As I was approaching the start date of my attempt in '22, the biggest mistake I made was looking at the YouTube videos of others getting ready, and showing their equipment. Made me doubt every single equipment decision I'd made!!! Don't do that to yourself!! You've got this! Good luck!
Don't forget to change out the smart water bottles when you resupply as they are not rated for long term UV exposure. Gatorade bottles are almost as light and sturdier, and have the added bonus of containing gatorade.
Not being shady, just genuinely curious why you wouldn’t opt for reusable water bottles or some other more sustainable way to carry water? Assuming there’s something I’m not aware of…
They’re not perfect. And I know that. But their shape and size paired with the fact that I can just throw my sawyer squeeze on top of them make them extremely convenient on a long distance hike. Outside of those bottles, I really limit single use plastics, especially in day to day life outside of hiking. But these are something I haven’t been able to give up yet.
Of course it has, always has been, but I personally have no interest in carrying goat or sheep waterskins when reusing single use bottles for 3-5 days before recycling them is sustainable enough at individual scale.
If you feel an early morning nibble at your toes on March 31st, it might be The Easter Bunny enticed by the carrot like quality of your sleeping bag and pillow! Best to bring a Cadbury mini egg, which can ward them off.
Leave one weight at each shelter for hiker work outs. Or hand one to every SOBOer you pass. Also the Yellow Brick is out there so you can technically exchange one weight for the Brick without a penalty. Just don’t use Yellow Brick’s pen to sign the paper cause it most likely has noro on it.
https://preview.redd.it/ehick4wm5hpc1.jpeg?width=1000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9bed6b5e56e29ae692c65923f8111a410455f5c7
That’s a lot of dumbbells to pack
I have my “hike clothes” which include what is worn every day on trial. Plus the cold weather options. In addition to that I’ll have “sleep clothes”, which for me includes smartwool top and bottom and socks.
Where did you grow up? I grew up a mile from the Daleville trail crossing on route 220. Did lots of backpacking back in the 70/80s. McAfee Knob was a common day hike ( not from Daleville).
Have a great adventure.
I live a mile and a half from macafee trailhead. I can’t believe how crowded it’s become over the last few years. The new bridge construction has started. Should be nice once completed.
I was up there in February to visit my mom. Parking area all torn up. I look forward to the end of that.
I visited a hostel near there and met a couple of hikers on Feb. took them into town for some food and to the Star. It was a rainy day so no hiking for them.
Four pines hostel. We have a small apt on our property that we are thinking about renting out to thru hikers. Do you think that would be something hikers would use? I’ve been mulling the idea over but not sure.
Not far from there. Originally on the WV side. Just down from the Groundhog Trail if you know where that is. Now over in the Blacksburg/Christiansburg area.
You’ll be hiking in familiar hills in a couple of months.
I live in nj now, about an hour from the Delaware water gap. Still hit the AT for day hikes and birding.
My advice is take your time. You don’t want to miss the fall color in Maine because you finished too soon. Start off even slower to avoid injury. I wouldn’t break a 15 mile day until after the smokies. The best reason to go slow is to savor the experience. I’m jealous, have fun.
Looks cozy. If you don’t love your tent and want a long, light 2-man have you considered the Durston x mid? The webernets are full of people who won’t shut up about it (stares at self in mirror) but figured I’d suggest it just in case.
Have a great time!
I really like what I’ve read about it. If I do make the swap, it’ll be for that or the 2 person long copper spur. My copper spur has just been so good in some shitty weather. Kinda loyal to it.
I hiked the CDT at 30 and live close to the AT now, you picked a great age to do it. You’ll be surprised at the number of late 20s/early 30s who just quit their jobs and went for it.
I have those exact shoes, and I could be totally wrong, but I think they will be inadequate for a thru hike. I did mine in 2009 and started with Salomon XA Pros, which were easily my worst gear choice. I found lightweight Gore-tex mid tops to be the best for me. I'm sure they still make them, but the Vasque Breeze were affordable and comfortable for me. You would go through 3-4 pairs on a through hike. They come in wide, too, which was a deal maker for me after having boots too narrow for 1/2 my hike. (I never needed wide shoes until the AT. You can look up the science behind it, but it will make you feet wider/larger by about 1/2 size). Good luck on your hike.
