2008 Planning

The 2008 plan calls for a short 54 mile hike in the White Mountains of NH, from Franconia Notch to Pinkham Notch. Rather simple, just a few Presidential-size mountains over 5,000 feet and a whopper at 6,288 feet named Mt. Washington. So what that the world's on-land wind record was recorded here at 231 miles per hour? So what that the trail is above tree line, and in the wind, most of the way through this section? Our travellers don't care. Ain't nuthin'. Well, maybe they care a little. They will only hike this section when it is safe and they are prepared to abort if it's not. After all, these clueless hikers have learned a great deal over the past few years and would like to live to complete the entire AT some day. Hike on!

Kinsman Notch, NH to Franconia Notch

Given a shortened schedule this year, Tin Man and Bartender covered fewer miles and still managed to have fun on this two-night excursion. The real fun began when our hikers reached the first shelter close to dark and had the campsite to themselves, or maybe not. What's with these private high school groups in the White Mountains? Oops, I just answered my own question - the White Mountains are very popular especially on Columbus Day Weekend. Doh! Anyway, the weather was great, so the high-schoolers whined a lot less than the group our hikers encountered in May.

Tin Man and Bartender had read that the climb up South Kinsman was an adventure in hand over fist climbing, very tough and slow going. Well, someone must have been pulling their legs, because it was not as tough as they were led to believe. Or maybe these two are actually becoming real hikers? Nah! Anyway, our hikers had the trail to themselves going north up South Kinsman. Wow, this is great they thought. Upon arriving at the summit, they encountered literally dozens of day hikers, many with dogs, who came up from the nearest road about 4 miles north. Oh well, the trail is going to be very different until they complete the Whites. Should be fun!

October 2007, 16.3 miles

Glencliff, NH to Kinsman Notch

Last fall's hike ended early when our hikers decided not to climb Mt. Moosilauke since thunder and lightning were called for, not to mention icy conditions by morning. Concerned that crossing the first of the White Mountains, above tree line, in a lighnting storm might not be such a good idea, Tin Man and Bartender waited for Spring to hike this intrepid mountain. So, instead they hiked in May when there was solid ice, 3 feet of snow in places and it was pouring rain - sideways at that. No problem, a'int nuthin'. When are these guys going to learn that every time they postpone a hike, conditions are worse when they return?

Well, hike they did in these snow-packed, rainy conditions, slipping, sliding, and postholing their way over Moosilauke. Tin Man: "Wow this is great up here. Check out the views!" Bartender: "We are in a cloud you idiot. There ain't no views. And I am freezing cold in this driving rain. Let's go NOW!" Spoil sport. If you see a backpack rain cover hung up in a tree about 10 miles from here, its probably Tin Man's. That's how hard the wind was blowing when he lost his cover.

Shelters are not cool in good weather - too dirty and too many mice. It turns out they are not cool in foul weather either - too many tourists! Our hikers were merely trying to warm up, dry off and spend a quiet night before heading home the next day. Yeah right! First a group of day hikers climbed something like 3,000 feet vertical because they needed to collect a 4,000 footer for one of the group. Nice day for that! It's comforting to know other nuts are out here in this stuff. Well, these clowns kept stomping around and being obnoxious, so when they asked how it was at the top, Tin Man replied: "It's great, you hike out of the clouds into a brilliant sunshine and have views of the cloudtops forever." After this group leaves a short while later, Bartender says: "You know, what are you going to tell that big guy built like a professional football linesman, when he gets back here after finding out you weren't telling the truth?" Tin Man: "I am going to ask him if he saw my pack cover. Why?"

Seconds after the 4,000-foot club wannabes return from their ascent and leave for home (and Tin Man survives the encounter), a private high school group of whiners joins them at the shelter - 15 of them! The leader says something about when there are others in the shelter before them the rule is "thou shall not invade". After thu and her merry band completed the invasion and Tin Man and Bartender are pushed tightly against the wall, they look at each other and say: "oh boy, we are having fun now". So, they pack and leave. The trip down the re-barred steps built into the rock was not as fearsome, as uh, feared. The waterfalls along the trail-side were spectacular!

May 2007, 9.5 miles

Hanover, NH to Glencliff, NH

New Hamsphire is tough! You have to hike downhill to go up and you really have to hike uphill to go up. It's all good though. This trip they only managed to stay at a shelter area one night, the rest was stealth camping off the trail. Apparently it was a huge mistake waiting out the rain and starting at noon after the first night. There was just no way these two could do 9-10 mile days in NH between noon and dark and that first day put them off the schedule to make the rest of the shelters by dark in this section. Didn't they make the same mistake when they were finishing Massachusetts?

