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Pinned hiking plans 2015

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    • I've firmed up my plans: I'm going to hike NOBO from Elkwallow Wayside early to mid April starting with 3 to 5 days of food and continuing north picking up 3 to 5 days of supplies every 3 to 5 days. Hopefully remaining healthy and no off trail issues and reaching the big K by early August. Returning home and flipping SOBO at the third or fourth week of August from the road crossing just south of Dragon's Tooth and walking to the NOC. That will complete the trail for me except for the 2 miles I blue blazed south of Winding Stair Gap.
      That's all the planning I'm doing. If there's one thing I've learned from hiking it's don't make your plans too detailed, because they'll change as soon as you make them.
      "Dazed and Confused"
      Recycle, re-use, re-purpose
      Plant a tree
      Take a kid hiking
      Make a difference
    • Over Moosilauke and into the Whites come summer.

      And as much of the South Island of New Zealand as I can cover in a week this March. Sandflies and glaciers and fjords... oh my!
      Trudgin' along the AT since 2003. Completed Sections: Springer Mountain to Clingmans Dome and Max Patch NC to Gorham NH

      "The days I keep my gratitude higher than my expectations...those are pretty good days." Ray Wylie Hubbard
    • hikerboy wrote:

      i like the part where your 3-5 days of food coincides with equally spaced town stops. you need to plan the 3 day food with the 3 day resupply, and the 5 day food with the 5 day resupply. the other way would have you carrying too much or too little food



      Yep. That's all I plan ahead- how many days to the next food stop and how much food do I need get there, and about where I'll stop tonight.
      "Dazed and Confused"
      Recycle, re-use, re-purpose
      Plant a tree
      Take a kid hiking
      Make a difference
    • planning on the lakeshore trail, black crest trail, chatooga trail, and some of the trails that make S.A.L.T.
      id also like to hit some miles north of Greyson highlands

      The SALT Trail (southern appalachian loop trail) is approx 350 miles. I'll have half of it done if I get the Bartram and Art Loab trails done this year. I have two hiking buddies that are doing this hike with me....
    • My adventure this year starts at Dicks Creek gap in GAaround May 20th.(hitching a ride south with a friend) heading north for as long as I feel like it. My husband won't come get me any farther south than Damascus, VA so it will be at least 400 miles. If I make it to Harpers Ferry I take Amtrak back to Connellsville, PA.
    • SandyofPA wrote:

      My adventure this year starts at Dicks Creek gap in GAaround May 20th.(hitching a ride south with a friend) heading north for as long as I feel like it. My husband won't come get me any farther south than Damascus, VA so it will be at least 400 miles. If I make it to Harpers Ferry I take Amtrak back to Connellsville, PA.


      Starting at Glasgow NOBO at the end of June, so depending on how far you go we might meet up.
      The road to glory cannot be followed with much baggage.
      Richard Ewell, CSA General
    • Norwich to Maine Jct for a shakedown (3 days). Then NoBo Long Trail (25 days). Dates not determined, but will be some time after camping, fishing, and sailing. Shakedown likely end of June. Start Long Trail likely mid July. After that, likely retire from hiking more than 3 days at a time. Too many other things on my bucket list and not enough years to do it all.
      Non hikers are about a psi shy of a legal ball.
    • SandyofPA wrote:

      My adventure this year starts at Dicks Creek gap in GAaround May 20th.(hitching a ride south with a friend) heading north for as long as I feel like it. My husband won't come get me any farther south than Damascus, VA so it will be at least 400 miles. If I make it to Harpers Ferry I take Amtrak back to Connellsville, PA.


      If you get to Harpers Ferry, ride a bike back along the C&O Canal Towpath and the Great Allegheny Passage. The two shelters in Connellsville are nice.
      I am human and I need to be loved - just like everybody else does
    • WanderingStovie wrote:

      SandyofPA wrote:

      My adventure this year starts at Dicks Creek gap in GAaround May 20th.(hitching a ride south with a friend) heading north for as long as I feel like it. My husband won't come get me any farther south than Damascus, VA so it will be at least 400 miles. If I make it to Harpers Ferry I take Amtrak back to Connellsville, PA.


      If you get to Harpers Ferry, ride a bike back along the C&O Canal Towpath and the Great Allegheny Passage. The two shelters in Connellsville are nice.


