Going to be parking the Jeep for 5 months...

[Cnickgo]

... To hike the Appalachian Trail. I grew up always taking day and weekend trips on and around the AT, so it became a dream of mine to thru-hike the whole thing. I will be leaving the 27th at Springer Mtn. GA headed towards Maine.

I made my support wing at home promise to exercise the Jeep once a week, as she gets cranky when ignored .

I will be updating some on Facebook which I can post a status via text message.

 

[Wwildman]

Sounds pretty cool nick but be sure to be careful .this day and age you don't know whats around the next corner

 

[Mr.Shrek]

Very cool Nick. Are you doing this solo?

 

[Timmy2XJS]

HE BETTER NOT BE!!! Dude have fun and stay safe. Maybe when you get back my heep will be at least on the road if not long arm'd

 

[Cnickgo]

Sounds pretty cool nick but be sure to be careful .this day and age you don't know whats around the next corner

Unfortunately that is a risk I will be taking. I thought about bringing heat but it's very hard to carry on the trail legally, and if it is hidden it won't do me much good. Statistically the trail is safe, but I am always alert wary of people. I'm one of those people that sit with my back against a wall of a restaurant so I can see everything going on.

Very cool Nick. Are you doing this solo?

Yes and no. I am going by myself, but there is a good amount of people starting this time of year as well, so I will have people around me, especially at night.

 

[PacificEd]

The Hard Struggler did a portion of that trail and said it was awesome. Good luck and have fun.

I'll promise to drive your XJ everyday for you. Just let me know.

 

[hightime81]

Hey Nick!
That is awesome, and a real challenge. I did a couple of portions from MD to NC when i was in the Scouts years ago. I don't think i would have it in me to do it again now though!

be safe and enjoy nature!

 

[YJ-GENRAL]

DUDE that is so freaking awesome. i wish so hard that i had done this before i got into the working class and settled down... now im not sure i will ever be able to do it again...:shiver: opertunity of a lifetime. who are you on facebook i want to follow along. this is so awesome. and your starting at a good time of the year too. be safe dude. enjoy the world as it should be enjoyed.

names blake smith ([email protected]) befriend me, i want updates
:yelclap::yelclap::yelclap::yelclap::yelclap::yelclap::yelclap::yelclap:

 

[Cnickgo]

The Hard Struggler did a portion of that trail and said it was awesome. Good luck and have fun.

I'll promise to drive your XJ everyday for you. Just let me know.

Sure, head on over and you can take her round the neighborhood all you want The tags and inspection just went out, so the exercise will only be some short laps :doh: Enough to slosh the gas around.

Hey Nick!
That is awesome, and a real challenge. I did a couple of portions from MD to NC when i was in the Scouts years ago. I don't think i would have it in me to do it again now though!

be safe and enjoy nature!

My area of expertise is the Shenandoah in VA. I have some sweet spots to stay there.

DUDE that is so freaking awesome. i wish so hard that i had done this before i got into the working class and settled down... now im not sure i will ever be able to do it again...:shiver: opertunity of a lifetime. who are you on facebook i want to follow along. this is so awesome. and your starting at a good time of the year too. be safe dude. enjoy the world as it should be enjoyed.

names blake smith ([email protected]) befriend me, i want updates
:yelclap::yelclap::yelclap::yelclap::yelclap::yelclap::yelclap::yelclap:

I'll add ya! That is exactly while I am going now, before I settle down and it becomes extremely hard to leave again.

 

[The Hard Struggler]

Have a blast!


When I was 22 I had the time, friends, and resources all set up for a thru hike from Maine down. Everyone but me backed out at the last minute, and I didn't go alone.
Of all the regrets that I have as a man that has reached "middle age", NOT pressing on and taking that trip is the greatest.

As far as being by yourself on the trail, there is enough traffic on the more popular runs to find some aggreable companions, if you want them. Days hiking alone, or just seeing others in passing, is very rewarding, zen like if you will.
Protection on the trail is something I tend to take rather serious, I ALWAYS carried a pistol, as I tend to be a 'back to the wall, eyes on the door' kind of fellow as well. Around the shelters at night some odd folks can show up!

Thru the south you shouldn't have a problem with any rangers should they spot you carrying. Thru the 'Whites' and elsewhere in new england... maybe not so much, use discretion.