Stealth camping did turn out to be a fun challenge. Our travellers had to find a secluded spot to set up each night out of sight of the trail. One major benefit is the ground is a lot softer in the woods than on a wood tent platform or a hardened dirt tent-site. Another benefit is you don't have to share your space with anyone but your hiking partner. Well, it ain't perfect, I grant you. Mornings at the stealth site usually entailed interesting dialogue. Bartender: "wow, I slept well on the soft ground. Let's get going. Um, which way to the trail?" Tin Man: "what trail?"

October 2006, 40.5 miles

North Clarendon, VT to Hanover, NH

Bartender and Tin Man cross the Connecticut River to finish their 2005 hike in Hanover, NH. This was their longest AT hike yet with over 63 miles covered in a leisurely 6 days. Well, it was not quite so easy as the trail crosses many ridges "against the grain" going eastbound from Killington to here, versus the less strenuous travel along the ridge-tops "with the grain" of the VT Green Mountains farther south.

October 2005, 62.8 miles

Stratton, VT to North Clarendon, VT

Stratton Mountain is a great place to pause, eat lunch and climb the fire tower! Stratton Pond, a few miles north (it's actually west, but north by AT standards), is a great place to camp. Our travelers had another fine hiking year, only raining when the fire was ready for steaks one night. Tin Man: "How do you like your pan fried steak?" Bartender: "Green side up." Tin Man: "It hasn't been thawed that long...well, maybe." Bartender, a short while later: "This tastes interesting. [pause] But good!"

The trail over Stratton misses the ski resort by 3/4 miles, but it goes right up the center of a ski trail on Bromley. Neat! Thank the maker they didn't need ski's though.

October 2004, 49.4 miles

North Adams, MA to Stratton, VT

Rain? What rain? Bartender and Tin Man finished their hike earlier than planned the previous year because it might rain. This year Mother Nature simply rained with all her might. The trail was a stream only where it was not a pond. Well, it was only one day out of 5, no problem. That was their welcome to VT!

They found hiking was easier with real hiking sticks, Leki poles to be exact. Thanks Mom and Dad! At least, they work well when you don't leave them in the rental car. No more picking up wood sticks until it was time to set the fire for the evening, or in the morning to dry out boots. Did I mention they had rain?

October 2003, 40.7 miles

Lee, MA to North Adams, MA

Left foot, right foot, repeat. Sounds easy? Try doing back to back 15+ mile days over some interesting hills, including Mt. Greylock. It's not so easy. 4 days, 3 nights, our travellers had a blast. How long can such fun last?

September 2002, 42.3 miles

Salisbury, CT to Lee, MA

Two interesting characters set off on a five day, 5o mile walk along the AT, hiking from Salisbury, CT to Lee, MA. Up, down and around mountains and through the woods, not to Grandma's house, but to a spot for a tent they went. The hiking was grueling, but not a bore. They were constantly parched, yet they kept drooling for more. Each night they setup camp, had a fire or sat by a lamp, and cooked with a scotch in one hand, you understand. The solitude gave them fortitude to celebrate brotherhood and manhood, as they could. This would be their first hike. Would it be their last?

September 2001, 48.7 miles

TRAIL NAMES: A hiker they camped with one night start calling one brother Bartender after his exploits pouring drinks around the campfire one evening. Bartender started calling his brother Tin Man, that would be me, after he banged an empty soda can, conveniently discovered in a cooler near a road (and subsequently drained), on his wood hiking stick to scare away any bears that might be in the area. (Well, they did see some bear sign earlier in the day.) Their trail names were born!

Brothers

Tin Man and Bartender started backpacking together in the 1990's. After aimlessly wandering the Adirondacks on annual fall trips, they decided it was time to take on something that had an objective with a start and end point - the Appalachian Trail! Could they have chosen a shorter trail with a simpler objective? Certainly, positively, absolutely, yes! Did they? Nope, nada, no way, no! What's a little 2174.2 mile trail between two brothers anyway? Don't attempt to answer that. Even they are clueless. They do know it will be a multiple year adventure and they will not now, or probably ever, try to do it all at once. They may be crazy but not that crazy!


