Wilderness Adventure - It’s A Go!
As mentioned in my 2006 Goals for the past several months, I’ve been planning a trip to Shenandoah National Park for this fall. I later expanded it into hiking the 100+ miles of the Appalachian Trail that run through the park. Hiking a section of the trail is one of my life goals, and going to Shenandoah NP will be a step toward meeting another goal - visiting every NP. I didn’t know if this trip would work out, though, since everyone that I know seems be getting married or expecting a baby. :-/
Thankfully, Mindy, who you may remember as
my potential partner for the Amazing Race, has decided to adventure with me! Mid-October we’ll be hitting the trail for about 5 days. I’m thinking we can handle about 20 miles a day and be able to conquer that part of the AT. The hard part will be getting along with each other 
This is the first time I’ve been backpacking on this scale, so I hope I know what I’m getting myself into. I’ve camped for a couple days in a row, but that was with a base camp, which doesn’t include lugging a sleeping bag, tent, food, etc. with me on a continuous hiking trip. I can definitely say this will be a challenge, and a good one at that.
I have a lot to do to get ready for this, most of it being researching and purchasing gear. I have all the maps we’ll need, as well as my GPS, but what I don’t have is a internal/external frame backpack, stove, water purification stuff, and a sleeping back small enough to carry with me. And that’s just what I can think of now!
Mindy and I also have a “test” trip planned. We’ll be heading down to Red River Gorge during a weekend at the end of the month to test drive our gear, to make sure it all works and feels comfortable. If you’d like to go, shoot me any email or leave a comment. Don’t worry - we’ll be setting up a base camp, so you won’t have to worry about gear like we do. We just want to try it out while we hike around.
Wow, I wonder what a week without any technology will be like…
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Sep 9th, 2006 at 08:54:23
My friend Amberly and her husband went backpacking around Europe for 3 weeks this spring. They had to get backpacks…they got the ones molded to your unique body shape. I’ll ask her where she got them, I don’t remember them being too terribly expensive.
Sep 9th, 2006 at 11:29:48
Sounds like a lot of fun and I would love to join you at Red River Gorge. I have always wanted to go camping and hiking, but I think that is out of the question at this time. By the way if anyone is interested there is a nice park and hiking trails outside of here in Brown County, Indiana, unfortunately at this time thats all I know about it. Have fun and we look forward to hearing your stories.
Nature and life will make you forget all about technology and you are not totally without with your GPS
Sep 12th, 2006 at 14:35:35
Here’s the website for the place I posteda bout above…My friend said that they are a little high in price but totally worth it–the extra time they dedicate to you and attention to details. They even mold the waistbands of the pack to fit your body for the most comfortable carrying.
http://www.natureoutfitters.com/
Sep 12th, 2006 at 22:04:13
Sep 13th, 2006 at 11:01:10
You may want to ask around and see if there are any local outfitter stores as well. They usually have good sales on things and it’s easier to get the advice you need, because they are smaller and more local. Lexington has a couple like that with the Gorge being so close. Phillip Gall’s is one, and J&H outfitters is another, if you want to make the trip down there to look at things. Paul said he didn’t know much about the Z pack, but I’m going to go check it out this weekend possibly or before (I think this weekend is the REI scratch and dent sale). It’s crazy down here when that is going on. Let me know if there is anything you would like for me to look for during the scratch and dent sale.
Sep 15th, 2006 at 07:50:29
wow, a week without technology. good thing gps was used by the cavemen or that would be an empty statement!
have fun!