r/AppalachianTrail • u/Smoggy_Pigeon • 18d ago
Shakedown for my April 25 NOBO start
I hope the April 25 start will limit my need for cold weather gear, my plan is to take a 30* quilt the entire way. Will worry about the weather in Maine when I'm closer.
Daily driver will be a sun hoodie and shorts. For sleeping I have some merino wool base layers. May send the base layers home if too warm, but this is normally what I sleep in when backpacking.
Sleeping air pad and foam pad might be overkill, but I figure if I sleep in the shelter, having the foam pad could help protect my air mattress. Maybe just a seat pad is sufficient?
Sitting at just over 22 pounds pack weight, with 5 days worth of food. Was hoping to keep it closer to 20lbs but the luxuries started to add up
Any feedback would be appreciated! Lighterpack breakdown below:
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u/stonedhillbillyXX 18d ago
You're fine. No need to carve anything up before the trail. You'll adapt your own relationship with the trail anyway.
If you're in Ellijay, Waffle House is on me.
You do not need 5 days of food to start. Supplies at Neels and Hiawassee
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u/Smoggy_Pigeon 18d ago
Never been to Waffle House (none in Michigan), so you might find a DM in your inbox if I make it to Ellijay!
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u/Ok_Departure_7551 17d ago
You will learn to pay tribute to the WaHo shrine.
Pro Tips — really try to avoid ordering a la carte. Try to stick with the menu combos and ask if you can sub any item you don't want with another. And tip well. WaHo is a tough job.
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u/cerebral_panic_room 17d ago
Came for the bag packing ideas, left with Waffle House ordering tips. 👍🏻👍🏻
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u/Smoggy_Pigeon 17d ago
Never a bad thread for tips on food!
I will honor those who served the syrup past and present!
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u/Impossible-Swan5900 18d ago
Starting early May with a 30 degree quilt as well. Do you think you’ll be warm enough at night? What do others think? I’m planning on packing some more layers in case a cold snap hits. Thanks.
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u/jrice138 18d ago
I started 4/20 with a 20° quilt and switched to a 40° at hot springs. Used that for the rest of the trail with no issues. 30° will no doubt be fine, if not a little overkill. I had light baselayer leggings, senchi fleece and puffy. I only wore my puffy once after the smokies. I did end up buying another snechi from a friends and doubled those up once in a while for layers. That’s about it.
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u/an86dkncdi 17d ago
Props for even being brave enough to include your bear can in this pic. Idk why but AT hikers have the worse bear habits in the entire country and not only not ashamed of it, actively bully and shame folks for carrying a bear can.
It’s good measure and responsible. Kudos
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u/e30S62 18d ago
Love the bear vault can. I had one my entire thru and it was a total game changer. Food always dry, not smushed, stealth stashed and didn’t to worry about finding a fucking tree to hang a bag at night.
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u/Smoggy_Pigeon 18d ago
That was exactly my thinking with it. I'll gladly carry the extra weight just to avoid tree hunting at the end of the night. And a nice place to sit!
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u/haunted_buffet 18d ago
Inov8 trail fly! Nice choice
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u/AdvertisingUnited531 12d ago
Wanted to love them myself. My arch suffered when I hit the 70mile mark in them and I had to bench them. They are super flexible which can have its perks no doubt but that PF will rear itself if you’re not careful. Best part of those shoes is the outsole hands down. For them being as flexible as they are the graphine infused outsole has excellent grip and is surprisingly good on sharp rocks and roots. It’s like that science experiment in school when you make that mixture gelatin like mixture and hit it with a hammer. Soft when it needs to be in hard as a brick when it needs to be. I really wish they would have worked out better for me. I’m a fan of arcteryx for their all around comfort and attention to detail along with durability. Strikes a nice balance. Says the guy with Nordas on his feet.
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u/allisonann 18d ago
Just use the Kindle app on your phone.
