I am currently on a plane flying to NC race the MC.  Thinking about hiking, so thought I would  try a post off-line.  There should be lots of chances for that on the trail.

Hazards on the trail:

• Bears
• Snakes
• Tics and Lyme disease
• Heat (cold too, but heat will be the first issue)
• Lack of water
• Lack of food
• Injury (both acute and chronic)
• Crime
• Navigation
• Emotional

That should be a start to the list.  I think I am prepared for them all but less than half of those who start an AT thru hike actually finish.  I like the term “slack-packing” because it implies a more relaxed slower pace.  Pushing hard probably will lead to injury, etc.  So, it’s Puffin the Slack-Packing LASHer…

BTW, couldn’t load an image off-line so there is none.  😉

Although I did try pasting this in later:

Why not?

Have I made it into the insane ultralight backpacking club?  Here’s what I did to my trowel to save weight.  The original (first image) weighs 3.1 ounces.  The cut down version feels like it weighs less than half that.  A digital scale is next on my shopping list;  it will be easier to count grams then…

And here is some camp food.  The potato pancakes should be awesome.  Let’s hear it for good Polish food! 

I removed those “unnecessary” items along with the 20 degree down bag.  Pack weight is now down to 13.8 pounds.  That was way too easy.

To be honest, I have been a little concerned that I wouldn’t get credit for my AT thru hike if I end up doing it over two summers. Today I found Laughing Dog’s blog and was introduced to the term “Lasher: Long-Ass-Section-Hiker.”  Now at least I’ll have a name…

He also has this awesome map on his side bar.

And my pack came yesterday.  It’s packed with my preliminary equipment and it weighs in at 17.5 lbs (base wt w/o food or water).  I figured it would be between 15 and 18 lbs.  I’d like to see it down to 15 before I set off in June.  I’ve already started removing small unnecessary items.  When my new quilt arrives that should drop a half pound immediately too!