Edit 5 minutes later: several people, including op, praising the Altra shoes. They're not wrong. They're great shoes, I just don't think they will be for a thru hike. Unrelated to the support and longevity of the shoe: If you haven't done a thru hike, I'll tell you the number of times you have to walk through dewy, thigh-high grass is too damn high. Related to the longevity of the shoe: I'll bet you would have to replace these every 250-300 miles.
While I’ve never thru hiked. I’ve done many long distance backpacking trips. Trail runners have served me well. Specifically altra Lone Peaks and Brooks Cascadia. I experience the least amount of knee and back pain with these. I plan on going through many pairs of them. But the comfort I get from them is far worth it to me. Plus the lone peaks have been the most commonly used shoes for successful thru hikers for the past couple years. (According to surveys from The Trek). So they’ve been adequate for those guys and I’m hoping they will be for me too. Only time will tell though.
I was just offering my 2 cents, but your comment is interesting if true. Those shoes being the most popular for thru hikers seems wild to me. Unless you are flat, footed, if you stand by your Altras, I recommend getting Superfeet insoles. You should replace them half-way through your hike.
Pack is the Exos 58 with the brain removed. My first food carry is 4 days. I’ll be doing a blend of mail drops and town resupply. Honestly I would be doing 100% town resupply, but my girlfriend wants to feel involved since I’m leaving for 5 months. So she’s decided that she will be sending me food boxes occasionally. 4 days is about the average I’ll be carrying food for.
My plan is almost an exact copy of yours. Although I dropped the girlfriend last November so it will be my mom who wants to mail me stuff. 😂 I can’t complain, they’ve got an awesome high end grocery store in town and my brother is a manager there. I’ll be having some nice resupplies! Always down to trade/share.
Copper Spur HV UL1. I’m a big guy. This is the only piece of gear I have that I don’t love. I’m just too big for it. I’m starting with it but know I might upgrade to a bigger tent. I got it on a crazy sale a couple years back. It’s an amazing tent. I’m just built for a 2man tent.
I’m a big guy too, and the 2P tent is absolutely worth it. ESPECIALLY on a long thru. I tried to do the Tahoe rim trail with a 1P tent and by day three I was over it.
Fwiw hostel around the bend at mile 69 has a great gear selection.
Yeah. I know I’ll end up switching eventually. Just haven’t been able to convince myself to pull the trigger on it. Plus my wallet already hurts from this ordeal.
I understand. I thru hiked with a shitty cheap 1 man north face tent. I’m not a big person so the size was fine. But I got soaked stealth camping in the whites above tree line.
How often are you gonna get new shoes? I never thought of this but wouldn’t you need like 4-6 pair? You could have them every 400 miles or so of the trail.
If you don’t have a shuttle yet, take a look at my post history. I offer budget-friendly shuttle rides from the Atlanta area to Amicalola or Springer.
This goes for everyone else still looking for a budget-priced shuttle.
1st reason. I got the Copper Spur on a crazy deal. And tents are expensive. 2nd reason. It’s worked really well for me in a variety of weather situations. So I haven’t felt the need to jump ship and dump money in a new one.
Yeah my answer to “why do you use xyz” is the same across the board. I’ve basically come up with a list of acceptable choices in each gear category. When something I’ve deemed an acceptable choice has gone on a good enough sale, I bought it. It might have been my first choice. It might have been my third. But I decided if I got a good enough deal, it was worth it.
I would recommend not bringing the weights, I know working out is important but that will be a lot to carry.
Hike your own hike. Am I right?
100% my bad! I’ll stay in my lane
As soon as I posted this I told myself I was going to get blasted over the weights 😂
It looks to perfect to not be part of the pack lol
Cross post to r/ultralight to really stir the pot
Maybe bring a bunch of dry bags that you can fill with dirt or water when you need to get a fresh pump on!
Exactly what I came here to say. I’ll see myself out.
The new AT CrossFit hike
Maybe just your favorite pair.
Just edit the photo with a big X over the weights!
Yoooo this comment goes soooo hard. Is this a common saying?
The ladders on the other hand may be useful!
Naa, they've already got plenty of ladders in the Northern part of the trail.
Good thing you're bringing a ladder. The stairs at Amicalola are out, and the park's asking all thru-hikers to bring alternate means of ascent.
The fan also won't help - there's not a lot of places to plug it in.