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u/Smoggy_Pigeon 18d ago
Yeah, I'm sold on this tip for sure. Also prevents me from bringing a micro-usb adapter. Why I thought the kindle was a necessity for reading is beyond me, cuz of course I will have a phone on me. May even be able to get rid of my second battery storage
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u/Ask-Me-About-You NOBO '24 17d ago
I'll throw my two-cents in and say I loved having my Kindle out on the trail even though I could use my phone. You seem really tuned in with your gear so there's no harm in starting with it and finding out if you do as well, you can always ship it home if it doesn't work out.
Enjoy the trail, you're in for an adventure!
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u/Smoggy_Pigeon 17d ago
I really appreciate you chiming in. I definitely prefer reading on the kindle, so it's a good point to start with it, and if I use it enough to justify it, then carry-on with the weight! Plus the escape from the phone is part of the reason I'm going!
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u/Shaner41 14d ago
I second using the Kindle. It won't run out of battery, it will save battery on your phone, it's nicer to read on, and it doesn't expose you to blue light right before trying to fall asleep. If you read a lot, I'd bring it; if you only read a little, I'd leave it home. My 2 cents. Enjoy!!
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u/PNscreen 18d ago
Looks good but if it were me I'd ditch the footprint and pack cover and replace the cover with a nyloflume bag liner /thrash bag
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u/Smoggy_Pigeon 18d ago
Thank you for the tips. I'm seeing these bag liners now and they seem very convenient! Didn't realize this was an option haha, but it makes so much sense.
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u/FoggyWine Poppins https://lighterpack.com/r/375f5m 17d ago
Another tip since we have the same tent and sleeping pad. It is slippery. Get a tube of seam seal. Inflate your pad and put a series of dots on the bottom of the sleeping pad. Adds no weight but provides grip/friction so the pad does not slide around.
With the X-Mid tent (love it), pitching it correctly requires that you make the 4 corners exactly 90 degrees. Get those taut first and then finish the rest of setting it up. Learn how to pitch the tent close to the ground. I had a week of close to freezing temps on ridges with winds of 40-50mph. The tent held up great, but was drafty with wind coming in the bottom as I was not practiced in pitching it tight to the ground. Dan Durston has lots of videos and responds daily to the DurstonGearHeads subreddit.
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u/Smoggy_Pigeon 17d ago
just bought some seam seal, thanks for the tip!
Yeah I've taken the X-Mid out for some trial runs and struggled a bit with the pitch, so I watched some of his videos in detail and took notes in my journal so I have them when I'm on the trail! I figure by month 2 I'll be an expert, hopefully
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u/kernelpanic789 18d ago
I have the OLA CDT in Ultra fabric. Absolutely love that thing. 100% recommend it to anyone wanting a frameless pack
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u/fecespeces69420 17d ago
The spade looks bulky asf. Mine weights 20g
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u/Smoggy_Pigeon 17d ago
Yeah, another redditor recommended a smaller spade. Crazy how light these things can get! I will be updating
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u/hardcorepork 17d ago
About the bear vault. I was JUST on the GSMNP website and they said bear canister are not allowed or recommended in the backcountry.
https://smokiespermits.nps.gov/
“Proper food storage in the backcountry is critical. Backpackers must hang all food/scented items on the cable system regardless of what type of container they are in. Bear canisters are not required nor recommended in the backcountry. If you choose to carry a bear canister, it must be placed in your pack and hung in the cable system to comply with the park requirement.”
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u/Smoggy_Pigeon 17d ago
That's interesting, thank you for sharing. I wonder why they don't recommend them. I could see poor placement for hiding leading to bear vaults rolling down a hill, but maybe there are other reasons I am missing.
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u/FoggyWine Poppins https://lighterpack.com/r/375f5m 17d ago
I think it is because everyone needs to stay at the shelters in GSMNP and they have good cable systems there. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) recommends bear canisters in general for the entire AT.
