- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
1
Posted on 9/30/19 at 5:42 pm to RocketTiger
quote:
2 liters should be enough. There are plenty of water sources and towns along the AT to replenish.
This is not true at this time of the year. Streams and creeks dry up. We haven't had any substantial rain in months. I've had to hike miles (out and back) to find a water source and pump water in the Grayson Highlands/Mt Rodgers area in Virginia.
I've seen times when groups eschew the shelters and backcountry campsites to seek out a water source. Once word gets out on the trail that there's a spring with some flow the water hole looks like a small city with all the tents.
Posted on 9/30/19 at 5:43 pm to Chicken
are hammocks not allowed either?
Posted on 9/30/19 at 5:47 pm to SlapahoeTribe
quote:
quote:
Also, these kids are having to carry four liters of water (weighing 9 pounds) because they won't be hiking or camping near water sources
On the Appalachian Trail???
Normally on the AT in VA you wouldn't have to worry about water but it has been dry there this year and some of the temporary springs and small streams might be dry. Since kids move so much slower as a group they are probably being cautious about water.
Posted on 9/30/19 at 6:50 pm to Chicken
Posted on 9/30/19 at 7:37 pm to dbeck
quote:
Trying to prevent these 8th graders from being pregnant in the 9th grade.
My first thought as well.
Posted on 9/30/19 at 7:40 pm to Chicken
I've hiked about 700 miles total on the AT and have never stayed in a tent. Always used tarps tied between trees, a hammock, or stayed in the public A-Frames along the trail. Tarps are much more foolproof than tents: less materials to break or lose, can be set up more easily in a lot of sites, etc. Also unless you're spending big money on a nice single person tent, a tarp is most likely lighter than a tent which as you said is a concern. Even a fairly cheap sleeping bag will make you perfectly comfortable in the 40's. You could always look into a bivy cover for the sleeping back which would make the bag waterproof. All in all, I much prefer sleeping "outside" than in a tent unless there are a ton of bugs.
As to the water, I don't remember how much water I carried exactly but I know I had a camelback and several Nalgeens on me all the time so I would guess close to 5 liters. There are a number of natural springs on the trail but for the most part you're having to purify stream water. There were definitely days where it would be hot and we might have 20 miles between 2 water sources. Four liters would be the absolute minimum I'd carry in a situation like that. 80lbs in 8th grade? that seems pretty light, I was 110 at the end of freshman year and I was rail thin. If he has a decent pack, carrying 30lbs won't be too bad.
Without knowing exactly what section you're hiking, how many miles, how many days, etc. It's really hard to say whether the company is being overly cautious. Have you looked up the company?
If you do go some other tips I have:
Get a pair of hiking gaiters. In the morning, even if no rain, there will be a lot of dew and your socks will get wet very easily. Gaiters stop this without having to wear long pants. Or
Convertible hiking pants are awesome, can go pants in the morning/night and shorts in the afternoon without packing extra stuff plus the lower leg will get wet in the morning and can be taken off and hung on your pack to dry during the day.
Find ways to cut out weight in other areas so that the water weight isn't a concern.
As to the water, I don't remember how much water I carried exactly but I know I had a camelback and several Nalgeens on me all the time so I would guess close to 5 liters. There are a number of natural springs on the trail but for the most part you're having to purify stream water. There were definitely days where it would be hot and we might have 20 miles between 2 water sources. Four liters would be the absolute minimum I'd carry in a situation like that. 80lbs in 8th grade? that seems pretty light, I was 110 at the end of freshman year and I was rail thin. If he has a decent pack, carrying 30lbs won't be too bad.
Without knowing exactly what section you're hiking, how many miles, how many days, etc. It's really hard to say whether the company is being overly cautious. Have you looked up the company?
If you do go some other tips I have:
Get a pair of hiking gaiters. In the morning, even if no rain, there will be a lot of dew and your socks will get wet very easily. Gaiters stop this without having to wear long pants. Or
Convertible hiking pants are awesome, can go pants in the morning/night and shorts in the afternoon without packing extra stuff plus the lower leg will get wet in the morning and can be taken off and hung on your pack to dry during the day.
Find ways to cut out weight in other areas so that the water weight isn't a concern.
Posted on 9/30/19 at 7:42 pm to Chicken
I hike the Georgia section of the AT about every few weeks. I see scouts and kids carrying far more than that. I am guessing they are going to try and take over a shelter as that’s what most of the scouts do. But also depending location a tarp and a ground pad is fine this time of year.
ETA 4 liters of water is no where near enough for more than a day/night, depending on how much they walk. I do far more than they will daily, anywhere from 15-25 miles, but I drink about 5 liters including cooking a day easily.
ETA 4 liters of water is no where near enough for more than a day/night, depending on how much they walk. I do far more than they will daily, anywhere from 15-25 miles, but I drink about 5 liters including cooking a day easily.
This post was edited on 9/30/19 at 7:55 pm
Posted on 9/30/19 at 7:46 pm to Chicken
quote:
covered by tarps?
No, there are A-Frame structures along the trail. Most of them have 2 levels and are closed on the back end, but wide open on the front. Usually a pit toilet nearby too. The only bad thing about them is they all have mice which is disconcerting in the middle of the night when one runs across you.
