Conversations
Anyone got plans for 2023 yet?
Quote from nathanu on February 11, 2023, 3:15 pmI was able to finish the 52 Hike Challenge in 2022 and log about 30 miles on the Appalachian Trail. I don't really have any plans, per se, for the year, but I would like to make it out of Georgia and get my 90 mile patch on the Appalachian Trail. I've also started building a little campsite at my house to test gear and just play outside. Y'all got anything going on?
I was able to finish the 52 Hike Challenge in 2022 and log about 30 miles on the Appalachian Trail. I don't really have any plans, per se, for the year, but I would like to make it out of Georgia and get my 90 mile patch on the Appalachian Trail. I've also started building a little campsite at my house to test gear and just play outside. Y'all got anything going on?
Quote from dadDale on February 13, 2023, 1:58 pmI have planned a couple of paddle camping trips on the Suwanee River in the past and some of the gang are pushing me to organize another later this year. For now thats all I got.
I have planned a couple of paddle camping trips on the Suwanee River in the past and some of the gang are pushing me to organize another later this year. For now thats all I got.
Quote from nathanu on February 13, 2023, 5:39 pmA buddy of mine did a paddle camping trip late in the year last year and loved it. Not something that I've ever done in the past but it does sound like something that'd be good for hot weather (you're just a quick dip away from a cool off).
A buddy of mine did a paddle camping trip late in the year last year and loved it. Not something that I've ever done in the past but it does sound like something that'd be good for hot weather (you're just a quick dip away from a cool off).
Quote from Hikes in Rain on February 14, 2023, 12:41 amGot a few things in mind. I finally got my hiking gear out of the shipping box. *sigh* What a mess. The GA mountains are a rain forest, and I had mold all over things. Got that cleaned up, and discovered that my old North Face tent was in it's early stages of deterioration. Time for a Viking funeral for it.
Upside is, I have a new 25* sleeping bag for the shoulder seasons, and nice replacement tent. A Tarptent Notch Li, with both the solid and mesh interiors, the gadgets that let you turn your hiking poles point down, the Tyvek footprint, extra stakes, and the LightLoft pocket system that hangs up on the apex. Got a great bargain on eBay a few days ago! Now all I need is a dry day to play with it!
With new gear, and not having been able to do any backpacking for several years, I think a couple of overnight shakedown hikes might be a good idea. The Bartram Trail is right in my back yard, which sounds like a great trail to start.
After that, I've been planning to through hike the Foothill Trail. Been planning it out since shortly after moving up here. I have trips planned out for early starts (using a shuttle service), late starts, starting at Ocoee SP, starting at Table Rock, etc. Page after page of spreadsheets!
I really gotta get out there. It's been way too long.
Got a few things in mind. I finally got my hiking gear out of the shipping box. *sigh* What a mess. The GA mountains are a rain forest, and I had mold all over things. Got that cleaned up, and discovered that my old North Face tent was in it's early stages of deterioration. Time for a Viking funeral for it.
Upside is, I have a new 25* sleeping bag for the shoulder seasons, and nice replacement tent. A Tarptent Notch Li, with both the solid and mesh interiors, the gadgets that let you turn your hiking poles point down, the Tyvek footprint, extra stakes, and the LightLoft pocket system that hangs up on the apex. Got a great bargain on eBay a few days ago! Now all I need is a dry day to play with it!
With new gear, and not having been able to do any backpacking for several years, I think a couple of overnight shakedown hikes might be a good idea. The Bartram Trail is right in my back yard, which sounds like a great trail to start.
After that, I've been planning to through hike the Foothill Trail. Been planning it out since shortly after moving up here. I have trips planned out for early starts (using a shuttle service), late starts, starting at Ocoee SP, starting at Table Rock, etc. Page after page of spreadsheets!
I really gotta get out there. It's been way too long.
Quote from nathanu on February 20, 2023, 6:27 pm@hikes-in-rain part of me HATES to get rid of gear but another part of me (the part of me that likes new gear) tends not to mind so much. Some gear has memories and stories tied to it and I just can't let go (my current tarp has two pretty sizeable hears from a thunderstorm that I survived :), for example ).
Regarding the Foothills Trail, that's definitely on my radar. I bought the Farout map for it last year but never got around to it. I've actually considered trying to knock that out between now and the time that the bubble passes on the AT. Great minds?
Can't wait to hear the stories!
@hikes-in-rain part of me HATES to get rid of gear but another part of me (the part of me that likes new gear) tends not to mind so much. Some gear has memories and stories tied to it and I just can't let go (my current tarp has two pretty sizeable hears from a thunderstorm that I survived :), for example ).
