New from Florida

Hi all, I've been lurking and want to go ahead and introduce myself. I'm a 56 year old newly retired guy who is thinking of taking on an AT thru hike in 2013. I've spent a considerable time in tents and a little while years ago in an old military jungle hammock. My wife actually suggested a hammock for the AT and as I looked into it, it sounds like a better and better idea. I'm doing research and have learned quite a bit from this forum. So far, I'm looking most favorably at the warbonnet blackbird and superfly. Anyhow, thanks for providing such a resource of knowledge here. Nat.

Hey Capt Nat - Hello and Welcome to the Forums from Canada!

Welcome from south Florida. I switched to hammocks from tents when I was about your age and the only thing I can't figure out is why it took me so long!

Welcome from the Space Coast. You'll find lots and lots of FL hangers on here. I was just in your neck of the woods last weekend. My kids had a great time at LegoLand.

Welcome Capt Nat from East Tennessee

Welcome to the Florida HF community! Hope to see you out on a future hang.

Thanks Capt Nat, now I'm not the newest of the Newbies. To bad you didn't come online in January, I showed up and met a group of Florida Hanger over near Avon Park in February and hung with them in Richloam in March. There great people and a fantastic source of information.
Hope to see you this coming fall when we Hang again!!

Greetings from VA Beach!

Welcome; from Ohio

Welcome to the HFs from Washington

Welcome Cap Nat! Many a thru hiker carrying hammocks no a days. I think you'll like it.

Ahoy, and welcome aboard from Charlotte, NC.

Hello Capt Nat, welcome to HF from Mass.

Welcome from JAX. BTW, you can't go wrong with a Blackbird.
- Duffy

Hikers stay in shelters because everything is wet. After a rain in the mountains water is running down the slopes inches deep a flooded tent is not a rare occurrence. Hammocks eliminate this entirely. Campsites with a Hammock are unlimited, the only downside to hammocking is 1. cold and 2. gear storage. Hiking the At with a hammock has too many advantages not to do it. Lurk some more and all questions about the "downside" will be answered. The cold issue has been exhaustively addressed and you should carry less gear to solve number 2.

Welcome from Gainesville!

Welcome from way over here in Las Vegas. Best of luck on your AT trip. I own a WBBB and love it! Wish I would have had one when I lived in the northeast and did some AT sections.

Hello from GA!

Hello Capt Nat. welcome from North Ga., about 45 min. from the start of the AT. If I could call back about 20 yrs. I would plan to go with you in 2013. Plenty of good choices of hammocks and gear for a long hike to be found here, and no shortage of good sound advise from people who know from experience. Happy hanging.

Welcome from the NW FL panhandle.

Welcome aboard from a Lakeland neighbor. Our group AT'er, 'Grinder' is on the trail now and can probably offer plenty of info and advice on his return and he's located in Winter Haven also. Looking forward to meeting on a future hang.

Welcome from Indiana!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Capt Nat

...who is thinking of taking on an AT thru hike in 2013.

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Go as light and compact as you can, If you go in Feb/Mar, I'd read up on the insulation/quilt forums. You'll need insulation. It gets frigid up there at 4000 feet.

Welcome to the forums. Take all the advice you want... it's free!

Shnick

Welcome to HF from a native Floridian and I hope that thru hike happens for you. Take care!

Fronkey

Welcome from Texas