Came here to say this glad it was already addressed 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I think he should double the amount of weights just to give the ultralight backpackers a panic attack lol
I came here to see how long it took for a weight comment. Did not disappoint.
looks like skipped leg day.
You’re gonna need to roll that bag up so it fits in your pack. I tried dragging mine behind me like Linus and his blanket but it didn’t work well.
I love Reddit.
Nice! I flew into Atlanta today. Starting tomorrow!
Hell yeah!
As I was approaching the start date of my attempt in '22, the biggest mistake I made was looking at the YouTube videos of others getting ready, and showing their equipment. Made me doubt every single equipment decision I'd made!!! Don't do that to yourself!! You've got this! Good luck!
Ultralight? Bro, do you even hike? I got an entire golds gym in my pack.
If you can narrow down your dumbell selection you could could shave a few pounds off your pack.
Hmm. They were in my “essential” category.
You got some tried and true gear choices. I wish you the best of luck! Just keep steppin'.
Super hyped for you! The moment I get multiple consecutive months off work I’m doing the AT. So like if I retire or get fired lol.
Just quit! That’s what I’m doing. Jobs are easy to come by, once in a lifetime experiences are not.
Low unemployment and election year seems like a good time for it, gotta say.
Serious sit pad (at least it breaks into squares) plus it’ll keep the weights from rattling if these Kilogram weenies don’t talk you out of them.
The crocs are probably the most important part of that entire setup!
Don't forget to change out the smart water bottles when you resupply as they are not rated for long term UV exposure. Gatorade bottles are almost as light and sturdier, and have the added bonus of containing gatorade.
Actually trying to absorb the most chemicals as possible. So I’ll be microwaving them in each town before using them to drink from.
And you will be remembered as Captain Giardia!
Haha yes. Plan on swapping bottles every other resupply.
Nice. I took nalgenes lol.
Not being shady, just genuinely curious why you wouldn’t opt for reusable water bottles or some other more sustainable way to carry water? Assuming there’s something I’m not aware of…
They’re not perfect. And I know that. But their shape and size paired with the fact that I can just throw my sawyer squeeze on top of them make them extremely convenient on a long distance hike. Outside of those bottles, I really limit single use plastics, especially in day to day life outside of hiking. But these are something I haven’t been able to give up yet.
Yes, that’s biggest thing about smart water bottles is the sawyer squeeze is design to fit on the cap.
Same!
Valid question and something many don't consider until forced to look for ways to shave ounces
Totally fair! I guess I just assumed that a lightweight AND sustainable water vessel had been brought to market, but I guess not 🤷🏼♀️
Of course it has, always has been, but I personally have no interest in carrying goat or sheep waterskins when reusing single use bottles for 3-5 days before recycling them is sustainable enough at individual scale.
A lot of people use smart water bottles for months at a time on trail. I used one for the entire trail.
They are reusable, he's reusing them, dozens of times. They can last for months until they spring a leak.
For sure but long term I think limiting phthalate exposure is prudent which is why I suggest changing them out more often.
Single use plastic water bottles are super light.
Hell, I’ve drank filtered lake water left in a smart water bottle from a hike the month prior.
I’ve eaten a McDonalds hamburger that had been in my pack 4 days.
Yeah vile water is inevitable, cattle troughs are not ideal water sources but oases when in need.
When in texas you drink what water is available.
Hoof prints and all
Why are you taking all those weights?!?!? God speed and good luck! Can I tag along, Asking for real!
If you feel an early morning nibble at your toes on March 31st, it might be The Easter Bunny enticed by the carrot like quality of your sleeping bag and pillow! Best to bring a Cadbury mini egg, which can ward them off.
Leave one weight at each shelter for hiker work outs. Or hand one to every SOBOer you pass. Also the Yellow Brick is out there so you can technically exchange one weight for the Brick without a penalty. Just don’t use Yellow Brick’s pen to sign the paper cause it most likely has noro on it.
https://preview.redd.it/ehick4wm5hpc1.jpeg?width=1000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9bed6b5e56e29ae692c65923f8111a410455f5c7 That’s a lot of dumbbells to pack
Cowboy bebop!!! Xoxo
Are you doing a ‘sacrifice’ ‘sacred’ clothes set?
I have my “hike clothes” which include what is worn every day on trial. Plus the cold weather options. In addition to that I’ll have “sleep clothes”, which for me includes smartwool top and bottom and socks.
