New subscriber. I just found you. I’ll be watching. I like your gear choices. I think I’m going to start using my pack cover. Stuff is always falling out.
Nice kit, enjoy your hike! I thru hiked in 2023 and went through Gatlinburg sometime in the first week of March. If the road is open and you do wind up running into town there's a Days Inn that had a hiker discount. It was only about $40 a night for 2 hikers! The staff were nice and it's very close to a pizza buffet place and across the street from an outfitter. Have a good hike!
I am a few day's hike away from the southern terminus of the AT. This winter storm has me on hold for a few days though. Maybe ill see you on the trail. Best of luck to you sir.
Nice kit. I like those big Agnes sleeping pads too worth the weight because they don't pop like the more popular pads. Just noticed one thing, and that's to straighten the arc out on the zpacka bag when you're not using it. Have a good hike
It seems like you have your gear dialed in. I will admit I can never rap my head around the no stove but for some reason some seem to prefer it. My gear is somewhat lighter and at the same time very similar. I would think about taking two 10,000 power banks instead of one, mostly for redundancy and I would also bring a more substantial rain jacket. I do own a Zpack rain jacket and it’s fine, not for winter hiking. It was one of the first things Five Stacks got rid of on his thru hike of the AT. I will be hiking the Colorado Trail this summer and I am debating which rain coat to bring. UL or much better warmth and in general rain protection. Jupiter from Jupiter hikes was all in on those cheap rain coats from Walmart until it nearly cost him his life. I wish you well and you look well prepared. Take care
@mtadams2009 With no stove, you need less water and time. You can camp away from water sources, more options. You can hike later into the day and get out earlier in the morning. Less stuff to keep up with.
I know you're an experienced AT hiker (Me too, though only a section hiker). The USPS does not allow fuel to be shipped. UPS does ship it, but charges $20 HAZMAT fee. Best of luck on your hike!
@jimmyjohnstone5878 Yes, just didn't mention it. I believe they all have the red settings now. Although sometimes the red setting isn't brite enough on a rocky privy trail. I rarely stay in a shelter and prefer to stealth camp. Always someone snoring loudly, mice are bad, and sometimes there will be a guy at the shelter with a ukulele.
I understand all of this with the stove less set up but my pot is less than 3 ounces my stove is between.9 and 3 ounces and the fuel is not that heavy. My gear is already so light the additional weight is nothing for me. I have been backpacking for decades and thru hiking since I retired a few years ago. No hot coffee and I am not going lol. I know lots of people who prefer no stove. They always look pretty joyless at dinner and seem to love it when I offer them a coffee or tea. It’s your hike so enjoy it however you want to. Take care and I will be pulling for you.
@christopherhaak9824 I prefer hiking when it's cold out. Less crowds, no bugs or snakes, views are better without leaves on the trees, and the woods is beautiful with snow covering. I'm also an older hiker, needing as much time as possible to make it to Maine. Starting early gives me more time.
@scottthompson2889 I plan to do an update when I make my final cuts on the gear I'll take. My planned start date is Feb 23rd, but may move that up to Feb 16th, weather dependent. I'm hoping the weather pattern changes by then. Most everyone that has already started has retreated off the mountains due to single digit temps, sub zero wind chill and ice slides on the trail.
@Hiker89-kp5sy I've already section hiked the AT from Springer to Duncannon PA. I did this from 1996 to 2008. I've also section hiked the Sheltowee Trace Trail 3 times in recent years. Clean is a relative term on the AT.
Keeping clean on trail isn’t hard, especially on the hostel and hotel highway that is the AT. Even on remote trails you can keep clean. It’s amazing what a little biodegradable soap and water can do. Hikers take LNT to the extreme and use it as an excuse to be completely nasty. I’ve known hikers that would pass up opportunities to shower and wash clothes for weeks on end. They were so nasty that people would literally gag when near them. Common sense can be uncommon on trail.
I am a thru hiker and there is nothing wrong with trying to stay clean. To be honest I think some people let themselves go a bit too much. Some people can hike the same distances and not reek to the high heavens. It’s called hygiene and not being a slob. I even wash my pack or should I say soak my pack after a long stretch. It most certainly helps. I never thought of doing this but someone I met told me to give it a try. The water will be filthy you soak it in with a little bit of soap.
New subscriber. I just found you. I’ll be watching. I like your gear choices. I think I’m going to start using my pack cover. Stuff is always falling out.
Good Luck on Trail Scott Free! Hope to see ya out there 👌
We are getting close to start date!
@@nbc_hikes Thanks, I'll look for you.
Nice kit, enjoy your hike!
I thru hiked in 2023 and went through Gatlinburg sometime in the first week of March. If the road is open and you do wind up running into town there's a Days Inn that had a hiker discount. It was only about $40 a night for 2 hikers! The staff were nice and it's very close to a pizza buffet place and across the street from an outfitter. Have a good hike!
Great information im currently a two days hike from the southern terminus of the AT and all info like this is a great help!
@@Billy-b2e Glad to provide some value, have a great hike my friend
I am a few day's hike away from the southern terminus of the AT. This winter storm has me on hold for a few days though. Maybe ill see you on the trail. Best of luck to you sir.
Good luck!!!
@@StamfordBridge Thanks
Nice kit. I like those big Agnes sleeping pads too worth the weight because they don't pop like the more popular pads. Just noticed one thing, and that's to straighten the arc out on the zpacka bag when you're not using it. Have a good hike
It seems like you have your gear dialed in. I will admit I can never rap my head around the no stove but for some reason some seem to prefer it. My gear is somewhat lighter and at the same time very similar. I would think about taking two 10,000 power banks instead of one, mostly for redundancy and I would also bring a more substantial rain jacket. I do own a Zpack rain jacket and it’s fine, not for winter hiking. It was one of the first things Five Stacks got rid of on his thru hike of the AT. I will be hiking the Colorado Trail this summer and I am debating which rain coat to bring. UL or much better warmth and in general rain protection. Jupiter from Jupiter hikes was all in on those cheap rain coats from Walmart until it nearly cost him his life. I wish you well and you look well prepared. Take care
@mtadams2009 With no stove, you need less water and time. You can camp away from water sources, more options. You can hike later into the day and get out earlier in the morning. Less stuff to keep up with.
I know you're an experienced AT hiker (Me too, though only a section hiker). The USPS does not allow fuel to be shipped. UPS does ship it, but charges $20 HAZMAT fee. Best of luck on your hike!
I had forgotten about that. I usually don't send boxes ahead. Thanks
You can absolutely send gas canisters through regular USPS mail. You just have to tell them and they will ship it ground. I do it every year.
Does your head torch have a red light setting ?
You need red for around camp, shelter or hostel so you don't disturb anyone else.
@jimmyjohnstone5878 Yes, just didn't mention it. I believe they all have the red settings now. Although sometimes the red setting isn't brite enough on a rocky privy trail.
I rarely stay in a shelter and prefer to stealth camp. Always someone snoring loudly, mice are bad, and sometimes there will be a guy at the shelter with a ukulele.
@scottfree4376 I could never use a shelter or a shared room in a hostel.
I need my privacy.
I understand all of this with the stove less set up but my pot is less than 3 ounces my stove is between.9 and 3 ounces and the fuel is not that heavy. My gear is already so light the additional weight is nothing for me. I have been backpacking for decades and thru hiking since I retired a few years ago. No hot coffee and I am not going lol. I know lots of people who prefer no stove. They always look pretty joyless at dinner and seem to love it when I offer them a coffee or tea. It’s your hike so enjoy it however you want to. Take care and I will be pulling for you.
A little confused about why you essentially have a winter camping set up. Just hike the AT when it's nice outside.
@christopherhaak9824 I prefer hiking when it's cold out. Less crowds, no bugs or snakes, views are better without leaves on the trees, and the woods is beautiful with snow covering. I'm also an older hiker, needing as much time as possible to make it to Maine. Starting early gives me more time.
Any updates? I am planning to attempt with pack of friends in 2027 or 28
@scottthompson2889 I plan to do an update when I make my final cuts on the gear I'll take. My planned start date is Feb 23rd, but may move that up to Feb 16th, weather dependent. I'm hoping the weather pattern changes by then. Most everyone that has already started has retreated off the mountains due to single digit temps, sub zero wind chill and ice slides on the trail.
@@scottfree4376 Wow thank you for the quick update. May God grant you safety and no winter conditions at the starting line for sure!
Willing to hike the AT but not willing to have dirty gear.....dude you are going to suffer 😂
@Hiker89-kp5sy I've already section hiked the AT from Springer to Duncannon PA. I did this from 1996 to 2008. I've also section hiked the Sheltowee Trace Trail 3 times in recent years. Clean is a relative term on the AT.
Keeping clean on trail isn’t hard, especially on the hostel and hotel highway that is the AT. Even on remote trails you can keep clean. It’s amazing what a little biodegradable soap and water can do. Hikers take LNT to the extreme and use it as an excuse to be completely nasty. I’ve known hikers that would pass up opportunities to shower and wash clothes for weeks on end. They were so nasty that people would literally gag when near them. Common sense can be uncommon on trail.
I am a thru hiker and there is nothing wrong with trying to stay clean. To be honest I think some people let themselves go a bit too much. Some people can hike the same distances and not reek to the high heavens. It’s called hygiene and not being a slob. I even wash my pack or should I say soak my pack after a long stretch. It most certainly helps. I never thought of doing this but someone I met told me to give it a try. The water will be filthy you soak it in with a little bit of soap.