hiked the appalachian trail?

“hey, i was just hoping to talk to someone who has hiked, is planning on hiking, or is in the midst of hiking the trail. just to chat about their experiences. email me at cca5001@psu.edu or IM me as bluebeary4”

“Mile Monster finished this year. There are a few here planning a hike and a few that've done it.”

“MM... hands down.. he's the foremost expert?.. heh.. I just said that cos I know him.. There were some others that did it this year on here tho.. I think?”

“check in over at whiteblaze.net unless you are a troll


if you are a troll check in at trailplace.com”

“LMAO with HOI..”

“Lol. Good one HOI. Troll or not a troll, that is the question. I hiked tis year and had the time of my life. I second the whiteblaze.net suggestion. Great forums and lots of multiple thru-hikers hang out there. I'll risk the troll and e-mail you.”

“I've hiked the AT twice, but it was a few years ago. I'll em you.”

“thanks for your responses! hope to be gettin some emails! ill check out that whiteblaze.net suggestion.”

“Has anyone hiked in Pennsylvania? My hubby & I have a wedding to go to next fall, we're wondering how difficult it is to hike that part of the trail?

What is the average number of miles that one should expect to hike from one point to another?”

“pink - bring strong shoes w/ soles made for rocks - preferably over the ankle”

“the Pinnacle near Reading PA is one of the best views on the entire trail and its rocky and lotsa snakes.”

“How much over the ankle? I have high-top boots.... I noticed that when we were in Alaska that I tended to turn my ankles (and they tend to do that naturally)... We have the hiking boots that must be a softer material... the soles I think are a thick rubber and the tops are a suede-like material with the nylon canvas (I think Mine are from EMS).... Is that too lightweight?”

“are they poisonous? I'm not fond of snakes... :-(

Is it possible to day hike that trail?”

“Your better off going to the Delaware Water Gap and Hiking the AT from there if your looking for a good day trip. That is, if you don't mind hiking NJ?”

“I remember seeing your pic of the snake & the cigarette.. :-)

We're exploring our possibilities...
My hubby & I are thinking maybe Glacier Nat'l Park, or maybe the East Coast for our next summer's big trip... not sure which yet....

I have a book on a section of the AT, but up in the northern states... will have to see if I can find the book about the area around Pennsylvania...”

“Almost put my hand on a copper head this spring at the Pinnacle its a great hike easily a nice day or even a half day. One of the best views i've found on the trail.”

“is that Golden Springs?”

“pink - I'm not an expert on shoes, but from my experience you either need a hard material around the ankle or lace them up tight around the ankle

I use Montrail MTX Torre GTX's. I think they are great for the ankles and the bottom of the feet. Almost like walking on carpet on the rocks.

My wife got Columbia Titaniums and they hurt her ankles. She's not used to the stiff ankle support. Point is individual fit is important.

If your ankles are twisting now, they will on the PA AT trails. You can't avoid the rocks.”

“Lots of good hiking in PA. There are a lot of trails I preferto the AT, but that is generally nice hiking too. Rocky yes, but relatively flat. You generally climb 1000' or so up to a ridge, follow the nearly level ridge for 15 or so miles, descend to a valley, cross it, then climb to the next ridge, which you follow for another 15 miles.

The nice thing about eastern hiking is there is very little regulation. No need for reservations or permits. Out west is more spectacular, but the permit system can be a pain. But Glacier, Yellowstone, Yosemite, the Winds, Beartooths -- all are worth it.”

“The Pinnacle is awesome, man whatta view.

View from Pinnacle

that speck in teh middle of the frame is a hawk. lol”

“Love that hawk!

I have many pix like that... even WITH my good lens.. :-D”