Professional Soldiers ® - View Single Post - Appalachian Trail

34RX · 11-13-2011, 21:20

Here's my 2 cents from 8 years in the outdoor industry. Trekking poles are a must. I recommend ones that can be adjusted like the Black Diamond (BD) flicklock system. Poles that are adjusted by twisting can slip and are somewhat finicky. The BD ones can be tightened with a multi-tool.

For footwear I believe lighter is better. I use to wear Chaco’s Z2’s religiously and could carry a heavy guide pack on high peaks to desert canyons. They will also save you time at river crossings. I would only allow staff to wear the Z2 that has the toe loop for increased stability. I never got a blister with them. Like any footwear, be wearing them frequently before you start your trip. The heavy boot rage of the 90’s was a great money maker.

At first, Orikaso bowls scared me and I didn’t think they would last in the field. I jumped in with 2 feet on a two week mountaineering trip 5 years ago and my bowl/plate is still working. It will save you space and is easy to clean.
Hydration bladders are great but always carry a bottle in case of a bladder puncture, which leads me to the sleeping pad consideration. I have a 16 year old Z-rest (closed cell) that still works perfectly after being stepped on by crampons and chewed on by AT mice. I do have some Therm-a-Rest pads and have had to make repairs. I can’t remember the exact product but instead of buying about 10 square inches of repair cloth, you can get tape that is used for sail repair that works just as well and is about 1/10th the cost. If you are interested in this product, let me know, and I’ll hunt it down. It was so much cheaper it only came by the yard. For cold-weather conditions I have compromised by taking a closed cell pad and an inflatable to increase my R value but also get some comfort.

I use to live near the southern terminus and would see people starting and finishing. People starting had about 50% larger packs. Less is more. Be prepared to ship items home that you realized you do not need.

Mice. In the shelters you will encounter colonies of mice that will eat through your gear. Generally, leave your pack zippers open and stash your food appropriately. With the zippers open the mice will just crawl into your pack rather than eat through it. They can be aggressive. I have a pair of down booties that I was wearing when they started chewing into them.
As for your schedule, if speed/number of days is your goal then great, go for it. However, everyone I know who has done either the PCT or AT has gotten off the trail for other experiences that were either scheduled or just came up by meeting people along the way.

A deck of plastic playing cards is a must.

If you are interested in documenting your journey with photography then you should look into a monopod system for one of your trekking poles. You’ll be up early and ending your days at sunset with great lighting conditions for shots. You’ll just need a stable platform for the best ones.

The only place I have found using a backpack cover worthwhile was in the torrential downpours of the South. If you have a good pack and pack it well, you may not need the cover, just something to consider.

Stuff sacks are great for OCD organization but add weight. Your backpack does just as good as job holding the items. Just make sure you have one for hanging food.

I am a fan of bivy sacks. The smaller the better. If you are getting one with an elaborate pole system you might as well get a one person tent.

Warning-very tree hugger advice follows. Take a sarong. In warm to mild temps I hike in a pair of paddling shorts or essentially swim trunks. At the end of the day wearing a sarong will allow you to air the boys out and do all your river laundry at once. It can also serve as a pillow and as cravats in a pinch.

Best of luck.

11-13-2011, 21:20	#14
34RX Asset Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: WA Posts: 1	AT Here's my 2 cents from 8 years in the outdoor industry. Trekking poles are a must. I recommend ones that can be adjusted like the Black Diamond (BD) flicklock system. Poles that are adjusted by twisting can slip and are somewhat finicky. The BD ones can be tightened with a multi-tool. For footwear I believe lighter is better. I use to wear Chaco’s Z2’s religiously and could carry a heavy guide pack on high peaks to desert canyons. They will also save you time at river crossings. I would only allow staff to wear the Z2 that has the toe loop for increased stability. I never got a blister with them. Like any footwear, be wearing them frequently before you start your trip. The heavy boot rage of the 90’s was a great money maker. At first, Orikaso bowls scared me and I didn’t think they would last in the field. I jumped in with 2 feet on a two week mountaineering trip 5 years ago and my bowl/plate is still working. It will save you space and is easy to clean. Hydration bladders are great but always carry a bottle in case of a bladder puncture, which leads me to the sleeping pad consideration. I have a 16 year old Z-rest (closed cell) that still works perfectly after being stepped on by crampons and chewed on by AT mice. I do have some Therm-a-Rest pads and have had to make repairs. I can’t remember the exact product but instead of buying about 10 square inches of repair cloth, you can get tape that is used for sail repair that works just as well and is about 1/10th the cost. If you are interested in this product, let me know, and I’ll hunt it down. It was so much cheaper it only came by the yard. For cold-weather conditions I have compromised by taking a closed cell pad and an inflatable to increase my R value but also get some comfort. I use to live near the southern terminus and would see people starting and finishing. People starting had about 50% larger packs. Less is more. Be prepared to ship items home that you realized you do not need. Mice. In the shelters you will encounter colonies of mice that will eat through your gear. Generally, leave your pack zippers open and stash your food appropriately. With the zippers open the mice will just crawl into your pack rather than eat through it. They can be aggressive. I have a pair of down booties that I was wearing when they started chewing into them. As for your schedule, if speed/number of days is your goal then great, go for it. However, everyone I know who has done either the PCT or AT has gotten off the trail for other experiences that were either scheduled or just came up by meeting people along the way. A deck of plastic playing cards is a must. If you are interested in documenting your journey with photography then you should look into a monopod system for one of your trekking poles. You’ll be up early and ending your days at sunset with great lighting conditions for shots. You’ll just need a stable platform for the best ones. The only place I have found using a backpack cover worthwhile was in the torrential downpours of the South. If you have a good pack and pack it well, you may not need the cover, just something to consider. Stuff sacks are great for OCD organization but add weight. Your backpack does just as good as job holding the items. Just make sure you have one for hanging food. I am a fan of bivy sacks. The smaller the better. If you are getting one with an elaborate pole system you might as well get a one person tent. Warning-very tree hugger advice follows. Take a sarong. In warm to mild temps I hike in a pair of paddling shorts or essentially swim trunks. At the end of the day wearing a sarong will allow you to air the boys out and do all your river laundry at once. It can also serve as a pillow and as cravats in a pinch. Best of luck.
34RX is offline