So, our intrepid adventurers started this mindless odyssey in September of 2001. A short 50 miles was the goal over 5 days. No problem. Blisters and pain, mice and rain, would not deter these fellers on their way northwards towards Maine. They slept in 3-sided shelters, cooked simple meals over a small stove, filtered water from streams and simply had the time of their lives, don't you know. Year after year, trip after trip, they grow smarter on the ways of the AT hiker. They also have grown famous among friends and family who ask important questions like: when are you going this year, how far, where are you now?

The map shows where our travelers have hiked each year. (Click on the map for a closer look.) They started in Salisbury, CT in 2001 and have hiked between 42 and 63 miles each fall and will be picking up the trail where they left off again this year, in Franconia Notch, NH. In the summer of 2007, they finished the AT in CT through a series of day hikes dating back to 2005. They also began day hiking NY in 2007 and will continue to do more mileage here as schedules permit. If you look at the big picture, 2174.2 miles is a long way. At current annual mileage rates our friends will complete the AT in 36 years! Say it ain't so! Well the story goes that these two dreamers think retirement may offer more opportunities. We shall see, there are wives involved, you know.

Lessons Learned

Lessons Learned

Novices can learn many things from experienced hikers... and vice-versa. Here are a few things Tin Man and Bartender have learned.


10 (or 12) things to remember...

1. Shelters are where the mice live and other hikers do whatever they please, which is likely to include activities you will not find pleasing. Don't sleep there, simply bring your own shelter - a tent, hammock, or even a tarp, will do.



2. Hiking sticks will help your knees on the downhills and have been known to prevent falling, use them.



3. Ration your food and save weight so you don't have to ration more important supplies, like your favorite libation.



4. A headlamp will make it easier to do things with your hands, like cook, setup after dark and wipe up after yourself.



5. Carry a map and compass, so when you are lost you can find yourself.



6. Cook your food on a stable surface, round objects tend to roll your meal into the dirt.



7. Water can be scarce, fill your bottles when you have a chance, filter if you suspect your source is below a cultivated field, beaver dam, or moose flop.



8. Contrary to popular belief, bears do not eat hikers, but if you are not careful you will get run over by a bus before you get to the trail.



9. Bring your own TP, there ain't none provided.



10. Hikers are nice folk, say hello, be friendly and by golly don't talk religion or politics with people you don't know!



11. Don't whine! Hiking and camping is rough outdoor work. It often involves strenuous climbing and descending tall mountains that require much huffing and puffing. It is supposed to rain or cold, and be extra hot or cold - it's call Mother Nature. Get over it!



12. Ask questions, learn as you go, don't hyperventilate over the best way to hike - there ain't no perfect way, just a few dumb ways, avoid those.

10 hiking terms to become acquainted with...

1. Blaze - No, it's not a big fire. It's the the vertical paint mark on the trees that tell you where to go. They come in a variety of colors to help guide you. White blazes signify the AT. Blue blazes lead to a scenic side trail, town or shortcut. Yellow blazes are the markings on the highway for when you want to skip a bunch of silly white blazes altogether. Brown blazes means it's time for clean clothes.


2. HYOH, or Hike Your Own Hike, is a saying other hikers use just after they finish telling you how to hike. Don't listen, just put one foot in front of the other and do what works for you.



3. LNT, or Leave No Trace, is an impossible goal. When you visit a place, you leave a trace, just don't leave any garbage. Pack in/pack out is what you need to do. And try not to burn the place down.



4. Privy, or Outhouse - the place where you go #2, they are now asking you do #1 in the woods, but not in or near the water sources, please. ALTERNATIVE: Cat hole - not for a cat, but for making a deposit when there ain't no Privy.



5. PUD, or Pointless Up and Down, is a long climb to a hilltop with no view. Suck it up and keep going, there will be another hill with a view, trust me.



6. Stealth - camping below the radar of other hikers, as in out of sight. A good way to avoid whining newbies at shelters.



7. Shelter or lean-to - Three-sided wooden structure used by amateur hikers and mice. Good for getting out of nasty weather, or hanging with others when you want company, but not much else. Carry and sleep in your own tent.



8. Trail Magic - an unplanned activity that helps you in an unexpected way. If you come across a stash of cold, fresh beer near a road, that is future trash, not magic. Stop and do the right thing - drink it before it goes bad.



9. Trail Angel - someone who stops by to spread some magic. If you have a specific requirement, go into town and pay for it yourself.



10. Yogi-ing - The art of pretending you are needy in order to score some food or a ride without actually asking for food or a ride, that's begging.

The Appalachian Trail - all 2174.2 miles!

Click on the picture to see full size