Dear Friends,

My name is Kimberly, and I am new to the group and to the hiking world. I'm a
little frustrated with what I can't seem to accomplish, and I am determine to
accomplish something. Which brings us to the Appalachian Trail. Now, I know,
this is quite a thing to undertake, but I think the accomplishment is in trying,
don't you? I don't expect to finish the trail, as I'll start in March from
Georgia, and I have to be back home in late August.

Now, I know I'm a little nuts for doing this, and the following will tell you
why. Before I begin, however, let me say this: Don't try to talk me out of it; I
am going.

1) I've never hiked more than 5 miles uphill, and that's only been on two
occasions.

2) I am, shall we say, Fluffy (OH, God, please don't let that become my trail
name!). Let's say I've over 200 lbs and under 250, and I'm 5'4". I won't say
that I'm a couch potato, though I have been in the past, hence the weight gain.

3) I have medical issues, so I'll be taking a lot of prescription medicines with
me. Rest assured, however, everything's under control, and the lack of meds will
only make me uncomfortable; nothing fatal here. I will need to make especially
certain that I drink sufficient water.

4) I plan on taking my dog, Precious. She only weighs 12 lbs, so I don't plan on
her packing anything. In fact, I might tote her at times.

OK, here are the questions: 1)I can't find trail clothing in my size, what
street/exercise clothes would you suggest? 2) Can you get the insecticidal stuff
that's used to pretreat clothes in a store, or through special order? 3)
Precious currently eats 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups of food per day of senior formula
(she's a healthy 9-year-old). How much extra food might she need? Should I
switch her to puppy chow? 4) How many days of food should I allow each of us? 5)
How can I best condition Precious for the trail?

I'm sure I have more questions, but I also have a friend who's a naturalist, so
I'm going to bend his ear too. And I'm working like mad to get in better shape,
using the local gym and a variety of DVDs to increase my core strength.

I have always been determined, and when I've failed at things, I've always
dusted myself off and gone back for more punishment (and disappointment), but
I've never given up on my dreams, and I'm not going too. Achievement is
measured, as is the AT, one step at a time.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I hope you have a great day!

Kimberly

I am wanting to get a smaller lighter weight pack and have been drooling
over the Granite Gear Nimbus Meridian. My fiancee has the NM Ki and she
loves it. I admit, I am jealous....
However I have been eyeballing the Mystery Ranch Trance XXX
Mystery Ranch Trance XXX
<http://www.mysteryranch.com/s.nl/it.A/id.13869/.f?sc=11&category=9>
I haven't had any experience with MR but I have lots of great things
about them. I am going to have to try to track some down and try one on
now.....

--- In attrailchat@yahoogroups.com, ed_rodriguez52@... wrote:
>
> I would have to go along with what Ron had to say. Am in the same boat
as you. Looking to get a new backpack because I need to replace my old
one. I go back and forth with how much cu in am going to need. Am still
getting my gear together to hike the JMT ( which will help prepare me
for the PCT). My pack is the last thing I will be getting. I need to see
what I need and how much space it's going to take (my none food gear).
Then how much food I will need to carry between food drops ( how much
space that going to take). Happy Trails Ed
> Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ron Jaffe ronjaffe@...
>
> Date: Thu, 20 Aug 2009 10:36:27
> To: attrailchat@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [AT TrailChat] Pack suggestions
>
>
> I recommend saving the pack for last. Get all the gear you THINK you
> will be taking together, go down to your local outfitter and start
> trying on packs.  Don't let an outfitter steer to  you to specific
> pack just because it's her/his favorite.  You won't honestly know
> which will be best for you and why until you've spent a few weeks
> packing and unpacking it out in the wilderness.  Some will urge you to
> get the lightest pack just to save weight, but even a pack weighing a
> couple extra pounds, if it's a good pack for you, can offset any
> weight difference, and comfort is a major factor. And, a lighter pack
> means a definite weight limit as far as what you take with you. That's
> why knowing what you will be carrying in advance will be a help. Also
> consider that you will probably shave 10-20% or more off your pack
> weight within the first month unless you are already an experienced
> backpacker.
>
> That being said, this is the pack I use, and one of the most popular
> ones on the AT presently.
>
>
http://www.granitegear.com/products/backpacks/ultralight/vaportrail.html
>
> The hiker-chick version is called the Vapor Ki.
>
> - Muddyshoes
>
> On Aug 18, 2009 ; 11:47 AM, at 11:47 AM, bluestock80 wrote:
>
> > Hello All,
> >
> > I'm thinking about thru-hiking the AT next year and was wondering if
> > I could get some suggestions on a good pack that any of you may have
> > or have tested.
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi Mike, if you want or need to be pick up from where you are the best thing is
get a SPOT. You press a button and will come to where you are at or if you want
to tell your love one at home that you are ok you can press the OK button. There
is a monthly charge for their service
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

