Section Hiking the Appalachian Trail

Wherein our intrepid adventurers take a 15 mile overnight jaunt from the middle of now where to a beautiful state park and then tell you about it.   An article on the types of animals you may find along the AT is here! 

Today we discuss the southern most section in Pennsylvania as we leave this fair state for Maryland.  It's a great long hike, that is heavily wooded.   Also, we answer a question about how to get started backpacking! Give it a listen.   Andrew Skurka's Peanut Noodle recipe  The 10 essentials from the American Hiking Society

In the which our erstwhile explorer begins a multi-way trip through the Shenandoah National Park as he heads southbound on the Appalachian Trail and has adventures along the way.  Plus, he may have come across a bear at night, which was not an experience he had hoped for along the way.   Please subscribe, leave comments on the podcast, and join us on Instagram @section_hiking_the_AT and Twitter @EskelsenJon SNP backcountry park regulations

In this episode we discuss a recent trip to Shenandoah National Park where we came across two cool groups: Climb4 and Latinos Outdoors. This episode then discusses the pros and cons of hiking alone, with a partner, or in a group. There are certainly some good reasons for doing all three. Here are the Gaia GPS tracks of our recent trip to SNP: Friday Saturday Sunday

In the which we determine whether it is better to proceed quick in order to eat what is considered a good meal and whether rolling one's ankle should keep our hiker from pursuing his quest.  

In the which our intrepid hiker relearns the wonders of ibuprofen, enjoys a coke and wanders up and down the hills to bird's nest #3.  He meets some retirees who explain to him that the hiking he thinks is somewhat challenging is nothing compared to southern VA... The weather was also beautiful and the forest glorious to behold.  

In this protein of our adventure, our backpacker leaves the bear infested area of Compton Gap and hikes his way up and over several areas of Shenandoah National Park to Matthew Arms campground.  We also learn that his dinner of dehydrated yams was gross and what to do for shock.  

After a hiatus, the erstwhile host of this podcast begins again, like the newest version of Batman or Spiderman or Pride and Prejudice (if that's your jam).  The podcast is going to be focused on presenting useful information for the listener about the trail itself and not be a prep for someone like me whose figuring out how to hike it... gonna be the best. time. ever!

In this episode Jon describes what happened to him in 2021, gives an overview of the trips he was able to take, and some of the ways life got in the way of his broader hiking.   He also talks about some of the new gear additions he had, including a Sea To Summit sleeping bag liner, a new Hammock Gear Wunderluxe set up, and he talks briefly about how Merrell hiking shoes failed him, although he doesn't go into how much he loves his Altra Timp2s.   Finally, after reviewing those who listen to this podcast, he gives a shoutout to those listeners in countries like the Baltic States, Belarus, Hong Kong and other countries who are on the periphery of Russia and China in these times of challenges -- where those two countries are seeking to restore spheres of power over these smaller countries and hinder national autonomy and undermine the rule of law.   Some links based on the discussion (note: we do not get sponsored by any of these companies and don't make any money off of you clicking these links.  We just like this stuff!) Sea to Summit Reactor Extreme Sleeping Bag Liner Hammock Gear hammock kits Grilla Grills Altra Shoes Merrell Trail Running Shoes Patagonia Provisions Washington Nationals dumped their team Are you depressed?  The Roller Coaster is a hard bit of trail y'all! Cranberry Wilderness in WV Happy hiking everyone! 

In the which our host ends the first season of this podcast.  He concedes temporary defeat by COVID-19 and works towards preparing himself for future hikes after the pandemic passes.  In the meantime there's lots to prepare for future endeavors -- this should be fun! 

In the which our intrepid host discusses the concerns raised by different groups about backpacking in the time of COVID-19.  In all seriousness, this is a big deal and we ought to treat it as such.  Does this mean that we shouldn't do any backpacking?  That's another question all together.  Next weekend the plan is to go hiking up on the AT in southern PA again.  So we'll see if it works out.  To help us sort out these issues we bring on the host's wife, who is the family all-time judge.  Our host presents his case, she asks questions and makes a ruling with appropriate provisio....   https://ourworldindata.org ATC's webpage on thru-hiking in a time of COVID-19 Closed National Parks and other places in the backcountry Ethics of Thru-hiking from Outdoor Magazine

In the which our intrepid host hikes along the Appalachian Trail up in Pennsylvania with his good friend and even better sport, Alex Bates, testing out his various plans and ideas.  Not all of them (the plans and ideas that is) make it through to the end.  Plus, we use some transitions in this episode as our erstwhile sophistication related to podcasting marginally increases!  Really grateful Alex was able to join me on this hike, and even more grateful for his wife Amy who let him come out in play.  Let's hope the Coronavirus doesn't actually get us so we can do it again soon!  Today's podcast is sponsored by the Committee to Restore America's National Parks, an advocacy group for everyday people to try and get Congress to provide adequate resources to maintain our national park system.  Currently there's a $12Billion maintenance backlog and it affects the ability of people like you and me from being able to use these wonderful resources.  Go and check them out at https://www.restoreamericasnationalparks.org. A link for mini tissues.  

I came down with a cold this weekend and am in no place to record a full podcast episode.  So what we're going to do is send you to our instagram account: Section_hiking_the_AT.  This week, I'll take pictures of the gear I'm planning to take, its weight and the alternatives to have a visual display of what I had planned to discuss.  So check us out on Instagram and we'll catch up next week!  Today's podcast is sponsored by the Committee to Restore America's National Parks, an advocacy group for everyday people to try and get Congress to provide adequate resources to maintain our national park system.  Currently there's a $12Billion maintenance backlog and it affects the ability of people like you and me from being able to use these wonderful resources.  Go and check them out at https://www.restoreamericasnationalparks.org.

In the which our intrepid hiker discusses a variety of topics to include some meals that he plans to take with him on the trail, what he ended up putting into his first aid kit, how he thinks about keeping his throat from getting parched, and what he does to keep from paying full retail when shopping for backpacking gear, Today's podcast is sponsored by the Committee to Restore America's National Parks, an advocacy group for everyday people to try and get Congress to provide adequate resources to maintain our national park system.  Currently there's a $12Billion maintenance backlog and it affects the ability of people like you and me from being able to use these wonderful resources.  Go and check them out at https://www.restoreamericasnationalparks.org.  Andrew Skurka Peanut Noodle Dinner Andrew Skurka Rice and Beans Dinner Sawyer mini water filter Katadyn micropur tablets REI.com Patagonia sale page Backcountry.com Sierra.com eBay.com ExpertVoice.com theclymb.com drop.com https://backpackinglight.com/buy-less-do-more-good-enough-gear/ (subscription probably required) 

In the which our would be section hiker works through answers for the following three questions:  how much food should one bring on a hike?  What are the characteristics of food one should bring? What kind of ways do we have to prepare food, once we have brought it with us?  Look forward to feedback and comments on the episode -- thanks for listening Links: National Park Service Instagram Post on preparation to go hiking Guthook guide app AWOL guide Backpacking Lite article on figuring out how much food to carry (sub required) Thru hiking nutrition by Ryan Grayson Backpacking Lite article on cooking systems (sub required) MSR Whisperlight Jetboil minimo MSR Pocketrocket 2

In the which our host refreshes himself on the skills associated with navigation in the woods as he prepares for his initial section hike of the Appalachian Trail.  Lots to remember but really hopes he won't get lost and... as his daughter is won't to remind him -- potentially perish.   Links: Earl Shafffer, the First Thru-Hiker of the AT, Embodied the Trail’s Soul https://www.adventure-journal.com/2020/01/earl-shaffer-the-first-thru-hiker-of-the-at-embodied-that-trails-soul/ How to download free trail maps on Garmin GPS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HMkuttRuhQ Longer term review of the Garmin inreach explorer plus https://andrewskurka.com/long-term-review-garmin-inreach-explorer-plus/ Spot X vs. the Garmin inreach explorer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRgUQf9hnC0 Hikerguy.com review of the Garmin inreach mini https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMU8xVeHARo PACT maps http://www.Pact.net Creating and navigating to a waypoint using a handheld GPS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcR9tLcFDCc Gaiagps.com https://www.gaiagps.com/ Gaia tutorial – planning a hike https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHNLKiN9-Yk Caltopo.com https://caltopo.com/ Caltopo.com tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2188-p_uFMY How to use your smartphone as the best backcountry GPS: https://www.adventurealan.com/iphone-gps-map-backpacking/

In the which we discuss the keys to having respect for the trail reviewing leave no trace principles and see whether Aretha Franklin's song has anything to do with it.... which it doesn't, really.  But it is a nice metaphor, sort of, well, not really, for what leave no trace principles are all about -- especially as the AT and other long trails become more and more popular.    

In the which our intrepid traveller begins to figure out what first aid items are needed for a 10-day backpacking trip.  In an ideal world, I would have done additional editing on this episode.  Apologies now.  

In the which we enter into the highly contentious world of personal hygiene when backpacking. Turns out this matter is something many have strong opinions about. Some of those opinions have merit while others do not... How to poop in the woods by Andrew Skurka Purell Examples of soap/wash suds at REI  Dr. Bronners soap The Deuce Joshua Tree Foot Balm Badger Foot Balm Minimizing effect of macerated feet

Outlining all the skills, but what's funny is that if you google search backpacking skills, you always end up with a list of gear to bring on a hike with you...  Here are some of the skills we hope to address in coming episodes: Wilderness focused First aid:  Common issues in the backcountry, the goals for treating them and what to carry. Personal hygiene – how to stay clean. Specific foot care – related issues.  Making sure feet don’t get neglected and other self-care on the trail. Navigation – different forms of navigation – digital to paper. Meal planning, identifying how much to food to carry and options for cooking. How to approach food storage and keep it away from critters large and small. Fire. Water.  Getting and treating it. The 10 essentials Baseball cheating scandal as illustrated by mean girls CDC Lyme disease page Permethrin spray for clothing  Tick removal tweezers Poison oak serum.  I usually just wipe down using rubbing alcohol.  Shenandoah Nat Park's Bear Safety Page