Have fun, relax, enjoy your youth!

Here are a few pics from the last trip, and then I will quit hi-jacking your thread

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=973877

 

[bigalpha]

Awesome man, have fun!

 

[Cnickgo]

Have a blast!


When I was 22 I had the time, friends, and resources all set up for a thru hike from Maine down. Everyone but me backed out at the last minute, and I didn't go alone.
Of all the regrets that I have as a man that has reached "middle age", NOT pressing on and taking that trip is the greatest.

As far as being by yourself on the trail, there is enough traffic on the more popular runs to find some aggreable companions, if you want them. Days hiking alone, or just seeing others in passing, is very rewarding, zen like if you will.
Protection on the trail is something I tend to take rather serious, I ALWAYS carried a pistol, as I tend to be a 'back to the wall, eyes on the door' kind of fellow as well. Around the shelters at night some odd folks can show up!

Thru the south you shouldn't have a problem with any rangers should they spot you carrying. Thru the 'Whites' and elsewhere in new england... maybe not so much, use discretion.

Have fun, relax, enjoy your youth!

Here are a few pics from the last trip, and then I will quit hi-jacking your thread

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=973877

Those pictures are great!

I plan on stealth camping 50-100yds from the shelters in my bear feeder, so that I can enjoy company when I choose, but be secluded enough that anyone coming near me better answer quick before I come out swinging. Not to mention your statement "real men are afraid of mice", I'd rather not wake up at night with those furries running over my face. I'm still considering carrying, although I didn't get my CCP done in time, which makes the legal side a whole lot sketchier. A fine or seizure would end my trip (of course so would some moron).

 

[Ghost]

Be smart and be careful my friend.

 

[xjtrailrider]

The AT runs right through the Roanoke Valley and up through Catawba and into Craig County which is where I do most of my wheelin. Its steep and rugged. Dragons Back is within 10 miles of Roanoke.

There have been issues on the AT locally but they were many years back and mostly with female hikers that were alone or 2 females hiking together.

Have fun/be safe!

 

[High2by]

Awsome Nick. I don't think I would make it too far now but back in the day, that would have been a great opportunity, I just never got it.

Have fun, be safe, take lots of pics, don't feed the bears, and don't drink dowstream of the cattle.

 

[Cnickgo]

The AT runs right through the Roanoke Valley and up through Catawba and into Craig County which is where I do most of my wheelin. Its steep and rugged. Dragons Back is within 10 miles of Roanoke.

There have been issues on the AT locally but they were many years back and mostly with female hikers that were alone or 2 females hiking together.

Have fun/be safe!

Randal Lee Smith. Luckily he died in jail two years ago after finally confessing. He was responsible for 4/9 violent crimes on the trail. I remember reading the news article.

Virginia is considered the most difficult state. The northern states have more difficult terrain, but VA is a constant up-down-up-down, and wears you down mentally due to the green tunnel effect. Lucky for me, the AT in VA is my favorite place to be!

Come meet me on the trail. I'll trade you a trail meal for hot pizza and cold beer

 

[BruceB83]

Very cool Nick, I don't know that I have the guts to do it solo so props to you. I think I'd at least need a camera crew...(Bear Grylls)...haha.

About bringing the heat, I wouldn't be concerned about not having your CCW...most states on the upper part of the trail probably don't recognize NC carry anyways. The best way to carry is to seem to be not carrying at all....just remember that. If you do, nobody including Rangers will know. I'd rather be caught with it, no permit, than caught without it. I'll beg for forgiveness after I keep myself alive. Go with something such as the Ruger LCP or Taurus TCP. Both very small .380s. I have the Ruger that I carry, um, that I may or may not carry daily .

So you're starting at Springer on the 27th huh? I may join you for a day hike if you don't mind. When are you leaving to come down this way?

 

[Ghost]

As the saying goes: "I'd rather be judged by 12 then carried by 6!"

 

[xjtrailrider]

Come meet me on the trail. I'll trade you a trail meal for hot pizza and cold beer

If I'm available when you pass through here we can do that. I'll PM you my cell number.

 

[Ghost]

If I'm available when you pass through here we can do that. I'll PM you my cell number.

The image of you carrying a pizza box and 12 pack of beer on the trail looking for nick is too funny! :roll: :roflmao: :wave1: