Those who go before us

This one will be short and sweet, but I thought I would share some interesting tidbits I learned from the folks I have talked with who hiked the AT in the past...

1. Most manufacturers will replace your boots for free if they ruin while hiking the AT (Score!)

2. Its not a bad idea to bring a cell phone these days but make sure its not an expensive one because the girl I talked to went through three (wouldn't have guessed that one, we'll see, I think Coach might bring his...)

3. Use garbage trash compactor bags for a pack liner (cheap at Wal-mart)

4. Baby wipes or some sort of sanitary wipes to "take baths" while on the trail

5. 3 pairs of socks to start with in the winter, but you'll probably end up sending one pair home as it gets warmer

6. Go with the "Pocket Rocket" stove, light, compact, not many bells and whistles thus less things to go wrong or break

7. So originally Coach and I were thinking of sharing gear like cookware, one tent and split it between us, etc. just to help lighten the load. Everybody advised against this. They all said bring your own stuff because you never know what could happen and you all might even decide to hike separately for a few days. I guess 4 months is a long time to sleep in a tent with another dude.

8. Hand sanitizer

9. Don't bring a cup, just use your cooking pot to drink out of if you want a hot drink

10. If you start with Nalgenes, you will probably end up sending them home for a lighter option...like a used gatorade bottle

11. Don't buy all your food for the whole trip at the beginning, you'll probably get really sick of it.

12. If you're gonna spend some money on gear make your first big purchase on a really good sleeping bag

13. Bring one dry sack

14. The bugs get really bad in Mass, Conn, NY, ME, PA...

15. No Deet! It eats through synthetics and is ultimately not good stuff for your body if you're going to be wearing it all the time

16. Don't wear capilene as a baselayer, it gets really stinky!

17. Don't wear underwear because you'll probably chafe!

18. Bring some sort of light footwear for in camp because you'll want to get your boots off (one girl brought Crocs)

19. Fleece pants are not a bad idea in the beginning, but you'll probably end up sending them home at some point

20. Neck gator, good for sleeping with

21. Some sort of camel back style hydration system, its easier to stay hydrated that way

22. Drain your water at night because it will freeze

23. Its really dry in NY so carry extra water every day through this state

24. Use purification drops like bleach or iodine not a water filter, its too heavy and takes up too much room in your pack, and there's a likelihood it will break

25. Bandanas are your friend! Carry several

26. Hot sauce and Garlic salt, you'll be craving flavor out on the trail (One of the women I talked to told me a story of a guy who was able to get his pack down to 15 pounds...with a 1 pound bottle of hot sauce! That same girl ended up carrying a tub of frosting... to put on everything)

27. Hiking poles

28. Duck tape

29. First Aid Kit = Neosporin, a few Band-Aids, Vitamin I (ibuprofen), and duct tape

30. Have something to wear in the laundry mat (one of the guys I talked to said he carried a light weight pair of boxers the entire trail that he never wore unless he was in town doing laundry...and that's all he wore while he was doing his wash...)