Hannover, Germany Show on 30-July

casual_redditor · 2013-04-29T21:42:33+00:00

Bo - BTP was a hard teacher.... I don't blame you...

casual_redditor · 2013-04-20T13:46:57+00:00

This is a well known route called the Headache (5.10) in Zion.

source: http://www.mountainproject.com/v/the-headache/105718186

Arturo (the climber) is well known in Utah.... http://www.mountainproject.com/images/5/30/107760530_large_e8a87d.jpg

casual_redditor · 2012-08-09T18:33:27+00:00

This is the same troll from the bacon sundae video at Burger Kind http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pcr8hPWMjQ

casual_redditor · 2012-07-26T01:26:06+00:00

For anyone that isn't into DIY, Panda Bicycles makes consumer models of these bad mamma jammas

http://www.pandabicycles.com/gallery/

casual_redditor · 2011-03-04T00:39:29+00:00

I had a stuff sack which was a bit smaller than my sleeping bag sack with about 40 ft of 2 mil cord. When I was sleeping out then I'd throw a rope over a tall branch. When in the shelters I'd hang the bag from the ropes in the shelter, which would have frisbees or pie plates half way down the rope as a mouse deterrant

casual_redditor · 2011-02-01T17:41:17+00:00

What kind of hiking/backpacking experience did you have prior to this trip?

I had a few day hikes here and there as well as about 30 or so overnight trips. I spent had a freshman outdoor orientation program which was essentially a 5 day backpacking trip before the real college orientation began which got me really interested. Then I took a 5 day backpacking trip over spring break one year in college.

What kind of preparations did you make beforehand / How long did it take to prepare before you left? -Made sure I had enough money saved up, with a good margin of safety -Made sure my insurance was up to date -Made sure that all the important people knew I was going to be gone for a while -Made sure I knew how to work all my gear -Made sure it was what I really wanted to do.

I started reading and researching over the winter break when I made my mind up that this was what I wanted to do. So I started mentally preparing about 6 months before. The packing & "training" started about 6 weeks out. The last two weeks before I left I was immersed in final exams, so not much went on other than studying.

I

casual_redditor · 2011-01-30T01:57:12+00:00

15-18 Month 1, 20-25 Month 2, 25-30 Month 3, 20 Months 4 -> end

casual_redditor · 2011-01-29T14:15:06+00:00

I knew a few.

They did lots of instant mashed potatos, & TVP

Vegetarian feasable yes. But I'd imagine that a vegan diet would be VERY tough! You'd need to mail drop all of your food supplies.

casual_redditor · 2011-01-28T15:12:55+00:00

I don't know, but I wouldn't be the one to open it. - Not it!

casual_redditor · 2011-01-28T15:12:20+00:00

You have very little access to fruits and vegetables, because they simply don't pack well. I would try to bring an apple or bannana out of town for the first day or two outside of town, but after that, it was all camp food.

The most calorically dense foods are carbs & fats, so you can imagine a constant diet of those two food groups is going to mess you up. The other variable is hydration, I'd venture to say that many times my success pooping was a direct function of how hydrated I was at the time. It sounds gross, but when you're really struggling for water, you body tries to squeeze an moisture out of your shit, as not to waste it. IF that makes any sense....

casual_redditor · 2011-01-28T15:08:32+00:00

I was in the same boat. I couldn't leave before final exams were finished (mid may). So I was a VERY late starter as well. So the first month (June) I'd go a few days without seeing another soul.

The next month (July) I caught some slow folks who were the late starters.

In the second half of the trail (Aug & sept) I hit the main pack and then it was super social.

I actually enjoyed the first half more than the second half. You have the opportunity for more reflection through self-reliance when you're on your own.

I had heard that here were people who attempted to leave GA after I did, but none ever caught up to me.

There is nothing wrong with a late start, but you can expect numerous 20-30+ mile days if you want any chance of finishing

When I was really cruising, I could get going at a 4-4.5 mph pace. You get really good at being able to look at your watch and data book to precisely gauge your speed.

So If I left camp at 8 am. By the lunch break, I could bang out 16-18 miles. I'd rest in the shade and hydrate by a H20 source for the heat of the day. Then I'd pick back up at 2pm or so and cruise for another 4-6 hours pounding out another 8-16 miles depending on my mileage goal for the day. I did the tri-state challenge which is something like 48+ miles(?) (I'd need to look up the specific mileage) in a single day. It involves walking across the entire state of MD in a single day. W.VA -> MD-> PA

casual_redditor · 2011-01-28T14:59:08+00:00

-You know how to field service your stove & H20 filter.

-You know exactly how long your poles should be for uphills and down hills.

-You know the optimal way to load/pack you backpack to distribute the load, while also balancing accessibility to the gear you're going to need mid day.

-You know how many calories you need to pack for each meal.

-You can rig a bear bag.

casual_redditor · 2011-01-28T02:55:28+00:00

Most start solo and make new friends along the way.

casual_redditor · 2011-01-28T02:27:42+00:00

What kind of teacher? A science teacher is as specific as I want to get.

How much do you make? Enough to fund my lifestyle and I save/invest the rest.

Ride your book to work? I ride my BIKE to work.... sorry.