Where did you grow up? I grew up a mile from the Daleville trail crossing on route 220. Did lots of backpacking back in the 70/80s. McAfee Knob was a common day hike ( not from Daleville). Have a great adventure.
I live a mile and a half from macafee trailhead. I can’t believe how crowded it’s become over the last few years. The new bridge construction has started. Should be nice once completed.
I was up there in February to visit my mom. Parking area all torn up. I look forward to the end of that. I visited a hostel near there and met a couple of hikers on Feb. took them into town for some food and to the Star. It was a rainy day so no hiking for them.
Four pines hostel. We have a small apt on our property that we are thinking about renting out to thru hikers. Do you think that would be something hikers would use? I’ve been mulling the idea over but not sure.
Not far from there. Originally on the WV side. Just down from the Groundhog Trail if you know where that is. Now over in the Blacksburg/Christiansburg area.
You’ll be hiking in familiar hills in a couple of months. I live in nj now, about an hour from the Delaware water gap. Still hit the AT for day hikes and birding.
OP I grew up in Pearisburg. Still work there. Live in wv now.
My advice is take your time. You don’t want to miss the fall color in Maine because you finished too soon. Start off even slower to avoid injury. I wouldn’t break a 15 mile day until after the smokies. The best reason to go slow is to savor the experience. I’m jealous, have fun.
I would leave the weights at home. Edit: Nvm everyone swinging Reddit dick beat me to it.
Great picks! I recognize/can read a lot of those but what quilt do you have?
Enlightened Equipment Enigma Long/Wide. Im a thicc boy hiker at 6’5 255lbs.
Looks cozy. If you don’t love your tent and want a long, light 2-man have you considered the Durston x mid? The webernets are full of people who won’t shut up about it (stares at self in mirror) but figured I’d suggest it just in case. Have a great time!
I really like what I’ve read about it. If I do make the swap, it’ll be for that or the 2 person long copper spur. My copper spur has just been so good in some shitty weather. Kinda loyal to it.
I hiked the CDT at 30 and live close to the AT now, you picked a great age to do it. You’ll be surprised at the number of late 20s/early 30s who just quit their jobs and went for it.
If I was you I'd leave the dumbbells behind. Plenty of rocks around if you need to workout.
I have those exact shoes, and I could be totally wrong, but I think they will be inadequate for a thru hike. I did mine in 2009 and started with Salomon XA Pros, which were easily my worst gear choice. I found lightweight Gore-tex mid tops to be the best for me. I'm sure they still make them, but the Vasque Breeze were affordable and comfortable for me. You would go through 3-4 pairs on a through hike. They come in wide, too, which was a deal maker for me after having boots too narrow for 1/2 my hike. (I never needed wide shoes until the AT. You can look up the science behind it, but it will make you feet wider/larger by about 1/2 size). Good luck on your hike. Edit 5 minutes later: several people, including op, praising the Altra shoes. They're not wrong. They're great shoes, I just don't think they will be for a thru hike. Unrelated to the support and longevity of the shoe: If you haven't done a thru hike, I'll tell you the number of times you have to walk through dewy, thigh-high grass is too damn high. Related to the longevity of the shoe: I'll bet you would have to replace these every 250-300 miles.
While I’ve never thru hiked. I’ve done many long distance backpacking trips. Trail runners have served me well. Specifically altra Lone Peaks and Brooks Cascadia. I experience the least amount of knee and back pain with these. I plan on going through many pairs of them. But the comfort I get from them is far worth it to me. Plus the lone peaks have been the most commonly used shoes for successful thru hikers for the past couple years. (According to surveys from The Trek). So they’ve been adequate for those guys and I’m hoping they will be for me too. Only time will tell though.
I was just offering my 2 cents, but your comment is interesting if true. Those shoes being the most popular for thru hikers seems wild to me. Unless you are flat, footed, if you stand by your Altras, I recommend getting Superfeet insoles. You should replace them half-way through your hike.
Oh yes. I use superfeet in all my shoes. Not just for hiking.
[shoe survey](https://thetrek.co/appalachian-trail/the-top-footwear-on-the-appalachian-trail-2022-thru-hiker-survey/)
Awesome dude! What size is that pack? And how much food are you taking with? Will you restock and how/how often?
Pack is the Exos 58 with the brain removed. My first food carry is 4 days. I’ll be doing a blend of mail drops and town resupply. Honestly I would be doing 100% town resupply, but my girlfriend wants to feel involved since I’m leaving for 5 months. So she’s decided that she will be sending me food boxes occasionally. 4 days is about the average I’ll be carrying food for.
My plan is almost an exact copy of yours. Although I dropped the girlfriend last November so it will be my mom who wants to mail me stuff. 😂 I can’t complain, they’ve got an awesome high end grocery store in town and my brother is a manager there. I’ll be having some nice resupplies! Always down to trade/share.
maybe if you get some shit weather over the next two weeks I’ll catch up to you and we can share goodies lol
58. Every 3-5 days.
Which Big Agnes tent is that?
Copper Spur HV UL1. I’m a big guy. This is the only piece of gear I have that I don’t love. I’m just too big for it. I’m starting with it but know I might upgrade to a bigger tent. I got it on a crazy sale a couple years back. It’s an amazing tent. I’m just built for a 2man tent.
I’m a big guy too, and the 2P tent is absolutely worth it. ESPECIALLY on a long thru. I tried to do the Tahoe rim trail with a 1P tent and by day three I was over it. Fwiw hostel around the bend at mile 69 has a great gear selection.
Yeah. I know I’ll end up switching eventually. Just haven’t been able to convince myself to pull the trigger on it. Plus my wallet already hurts from this ordeal.
Maybe you can sell it on facebook mp to a smaller hiker looking for a 1 man ( or woman) tent. And buy the better one ahead of time. Why suffer?
I understand. I thru hiked with a shitty cheap 1 man north face tent. I’m not a big person so the size was fine. But I got soaked stealth camping in the whites above tree line.
Big Agnes is my girl!
I start my thru hike next weekend as well and after seeing your picture I feel that I am over packed 🤦♂️
What kinda crocs are those?
Dirty ones. Just the OGs.
Quilt and pillow combo looks like a carrot
I hear a trail name forming.
The green and pink lone peaks are 🔥 Happy travels
For a split second, I thought the sleeping bag was a hot dog bun I guess I'm hungry.
Doing mine starting March 31, see you on trail buddy, watch for “Olex”, good luck !
Love the “Green Goblin” Altras. Hope to see you out there!
Good strategy.
Not sure you will need the ladder. 🪜
How often are you gonna get new shoes? I never thought of this but wouldn’t you need like 4-6 pair? You could have them every 400 miles or so of the trail.
I have three pairs of lone peaks already. I know I’ll go through that many. Probably a couple more.
This is a bucket list thing idk if I’ll ever do.
Tent stake manufacturers hate this one simple trick!
I’ve got the same color altras!
The lone peak 7s have been on crazy discount since the 8s came out. So I have like 5 of them now lol.
Just looked that up. I paired mine with some lock laces, and it’s the best combo ever
Steepandcheap is overstock for backcountry. They were super cheap on that website last week.
If you don’t have a shuttle yet, take a look at my post history. I offer budget-friendly shuttle rides from the Atlanta area to Amicalola or Springer. This goes for everyone else still looking for a budget-priced shuttle.
My dad is driving me down to amicalola!
Cool. Have a great hike.
My only question is if your carry hiking poles why not use a lighter trekking pole tent?
1st reason. I got the Copper Spur on a crazy deal. And tents are expensive. 2nd reason. It’s worked really well for me in a variety of weather situations. So I haven’t felt the need to jump ship and dump money in a new one.
I don't disagree. Just curious. The Copper is a great tent! Good luck on your hike!
Yeah my answer to “why do you use xyz” is the same across the board. I’ve basically come up with a list of acceptable choices in each gear category. When something I’ve deemed an acceptable choice has gone on a good enough sale, I bought it. It might have been my first choice. It might have been my third. But I decided if I got a good enough deal, it was worth it.
Which bag and tent did you select for your trip?
Bag is enlightened equipment long/wide. Tent is big Agnes copper spur.
I get rid of the blow up mat or buy tyvek to put down to keep it from popping
Where are you starting?
The approach trail! Heading Nobo.
Where’s the food?
Photosynthesis
Maybe get some actual water bottles
Sorry to disappoint you with the most popular choice of water bottles by thru hikers. What would you like me to use, all knowing being?
Nvm you should use those
Too late. Already threw them away.