-----Original Message-----
From: "MIKE" <mstump21@...>
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:41:40
To: <attrailchat@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [AT TrailChat] hiking in Jan.

Good morning
My wife Sandy and I are planning to do some day hikes in the Great smoky
Mountains in January.  We are wondering since there may not be many people
around would some type of flare gun be wise to have for  signaling in case of an
emergency?

Thanks Mike




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Good morning
My wife Sandy and I are planning to do some day hikes in the Great smoky
Mountains in January.  We are wondering since there may not be many people
around would some type of flare gun be wise to have for  signaling in case of an
emergency?

Thanks Mike

I'm looking for some people to meet up with me along the PCT, a couple of people
to do a thru hike with me would be awesome.  Or even people that would want to
do parts of the trail with me?   I'm planning on starting in April 2010 I plan
on taking my time and enjoying everything around me.

If your interested please shoot me an E-mail and we can start getting things
orginized to do the Hike :)

Thanks

Michael "Montana" Hand

--- In attrailchat@yahoogroups.com, "capecuatro" <capecuatro@...> wrote:
>
> Good day folks. I am planning to do the Conn/Mass sector of the AP Trail next
summer. Can anyone help me in figuring out where, I should be flying to (from
San Juan Puerto Rico to Massachusetts ) in order to get as near as I can to
"Sages Ravine" ???
>
> Its going to be easier for me that way whil ending my trail at Pawling NY ,
from there I can pick the local train to New York and hit Kennedy to fly back to
Puerto Rico.
>
> Other way around should be to pick transportation from Sages Ravine to
Pawling.
>
> Anyone please kinly let me know.
>arrive in Hartford, CT - Bradley International Airport
  jesse

I had the pleasure of welcoming thru hikers #430 and 431 to Baxter State Park
and Katahdin Stream last weekend.  Bruce the Ranger said there had been quite a
few more hikers coming in during these last few weeks at the Park.  My buddy and
I go up there in June and September, and try to do a service project of some
sort for Bruce, this year we moved a bunch of firewood, hung some nice wooden
peg hangers in the lean-to's and used draw shaves to clean up some logs which
will become a new picnic shelter at Abol Beah next year.  It feels good to give
something back to a place that gives us so much.
     Best of luck to the last of you coming North.
Jim

Good day folks. I am planning to do the Conn/Mass sector of the AP Trail next
summer. Can anyone help me in figuring out where, I should be flying to (from
San Juan Puerto Rico to Massachusetts ) in order to get as near as I can to
"Sages Ravine" ???

Its going to be easier for me that way whil ending my trail at Pawling NY , from
there I can pick the local train to New York and hit Kennedy to fly back to
Puerto Rico.

Other way around should be to pick transportation from Sages Ravine to Pawling.

Anyone please kinly let me know.

Hello all, am working on my itinerary for the PCT. Right now with a pack I can
hike at the rate of 2 miles per hour. Now the question is how can I improve on
that pace or is this something that I am going to have to work through. I know I
would like to hike 20 plus miles per day and be hiking most of the day. Should I
base my itinerary on my pace and not to go over what I know what can be done in
a given day. I don't want to fall behind my itinerary because I know I won't
make up the miles. Thanks Ed

I am looking for the guidebook and maps to the Mass/Conn area. Does anyone has a
used one that would like to sell?

Luigi

I was looking to replace my old MRS XGK stove, I was wondering what kind of fuel
can I find along the PCT in the town where I am getting my resupplys.I was going
to buy a new XGK stove so this would solve my problem becuase is burns diffrent
fuel. Before I do that would like to explore my obtions. Thanks Ed

I just posted a vapor trail with the lid for sale on Craigs list
http://asheville.craigslist.org/spo/1336763182.html

Debbie


-----Original Message-----
From: ed_rodriguez52@...
To: attrailchat@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Fri, Aug 21, 2009 9:49 am
Subject: Re: [AT TrailChat] Pack suggestions








I would have to go along with what Ron had to say. Am in the same boat as you.
Looking to get a new backpack because I need to replace my old one. I go back
and forth with how much cu in am going to need. Am still getting my gear
together to hike the JMT ( which will help prepare me for the PCT). My pack is
the last thing I will be getting. I need to see what I need and how much space
it's going to take (my none food gear). Then how much food I will need to carry
between food drops ( how much space that going to take). Happy Trails Ed
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

-----Original Message-----
From: Ron Jaffe <ronjaffe@...>

Date: Thu, 20 Aug 2009 10:36:27
To: <attrailchat@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: [AT TrailChat] Pack suggestions


I recommend saving the pack for last. Get all the gear you THINK you
will be taking together, go down to your local outfitter and start
trying on packs.  Don't let an outfitter steer to  you to specific
pack just because it's her/his favorite.  You won't honestly know
which will be best for you and why until you've spent a few weeks
packing and unpacking it out in the wi
lderness.  Some will urge you to
get the lightest pack just to save weight, but even a pack weighing a
couple extra pounds, if it's a good pack for you, can offset any
weight difference, and comfort is a major factor. And, a lighter pack
means a definite weight limit as far as what you take with you. That's
why knowing what you will be carrying in advance will be a help. Also
consider that you will probably shave 10-20% or more off your pack
weight within the first month unless you are already an experienced
backpacker.

That being said, this is the pack I use, and one of the most popular
ones on the AT presently.

http://www.granitegear.com/products/backpacks/ultralight/vaportrail.html

The hiker-chick version is called the Vapor Ki.

- Muddyshoes

On Aug 18, 2009 ; 11:47 AM, at 11:47 AM, bluestock80 wrote:

> Hello All,
>
> I'm thinking about thru-hiking the AT next year and was wondering if
> I could get some suggestions on a good pack that any of you may have
> or have tested.
>
> Thanks!
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



------------------------------------

Yahoo! Groups Links

ahoo! ID required)











[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hello all!
Thought I needed to introduce myself, as I'm new to this group. My name is
Steve, Im 44, live in Charlotte with my wife and to sons and work at UNCC. I'm
fairly new to hiking and camping; only been at it for a year, but I'm a Den
Leader for my oldest sons Cub Scout Pack, so I get a lot of opportunities to be
outdoors. If that werent enough, my family owns a dairy farm in S.E. Louisiana,
so we go camping there a few times a year too. We really like Pisgah, and I'm
wanting to get out to hike a small part -cant do much with a 5yo and a 7yo- of
the AT sooner or later.

I also do a little bike riding, fishing (I'm really interested in fly fishing)
and occasionally hunt, but the actual act of what I'm doing doesnt matter to me
as much as just being outside. I've spent 6 hours sitting in a deer stand,
swaying in the wind, and gotten more out of watching a family of Bobcats 30 feet
below me, than I would have actually paying attention and hunting. I also did a
minimal amount of rock climbing during my salad days, and would be interested in
it again, but at 6'3 & 250 lbs, I'm not a great candidate for it!

I am also an amateur astronomer....VERY amateur. Yet another thing I dont get to
do as often as I'd like!

If you have any questions, please let me know!


Also, I figured maybe you guys would be interested -if you haven't heard of it
already that is- to hear that Ken Burns has done a new series on the National
Parks.

Heres a link to the PBS site:
http://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/

This is a link to a 30 minute long video on you tube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mx8WbZIWCSM

I would have to go along with what Ron had to say. Am in the same boat as you.
Looking to get a new backpack because I need to replace my old one. I go back
and forth with how much cu in am going to need. Am still getting my gear
together to hike the JMT ( which will help prepare me for the PCT). My pack is
the last thing I will be getting. I need to see what I need and how much space
it's going to take (my none food gear). Then how much food I will need to carry
between food drops ( how much space that going to take). Happy Trails Ed
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

-----Original Message-----
From: Ron Jaffe <ronjaffe@...>

Date: Thu, 20 Aug 2009 10:36:27
To: <attrailchat@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: [AT TrailChat] Pack suggestions


I recommend saving the pack for last. Get all the gear you THINK you
will be taking together, go down to your local outfitter and start
trying on packs.  Don't let an outfitter steer to  you to specific
pack just because it's her/his favorite.  You won't honestly know
which will be best for you and why until you've spent a few weeks
packing and unpacking it out in the wilderness.  Some will urge you to
get the lightest pack just to save weight, but even a pack weighing a
couple extra pounds, if it's a good pack for you, can offset any
weight difference, and comfort is a major factor. And, a lighter pack
means a definite weight limit as far as what you take with you. That's
why knowing what you will be carrying in advance will be a help. Also
consider that you will probably shave 10-20% or more off your pack
weight within the first month unless you are already an experienced
backpacker.

That being said, this is the pack I use, and one of the most popular
ones on the AT presently.

http://www.granitegear.com/products/backpacks/ultralight/vaportrail.html

The hiker-chick version is called the Vapor Ki.

- Muddyshoes

On Aug 18, 2009 ; 11:47 AM, at 11:47 AM, bluestock80 wrote:

> Hello All,
>
> I'm thinking about thru-hiking the AT next year and was wondering if
> I could get some suggestions on a good pack that any of you may have
> or have tested.
>
> Thanks!
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I started out never having hiked or backpacked before. My initial pack
weight was 42 pounds with my winter gear. Respectable for a newbie.
There were "experienced" hikers with pack weights of 75 pounds or
more, and one active duty marine who had a pack weight of 100 pounds.
No kidding!  After some gear changes, and about 6 weeks of experience,
I dropped my pack weight to about 29 pounds full with food (5 days)
and water.  The ultralighters shunned me and boasted about 15-19 pound
packs, but I bet I was probably more comfortable in camp and at night
than they were, and I thoroughly enjoyed my decidedly heavy Little
Debbie chocolate brownies.

A short time ago, 50 pound packs were average, along with 8 pound full
height leather boots.

But then again... pack and gear weight is only a small part of the
equation.

- Muddyshoes

On Aug 20, 2009 ; 10:53 AM, at 10:53 AM, Josh S wrote:

> Thanks for the suggestions...not sure how much I want it to
> weigh...leaning as I go.
>
> --- On Wed, 8/19/09, kins508 <kins508@...> wrote:
>
>
> From: kins508 <kins508@...>
> Subject: [AT TrailChat] Re: Pack suggestions
> To: attrailchat@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Wednesday, August 19, 2009, 1:45 PM
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --- In attrailchat@ yahoogroups. com, "bluestock80"
> <bluestock80@ ...> wrote:
>>
>> Hello All,
>>
>> I'm thinking about thru-hiking the AT next year and was wondering
>> if I could get some suggestions on a good pack that any of you may
>> have or have tested.
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
> just bought the REI flash 65 to do the AT next year 3lbs 2oz love
> it! if you want to go ultra lite check out the osprey 50. I heard it
> was a great pack just not alot of room.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

Thanks for the suggestions...not sure how much I want it to weigh...leaning as I
go.

--- On Wed, 8/19/09, kins508 <kins508@...> wrote:


From: kins508 <kins508@...>
Subject: [AT TrailChat] Re: Pack suggestions
To: attrailchat@yahoogroups.com
Date: Wednesday, August 19, 2009, 1:45 PM


 



--- In attrailchat@ yahoogroups. com, "bluestock80" <bluestock80@ ...> wrote:
>
> Hello All,
>
> I'm thinking about thru-hiking the AT next year and was wondering if I could
get some suggestions on a good pack that any of you may have or have tested.
>
> Thanks!
>
just bought the REI flash 65 to do the AT next year 3lbs 2oz love it! if you
want to go ultra lite check out the osprey 50. I heard it was a great pack just
not alot of room.



















[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Agreed. Make sure you carry what you need, not what you think might need
sometime somewhere. Define your needs, then visit a good outfitter with your
stuff to get properly fitted. Most will have a few models to choose from.
External or internal is basically choice, though external models generaly weigh
less.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

-----Original Message-----
From: "Hector \(Luigi\) Perez" <capecuatro@...>

Date: Wed, 19 Aug 2009 08:04:50
To: <attrailchat@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: [AT TrailChat] Pack suggestions


To be honest, some times. is not just the pack you carry. Is all the stuff you
put inside that you might not use. 
 
I go for the external frame packs. I carry a McKinly from Camp Trails which sad
to say is out of production I guess. Reasons? a great deal of them.
 
You still have some time to test both: the External Frames and the Internal
Frame and then ...flip a coin.
 
Buy yours NEW... old ones purchesed on (ej) might not be the right choice.
 
Good luck
 
Luigi (Grandpa)
 
 On Tue, 8/18/09, bluestock80 <bluestock80@...> wrote:


From: bluestock80 <bluestock80@...>
Subject: [AT TrailChat] Pack suggestions
To: attrailchat@yahoogroups.com
Date: Tuesday, August 18, 2009, 12:47 PM


 



Hello All,

I'm thinking about thru-hiking the AT next year and was wondering if I could get
some suggestions on a good pack that any of you may have or have tested.

Thanks!



















[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I recommend saving the pack for last. Get all the gear you THINK you
will be taking together, go down to your local outfitter and start
trying on packs.  Don't let an outfitter steer to  you to specific
pack just because it's her/his favorite.  You won't honestly know
which will be best for you and why until you've spent a few weeks
packing and unpacking it out in the wilderness.  Some will urge you to
get the lightest pack just to save weight, but even a pack weighing a
couple extra pounds, if it's a good pack for you, can offset any
weight difference, and comfort is a major factor. And, a lighter pack
means a definite weight limit as far as what you take with you. That's
why knowing what you will be carrying in advance will be a help. Also
consider that you will probably shave 10-20% or more off your pack
weight within the first month unless you are already an experienced
backpacker.

That being said, this is the pack I use, and one of the most popular
ones on the AT presently.

http://www.granitegear.com/products/backpacks/ultralight/vaportrail.html

The hiker-chick version is called the Vapor Ki.

- Muddyshoes

On Aug 18, 2009 ; 11:47 AM, at 11:47 AM, bluestock80 wrote:

> Hello All,
>
> I'm thinking about thru-hiking the AT next year and was wondering if
> I could get some suggestions on a good pack that any of you may have
> or have tested.
>
> Thanks!
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

To be honest, some times. is not just the pack you carry. Is all the stuff you
put inside that you might not use. 
 
I go for the external frame packs. I carry a McKinly from Camp Trails which sad
to say is out of production I guess. Reasons? a great deal of them.
 
You still have some time to test both: the External Frames and the Internal
Frame and then ...flip a coin.
 
Buy yours NEW... old ones purchesed on (ej) might not be the right choice.
 
Good luck
 
Luigi (Grandpa)
 
 On Tue, 8/18/09, bluestock80 <bluestock80@...> wrote:


From: bluestock80 <bluestock80@...>
Subject: [AT TrailChat] Pack suggestions
To: attrailchat@yahoogroups.com
Date: Tuesday, August 18, 2009, 12:47 PM


 



Hello All,

I'm thinking about thru-hiking the AT next year and was wondering if I could get
some suggestions on a good pack that any of you may have or have tested.

Thanks!



















[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Do u know your cu. In. Needs for the pack you are looking for and   what do you
want your pack lone to weigh
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

-----Original Message-----
From: "bluestock80" <bluestock80@...>

Date: Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:47:01
To: <attrailchat@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [AT TrailChat] Pack suggestions


Hello All,

I'm thinking about thru-hiking the AT next year and was wondering if I could get
some suggestions on a good pack that any of you may have or have tested.

Thanks!




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

--- In attrailchat@yahoogroups.com, "bluestock80" <bluestock80@...> wrote:
>
> Hello All,
>
> I'm thinking about thru-hiking the AT next year and was wondering if I could
get some suggestions on a good pack that any of you may have or have tested.
>
> Thanks!
>
just bought the REI flash 65 to do the AT next year 3lbs 2oz love it!  if you
want to go ultra lite check out the osprey 50. I heard it was a great pack just
not alot of room.

Hello All,

I'm thinking about thru-hiking the AT next year and was wondering if I could get
some suggestions on a good pack that any of you may have or have tested.

Thanks!

Hi everyone, my name is Ed Rodriguez I have been backpacking for a number of
years now. Next year am planning to hike the JMT with my daughter and planning
to hike the PCT and I hope the AT at some point in my life. Looking forward in
reading your post and your advice.

My overall plan is to gear myself up for the PCT and work out my gear hiking the
JMT. I don't want to leave no stone turn up. What am understanding the PCT and
the AT trail take a great deal to time to plan out. Ed

I am willing to buy from anyone the Guidebook and Maps covering the area for the
Connecticut section. New books are not yet printed so, if anyone has this book
and related maps and is willing to sell it to me, please kindly let me know.

Luigi (Grandpa)

Hi,
Can anyone suggest a pretty segment for a 10 day hike this summer on the CDT or
Colorado trail? We figure to travel 12 miles per day. I have done better than
this in the past on the JMT, with no resupply.

Also, do you need bear cannisters in Colorado, or would an Ursack be sufficient?
In the Sierra, cannisters are required.

Thanks,

Ira

Continental Divide Trail-Coyote to Cuba, NM - 2009/06/16 18:31 I've
always enjoyed the "Two Schools of Thought" cliché!

As an ancient Club Professional/Tennis, I'm out there backpacking
for the leg strength! So, that when I came up with a 50 lb pack ..I
stopped counting after 31 lbs. until I got back home..then weighed!
I'm now very grateful that I was about to do this excursion on the
Continental Divide Trail from Coyote to Cuba, New Mexico ..some 19 miles
and thru the San Pedro Parks Wilderness ..with nearly all lifes'
essentials for comfort in the back country!

We felt that this leg of the CD-T would be at least 17.5 mi and as much
as 25 mi ..depending upon where it was easiest for Gabriela to extract
us. It was to be a 3 day/2 night excursion with LOTS of ascent and LOTS
of descent. The we was my-own-self ..and Steve Ginsberg, noted
Journalist (much of his 30 years of back country experience to chronicle
environmental issues on many continents); and also Club
Professional/Tennis!

Our beginning point NOT the trail head for this hike, but about 2.5
miles distant, as I wanted to begin where we'll also begin for our
September excursion on the CD-T from Coyote to Ghost Ranch, NM. About 8
miles NW of the Village of Coyote on FR103 ..as it intersects the newly
posted CD-T. This section in the Coyote RD newly "blazed"..with
much of the work overseen by Evelyn Lujan ..to whom we were very
grateful for not only a great job ..but logistics support. We began at
just over 7,500 ft elevation.

Our first waypoint, Cecilia Springs, the actual Trailhead ..was
relatively friendly ..the trail RARELY used but blazed well:

Incredible wildflowers:

Creeks for trout fishing:

..Thick forest ..well posted

..with tons of fresh deer, elk, bear AND Mtn lion Tracks (see video).

As we entered into the approx 9,000ft elevation range and after about
4mi of hiking, our bodies now accustomed to their pack weights..and the
views became broad and spectacular:
   Sierra Negra in the haze..near NMO ..some 30 miles of in the distance!!

Hawks circled on the updrafts:

..and at about 5mi in..time for lunch and navigational confirmations:

Our next goal of entering the San Pedro Parks Wilderness ..realized:

..the Trail Blazes became more interesting:
   And we kept an open mind to finding a campsite in the upper 9K ft
elevations ..BUT stiving for the primary of reaching the San Pedro Peak
..OR even the SP Parks Peaks (not classic peaks up there):

The ONLY person we saw in the San Pedro Parks Wilderness ..we met on the
trail at about 10, 200 ft ..Dillon (see video) who was marching, ultra
light (17lbs) ..from Mexico to Canada on the CD-T!

We found a great, previously cut camp at 10,300 ft, overlooking Gallina
Canyon and just under San Pedro

As we had our dinner..and had an evening campfire..we felt great and
confident that we could backpack the approx 10 miles to a nice ..other
side extraction point..cutting the excursion by a day:


With Steve fast asleep, the sun set ..I gazed up out of my tent at the
Big Dipper, above ..but with a still lighted sky at about 9:30pm. All of
a sudden..I heard off, perhaps 100 yards or so..a crashing and trashing
in the forest..and before my mind could say "OMG..it's coming
this way" ..and a beast flew over my tent ..screaming!!!

I screamed!!..and sat up and exclaimed.."Steve" ..who was
saying.."YOU woke me up"! "Didn't you hear or see
that?"..He said.."You're dreaming". I said.."Maan..I
haven't been asleep at all …you'll see those tracks in the
morning"..of the chase I had witnessed! He said.."There
won't be any tracks". After now looking up and watching a bit of
the almost full moon..I dozed off, exhausted!

Waking early, I admit HOPING there'd be those tracks..and that was
my first move. Indeed: ..and I invited Steve to survey them..and with
his 30 yrs back country experience ..to assess what had happened here
last night. I moved away..and Steve ..scratching his chin said "With
my experience…I would say that it is likely that a mountain lion
chased a small deer thru our camp last night".

I'm sure many armchair outdoorsmen'll wanna debate these tracks!
J~

With LOTS of coffee, now, and the most exhilarating feeling of now being
in shape..pack feeling lighter..and the chase last night ..which
folks..lasted from beginning to end 1 ½ seconds ..we head off!
Beginning a 5-7 miles at 10,500ft..before descent:  ..the overviews
spectacular (this one Cerro Pedernal) and the meadows huge and lush:
<Much Skunk Cabbage signaling marsh..even swamp!
..the endorphins kicking in on top of the caffeine made me run my mouth
too much ..and I'm sure scaring off all the wildlife (Dillon had
spotted herds of Elk). BUT we saw loads of fresh tracks ..Elk..Mule Deer
and Black Bear (see video)..the meadows seemed almost endless..and lush!
This meadow by the Rio Puerco actually a swamp with thousands of frogs
an acre: v

Finally..it was time to head back into the heavy forest and descend up
to 5 miles:    <View down the Los Pinos Canyon Trail and into Cuba (u
can pick up cell service from this point)

The forest was soo thick..that believe it or not..in this pic..there are
a heard of about 10 cattle ..being driven to the upper pastures by 3
genuine Caballeros ..Spanish/American cowboys doing it the old fashioned
way:


After chatting with them awhile..we make the final descent to the
trailhead for extraction (see video)!

I recommend this excursion very highly! Pretty much all levels ..due to
the great work done by the Cuba/Coyote RS of the US Forest Service! Lots
of water and wildlife..but treat the water! Camp where others have
camped, don't cut new trails ..and "leave no trace". Dan



Video on link below:

---------
http://newmexicooutdoor.com/Hiking_Backpacking_Camping.php
<http://newmexicooutdoor.com/Hiking_Backpacking_Camping.php>







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I just joined this group today and look forward to reading every ones posts. If
you like check out my hiking blog www.talesfromthetrails.com
I hike a lot in CT and NY and have some of my treks posted up here. I usually
make a video commentary during each hike and try my best to keep it on the funny
side to add a little entertainment value!
Enjoy!

Everyone has had an opportunity express themselves on this topic, and the thread
is now closed.

RainmakerAT92
Moderator

I think muddyshoes put it in proper perspective.
What real hiker would carry all that extra weight?

The only place along the trail that I know of that actively coddles drunks and
criminals is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park where long distance hikers
are put down in preference to locals who mostly never show up. Or so I've heard.

As for the rest, no criminal would do all that work just for the purpose of
killing someone. Psychotics are a different breed, of course, but how often are
you likely to run into one of them in the woods?

Fear doesn't rule those of us who want reasonable gun laws, but fear DOES rule
the NRA and their anti-gun opposites.

--- In attrailchat@yahoogroups.com, Craig Gleason <ccglea@...> wrote:
>
> The anti-gun crowd tries to scare people where conceal carry laws are being
considered by saying murders will go way up.  This has never happened, otherwise
the press driveby media would be all over it.  As far as worrying about
"cowboys", a law like this or a law banning guns would probably never stop
anyone I would be afraid of.
>
> --- On Fri, 6/5/09, gcsievers2 <gcsievers@...> wrote:
>
>
> From: gcsievers2 <gcsievers@...>
> Subject: [AT TrailChat] Re: - House passes bill allowing concealed weapons in
national parks...
> To: attrailchat@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Friday, June 5, 2009, 10:53 AM
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Statistics that support the NRA's desire to arm every wacko in America or the
anti-gun lobby's desire to violate the Constitution are in short supply. That's
one reason this argument has gone on so long. No one governmental organization
keeps that data and the thousands of governmental agencies around the country
that deal with deaths of any kind do not report to a single agency. One twitter
user stated on CNN yesterday that in states where there are concealed weapon
laws, crime is down. That's the NRA line but I have never seen any facts to back
that up. However, the idea of a bunch of cowboys and cowgirls carrying guns
along the AT makes me want to stay at home.
>
> --- In attrailchat@ yahoogroups. com, "Vinny" <vfherman@ .> wrote:
> >
> > In Florida, some people over reacted a few years back when then Gov. Jeb
Bush signed into law the Castle Doctrine. The media went crazy about it. It
appears to me that the media is fear mongering again. I'd like to know how many
hikers had carried concealed weapons before hand.
> >
> > --- In attrailchat@ yahoogroups. com, Mark Liechty <mlaccs@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Ron Jaffe wrote:
> > > > I worry about the 'first timers' on the trail who feel this is a
> > > > western backpacking expedition and who will be shooting at bears,
> > > > etc., or the first time there's a fight over shelter space and someone
> > > > decides to 'break it up.'
> > > >
> > > ############ ###
> > >
> > >
> > > If this was a real concern then there would be some stats on the number
> > > of Hiker related gun deaths over the past few years in the NFS or other
> > > trails where guns have always been allowed? Does anyone have such
> > > stats or is this just a way to generate fear?
> > >
> > > I know a lot of gun owners and many of them have disagreements. they do
> > > not solve those disagreements by shooting people. Why would we think
> > > that once on the trail people would act any different? Disputes about
> > > a shelter resulting in gunfights?
> > >
> > > Pull a gun on me and I will leave the shelter. You will wake up in the
> > > morning without a pack but you will get to have the shelter for the night.
> > >
> > > Mark "Blankie" Liechty
> > > mlaccs @ mlaccs . com
> > >
> >
>
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> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

The subject of guns in this forum has always been considered a
most HOT topic, with STRONG opinions on all sides of the issue.
I do believe any new regulations are important to pass along as
they concern all of us however...... can we just drop the subject
before it, again, gets out of hand and get back to other important topics like
blister avoidence, singeing hair with alchol stoves, convincing blackflies we
are not tasty, and backpack construction with duct tape.....
I am now arming myself with a grill and hotdogs and hitting the trail to feed
any hungry thru-hikers that may pass...

Later all
Pago-Pago