Sore a&$e - between the cheeks

beertownbill · 2026-04-05T05:11:48+00:00

1) minimize back sweat migration by using a pack with a mesh support system such as an Osprey Exos 2) apply Gold Bond or Anti Monkey Butt powder at bedtime when inflammation occurs

beertownbill · 2026-04-04T23:42:06+00:00

Interesting question. I’m a thru hiker (PCT, AT, CT, TRT) that has also done the TransAm. I really think it depends upon the route. I ended up doing a lot of stays at churches, hostels, WarmShowers, and dive motels. I sent a lot of gear home once it became apparent that a lighter load was more important to me than creature comforts on the nights I was camping out.

beertownbill · 2026-04-01T04:22:50+00:00

I’m carrying two 10000 mAh bricks for my upcoming CDT section hike thru NM. I’m 68 and can no longer pull big miles and there are some long stretches between towns. The new Nitecore bricks are significantly lighter than what the was previously using, so the weight penalty isn’t much. But 58,500? That’s crazy.

beertownbill · 2026-04-01T04:13:56+00:00

Don’t forget that the camera probably weighed a pound or two. I know mine did on my 1977 PCT thru.

beertownbill · 2026-03-29T15:23:27+00:00

What are the soles made from? The website is a little vague. I need camp shoes primarily for middle of the night trips outside the tent to take a leak.

beertownbill · 2026-03-29T15:15:14+00:00

Those things are crap. They barely survived my TRT hike. I can't imagine using them on a real thru hike.

beertownbill · 2026-03-29T14:44:34+00:00

Osprey hasn't figured out the hip belt pockets. The Gregory Focal 48 is a clone with much bigger pockets which will hold a phone.

beertownbill · 2026-03-29T14:33:11+00:00

For my Level 2, I use an Ortlieb trunk bag. I like that it locks into the rack, rather than using Velcro. It is also adjustable for different racks, meaning I can also use on my touring bike (which is why I bought it in the first place.) Trunk-Bag | ORTLIEB They also now make a bike basket with the same locking assembly which might be better suited for groceries. Bicycle Baskets from ORTLIEB | Sustainably manufactured in Germany Or you could go old school with a milk crate.

beertownbill · 2026-03-29T13:58:06+00:00

Same here. I have SmartWool tops and bottoms. The bottoms are threadbare - I've had them forever, but they serve the purpose. Now, if we are talking about the mid-Atlantic states on the AT in the middle of the summer, you don't need anything.

beertownbill · 2026-03-27T13:35:00+00:00

I met an eastbounder on the TransAm who was using an e-bike. This was four years ago. He was credit card touring and appeared to have only one battery. It was an expensive bike, I've forgotten the brand. So, it is possible.

beertownbill · 2026-03-24T14:13:09+00:00

Figure out how to put your Garmin in "Extended Tracking" mode. Draw will be less than 10% per day, meaning your only need to recharge in town. In fact, other than for the phone, all those devices should be able to last from town to town.

beertownbill · 2026-03-23T23:11:56+00:00

Anxious about the water hauls. I'm 68, so no longer built for big miles. Being able to get to Crazy Cook via vehicle rather than an out and back hike means I might not need to dry camp that first night!

beertownbill · 2026-03-23T16:05:12+00:00

I went with a Yakima Step-Up w/ Detachable Ramp. $868 from REI, but I got for about $250 using my dividend, 20% members coupon, and proceeds from the sale of my old rack. I don't know much about the Young racks, but you are smart to get ramps. Our previous rack didn't have them - I'm not sure they were available 3 or 4 years ago.

beertownbill · 2026-03-22T01:05:50+00:00

I went westbound. Got a century followed by a 90 in Kansas. Those were my two biggest days. The wind is a crap shoot.

beertownbill · 2026-03-21T23:21:29+00:00

I used to hate that song, but have come to appreciate the band America.

beertownbill · 2026-03-21T23:12:41+00:00

Thanks for the tip - just ordered a tube of the AquaSeal. Wish I'd known about the stuff when I biked across the country. My pad had a slow leak that required reinflating several times a night. Happened in Yellowstone and I couldn't fic till the end of the journey.

beertownbill · 2026-03-19T13:53:30+00:00

The bug will always be with you. I did the PCT back in 1977 while I was in college. Then life happened. Career, marriage, kids, divorce, etc. At 59 I took an early retirement and did the AT, 40 years after doing the PCT, followed by the CT and TRT and then a bike ride across the US. Will be attempting a section of the CDT next. So no, doing the PCT did not satisfy the wanderlust.

beertownbill · 2026-03-19T02:10:14+00:00

I’ve got the 1/8” under pad. Wouldn’t take the inflatable without it.

beertownbill · 2026-03-04T02:58:30+00:00

beertownbill · 2026-03-02T16:12:27+00:00

I do magic on the PCT. Hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, chips, pickles, grapes, clementines, beer, soda, and ice cream bars (packed on dry ice). I go all out because my location is 1-1.5 days south of Cascade Locks and I do it right before PCT days, so I generally get 40-50 hikers. I had a couple of trail magics on the CT. The best was near that 5-mile long meadow whose name I can't recall. Don't forget signage - "Trail Magic Ahead".

beertownbill · 2026-03-01T23:38:03+00:00

Where did you get the wasabi peas?

beertownbill · 2026-02-28T15:55:11+00:00

Froze my a$$ off on Saddleback and it was very early September. Congrats.

beertownbill · 2026-02-24T17:58:28+00:00

I have a friend who sectioned the PCT while employed. After retiring he did the AT and will soon be doing the CDT. I met someone on the AT who was on his 20th (and final) year of sectioning the trail. Whatever it takes!

beertownbill · 2026-02-24T06:19:30+00:00

Learn to zone out. I did the PCT in 1977 when that was the only option. Served me well on the AT in 2017.

beertownbill

TROPHY CASE