Virginia Tenderfoot here...

[spiffy]

Greetings all!
I've been lurking for approx the last week and I'm amazed at the wealth of experience and information. I'm planning a short AT section hike in mid-Sept - all of MD SOBO. The purpose is to "dip my toe" before I attempt another AT all of PA hike next summer.
Although it has been a few decades since I've been hiking or camping, I do have have some outdoor experience/skills learned while growing up in the mountains of PA -- all the usual stuff -- scouting, fishing, hunting, hiking, camping etc.
I'm intrigued by the idea of "hanging" vice sleeping on the cold, lumpy ground and I'm exploring the idea of a very simple DIY hammock and quilt system before the Sept hike. I think I have read most of the posts already on home construction.
Any additional thoughts, comments, info, links, helpful hints, etc would be greatly appreciated.
Please be patient if I ask some rookie questions!
Thanks in advance.

[swampfox]

You've come to the right place spiffy.
If you haven't already discovered Shug's videos, take some time to do that. It will save you days in the long run.
Make sure you take a camera on the trip. We expect pictures.
Welcome to the forum.

[Poppabear]

Welcome to the forums and good luck on your shake down hike in Sept. Out of curiosity where did you grow up in PA?

[Hickery]

Welcome to the show.

[HeadRush]

welcome to HF.

[spiffy]

Thank you all for the warm welcome.

swampfox: I was unaware of the videos....thanks! I must remember to slow down and take some photos/savor the moment.

Poppabear:Are you from PA? I'm originally from Schuylkill Co. near Pottsville -- about 20 mi north of Port Clinton. Did a few day hikes/overnighters on the AT when I was a kid in the scouts.