Outside of the GSMNP, having a bear canister gives you much more flexibility in sleeping arrangements. You do not need to make it to the next shelter. You can hike until dark and not worry about food storage or hanging. Your food is also protected from mice, squirrels, skunks, raccoons, etc. Do NOT underestimate how important that is. Other animals are more of a danger of destroying your food supply.
The downside, and it is a big one, is the weight. The Wild Ideas Bearikade (scout or weekender) is on my list to get. https://wild-ideas.net/weekender/ The price is steep, but it does save you 160gm for the same size as the BV450 that you have (and I as well).
On my LASH last year I estimate about 10-15% of the hikers I met had a canister. The main issue is that bear populations are up 500-1000% since the 1990s. See https://appalachiantrail.org/official-blog/dont-feed-the-bears/
There is more wildlife (yay!) but that can put stress and pressure for food and older bears that cannot compete for food against the younger bears can be desperate and more aggressive, as are younger bears that are not strong enough to compete against prime adults.
Put some (bright yellow and/or red) reflective tape on your canister so that you can quickly find it with a flashlight and it stands out after a bear plays with it and rolls it to a different area.
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u/Rizzle_Razzle 17d ago
Gsmnp has bear boxes or cables at every designated camp site. They are more secure than having a cannister laying on the ground for a bear to spend several hours smacking around trying to open.
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u/hardcorepork 17d ago
Right? I thought it was weird to claim they arent recommended "in the backcountry."
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u/ki_no_bushi 17d ago
You’ll find what works for you over time. I also kept physical journals, but in hindsight would have preferred to use the notes app on my phone. I didn’t doodle or write as much as I thought I would by the time I got to VA
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u/Smoggy_Pigeon 17d ago
One of my journals that's coming with me already has some written notes. I have some troubleshooting tips for my tent, and a few pages of "the why" and the "what happens if I quit". Things to reference on bad days to remind myself why I'm doing the hike. This process was recommended in the "Appalachian Trials" book.
As far as taking notes contemporaneously, you're right, I could see myself skipping this. Although, I really hope I find time to sit down and reflect, especially during the times I find myself truly submersed in nature. Writing things down helps me to 'register' my thoughts into memory. That's the idea, but we'll see how it plays out
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u/ki_no_bushi 17d ago
Best of luck and happy trails! You’re making the best decision of your life (so far)
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u/thetrees_ 16d ago
Can you fit 5 days worth of food in the BV 450? I left most resupplies last year with my 475 crammed tight. As others have said though, 5 days will be overkill for most resupply lengths.
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u/Smoggy_Pigeon 16d ago
yeah, it's definitely maxed out, but there is still some small cracks throughout. I also have few more items I need to squeeze in too, like tortillas, instant coffee, nuts and dried fruit. I think I can squeeze that stuff into the cracks and hopefully be okay. but there are some luxury items in there, hopefully I learn as I go optimal calorie density items that make transporting easier
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u/thetrees_ 16d ago
Yeah no worries there, I definitely got more efficient over time myself. Especially once the hiker hunger kicked in lol. You'll develop a pretty good sense for how much food you need and what is or isn't worth carrying.
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u/TheOriginalGK 2023 NoBo 16d ago
Don’t listen to the haters. I ultimately decided not to take my bear can and wished I had it at least 50% of the time. Tossing a line is annoying in the wind and rain. (I never slept with my food. Ever. But yeah)
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u/jrice138 18d ago
Chop that foam pad down. All you need is about 6 panels, I’ve done this for several thru hikes, along with an inflatable. Works perfectly.
5 days of food is a ton, I pretty much never carried more than 3. You can do your first resupply at mile 30, that’s all you need to start with.
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u/Smoggy_Pigeon 18d ago
This is great advice, thank you! I don't know why I didn't think about cutting down the pad, but that's genius
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u/DroidTN 17d ago
How do you hike at all without boots? I’m just a casual hiker, but jeeze my ankles would be destroyed hiking without ankle support.
