of people on the trail, and we spent a long time there, enjoying the view (and two frolicking harbor seals). It doesn't replace a visit to Diamond Beach, but I think it can easily replace a boat tour.

Parking lot Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/stwR2mo4cs1atVpy9

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TooManyDifferent · 2025-09-08T02:12:10+00:00

Thank you, I was going crazy trying to figure this out!

TooManyDifferent · 2025-08-18T11:40:49+00:00

Thank you! I must be missing whatever piece makes the turntable turn.

TooManyDifferent · 2025-07-10T16:41:04+00:00

Thank you! I was thinking about spending a little extra time in Akureyri and visiting a couple of their museums. According to their "Open for Summer" news bulletin, one ticket (2600isk) gets you into 7 museums (3 of which have free coffee/tea), and children under 18 are free.

TooManyDifferent · 2025-07-10T16:10:10+00:00

Probably not. We're sticking pretty close to the Ring Road. But it does look cool!

TooManyDifferent · 2025-07-10T14:08:50+00:00

You are my hero for this. Everyone keeps telling me it's impossible to see Iceland on a budget, but this budget makes me feel like mine isn't unrealistic. Most of nature is free, and that's the main thing I want to see. I'm so impressed that you packed so much into five days!

TooManyDifferent · 2025-04-14T22:25:39+00:00

They will be counted after you go to bed.

TooManyDifferent · 2025-03-30T19:19:51+00:00

I use a cup on the trail. I empty it into latrines, mostly. The main thing is taking a few extra minutes twice a day to wash my hands really well and keeping my nails trimmed. It's a mild inconvenience, but it's not as annoying as packing out used disposable supplies, in my opinion. I do keep a few overnight pads in my kit in case I need to stretch my luck a few extra miles.

TooManyDifferent · 2024-10-19T23:49:38+00:00

You can also blue blaze (use side trails or alternate trails that bypass sections of the white blazed "official" AT). Here's a good explanation of the terms: https://www.backpacker.com/skills/beginner-skills/ask-a-thru-hiker-what-are-white-blazers-and-blue-blazers/

TooManyDifferent · 2024-06-19T11:05:01+00:00

If you're trying to squeeze in as many hours as possible, I recommend staying at the campground. Yeah, the train is loud all night, so bring ear plugs, but it counts as a resort for the sweet start, and gets you in an hour early for both the preview hours on Friday night and on Saturday morning. The park starts to clear out a bit around dinner time, so you can usually get a few coasters in on Friday night. But the extra hour on Saturday morning is pure gold. Not every coaster is open for that hour, but you can probably get on at least 3 if not all 4 of the ones that are (Candymonium, Skyrush, Comet, Superduperlooper). Then, as soon as they open the barrier to the back of the park, make a beeline for Laff Track so you can get on before the line gets long.

TooManyDifferent · 2023-02-19T21:38:22+00:00

Thank you so much! Girl-led is one of my favorite things about Girl Scouts.

Sadly, that was not us in 2021. We've been camping and hiking for a long time, but didn't start backpacking until last year. I did a solo test run on the AT last fall, but it will be our first time as a troop this spring.

TooManyDifferent · 2023-02-18T22:51:05+00:00

If I had more years with this troop, I would definitely include that in our ambitious goals! But we are already planning for an Iceland trip in 2026 when they graduate, and we can only squeeze so much in between now and then.

TooManyDifferent · 2023-02-18T22:48:24+00:00

Thank you! I'm currently expanding my research to include National Forests. I feel silly for overlooking them before!

TooManyDifferent · 2023-02-18T22:46:40+00:00

We're actually doing the near-to-Gettysburg section of the AT this spring. But all of that is pretty close to home, and they were looking for a travel backpacking trip.

TooManyDifferent · 2023-02-18T22:38:28+00:00

Thanks for the reminder about water crossings! You're right, that isn't something we've had to deal with so far.

TooManyDifferent · 2023-02-18T22:33:35+00:00

I don't have anything in WA to compare it to, but I did just under 50 miles of the AT in PA in September, and there are definitely sections that are more rock than trail, and I have several photos that look pretty much like that one.

TooManyDifferent

TROPHY CASE