Section Hiking the Appalachian Trail

In the which your intrepid host and his friend Alex brave the elements and a disease they don't believe they have caught to hike a 14 mile portion of the Appalachian Trail.  There was literally no one out there... except for a couple of dummies that were us.  In today's episode we discuss the hike, review lessons learned, and discuss what the future holds regarding first section hike.  

Today's podcast is sponsored by the Committee to Restore America's National Parks, an advocacy group for everyday people to try and get Congress to provide adequate resources to maintain our national park system.  Currently there's a $12Billion maintenance backlog and it affects the ability of people like you and me from being able to use these wonderful resources.  Go and check them out at https://www.restoreamericasnationalparks.org.

Backpacker Radio episode 65

In the which our intrepid host discusses the concerns raised by different groups about backpacking in the time of COVID-19.  In all seriousness, this is a big deal and we ought to treat it as such.  Does this mean that we shouldn't do any backpacking?  That's another question all together.  Next weekend the plan is to go hiking up on the AT in southern PA again.  So we'll see if it works out.  To help us sort out these issues we bring on the host's wife, who is the family all-time judge.  Our host presents his case, she asks questions and makes a ruling with appropriate provisio....  

In the which our intrepid host hikes along the Appalachian Trail up in Pennsylvania with his good friend and even better sport, Alex Bates, testing out his various plans and ideas.  Not all of them (the plans and ideas that is) make it through to the end.  Plus, we use some transitions in this episode as our erstwhile sophistication related to podcasting marginally increases! 

Really grateful Alex was able to join me on this hike, and even more grateful for his wife Amy who let him come out in play.  Let's hope the Coronavirus doesn't actually get us so we can do it again soon! 

Today's podcast is sponsored by the Committee to Restore America's National Parks, an advocacy group for everyday people to try and get Congress to provide adequate resources to maintain our national park system.  Currently there's a $12Billion maintenance backlog and it affects the ability of people like you and me from being able to use these wonderful resources.  Go and check them out at https://www.restoreamericasnationalparks.org.

A link for mini tissues.  

I came down with a cold this weekend and am in no place to record a full podcast episode.  So what we're going to do is send you to our instagram account: Section_hiking_the_AT.  This week, I'll take pictures of the gear I'm planning to take, its weight and the alternatives to have a visual display of what I had planned to discuss.  So check us out on Instagram and we'll catch up next week! 

Today's podcast is sponsored by the Committee to Restore America's National Parks, an advocacy group for everyday people to try and get Congress to provide adequate resources to maintain our national park system.  Currently there's a $12Billion maintenance backlog and it affects the ability of people like you and me from being able to use these wonderful resources.  Go and check them out at https://www.restoreamericasnationalparks.org.

In the which our intrepid hiker discusses a variety of topics to include some meals that he plans to take with him on the trail, what he ended up putting into his first aid kit, how he thinks about keeping his throat from getting parched, and what he does to keep from paying full retail when shopping for backpacking gear,

Today's podcast is sponsored by the Committee to Restore America's National Parks, an advocacy group for everyday people to try and get Congress to provide adequate resources to maintain our national park system.  Currently there's a $12Billion maintenance backlog and it affects the ability of people like you and me from being able to use these wonderful resources.  Go and check them out at https://www.restoreamericasnationalparks.org. 

Andrew Skurka Peanut Noodle Dinner

Andrew Skurka Rice and Beans Dinner

Sawyer mini water filter

Katadyn micropur tablets

REI.com

Patagonia sale page

Backcountry.com

Sierra.com

eBay.com

ExpertVoice.com

theclymb.com

drop.com

https://backpackinglight.com/buy-less-do-more-good-enough-gear/ (subscription probably required) 

In the which our would be section hiker works through answers for the following three questions:  how much food should one bring on a hike?  What are the characteristics of food one should bring? What kind of ways do we have to prepare food, once we have brought it with us?  Look forward to feedback and comments on the episode -- thanks for listening

Links:

National Park Service Instagram Post on preparation to go hiking

Guthook guide app

AWOL guide

Backpacking Lite article on figuring out how much food to carry (sub required)

Thru hiking nutrition by Ryan Grayson

Backpacking Lite article on cooking systems (sub required)

MSR Whisperlight

Jetboil minimo

MSR Pocketrocket 2

In the which our host refreshes himself on the skills associated with navigation in the woods as he prepares for his initial section hike of the Appalachian Trail.  Lots to remember but really hopes he won't get lost and... as his daughter is won't to remind him -- potentially perish.  

Links:

Earl Shafffer, the First Thru-Hiker of the AT, Embodied the Trail’s Soul

https://www.adventure-journal.com/2020/01/earl-shaffer-the-first-thru-hiker-of-the-at-embodied-that-trails-soul/

How to download free trail maps on Garmin GPS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HMkuttRuhQ

Longer term review of the Garmin inreach explorer plus

https://andrewskurka.com/long-term-review-garmin-inreach-explorer-plus/

Spot X vs. the Garmin inreach explorer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRgUQf9hnC0

Hikerguy.com review of the Garmin inreach mini

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMU8xVeHARo

PACT maps

http://www.Pact.net

Creating and navigating to a waypoint using a handheld GPS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcR9tLcFDCc

Gaiagps.com

https://www.gaiagps.com/

Gaia tutorial – planning a hike

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHNLKiN9-Yk

Caltopo.com

https://caltopo.com/

Caltopo.com tutorial

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2188-p_uFMY

How to use your smartphone as the best backcountry GPS: https://www.adventurealan.com/iphone-gps-map-backpacking/

In the which we discuss the keys to having respect for the trail reviewing leave no trace principles and see whether Aretha Franklin's song has anything to do with it.... which it doesn't, really.  But it is a nice metaphor, sort of, well, not really, for what leave no trace principles are all about -- especially as the AT and other long trails become more and more popular.    

In the which our intrepid traveller begins to figure out what first aid items are needed for a 10-day backpacking trip.  In an ideal world, I would have done additional editing on this episode.  Apologies now.  

In the which we enter into the highly contentious world of personal hygiene when backpacking. Turns out this matter is something many have strong opinions about. Some of those opinions have merit while others do not...

How to poop in the woods by Andrew Skurka

Purell

Examples of soap/wash suds at REI 

Dr. Bronners soap

The Deuce

Joshua Tree Foot Balm

Badger Foot Balm

Minimizing effect of macerated feet