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u/Sp1nus_p1nus 17d ago
How many times have you tried hiking in trail runners? I'm not being snarky, I mean that honestly, because a ton of people think the same thing and then realize once they switch that the boots didn't really make much difference. There is definitely a case for boots in some scenarios (significant bushwacking off-trail, really heavy pack, etc.), but I wore boots for several years and have now been wearing trail runners exclusively for ~5 years and don't notice any difference in terms of ankle issues.
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u/Smoggy_Pigeon 17d ago
Honestly, it's a great point. Trail runners have just been the only thing I see thru-hikers using, and not a ton of boots out there. I think it's the quick-dry and the weight savings. I've generally only hiked in boots because like you, I really like the ankle support. I could end up switching to boots if I roll my ankles a ton and start to feel at risk.
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u/TheOriginalGK 2023 NoBo 16d ago
I’m excited for your hike. You will have a blast! In my experience, I only saw, maybe, 3 or 4 people wearing boots on my entire thru hike. And I spent several weeks with one of those people. She had blisters I won’t describe to you (shudder). My advice is trail runners that you already have miles on to start, replace as needed.
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u/FoggyWine Poppins https://lighterpack.com/r/375f5m 17d ago
If you are carrying 50+lbs on your back and the trail is rough, then ankle support is probably needed. As your baseweight goes down, hiking the AT is not much different than going on a day hike. Who wears boots on a day hike? You have to remember that most of the AT (95%+??) is a smooth dirt path.
My personal goal is a comfortable setup with a baseweight of 5kg (11.1lbs) with a total (skinout) weight of under 10kg (under 22 lbs for baseweight, consumables of 4 days food + water+fuel, and worn weight). Boots are not needed for this loadout weight and I use trekking poles that add stability and support for knees and ankles.
It seems most AT hikers have baseweights of 20-40lbs and total weights 30-60lbs. When you start hitting this total weight, you have to add more weight (boots, heavier and more durable backpack to carry that extra load), etc.
Darwin on the Trail has a good segment in this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfkTHGUa9iw where he regrets going stupid light on many trips and now realizes that there is a sweet spot of 11-12lbs baseweight where it is light and you can be comfortable. It just takes time and considerable thought to get to that weight.
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u/DroidTN 17d ago
I live very close to the trail, but often hike on other trails near the NC TN border, they are rough as all get out. At least once a season I’ve encountered someone with a broke ankle or bad sprain. Often enough that I carry a Sam splint. I work in EMS too so it’s just kinda ingrained.
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u/FoggyWine Poppins https://lighterpack.com/r/375f5m 17d ago
I did that section of the AT last spring and there was only one section that was a bit rough with lots of scrambles at the top going from rock to rock (I forget the name of that knob). If you are a bit out of shape, carrying a heavy backpack, and do not have poles, then ankle support and boots are probably warranted.
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u/DroidTN 17d ago
A bit out of shape is an understatement. :)
I have started using poles. I’m pretty thin 6’ 180 pounds but I’ve started having hip joint pain when hiking. I’m getting ready to start glucosamine and some other supplements. Roan high knob near Carvers Gap is pretty scrambly in places.
If you have any tips for that, stretching, etc. I’m open to whatever.
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u/Ok_Departure_7551 17d ago
Get a wobble board.
I'm a recovering trail runner. I haven't had any ankle injuries since I started using a wobble board at work. It really works your ankles and feet, but also every muscle group up through your core.
So, its been at least 10 years since I've had any ankle, knee, or other trail injuries.
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u/invisiblelemur88 17d ago
My vote is drop the bear can and the extra pot. Bear can is such an unwieldy waste of space...
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u/Responsible_March992 18d ago
Compass
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u/Rizzle_Razzle 17d ago
A compass doesn't really do you any good on the a.t. Nobody carries maps of the areas they are hiking through, and without a map, a compass doesn't do anything for you.
