Test Run 2



Our second test hike took place at one of our favorite spots to trail run. The North Hill Marsh Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary is over 500 acres, with ponds, marshes, cranberry bogs, and many trails to walk, run, or mountain bike. We hiked for over an hour on this test, and both of us felt some rubbing from our shoulder straps of the packs. We are hoping our bodies will toughen up over time and that our 30 pound pack that feels more like a sack of concrete, will eventually start feeling like a bag of feathers. What is heavier: 30 pounds of concrete or 30 pounds of feathers? Your right - 30 pounds is 30 pounds. We are always thinking of items that we may not need in our packs, but there is only so much you can give up and still have your safety on the trail. We have heard that some hikers have started A.T. with 50 to 60 pound backpacks. I have no idea how, my back hurts just thinking about that. We have just two weeks before we depart for Springer Mountain, Georgia. More test hikes to come!

Fun Facts for the Appalachian Trail

Many people start out at Springer Mt, Georgia, intending to thru-hike the entire length of the trail to Katahdin. About 10-15% actually make it. That means the drop-out rate is almost 90%.
Reasons for leaving:
Personal injury, illness, finances, weather, homesickness, hiking partner quits, run out of time to finish.

Physical challenges on the trail:
Blisters, chaffing, shin splints, broken bones, knee problems, back problems, foot problems, sunburn, frostbite, hypothermia, heat exhaustion, malnutrition, diarrhea, giardia, lyme disease, severe weight loss, cuts, bruises, sprains, etc.. But most of the people who leave the trail don't leave because of physical injury. The fittest and most experienced people are not necessarily the ones who complete the hike. It comes down to mental toughness and desire to complete a goal.

Test Run

An urban test run with our fully loaded or nearly fully loaded packs may not be the way to gauge the conditions of the A.T., but it did give us a few answers we were looking for. Mike's test run - The backpack I have chosen is an ULA Circuit, 4,200 cubic inches and weighs only 2 lbs 4oz. My test run pack loaded, weighed 29 lbs. I really like this pack, and I spent many hours researching the many different backpack they have on the market now, and came up with this pack. It is hand-made in a garage of the owner of the company ULA, in Utah. This is a popular pack on the A.T. by those who wish to hike lightweight, as this pack has a recommended maximum load of 35 lbs, I hope to keep my pack under 30 lbs, including 3 to 4 days of food and 2 liters of water. The test run was a 4 mile out and back on the pavement. I was very happy with the comfort, and the way the pack fits on my body. Next test will be in the woods, and a few hills to climb. Stay tuned!

Mail Drops

A lot of planning has gone into our upcoming A.T. hike. What gear to use? Where am I going to sleep every night? Where am I going to get food? Answers: We have all of our gear now. We know we are going to tent as much as possible, and if not, then stay at shelters, hostels, or motels. As for food, most of the way we can stop in small trail towns and buy food along the way, or hitch a ride if the town is a few miles off the trail. In some cases, we need to send ourselves food via the post office, if the town doesn't have a market or convience store. We have choosen 6 mail drops and 2 hand-delivered drops from Bonnie's parents, who will be joining us in both NC and NY. What's in this mail drop? Food that is easy to cook, for example: dry soups, dry potatoes, pastas, rices, cous cous, nuts, dried fruits, etc.

Preparing for the Hike

Note the discrepancy in pack size - my pack is the large blue EMS  Trail 70 (70 liters) on the left, weighing in at almost 5 lbs. Mike's pack is the tiny ULA Circuit (42 liters) on the right, weighing a dinky 2.4 lbs.

Supplies that we plan to ship to ourselves along the route, for areas where food is not easily acesssible off the trail.