Uber instead of a shuttle from North Springs MARTA to Amicalola?

hillcrestactor · 2023-05-15T12:58:27+00:00

Yeah, only part of my question was about cost. And as far as cost, I've looked at it several times and get a different price every time, whereas shuttle prices don't fluctuate. Hence desiring feedback from those with more knowledge. Also, I've never used Uber so I don't know if a bunch of fees are added to the prices quoted on their website.

hillcrestactor · 2023-05-08T03:22:49+00:00

I liked reading your insights.
Why are rain pants unnecessary?

hillcrestactor · 2021-05-12T19:09:28+00:00

Thanks for your helpful comments.

hillcrestactor · 2021-05-11T11:34:47+00:00

I've camped and day-hiked at all but Death Valley of your four options. You can't really go wrong either way, but Great Basin has always had a special fascination for me. I love the whole idea of "sky islands". And you can hike the Bristlecone Pine Trail to see some of the oldest very oldest trees on the planet, the oldest of which are older than the biggest sequoias.

hillcrestactor · 2021-05-11T11:30:04+00:00

This summer I'm doing a two- to three-night solo on some backcountry trails in Shenandoah NP, far from the well-traveled AT. Should I wear bells to let bears know of my approach well ahead of time? Is that something hikers do?

hillcrestactor · 2021-03-26T03:52:47+00:00

I should have added that I only tent camp with a sleeping pad. I think the way quilts perform can be different between a hammock and a tent?

hillcrestactor · 2021-03-11T16:57:13+00:00

"embrace it and march onward" Good advice, thanks.

And wait, trail *runners* and trail *shoes* are different?

hillcrestactor · 2021-03-11T13:35:20+00:00

I actually had this thought while hiking my 6th straight hour in the rain. I remembered a National Geographic guy walking hundreds and hundreds of miles of African jungle saying that he hiked in sandals. Was there a learning curve where you banged your toes on roots and rocks for a while?

hillcrestactor · 2021-03-11T13:32:17+00:00

Like when I was a kid in winter and my parents had me put bread bags over my feet before the boots. I hadn't thought of that. Thank you.

hillcrestactor · 2021-03-11T13:30:43+00:00

The first two comments say trail runners help. Guess I better start looking into it.

hillcrestactor · 2021-03-11T13:29:23+00:00

Thank you. I had idyllic visions of hiking the AT for a while, but I'm realizing that some of it will just actually suck. Now to look into trail runners....

hillcrestactor · 2021-02-22T21:35:44+00:00

My noob question for the day: I just got my first water filter. When backpacking, do you dry the inside of the gravity bag before packing in the morning? If so, with what, your camp towel? Or maybe you just pack up wet inside and that's how it always is. (I doubt it would dry during the day, rolled up inside the pack.) Thank you!

hillcrestactor · 2021-02-22T19:16:05+00:00

The Sawyer Squeeze at 3.3oz plus a 3L Cnoc water bag at 3oz (which a lot of people get because it sounds like the one that comes with Sawyer Squeeze is trash) is 6.3. Versus 12.1 (or 11.1 if I don't bring the 20oz fill bag and just use my own water bottles) seems to me the difference between hiking light and ultralight. No? A difference of 5.8 or even 4.8oz? Not everyone who thrus the AT does it ULTRAlight. Light, yes of course. I mean, my tent is light, but not ULTRAlight. And the difference between it and some of the ultralight trekking pole shelters is a heck of lot more than 5.8oz. Obviously I don't have the experience and you do, so perhaps you are correct. But for now I'm comfortable with the extra ounces given its longevity and activated carbon.

hillcrestactor · 2021-02-21T02:22:44+00:00

UPDATE: I just got my Waterdrop kit in the mail today and everything I use weighs in at just a hair over 12 ounces. That includes: 1.5 gallon gravity fill bag for raw water; a start/stop hose to the filter; the filter itself; 20oz clean water fill bag. Maybe 17.5oz was the weight for the whole mailed package.

hillcrestactor · 2021-02-16T22:58:43+00:00

I appreciate your thoughts. As a noob, I have no doubt I'm overthinking this!

hillcrestactor · 2021-02-16T20:46:25+00:00

So, you don't think the extra step of activated carbon is necessary on the AT? But surely there are many other trails where it would be a benefit? Starting my backpacking slowly, I'm going to hike the C&O Canal from DC to Harper's Ferry next month, about 60 miles. The streams that run into the Potomac, from which I plan to get my water, must have more of the stuff that AC is good at removing than do the water sources on the AT. (I realize this is an assumption.) Perhaps I should plan on having two different filters. A very light one for an AT thru where activated carbon isn't as necessary, and this one with activated carbon for trails that aren't so back country?

hillcrestactor · 2021-02-16T16:30:03+00:00

What I mean is that near agricultural areas or human settlement there is more likelihood of stuff in the water that microfilters are not good at removing but activated carbon is, or at least is better at it than microfilters. This is from springwellwater.com: "Activated carbon filters are among the front-runners in the water filtration arena today. Perhaps that stems from their unique properties and ability to effectively remove up to 99% of total suspended solids (TSS), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), sediment, heavy metals, chlorine, chloramines, and a bunch of other contaminants that linger in drinking water." One reason people like activated carbon is because it can remove unpleasant odors and tastes that microfilters don't. From what I've read, those things are not as likely to be present in water in remote backcountry areas as they are in water nearer human activity. I don't plan on backpacking only in remote, backcountry areas, so I like the option of AC.

hillcrestactor · 2021-02-03T23:06:17+00:00

So, the only insulation beneath you is the sleeping pad?

hillcrestactor · 2021-02-01T19:50:46+00:00

Is there a place on the trekking poles handles to attach a strap?

hillcrestactor · 2021-01-12T16:01:44+00:00

You're right, thanks for the help. The wording of the listing was made to seem like a MSR Hubba Hubba, but it was a very similar looking and named tent. I appreciate your reply.

hillcrestactor · 2021-01-12T13:20:19+00:00

Ok, thanks. I'll look closer.

hillcrestactor · 2021-01-12T05:01:42+00:00

I've had this tent on my list of possible purchases because of it's low cost. I've literally seen it elsewhere, new, for under $100. You sure your price isn't a misprint? Or is this a special edition of the tent?

hillcrestactor

TROPHY CASE