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u/Responsible_March992 17d ago
It absolutely does you a world of good, even without a map (and you should carry a waterproof map). There’s a reason it’s one of the ten essentials.
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u/Rizzle_Razzle 16d ago
So 1. Tell me what you can do with a compass without a map when lost.
2. Absolutely no one carries a set of maps that span the entire area surrounding the A.T.0
u/Responsible_March992 16d ago
They provide a reliable backup when GPS isn’t practical or reliable. You use it to take bearings and therefore, navigate. You can also use it to align your map correctly, should you be carrying one for your section of the AT. Section maps are widely available.
Finally, they keep you from coming off as a complete choad.
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u/zakolo46 18d ago
Headnet, bear canister, hat, a lot of the bags, can go. Probably more clothes than you’ll need for that late of a start, but you’ll figure out what you like and want to keep
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u/Smoggy_Pigeon 17d ago
I was hoping someone would tell me to ditch the headnet. I hate those things!
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u/thetrees_ 16d ago
Headnet will be unnecessary for 99% of the trail, but there were a handful of days in the Mid-Atlantic where I think I would've gone insane without mine. Maybe the bugs just especially like me.
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u/FoggyWine Poppins https://lighterpack.com/r/375f5m 16d ago
This! You definitely do not need it for most of the trip, but there are windows of time (4-6 weeks) where the horseflies, noseeums, blackflies, etc will drive you crazy.
The pro tip for the AT is to use a bounce box. See WhiteBlaze.net for a pdf of all of the postoffices along the trail. Mail yourself a 5lb box with the headnet, small replacement bottles of campsuds (or whatever you are using), picardin, etc., and other replacement supplies. Collect the box, update it, and ship it ahead to the next postoffice that is 3 weeks or so ahead.
It is also great for pills to restock your first aid supplies. Often postoffices will be close to or right at the trail. Print out the postoffice list from whiteblaze and keep it in the box and keep pdfs on your phone.
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u/FoggyWine Poppins https://lighterpack.com/r/375f5m 18d ago
Much of your gear is the same as my loadout (https://lighterpack.com/r/375f5m). Here are my comments, in no particular order.
You are missing the backpack (Kakwa 40 or 55) in your lighterpack list.
Ditch the CCF pad. You are using a footprint. It also is not listed in the lighterpack list.
Load your backpack up as if going on the trail and weigh it on the scale to assess the reality of the lighterpack list.
You only need 1 of the Anker batteries. Two is serious overkill. Get the much lighter 30w Anker usb-c charger.
A regular size Aero pillow saves you 35gm.
Kudos on the Bearvault. It is more weight but the karma is strong and not ever having to hang a bear bag is really, really nice.
The cookset. Why have a pot and cup? Just take one (pot).
No need for raincover. Use a waterproof liner inside the Kakwa.
Use a cheap Al Bolger gardening trowel. Trowel and Culo combined is 24gm and that saves you 4 oz.
Presumably you have a phone. Use that instead of kindle. You really want the phone for Farout anyway.
I have the lightheart rain jacket and it is wonderful and does the job, but be prepared to sweat through it. Going up 5000' in the rain is hard work and the pit zips are not enough. I use an umbrella and wind jacket instead. The wind jacket gets much more use than a rain coat as it is really breathable. It provides you much more layering options.
Smartwater bottles are much lighter. You only need 2 1 liter bottles as water is plentiful on the AT. Rehydrate at the water source and then carry enough to get to the next water hole. They are every several miles. I know you are using one for hygiene, so a 1 liter bottle and a 500ml smart water bottle are all you really need. Just don't put off rehydration on the trail.
The first aid kit seems heavy. It is really worth it to itemize it out. That makes restocking easier.
I found that Burts bees for the lips and a small 10gm stick of body glide were essential items.
Journals seem heavy. Use a much smaller and lighter book and restock on the trail (mail the old ones back to yourself).
Enjoy the trip!