[at-l] Fw: slackpacking the AT...

[Richard Mann]

Curtis, etc -

Whence scanning a number of digests, I discovered my name (thank you eArThworm) in relation to slackpacking.  In response to Curtis-

Here are some ideas for slackpacking the Appalachian Trail:

1) YOU AND YOUR CAR (this is what I did in 1996, my first year on the trail) - Park at a trailhead 
and hike out (lets say north to some point along the trail) and back (south).  Then drive ahead to 
the next trailhead and hike out (south to that same point) and back (north).  You are hiking the 
trail twice (out and back), but the trail generally presents itself differently on the return leg.  
This is a great way to hike the trail and build stamina...

2) YOU AND YOUR CAR (I also did a bunch of this in 1996) - Park at a trailhead and hike to the next 
road crossing.  Thumb back to your car.  You will have varying degrees of success doing it like 
this, so treat it as a challenging adventure...

3) TWO HIKERS, ONE CAR (I've done a bunch of this) - Both hikers drive to trailhead.  Hiker "A" gets 
dropped off, and hiker "B" drives to next trailhead.  The two hikers are hiking in opposite 
directions, and pass the keys when they meet.  Hiker "A" hikes to the car and drives back to pick up 
hiker "B"...

4) TWO HIKERS, TWO CARS (I've done a bunch of this) - Park at different trailheads and hike opposite 
directions, exchanging keys when you pass on the trail...

5) ONE HIKER, ONE FRIEND, ONE CAR (I've done a bunch of this) - You hike, your friend drops you off 
and picks you up...

6) ONE HIKER, HIRE A SHUTTLE (I've done a bunch of this) - You hike and the shuttler drops you off 
and picks you up...

One thing to keep in mind while doing any of this - !!! SHIT HAPPENS !!! - so be prepared with 
water, food, and an emergency shelter - AND - any of this requires a significant amount of planning, 
so know what your plans are before you step off everyday...
The ATC provides lists of shuttlers...

Ideas for scenario 1) -

Day 1 - Park at USFS42 and hike southbound (SB) to Springer Mtn, then back to car, then northbound 
(NB) to Stover shelter and back - drive to Three Forks and tent there...

Day 2 - Hike SB to Stover shelter and back, then hike NB to Hickory Flatts (logging road in 
DATABOOK) and back (don't forget to stop at Long Creek Falls) - tent at Three Forks...

Day 3 - Drive to Hightower Gap and hike SB to Hickory Flatts (dropping a fully loaded backpack at 
Hawk Mtn shelter on the way) and back to Hawk Mtn shelter - spend the night at the shelter...

Day 4 - Hike NB to car (drop off pack), then hike NB to Horse Gap and back.  Drive to Cooper Gap and 
hike SB to Horse Gap and back - tent at Cooper Gap...

Day 5 - Hike NB to Justus Creek, then back.  Drive to Gooch Gap and hike SB to Justus creek and back 
- tent at Gooch Gap...

Day 6 - You have the idea, take it from here - additional trail access points in Georgia : Woody 
Gap, Jarrard Gap side trail to Lake Winfield Scott, Neels Gap, Tesnatee Gp, Hogpen Gap, Jacks Knob 
Trail to Hwy 180, Unicoi Gap, Forest Service (FS) road at Indian Gap, FS Tray Mtn Road, FS at Tray 
Gap, FS at Addis Gap, Dicks Creek Gap, FS at Blue Ridge Gap..

For scenario 2) - You can thumb along the forest service roads prior to Woody Gap, but expect long 
waits.  The Army Rangers may stop to see how you are, but they are not allowed to pick you up.  
There will be cars dropping off and picking up hikers, so this is your best bet.  There will also be 
some pickup truck traffic, so indicate that you would be happy to sit in the truck bed...

Email me for more specific info if you dare...

Pittsburgh
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