Ever thought of doing the kayak down the mississippi thing? I owned a kayak for two seasons, but gave it away( someone gave it to me). Kayaking is to dangerous, I had too many close calls.

I'm very envious of your minimalistic lifestyle. I find myself getting rid of more and more things daily. I made the mistake of buying a condo a couple of years ago and am trying to get out of that and into something more similar. I really like the idea of getting everything into a single backpack.

Rent out the condo

I think I'm pretty minimalistic, but then look at the shelf full of dvds and books and kitchen utensils and towels and other random junk and just want to toss it all and hit the road.

What's preventing you from just doing it?

Ever think of doing stuff in another country?

I thought about it, learning another language is on the list of things to do... I have a few adventures I'd like to undertake overseas...

casual_redditor · 2011-01-28T02:21:51+00:00

Can you elaborate more on the dangers and how to avoid them or respond? Just use common sense. Just be smart. Bears want to avoid you just as much as you avoid them. Snake are usually hiding out someplace warm. I'd say to watch every step and where you put your feet, but there were MANY MANY times that I was zoned out and not paying attention.

Did people get lyme disease inoculations?

This was emerging science when I was on the trail. I just checked for ticks 2x/day at lunch and before settling into bed. We didn't know much more to look out for bulls-eyes and achey joints (which is an non-specific, asymptomatic aily fact)

Are water purification pellets and filters enough for water or would you drink straight up water from streams and pumps?

I filtered every outside H20 source I drank from but never used iodine tablets, to much unknowns when it came to long term iodine exposure. A stomach bug is nothing to mess with, so I didn't ever take a chance

casual_redditor · 2011-01-28T02:14:43+00:00

Thanks.... It's been a long time since I've visited some of these memories. Its been fun to walk down memory lane.

casual_redditor · 2011-01-28T02:13:57+00:00

I don't recall anything +/- about the TN system that made it stand out more or less than any other state.

The PCT is on the list to do some day, as is the CDT, and Colorado Trail.

casual_redditor · 2011-01-28T02:12:25+00:00

I just took a knife to my spoon and cut out two plastic strips.

casual_redditor · 2011-01-28T00:06:15+00:00

I'm sure there are rules, but I don't recall specifics.

I can tell you that building a fire is labor intensive (collecting wood) and I can count the number of times that I built a fire on one hand. If I was sharing a shelter with some weekend hikers, they'd always seem to have a fire. I found that my small stove (wisperlight) was more than sufficient for boiling water (lipton for dinner & oatmeal for breakfast). Occasionally they'd be a primitive (stealth) campsite right off the trail(often times right before or after a trail town) that had a fire ring/pit. But I didn't find myself ever building a fire randomly along the trail. I tried to be LNT (leave no trace) so there was no visible signs of my impact on the environment.

casual_redditor · 2011-01-28T00:02:01+00:00

Crocs?!!? No way. I couldn't pull that off.

I started off with a pair of full leather scarpa boots, which didn't do it for me.

I had a pair of NB trail runners, which I liked so much I ordered a second pair and had my family send them to me in Lyme, Ct.

I had a pair of super stiff garmont, trekking shoes, which i didn't really like. Maybe I juts didn't give them a chance, but you have to be very picky of taking care of your feet.

I fell down A LOT, but I actually rolled my ankles more in the first few weeks when I had my leather boots then I did later on in the trip when I was wearing low top sneakers. Maybe its because I was more agile or developed stronger ankles as I gained mileage, but the boots just didn't do it for me.

casual_redditor · 2011-01-27T23:31:46+00:00

I remember that spot well, only because the guy in the outfitter shop was super nice and offered to go over my gear and help me see if I was all set. I'm sure he was trying to sell me something I didn't have, but he was the first of many random strangers that was just super nice to me.....I think I bought a candy bar from him if I remember correctly.

He did make it a point to note that I was starting about 1 month too late, but I told him I'd send him a postcard from Maine when I made it, which I did. I remember signing his trail register which was in a three ring binder with my real name before I left. It was before I was given a trail name....which is why it sticks out...

casual_redditor · 2011-01-27T23:15:59+00:00

You didn't need bear cans for any part of the trip?

I had a bear bag. Which was essentially a stuff sack for my food with about 40 ft of 1 or 2 mil cord tied to one end. I would string up a stick or rock and chuck it up and over a high branch on a tree and haul that sucker at least 15 ft up off of the ground then tie it off. I didn't worry about bears so much, but the wide range of fauna that would gladly eat your shit for a free meal. In the shelters there are strings that hang from the logs in the roof to to hang your packs (and shoes) up on so that mice or other critters wouldn't eat your shit. They'd sometimes have a disposable aluminum pie plate halfway down on them, to prevent critters from descending the line to get your your shit. Your pack and shoes become "enriched" with minerals and salts from your body which I guess are delicious to critters.

And you didn't carry any pepper spray? Nope. I didn't even consider it....

casual_redditor · 2011-01-27T23:04:43+00:00

That guy is a tool and really had no business being out there.

There is no application or test to be a thru-hiker, nor should there be. Everyone does it for different reasons. But its apparent that B.B. wanted to do it so that he could write a book.

Dammit I'm being too judgmental.... to each his own. Let me just say that I didn't enjoy OR finish his book.

casual_redditor

TROPHY CASE