      They aren't the only nice place to camp along the GAP, and it's very walkable as well as rideable.
    • LIhikers wrote:

      WanderingStovie wrote:

      SandyofPA wrote:

      My adventure this year starts at Dicks Creek gap in GAaround May 20th.(hitching a ride south with a friend) heading north for as long as I feel like it. My husband won't come get me any farther south than Damascus, VA so it will be at least 400 miles. If I make it to Harpers Ferry I take Amtrak back to Connellsville, PA.


      If you get to Harpers Ferry, ride a bike back along the C&O Canal Towpath and the Great Allegheny Passage. The two shelters in Connellsville are nice.


      They aren't the only nice place to camp along the GAP, and it's very walkable as well as rideable.



      I don't think I can fit a bike in my pack. Biking the Great Allegheny Passage is a different adventure. Hiking does not prepare one's rear for long bike rides!
    • SandyofPA wrote:

      LIhikers wrote:

      WanderingStovie wrote:

      SandyofPA wrote:

      My adventure this year starts at Dicks Creek gap in GAaround May 20th.(hitching a ride south with a friend) heading north for as long as I feel like it. My husband won't come get me any farther south than Damascus, VA so it will be at least 400 miles. If I make it to Harpers Ferry I take Amtrak back to Connellsville, PA.


      If you get to Harpers Ferry, ride a bike back along the C&O Canal Towpath and the Great Allegheny Passage. The two shelters in Connellsville are nice.


      They aren't the only nice place to camp along the GAP, and it's very walkable as well as rideable.



      I don't think I can fit a bike in my pack. Biking the Great Allegheny Passage is a different adventure. Hiking does not prepare one's rear for long bike rides!

      Gel seat, gel gloves, and a full suspension make a big difference.
      I am human and I need to be loved - just like everybody else does
    • The Great Allegheny Passage and C+O are generally considered bicycle trails but you can hike them too, I have.
      It's very different than a trail that's meant for just hiking, but it's got a lot going for it.
      There's plenty of interesting history as well as some nice landscape that you pass through.
      Resupply is never far away and you'll find laudry and showers too.
      And as for fitting a bicycle in your pack, not to worry. There are bike shops along the C+O and GAP where you could rent one.
    • My hiking plans for 2015 are very fluid at this point.
      Some time this spring I want to hike the Laurel Highlands Trail in PA. I think I may have to go without Kathy as she doesn't think she'll be able to get away.
      Then in the summer I hope we get back to the AT in Maine. But that will depend on if Kathy decides to work this summer or not.
      So everything is up in the air right now.
    • CoachLou wrote:

      I can't see you taking any relaxing walks around Balad.............or anyplace else over there...................at least with no less than a squad!


      To get any kind of real walk in here it would be numerous laps around our little enclave here on the base, which is all we're allowed without escorts right now. Those laps would get boring very quickly. Say around 1/4 of the way through lap number one. :p
      Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more, you should never wish to do less. - Robert E. Lee
    • LIhikers wrote:

      The Great Allegheny Passage and C+O are generally considered bicycle trails but you can hike them too, I have.
      It's very different than a trail that's meant for just hiking, but it's got a lot going for it.
      There's plenty of interesting history as well as some nice landscape that you pass through.
      Resupply is never far away and you'll find laudry and showers too.
      And as for fitting a bicycle in your pack, not to worry. There are bike shops along the C+O and GAP where you could rent one.


      The problem with renting a bike is they want them back! I already own 2 nice bikes so buying another would not work. My husband has mentioned that I could walk home. I have ridden the trail from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, MD but not sure I want to walk it.
    • SandyofPA wrote:

      My adventure this year starts at Dicks Creek gap in GAaround May 20th.(hitching a ride south with a friend) heading north for as long as I feel like it. My husband won't come get me any farther south than Damascus, VA so it will be at least 400 miles. If I make it to Harpers Ferry I take Amtrak back to Connellsville, PA.



      I took the commuter train from Harpers Ferry to DC ($11), caught a Mega Bus to Christiansburg ($25) and then had a shuttle take me to Pearisburg where my truck was ($40)...you could just ride the bus a little farther down I81.
      I may grow old but I'll never grow up.
    • Drybones wrote:

      SandyofPA wrote:

      My adventure this year starts at Dicks Creek gap in GAaround May 20th.(hitching a ride south with a friend) heading north for as long as I feel like it. My husband won't come get me any farther south than Damascus, VA so it will be at least 400 miles. If I make it to Harpers Ferry I take Amtrak back to Connellsville, PA.



