Search Results

I have no clue about water treatment. I had a filter that crapped out before I got out of Georgia, so I used iodine for about 3 months. I hear about the Sawyer Squeeze but would have to actually look at and hold one to see if I would want to deal with it. I want a stove that screws onto a small gas cannister. I think alcohol stoves are banned this year on a big part of the PCT, or possibly it's anything with a flame, and that may be the case on other trails in CA. It's been so long since I've do…

I'm facing that situation now - replacing gear I had in the 1990's with lighter weight items. I'd hate to admit how heavy my pack was when I left Springer Mtn. in 1997. Now I can't believe what I'm going to have to pay for all the gear I need. So far I have the tent and a down sleeping bag with Thermarest.

I wore them in the late 1990's - tall ones in snow and short ones to keep debris out of my boots. I think the strap that goes under the boot broke on one of them but I wore it anyway with no problem. I've looked at the DG website and can't say I would bother with them - maybe they are easier to deal with than they look. (You might be able to tell that I don't jump on the bandwagon for new things!)

Wow! I didn't realize it would be so easy to change the avatar. This one will have to do until I get something more hiker-like this spring.

In Sacramento I shop at REI, but sometimes look things up on Campmore's and Cabela's sites. When I was a beginner in the 1990's, (Northern VA) I bought most items at EMS, and some at REI and a gear outfitter in nearby Vienna VA - can't remember the name. I loved EMS but they turned the Tyson's Mall store into mostly clothing for yuppies and wannabees. I've finally replaced my backpacking tent I bought at EMS - best tent I ever had! I hope my Kelty Salida 2 will hold up as well. I don't like to s…

I think you need to be more assertive about not carrying items you don't want to take.

I haven't done any backpacking since 1999, so I've decided to get in shape and I hope to start out with 50+ miles on the PCT, from US-50 to Donner's Summit or beyond. I just bought a new tent but need a pack, although I'm considering resurrecting my really old external frame Kelty. I also need a stove, bear cannister, water filter, and the list goes on!

I re-read your original post and want to say that you really need to study the nutritional aspects before you hit the trail. You say you don't eat, or just eat one meal a day, and that's not going to get you out of Georgia! I am going from memory here but I think most women need approx 4000 cal. per day once they get through the first few days. It would be a big mistake to think you can help your weight loss along by not eating much. One thing I regret is that in my thru hike attempt I didn't ea…

As for me, I'd just up and go if that's what I wanted to do. I attempted a thru hike in 1997 and got all kinds of negative reaction - except from my 4 kids who were young adults at the time. They probably worried for my safety but didn't try to tell me what to do. My doctor was horrified that I was going alone, even though I told her I was taking my dog with me. You are an adult, and even with all your health and anxiety issues you should be capable of deciding for yourself. If someone withholds…

I'm Gypsy, who attempted a thru hike in 1997. After about 900 miles I had to call it quits, as I hiked way too many miles with bursitis in my hip, which became a chronic condition. I'm suffering from a severe case of Springer Fever right now. Since I am mostly in CA now I'm trying to get in shape to try backpacking again - going to the gym, etc. Don't know if I'll ever make it, but thinking about buying a backpack when I get my REI dividend in a couple of months. I still do a lot of tent camping…