Thunder storm put a damper on things but we made our goal yesterday.
I left my under quilt at our resupply vehicle and just took a half pad. Was probably the right choice with the weather and the pad did Ok except it was a little short.
I left my under quilt at our resupply vehicle and just took a half pad. Was probably the right choice with the weather and the pad did Ok except it was a little short.
Been enjoying following this journey. I think your thought process above is pretty spot on for me also.Originally Posted by Life Scout
I am way to out of shape for this. The mountains are killing me. The low grade ups and downs are fine, the stairs and steep grades are murder on my cardiovascular or knees. The views are worth it. My mind won't quit but the body is asking to at least slow down.
Keep going, your doing well. Sweat and pain.....a necessary evil.
<a href="http://pitapata.com/"><img src="http://pdgm.pitapata.com/GdHJm4.png" width="200" height="80" border="0" alt="PitaPata Dog tickers" /></a>
Cool! Made it to NC! Whooo Hooo!
View from the back porch at the Top of Georgia Hostel. Friendly people here. We are only here for laundry and a shower but it seems like a great place to stay.
After hike gear report. My DIY pack began to fail in a few expected places. Like the side pockets and rear frame holders. But the hip pads and shoulder strap stitching begun to come apart. That I did not expect. The main pack and rear large mesh pocket held up fine. My DIY Tarp ,Cuben stuff sacks, and Z Packs gear held up amazing. My DIY under quilt was not in a stuff sack of any kind on day 6 when I went to use it, it was wet. I use part of a Z lite pad as part of my pack frame. So I used it for my last 2 nights. A little narrow and short for this to be used all the time for this. I usually use it as a sit pad. My DIY bridge hammock worked great. The half bug net worked well probably not so great for Florida but I will reevaluate that later.
A trek like this will provide many lessons learned. But, it sounds like you went well prepared and only a few minor details had rough edges. Well done!
Mike
"Life is a Project!"
After talking with the man we learn he has been a trail volunteer for 32 years. He mowed the grass with a sling blade. Spread and leveled the privy for composting and was going to come back another day to clean graffiti from the shelter wall. Someone wrote there hiker name in marker inside the shelter. I asked if he had to repaint the area and he replied denatured alcohol will remove it. So I gave him some fuel and before I could help the graffiti was gone. He said when people carve into the wood they bring up body filler and paint to cover it. This was the cleanest shelter of our week long trip. Amazing the dedication this man had for his work and this shelter. A real inspiration for us all.We met a trail hero. Mowing the grass by hand at the Trey Mountain shelter.
After hike update. A closed cell pad will work as an under quilt if you have used one in the past. I used a Z - lite pad the last 2 days on our hike just fine. You will need something, not much but something. Just to keep the wind from robbing your heat in the morning. We went to bed hot and out of our TQ's but had to bundle up around 3am. Download the AT weather app for your phone this app gives altitude corrected temps at each shelter. It was real windy each morning on top of the mountains. Not so much down in some of the gaps. HTH.
Great job on the report. After thoughts are very important to help improve with every hike/trip. It helps us DIYer's as well to learn from win and fail gear. Thanks for the updates, that was nice.
Most don't see the work that goes to the trails and shelters. It was very cool to hear of the Trail Volunteers and a little of the work involved for them. I hope others will take note and keep the trail and shelters clean.
Enjoy and have fun with your family,before they have fun without you
That's awesome. Thanks for the trip report!
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks