water source question:

is there any sort of interactive map online that shows water sources along the trail? that's one piece of information i can't find anything about. we want to end in hot springs and cover max patch and whatnot. we plan on taking 3L camelbacks and an extra water bottle. is that enough?

4/22/2010 1:42:14 PM

Do you have a AT trail book? Get something like the appalachian pages. These will list water sources along the trail and depending on the book will say how reliable they are...if i recall correctly.

That sounds like plenty of water capacity for the AT....

[Edited on April 22, 2010 at 2:27 PM. Reason : d]

4/22/2010 2:25:50 PM

i was going to pick up one of those guide books this weekend when i come to raleigh. sounds like that's the way to go. seems kind of odd this info isn't online though.

4/22/2010 2:35:13 PM

One thing to note about camelbacks. I stopped using them on any trip where water is less abundant, because i go through water wayyyy too fast with one. Drinking from a bottle helps me ration, but when water is abundant, i grip and sip non stop.

4/22/2010 3:07:15 PM

You'll want to have at least the databook and/or map for that section. Either will have that info, but I'd suggest getting the map and copying the pages you'll need from the databook and carrying that.

You'll not likely need more that 1 liter or so at a time, with more around camp for cooking and cleanup. We've been getting in the habit of cooking about 3pm and chillin for awhile, then hiking on for a couple of hours to a dry camp. That'll open up a ton more options for you, but HYOH and all that.

4/22/2010 3:08:54 PM

http://www.amazon.com/Appalachian-Trail-Data-Book-2010/dp/1889386685

4/22/2010 3:09:14 PM

opinions on camelbaks/bladders?

I dont like the hassle of them or that you cant tell how much water you have. I dont like having to take them in and out of my pack, so i guess it depends on the pack maybe. I do like the large water bladders just for having around camp so you dont have to keep going back to a water source that is potentially far away....I had a 3 litre blader, but I mostly used it as a pillow if i ever wanted one...I'd blow it up a little bit and just throw a shirt over it.

[Edited on April 22, 2010 at 6:25 PM. Reason : d]

4/22/2010 6:23:54 PM

I used one on my thru-hike, but have gone back to just using a couple of soda bottles and a 3-liter platy for use around camp.

4/23/2010 6:41:33 AM

i have a 3L bladder i have yet to use (camelbak brand, i believe...not that it matters overmuch)

while i don't really feel like i need one for most weekend hikes, i think the real advantage is that the weight of additional water is fairly evenly distributed over a larger surface that is kept close to your back and maximizes good weight distribution

i've never gotten into them (i, too, usually carry a nalgene or two), but since my new gregory pack has an actual bladder compartment (my old external frame did not because bladders did not exist back in the day when i bought it, hah), i think i might try it on our next weekend trip

4/23/2010 8:02:43 AM

a lot of the water purifiers allow you to refill the bladder while it's still in the pack

4/23/2010 8:16:43 AM

yeah, if you can just hook the filter up to where the mouthpiece is then I see that being good or if the bladder is not inside of the pack, but other than that (Ive seen people who just strap them to the outside of their pack ], I got tired of dealing with them day after day...so on the AT I'd never carry one.

As quagmire mentioned, I do like how the weight of a bladder situates your COM.

4/23/2010 1:52:11 PM

Quote :

"We've been getting in the habit of cooking about 3pm and chillin for awhile, then hiking on for a couple of hours to a dry camp. That'll open up a ton more options for you, but HYOH and all that."

also if you're in bear territory this will help you outrun the smell of your food, and you avoid camping in a high use area where bears are used to looking for treats.

4/24/2010 10:05:34 AM

There's that too.

Started a Triangle AT Thru-hikers group on Facebook today. A group of us get together every now and again to get beers and do trips. Hiker trash in the area are encouraged to join!

http://www.facebook.com/SourcetoSea?ref=profile#!/group.php?gid=120626337952755&ref=mf

4/24/2010 1:58:13 PM

what's a good ~25 mile section that includes roan mtn? like where to get on and off

i bought the guide book and that data book this weekend, so i'll be looking in those, just thought you guys might have some opinions

[Edited on April 26, 2010 at 10:37 AM. Reason : ]

4/26/2010 10:36:03 AM

this may help
http://whiteblaze.net/index.php?page=15 mile plan

[Edited on April 26, 2010 at 10:44 AM. Reason : fix link]

4/26/2010 10:44:09 AM

Trail Days starting tomorrow. Any other T-dubbers going to be there? I'll be the guy stomping face in frisbee.

5/13/2010 2:02:13 PM

I'm sitting this one out. Work has been insane the last 2 weeks and I just want to chill. Should be a good one though from what my peeps up there are already saying.

5/13/2010 3:07:01 PM

ahhhh now that I live in Charleston the drive would be about 8 hours

also last time someone stole my cooler

5/13/2010 5:05:10 PM

really kinda meant to post this in here, but put it in the camping/backpacking thread by accident:

the episode of Man, Woman, Wild tonight was in TN in the smokey mountains. i just started watching about 10 mins ago but they just stumbled upon a clearing with really old apple trees

damn it. forgot to incl that it comes on again at midnight

[Edited on September 17, 2010 at 9:52 PM. Reason : ]

9/17/2010 9:52:22 PM