Go at sunrise to beat the traffic. Even in prime tourist season it'll practically be empty with the exception of a photographer or two and some landscape painters.
Do you have the blank templates? I'd love to try this out!
You have to use the shelters if they're not full of people by the time you get there. I believe that is outlined in the backcountry permit you received.
It's not specifically an eye dropper bottle, but I didn't know what else to call it lol. GGG has other options too. I use the little pill bottle to hold my toothpaste tabs, and I think I even got my toothpaste tabs from GGG also 😂
https://www.garagegrowngear.com/products/lotion-bottles?_pos=4&_sid=bb894440d&_ss=r
Compared to soap, it's not really effective. My little bottle of camp soap weighs less than hand sanitizer, cleans way better, and lasts much longer since you only need a drop or two at once.
If that's the case, keep just the baselayer top and eliminate the tank top and sleep shirt. Then you'll have a fleece, puffy, rain jacket, hiking shirt, and 1 spare shirt.
Hand sanitizer really doesn't do anything, so Dr. Bronners it is for me! I'm impressed you're going with a menstrual cup. That's my daily (monthly? 😅) driver, but with how disgusting I get in the backcountry I don't wanna risk infection so I'm just gonna go back to tampons unfortunately.
FUD = female urinary device, AKA the pstyle! Probably my favorite piece of gear in that entire list.
Starting 4/10, similar demographic as you. Here's my lighterpack if you care for a reference: https://lighterpack.com/r/tpq1kv
Personally I think you have too many clothes. You probably don't need a baselayer top, a sleep shirt, a hiking shirt, and a separate tank top. Not to mention your puffy, fleece, and rain jacket. I'm going with a hiking shirt, fleece, puffy, and rain jacket only. Keep it simple.
You also don't need a stuff sack for clothes, just keep them loose at the bottom of your pack. They'll compress better under all your stuff weighing them down. Along the same idea, idk what a pillow stuff sack is but it's also probably unnecessary.
Just check for Air BnBs or VRBOs with fences. And also remember dogs are not allowed on GSMNP hiking trails. The only 2 exceptions are the Gatlinburg Trail and Oconaluftee River Trail.
That's not a thing. When a murder happens on the AT it makes crazy news because of the rarity. You can find all the information on any of the 13 murders that have occurred along the trail since its completion in 1937.
It's a big dog with past history of aggression. Check the post history.
I like Nuun, but there's not much flavor to them. I mix in something additional for flavor like Crystal Light.
I haven't tried LMNT but I did try Liquid IV and I assume they're similar in terms of salt content and salty flavor. Absolutely cannot do it.
It was alright. They help teach you how to teach your dog basic tricks and behaviors. I can't remember how much it cost when I took my dog through it ~5 years ago, but it was worth it I think. It's also a good place to socialize your puppy with other puppies in a controlled environment.
Haven't hiked the AT yet, as I'm a few months out from my start date. BUT I also work a sedentary desk job and I invested in a standing desk and walking pad. It's been absolutely fantastic and I recommend it to anyone who will listen!
I can walk at a brisk pace when I'm in the zone and doing solo work, and when I'm in a meeting I can slow down and go more leisurely so I can talk without losing my breath. And when I'm not working, I will just walk and watch a movie or play a video game.
It's hard for me to stay active in the winter months as I live in the Midwest, so this has been great. I only spent $300 total between the desk and walking pad, but you could even go less and still benefit!
The sides (walls) sag no matter how well I stake out the corners. And there are no side panel pullouts to straighten them out. It's better than nothing I guess, and there's probably a way to manage it. But for almost $90 you'd think you wouldn't need to have any issues to manage 🤷♀️
Go big on the gift card and she will be stoked lol trail runners are expensive and she'll need a few new pairs during her hike
As someone heading out for an AT thru in 2024, all I want for gifts are gift cards. I do not want anyone trying to give me gear I won't use.
Another good idea might be dehydrated meals! Stuff she can't easily find on trail that she really likes.
A gift card to wherever she buys her trail runners
It wasn't about the pens though. It was about Pete.
Where are you gonna go
and this one belongs to the reds
Reds