In and out of the Grand Canyon, 22 miles, in one day. Started off warm ended snowing on us. Beautiful.
Pro man! I got mine in 2000. Went there one time. I would love to go back and work there for a summer at one point in my life. I have a buddy who has worked out there before, and he said that there is a doctor who leaves his practice for 3 months just to be able to be the doctor at the camp. I think it's awesome you have to be an Eagle to work there. Pretty sweet.
This man speaks the truth. I did 9 miles over sand dunes back in July. It wasn't on the same island, but at the national park on the mainland close by. It was a bitch. The backpack filled with the gf's shit didnt help either.
I had a bunch of friends that worked there. Definitely wish I had done it too. That is probably my favorite place that I've been.
16 miles. Never done an overnight strict hiking trip. Used to do 6 miles every day up and back down the mountain behind my house but it got a little boring and repetitive. Plus hiking in this altitude sucks. McFolley, by Longs do you mean Longs Peak? If so how long did it take you? I do a lot of the lake trails up there but never tackled the mountain.
Got my Eagle Scout in '96 just 2 days before my 18th birthday but never went to Philmont, actually ran into a troop at a gas station about a week and a half ago from Rhode Island that was on their way down there.
No I'm in a biotech seminar in DC and she's in Bham finishing up PA school. There will be no regular banging until she moves back to Tampa in Dec. Unless she can get an away rotation then she'll be back in November. Fucking sucks. I do have a shit ton of fine china and appetizer serving platters now though. I guess that's my consolation gift.
Some friends and I are looking to do a week or so on a section of the Appalachian Trail this summer. Being from SC, it would probably be easiest to catch the trail in North Carolina and just hike and camp up around there. I'm just curious as to what's to be expected, as well as any tips you all could offer. Anyone here done this section before?
If you end up doing the North Carolina/TN leg of the map stay away from Erwin Edit: forgot to add fairly useful link http://www.mtnadventureguides.com/sitepages/pid79.php There's worse, this site just doesn't detail all of it. I've had members of my hiking club get caught by fishing hooks that are hanging on the trail at face height. If "people" are waiting, once you get caught they will rob you of your gear etc. I've had females tell me that they have been followed and even approached on that section so if you have any females I'd keep them close by. Basically, the people in that area hate all the "hippies" hiking through so I just avoid it at all cost. I actually enjoy hiking the Smokey Mountain Nation Forest area more (includes some AT). I've done a Mt. Sterling hike that ends at one of the few standing fire towers in the Smokies. Absolutely awesome. I'll see if I can find any pictures from the tower.
In all seriousness, the shit is hard. You definitely need to do some overnight trips first to prepare.
I've hiked the App trail about 5 times(not the whole thing, just sections). Make sure you know the basics of hiking. Which means extra wool socks, bear bag, lots of water, worn in boots, baby powder for chaffing, some , a couple of knives, extra rations in case shit goes bad(something usually never goes to plan). Water purifier comes in handy also. Stay away from certain areas, I used to know the names, but drawing a blank right now. Wish I could help more
There's some political post I could make here, but i'm not witty enough/smart enough to make it. So carry on.
I've hiked all over the South and the North Carolina AT is by far my favorite, watch out for bear cubs though. If you see a bear it'll likely run away from you but if you get between a bear and its cub you could be fucked. Normally you never run from bears but if you see a cub in an area haul ass out of there. Also take a good bit of weed, normally for 3 day hikes I'll take about an 8th but if you're doing a week I'd plan accordingly. Usually I'll take one nalgene of liquor too but if you're doing a serious hike(+15 miles a day) you may just want to take alot of weed. Be safe, have fun, pack your trash out or burn it and enjoy the trail.