Backpacking the Appalachian Trail?

Question

I've had the idea to make my way down to Florida from Pennsylvania taking the Appalachian Trail. I know it's a longer route than going straight down, but if I'm going to do this, I might as well enjoy my time out.

I have a list of things I'll need from a few different sites;

Down Sleeping Bag
Matting OR Hammack
Tent OR Tarp
Backpack (duh)
Toiletries
Useful Items (Like a pot, a can opener, a needle and thread and the like)
Medkit
Necessary Clothing
Headwear
Breathable Shoes
Plastic Garbage Bags and Small Bags
Misc. Extras (Bottles, Priority Mail Envelopes)
(Considering my Mountain Bike, but not sure yet)

I was also considering a fishing pole and a bow, but a bow may not be a great idea.

Anyways, I'm looking for tips, extras, anything that might help me on my journey. I've read many stories and guides, but thought it would be nice to actually get some feedback from the nice people of this site.

Any ideas on food? I was thinking ramen and rice, putting them into a bottle of water, let it soak in, shake and enjoy. Some fishing, and maybe a few bugs for the sake of trying some survival techniques.

What is some good equipment that you would recommend? I mean, I have a list of lightweight, durable items and brands, but if anyone has any recommendations, the list is subject to change.

If you can think of anything else, it is greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Backpacker Magazine has some great gear lists as well as a guide to the Appalachian Trail.

I recommend that you include a water filter such as Gravity Works, since it is easier to filter than boil.

I suggest a backpacking stove for fast heat and ease, such as Jet Boil.

Carry nuts, instant brown rice, hard salami, cheese, and hot chocolate mix for maximum calories for the weight that you will carry.

Answer 2

Honestly, you don't seem very well prepared. I suggest you do some local backpacking weekend trips in your area first to get the hang of what you need and how to be comfortable camping. You will find no food along the trail. It doesn't pass by stocked fishing ponds and hunting by bow or gun is regulated in every state you pass through -- you have to be in season and have the right permit. I doubt you have the skills to process and cook game anyway. You need to take a backpacking stove, either compressed gas or Coleman fuel. And a hammock is not suitable since you will not always be able to find two handy trees that will work for suspending it. You can't prepare noodles or rice just by soaking them in water. All you will get is a gummy mess. You also need to plan how you will locate water and sterilize it for use.



People who do the Appalachian Trail plan months in advance and arrange to have food caches stored along the way either by having them mailed to post offices where they can pick them up, or they bring enough money or a credit card to enable themselves to purchase supplies as they pass through areas where stores are handy.



Sorry, but you are far from ready for "prime time" with such an extensive hike. With what little you know now you would not last 24 hours on the trail.

Answer 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttRFIvsuf4A&feature=related



Apparently you must stay in the shelters on the AP Trail.

Haven't been on it myself but have read about it.

(I'm a West Coast guy)



Forget the bow and probably the pole. You'd need a license from each State and as you know, there are hunting and fishing seasons. You didn't say when you intend to do this.



You claim to know a lot about hunting and camping but your question would not seem to indicate so, the way it is phrased. You can't live on noodles, your body needs fat (butterfat, lard, bacon, whatever) in your diet.



How do you intend to purify water?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=481a0B0xnng

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYukUty4-1U&list=UUfa-XVztQrDlf-2v1UUdkwg&index=51&feature=plpp_video



Sounds like you are less prepared than you think you are.

To save weight, everything you have should be multi-purpose.

Many people these days are using a tarp instead of a tent.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ja3S_l1Gqg

Answer 4

Use a checklist for what to bring,

http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/backpacking-checklist.html



I would bring a compact fishing pole and kit, however for each state you go through you will need a different fishing liscence, same with any hunting you would like to do. The only dangers along the APT are your own mistakes, bears and snakes so bringing guns or weapons are not really needed. Just use common sense. Also no bikes are allowed on the APT it is foot traffic only.



For more info and to talk to a lot of folks who truely have been there done that about the APT go to whiteblaze.net

http://whiteblaze.net/forum/content.php

Answer 5

Read "A Walk In The Woods". He hiked the trail. You may consider the weather is closing in for this year, farther south for later in the year. If you want to do the whole trail in one year, people usually start early in the South and hike north.



You will learn as you go. Good tips on mapping out each section, and plan on doing smaller sections to get your gear refined and meals. Test your meals at home first. You can mix flour, maybe corn meal would be better in water and drink it. Ramen can be eaten dry. For the same weight and space, raw nuts are good. Almonds and Ramen complement each other nutritionally. Oatmeal. Chewable vitamins.

Gear: a good knife, like a Becker 2, or Kershaw classic.

Baking soda for diarrhea and brush teeth

Cayenne pepper for blood clotting and seasoning

Superglue, emerg repairs and stitches

Bank line for snares, etc.

Rain gear top & bottom (one place to spend money, or better off with cheap water proof, then soaked)

Leather gloves, wool liners

Baklava: thin one and thick one

Bug head net

No cotton inner or middle layers, synthetic or wool.



http://www.survivaloutdoorskills.com/purifying_water.htm

http://edcforums.com/threads/one-gallon-ziploc-freezer-bags-can-disinfect-water-with-the-sun.47320/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10_Essentials

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survival_kit

http://rufduck.com/IMAGESrainwear/RD3NEW.jpg

Discount Bushcraft Kit Pt 1 of 7

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAPNtca7RGQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-i3pFPhs9o&feature=fvwrel

DaveC: 10 Piece Emergency Kit, 10 C's

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttRFIvsuf4A

Answer 6

The AT ends in George not Fla.