Hiking the Appalachian Trail

[NDOM]

Watch out for poison ivy. Only a few snakes to worry about. Timber rattlers and mocs around streams in isolated areas. Keep all food in closed containers to eliminate odors (bears). Keep several pairs of good socks and treat blisters asap. Keep hydrated and do not take risks that are not needed. I hunt and fish along the trail in Va,Tn, and NC. You will find several small shelters to sleep in these areas. I lived in Vt for a while and found a guy wandering around at 11pm one night in maybe July. He was in bad shape. Make sure to take what you need and be safe. Also take a cell phone and keep it off until needed. If you need anything when you reach Va. give me a call. Call Info to get my number. Donnie Hoss, Bristol Virginia. I will meet you for supplies if needed.

Yeah I hear ya. I'm pretty experienced when it comes to the outdoors. I'm an avid camper (I do not camp in campgrounds or rv's) and hiker although I have never done ANYTHING close to the Appalachian Trail. I will keep all of your ideas in mind. Thank you everyone for suggestions and words of encouragement.

I just wish I did not have to wait so long to go. UGH! It's torture. I just want to go now.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

I enjoyed Bill Bryson's book about hiking the trail.

A Walk in the Woods

 

[BobD]

Yeah I hear ya. I'm pretty experienced when it comes to the outdoors. I'm an avid camper (I do not camp in campgrounds or rv's) and hiker although I have never done ANYTHING close to the Appalachian Trail. I will keep all of your ideas in mind. Thank you everyone for suggestions and words of encouragement.

I just wish I did not have to wait so long to go. UGH! It's torture. I just want to go now.

 

[NDOM]

I enjoyed Bill Bryson's book about hiking the trail.

A Walk in the Woods

I just got done reading that about a month ago. It was a very good book.

 

[NDOM]

Not that it was anything close to taking on the entirety of the AT, my (now ex) wife spent a week hiking Isle Royale in Lake Superior. Friends of ours sent us on our merry way by using a Seal-A-Meal thingy to package Brandy, Amaretto, Kahlua and other goodies. I wish that they had concentrated a little more on scotch and bourbon, but their donation was much appreciated at the end of an eight to ten hour hike.

No glass bottles and the empty plastic pouches were light and easy to pack out.

Good luck ... Keep On Truckin'!

I'm gonna be backpacking on Isle Royale (Since it is in my home state) this summer for conditioning. Cant wait to spend the nights with the Moose and the Wolves that inhabit the Island.

 

[BGIF]

I'm gonna be backpacking on Isle Royale (Since it is in my home state) this summer for conditioning. Cant wait to spend the nights with the Moose and the Wolves that inhabit the Island.

kmoose live on isle Royale?

 

[NDOM]

kmoose live on isle Royale?

LOL! Good one. I don't think kmoose would want me on the island with him.........Don't tell anyone but he doesn't like me.

 

[4irishnation]

kmoose live on isle Royale?

With his Andrew Hendrix shrine!!!!!!

 

[irishtrain]

Soooooooo I'm kinda taking a REALLY REALLY long vacation spring of 2013. I have decided that I'm going to hike the Appalachian Trail before it's too late. (No I'm not dying) I have always wanted to do this. the trail starts on Springer Mountain in Georgia and ends in Baxter State Park in Maine. (2,200 miles roughly).

So if any of you guys live around or near the Appalachian Trail or live in "Trail Towns" you should let me know and you can leave me guinness and weed along the way. LOL. I have always been an outdoorsman at heart so I'm gonna try and prove my manhood by doing this. Not many people make the whole trip, I believe its something like out of 100 people that start the trail, only 20-25 will make it and 75% who quit, just quit after only the first 30 miles.

I'm sure I will have a gps with me and friends and family will be able to track my movements online so I will be sure to leave all that info with you guys here.

So basically you guys wont have to put up with my bull crap from March 2013 thru August 2013.

Anyone want to come with me, feel free to let me know.

I'm just super excited about this and wanted to see what you guys thought about it. Or if you think I'm just downright STUPID and CRAZY!!!

Hope your not doing it by yourself-I'm from the area in Penna that it goes thru and people have bothered folks at times while on the trail. It may be a good idea to take a weapon ( gun ) for both man and beast. I'm pretty serious about this as there have been issues against hikers. Watch your back we dont want any Irish backers bothered. Watch out for the southern cal fans-just kidding but not kidding about taking protection and NOT doing it alone. There have been problems. Heck if I had the time we should get a group of Notre Dame fans and do it together.

 

[woolybug25]

@NDOM - Bring your fly rod to Isle Royale. Lots of little brookie streams and coasters the closer you get to fall. Smallie action is awesome in mid summer too.

 

[NDOM]

@NDOM - Bring your fly rod to Isle Royale. Lots of little brookie streams and coasters the closer you get to fall. Smallie action is awesome in mid summer too.

You know I will!

 

[Rocket89]

So when you get to Maine, how are you getting back home?

Also, will you be "showering" in creeks, river, etc.?

Oh yeah and one more thing...what kind of boots will you be wearing?

That's all my curious mind wanted to know, thanks!!

 

[NDOM]

So when you get to Maine, how are you getting back home?

Also, will you be "showering" in creeks, river, etc.?

Oh yeah and one more thing...what kind of boots will you be wearing?

That's all my curious mind wanted to know, thanks!!

There are "trail towns" every 5-7 days hiking so you can shower in town in hostels, hotels, motels, churches, peoples houses etc etc. Most of the time yeah, I will be bathing out in the woods.

As far as getting back home from Maine, I will be taking a bus back or fly.

Shoes/Boots, I will be using cross training shoes made by Addidas or Nike. I will have to buy 3 pair and break them in before the trip so you don't get blisters on the trail. Most people go through 2-4 pair of shoes/boots on the trip.