      I took the commuter train from Harpers Ferry to DC ($11), caught a Mega Bus to Christiansburg ($25) and then had a shuttle take me to Pearisburg where my truck was ($40)...you could just ride the bus a little farther down I81.

      I don't need a way south, already have one. Hiking north behind the bubble for as far as I feel like. Leaving later gets better weather and I can use my lighter sleeping quilt right from the start. I use the Capital Limited from Harpers Ferry towards Pittsburgh, get off at Connellsville because it gets there at 10 not midnight. I live between Pittsburgh and Connellsville.
    • So I'm going to quit my job and go for an extended LASH starting the last week in April. Any opinions as to how much notice I should give? I have a fairly high level management position. 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks???
      "Dazed and Confused"
      Recycle, re-use, re-purpose
      Plant a tree
      Take a kid hiking
      Make a difference
    • jimmyjam wrote:

      So I'm going to quit my job and go for an extended LASH starting the last week in April. Any opinions as to how much notice I should give? I have a fairly high level management position. 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks???


      a month.

      if you have a good relationship with your boss, and replacing you is going to be a hardship, then they'd probably like to know monday. otherwise a month.
      2,000 miler
    • max.patch wrote:

      jimmyjam wrote:

      So I'm going to quit my job and go for an extended LASH starting the last week in April. Any opinions as to how much notice I should give? I have a fairly high level management position. 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks???


      a month.

      if you have a good relationship with your boss, and replacing you is going to be a hardship, then they'd probably like to know monday. otherwise a month.


      Agree, don't burn your bridges.
      Lost in the right direction.
    • jimmyjam wrote:

      So I'm going to quit my job and go for an extended LASH starting the last week in April. Any opinions as to how much notice I should give? I have a fairly high level management position. 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks???


      The lead time should be proportionate to the good will between the parties. If it is great, give as much notice as possible. If it is real bad, give no notice. If it is real bad, they will cut you as soon as you give notice. Only you can know where in that scale you fall.

      Editing to express it better. The above is bad advice. If the relationship is real bad, give the minimum 2 weeks notice with the understanding that you might be cut on the spot. Give the 2 weeks notice when you are prepared for that possible abrupt ending. That way you retain your dignity and morality.
      Non hikers are about a psi shy of a legal ball.

      The post was edited 1 time, last by BirdBrain ().

    • Looks like 4 weeks it is. I have spent half my professional career there, so some of the people I have known for well over 25 years, although it has been 3 separate stints- 3rd times the charm. I wouldn't mind working for them again in the fall. :thumbsup:
      "Dazed and Confused"
      Recycle, re-use, re-purpose
      Plant a tree
      Take a kid hiking
      Make a difference
    • max.patch wrote:

      jimmyjam wrote:

      I wouldn't mind working for them again in the fall. :thumbsup:


      then perhaps you should consider a leave of absence to "recharge your batteries" rather than terminating employment.


      I don't think they will do that, I've never known them to, but hey it's worth asking the question.
      "Dazed and Confused"
      Recycle, re-use, re-purpose
      Plant a tree
      Take a kid hiking
      Make a difference
    • jimmyjam wrote:

      max.patch wrote:

      jimmyjam wrote:

      I wouldn't mind working for them again in the fall. :thumbsup:


      then perhaps you should consider a leave of absence to "recharge your batteries" rather than terminating employment.


      I don't think they will do that, I've never known them to, but hey it's worth asking the question.

      i just quit, and when i came back, my boss was happy to have me.
      i dont recommend this strategy
      its all good
    • jimmyjam wrote:

      Looks like 4 weeks it is. I have spent half my professional career there, so some of the people I have known for well over 25 years, although it has been 3 separate stints- 3rd times the charm. I wouldn't mind working for them again in the fall. :thumbsup:


      I have been at Autocraft for 27 of the last 35.....also 3 different times.........the founder of the company and I would refer to them as 'tours of duty'. His diabetes (?), got him in '08'. His son sold the place to a guy who had been there 10. (he would sweep up after high school). I dread taking a week off........if I left to thru hike, when I got back the place would have been long closed.
      Cheesecake> Ramen :thumbsup:
    • Kathy and I had a discussion the other day about when we might walk away from our jobs to do things we'd like.
      In the end it came down to Kathy's mom. Taking care of elderly parents is the thing no one tells you about until you get there.
      That's what's keeping us in our present situation for now.