Regarding the Foothills Trail, that's definitely on my radar. I bought the Farout map for it last year but never got around to it. I've actually considered trying to knock that out between now and the time that the bubble passes on the AT. Great minds?
Can't wait to hear the stories!
Quote from nathanu on February 20, 2023, 11:47 pmLooks like the next adventure is gonna be Unicoi Gap to Dicks Creek Gap, about 16.7 miles. Plan is to split it into two nights, spending one night at Trey Mountain shelter (mile 5.6) and the second night at Deep Gap shelter (mile 13.1). Then, about a 4 mile hike out. Anyone interested in either splitting a shuttle or driving two cars, taking one to Dicks Creek and then driving the other back to Unicoi? No date set yet but hoping to go before it starts to warm up to test out some cold weather gear.
Looks like the next adventure is gonna be Unicoi Gap to Dicks Creek Gap, about 16.7 miles. Plan is to split it into two nights, spending one night at Trey Mountain shelter (mile 5.6) and the second night at Deep Gap shelter (mile 13.1). Then, about a 4 mile hike out. Anyone interested in either splitting a shuttle or driving two cars, taking one to Dicks Creek and then driving the other back to Unicoi? No date set yet but hoping to go before it starts to warm up to test out some cold weather gear.
Quote from flipflop on February 24, 2023, 7:18 pmNothing here at the moment work has kept me pretty busy. Looking forward to stories from adventures though!
Nothing here at the moment work has kept me pretty busy. Looking forward to stories from adventures though!
Quote from AlaskaGeezer on July 1, 2023, 5:10 amI had planned a 5 day trek following Ke'sugi Ridge in Denali. Unfortunately I need my hips replaced and that is not going to happen as I had both lobes of lung on my left side removed (cancer,nonsmoker) and the right base lung collapsed and permanently consolidated. I am still working and backpacking on what is estimated to be 30% of a normal 60 year old's lung capacity. I have new "areas" that light up on my PET scan in April and can not have them biopsied or treated. I had to cancel the trip after I lost the ability to stand on one leg without falling or suddenly not being able to go up steps except by having one leg do all the stepping and dragging the other behind it. I plan on getting Cortisone shots so I can keep backpacking. Its been a strain since I walk at work 13 to 14 hours a day which was what caused inflammation to worn out joints.
I realized that if something happened to me on Denali, there are no medical centers for hundreds of miles. So if my hip gives out or I can not keep up with the altitude......? I'm doing shorter journeys around the Chugach Mountain Range this year.
I had planned a 5 day trek following Ke'sugi Ridge in Denali. Unfortunately I need my hips replaced and that is not going to happen as I had both lobes of lung on my left side removed (cancer,nonsmoker) and the right base lung collapsed and permanently consolidated. I am still working and backpacking on what is estimated to be 30% of a normal 60 year old's lung capacity. I have new "areas" that light up on my PET scan in April and can not have them biopsied or treated. I had to cancel the trip after I lost the ability to stand on one leg without falling or suddenly not being able to go up steps except by having one leg do all the stepping and dragging the other behind it. I plan on getting Cortisone shots so I can keep backpacking. Its been a strain since I walk at work 13 to 14 hours a day which was what caused inflammation to worn out joints.
I realized that if something happened to me on Denali, there are no medical centers for hundreds of miles. So if my hip gives out or I can not keep up with the altitude......? I'm doing shorter journeys around the Chugach Mountain Range this year.
Quote from nathanu on July 6, 2023, 4:11 pm@alaskageezer welcome to the site and what a story!! I got to spend some time in Anchorage for work a few years ago and absolutely fell in love with the place. I didn't get to do any backpacking but I did get to see a glacier, which was impressive. Based on what little I was able to see though, it sounds like you've made the right call to put off the trip. I'd LOVE to see pictures from your adventures around the Chugach Mountain Range though!
I can't remember the name of the glacier that I visited but have a picture of me standing in front of it (below) in case you recognize it. Just an absolutely incredible place!
@alaskageezer welcome to the site and what a story!! I got to spend some time in Anchorage for work a few years ago and absolutely fell in love with the place. I didn't get to do any backpacking but I did get to see a glacier, which was impressive. Based on what little I was able to see though, it sounds like you've made the right call to put off the trip. I'd LOVE to see pictures from your adventures around the Chugach Mountain Range though!
I can't remember the name of the glacier that I visited but have a picture of me standing in front of it (below) in case you recognize it. Just an absolutely incredible place!
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Quote from Justin on July 6, 2023, 5:04 pm@alaskageezer Im with Nathan, Id LOVE to see some pictures of your adventures in Alaska!
@alaskageezer Im with Nathan, Id LOVE to see some pictures of your adventures in Alaska!
by nathanu