Posted on 9/30/19 at 8:06 pm to Chicken
Others have raised good points but this is the most important one.
I have been hiking for years. I would never let another group take my kid (at any age) into the woods unless my child was prepared.
My son has hiked hundreds of miles and backpacked for up to 2 weeks at a time. Under my supervision before I let him go with others.
I would never trust my child’s safety to a group of teachers or tour guides.
I have been hiking for years. I would never let another group take my kid (at any age) into the woods unless my child was prepared.
My son has hiked hundreds of miles and backpacked for up to 2 weeks at a time. Under my supervision before I let him go with others.
I would never trust my child’s safety to a group of teachers or tour guides.
Posted on 9/30/19 at 8:19 pm to SECdragonmaster
Many years ago as a Boy Scout we did Philmont, a 14 day trip in New Mexico.
We carried and cooked our freeze dried food, slept in tents.
Water ? We took a frickin jug down to the stream.
Bears, yea nearly every nite we had to deal with em.
One of best times in my life....
We carried and cooked our freeze dried food, slept in tents.
Water ? We took a frickin jug down to the stream.
Bears, yea nearly every nite we had to deal with em.
One of best times in my life....
Posted on 9/30/19 at 8:32 pm to SECdragonmaster
These are 8th grade girls in a group with 2 female teachers and one female guide. Not sure if the teachers have ever been camping/backpacking but none of the girls have been. Zero survival skills — city girls through and through. Yes, she is 78 lbs and 13 years old. Smallest kids osprey 50L pack at REI did not fit and hit the hips in a way where it caused discomfort — loaded the pack in store with 15 lbs weight and had an experienced sales person adjust the pack.
She will be staying home. There are too many serious questions and far too few answers from the school and guide company.
I appreciate all the responses.
She will be staying home. There are too many serious questions and far too few answers from the school and guide company.
I appreciate all the responses.
Posted on 9/30/19 at 8:36 pm to TigerStripes06
quote:
Sounds like the kids are pussies.
Considering these are city girls, yes you could say that.
Posted on 9/30/19 at 8:39 pm to WalterDisney
quote:
Soft arse parents. Let me guess. Some high brow private school?
Doubt it. My kids’ classes go glamping in the Rockies. Asking these kids to sleep under a tarp and carry their own water wouldn’t make it out of the first meeting.
This post was edited on 9/30/19 at 8:40 pm
Posted on 10/1/19 at 5:43 am to pjab
It’s 2-3 days...do the kids want to go? Why is no one asking that? If the kids want to go, what the heck is so crazy dangerous for 2-3 days of hiking? As said depending on the conditions tents can be over rated.
Water will completely depend on the area.
Even if it’s a crappy hiking company there will be teachers there that will hopefully be responsible adults no matter their hiking experience. And with 8 graders they are likely not hiking more then 5-6 miles a day. Likely under that as to keep it easy.
Water will completely depend on the area.
Even if it’s a crappy hiking company there will be teachers there that will hopefully be responsible adults no matter their hiking experience. And with 8 graders they are likely not hiking more then 5-6 miles a day. Likely under that as to keep it easy.
Posted on 10/1/19 at 5:55 am to Chicken
Maybe divert some of the ca$h you saved buying entry-level koozies to finding a better tour operator?
Posted on 10/1/19 at 5:57 am to Y.A. Tittle
quote:don't sleep in the lofts unless you want to be overrun with mice in the middle of the night. Worst night's sleep of my entire life - luckily i didn't contract the hantavirus.
The AT has open covered shelters that are spaced approx a day's hike from each other along the trail and supposedly can sleep a mess of folks. Are they planning on stopping at those perhaps?
Can they bring hammocks instead of tents?
Posted on 10/1/19 at 6:01 am to Chicken
quote:
Does this trip seem like a bad idea?
As it's planned yes it's a bad idea
quote:
are these parents being overprotective?
Nope
Posted on 10/1/19 at 6:03 am to Chicken
quote:
Also, these kids are having to carry four liters of water (weighing 9 pounds) because they won't be hiking or camping near water source
On the Appalachian Trail? There should be plenty of water sources.
Edit: other posters bring up good points about it being dry this time of year.
This post was edited on 10/1/19 at 6:09 am
Posted on 10/1/19 at 6:18 am to Chicken
For kids who haven’t been in Scouts (or camped consistently), sleeping with primitive cover in those conditions can be stressful. Unless, that’s the point.
Main issue would be the tarp not being set up correctly, but I suspect the outfitter will educate everyone properly and it really isn’t difficult. Still, it’s a high likelihood there will be plenty of cold/wet kids complaining.
Don’t really blame the parents who hold them out. Two man hiking tents would’ve been optimal.
If it’s dry enough for fires, s’mores go a LONG way of chilling the monkeys out.
Main issue would be the tarp not being set up correctly, but I suspect the outfitter will educate everyone properly and it really isn’t difficult. Still, it’s a high likelihood there will be plenty of cold/wet kids complaining.
Don’t really blame the parents who hold them out. Two man hiking tents would’ve been optimal.
If it’s dry enough for fires, s’mores go a LONG way of chilling the monkeys out.
Page 4 of 5
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News