 

[NDOM]

Hope your not doing it by yourself-I'm from the area in Penna that it goes thru and people have bothered folks at times while on the trail. It may be a good idea to take a weapon ( gun ) for both man and beast. I'm pretty serious about this as there have been issues against hikers. Watch your back we dont want any Irish backers bothered. Watch out for the southern cal fans-just kidding but not kidding about taking protection and NOT doing it alone. There have been problems. Heck if I had the time we should get a group of Notre Dame fans and do it together.

I actually am doing it myself. But I will be camping/staying in shelters with other people around. I'm not that INSANE but close. Appreciate the concern bro. That means alot. Thank you for all the useful tips. Although it is illegal to carry a gun on the Appalachian Trail. Even if it was legal to pack some heat I most likely would not. (Statistically you are safer in the woods than you are walking down your street.)

About what section/area in Pennsylvania are you talking about so I don't waste too much time in that area. LOL

Also, just for you guys, I will be wearing something "ND" realated every day that I am on the trip and post pics if/when possible. Also, in my trail journal (That hopefully you will be reading) I will be sure to give a special shout out to my boys (and girls) at Irish Envy.

Maybe my "trail" name (A name another hiker or person gives you along the way) will be something "ND" related.

 

[dshans]

I'm gonna be backpacking on Isle Royale (Since it is in my home state) this summer for conditioning. Cant wait to spend the nights with the Moose and the Wolves that inhabit the Island.

Beware the sneaky red foxes. They will find a way to steal your food given even the slightest chance. The wolves will keep their distance but may serenade you on a wonderfully starlit night. The moose, if you see them, are magnificent. They're also scary as hell when you hear one clomping and snorting at 2 AM near you when sleeping in a flimsy nylon tent.

"I like you, Bullwinkle, please don't step on me!"

Isle Royale "belongs" to either Minnesota or Ontario. Greedy Michiganders!

 

[Mr. McGibblets]

Be sure not to get robbed by one of the "Sheriffs"

My parents live near a trail town in Hamburg, PA which where the big Cabellas is located. THere is this spot called the Port Clinton Hotel where alot of people go to shower and sleep for the night. Decent food too, Huge portions.

WHen/if you make it that far without getting robbed and shot, let me know.

 

[Mr. McGibblets]

I actually am doing it myself. But I will be camping/staying in shelters with other people around

So when you get to Maine, how are you getting back home?

Also, will you be "showering" in creeks, river, etc.?

Oh yeah and one more thing...what kind of boots will you be wearing?

That's all my curious mind wanted to know, thanks!!

THe bigger question is---What will Mrs. NDOM be doing during that long stretch of lonliness?

The infamous POTHEAD and his girlfriend of 10 years. Don't even ask me why she is with me because I still have not figured that out yet. I'm gonna try to post a picture yet AGAIN so lets see if it works.

 

[NDOM]

THe bigger question is---What will Mrs. NDOM be doing during that long stretch of lonliness?

ROTFLMFAO! That is hilarious. Good one Gibb! Reps for you. I will be buying her lots more toys thats for sure.

 

[NDOM]

Beware the sneaky red foxes. They will find a way to steal your food given even the slightest chance. The wolves will keep their distance but may serenade you on a wonderfully starlit night. The moose, if you see them if you see them. They're also scary as hell when you hear one clomping and snorting at 2 AM near you when sleeping in a flimsy nylon tent.

"I like you, Bullwinkle, don't step on me!"

Isle Royale "belongs" to either Minnesota or Ontario. Greedy Michiganders!"

We bought it fair and square. LOL, anyway yeah I have been warned of the foxes that steal your food and gear. Friends of mine went last year and a wolf pack ran right through there campsite because they were after a moose. They said is scared the living poop right out of each and every one of them. I hope that wont happen to me.

 

[NDOM]

Looks like I will be taking a detour in this area!!!!

Appalachian Trail hiker's death ruled homicide | The News & Advance

 

[NDOM]

Just bought my backpack for the trip. An Osprey internal pack with internal water bladder. It only weight 3.2lbs (unpacked of course). It's sweet as hell but damn are they expensive.

Also bought my camp stove. That was cheaper but still expensive. This trip is gonna add up fast. UGH!

Too bad I cant use my vbucks.

 

[woolybug25]

What stove did you get?

 

[NDOM]

What stove did you get?

MSR Pocket Rocket Camp Stove Aluminum and Steel

 

[woolybug25]

MSR Pocket Rocket Camp Stove Aluminum and Steel

Nice. I got a pocket rocket myself (the stove, mind).

I want to get a Jet Boil, but all of my friends already have them, so I just use theirs. But I like my pocket rocket just fine. I used it every day for three months in Alaska. Good stuff.

 

[NDOM]

Nice. I got a pocket rocket myself (the stove, mind).

I want to get a Jet Boil, but all of my friends already have them, so I just use theirs. But I like my pocket rocket just fine. I used it every day for three months in Alaska. Good stuff.

Thanks man. Yeah I have heard great things about those pocket rockets (just makes ya think which sick bastard on this site is gonna be the first to say something funny about "Pocket Rocket"). Alot of my friends have them and they love them.

 

[NDOM]

Nice. I got a pocket rocket myself (the stove, mind).

I want to get a Jet Boil, but all of my friends already have them, so I just use theirs. But I like my pocket rocket just fine. I used it every day for three months in Alaska. Good stuff.

Here's the pack I bought. Notice it's GOLD???? YEAH BOYEEE!

Amazon.com: Osprey Atmos 65 Backpack: Sports & Outdoors

I have an AWESOME ND patch I'm gonna be sewing (Well not me) on the back of my pack!