MAKING A LIFE IN THE MOUNTAINS: FROM CONCEPT TO REALITY (An Introduction)

 If you're reading this blog, I think it's safe to assume that you are like me - you're drawn to the mountains in a way that can't be shaken or even explained to those around you.  There's just something about being surrounded by that beauty that often times can't be put into words that could convey the way it makes you feel.  Is it the clean, fresh air?  Is it the earthy smell of the woods?  Is it the way that an unexpected view can take my breath away?  Or could it be that it's simply where I feel I "belong?" 

 

  Whatever it is about the mountains that has captured you, thoughts of making a life amidst those hills will most likely drift into your mind as you spend your days in whatever "reality" means for you.  I know that I can attest to the fact that each time I wandered the Appalachian Trail, it became harder and harder for me to re-adjust to being home again.  Making a life in the mountains sounds good in theory, but what does it really take to make that dream a reality?  And, how much would it cost to do so?  Granted, cost is relative to what your desires are - whether you want a hilltop mansion set in the middle of hundreds of acres with those million-dollar views - or whether you'd be content to start at ground-zero and build that dream by hand from the ground up.

I know two people who are in the process of doing just that - building their dream into their reality.  It's not a quick process, that much is for sure.  But the rewards of watching something grow that you're building with your own hands can be truly rewarding.  It's not always glamorous - it's probably not for everyone because some just can fathom living without all of the modern conveniences that we've come to expect and take for granted.  I'll admit that I never pictured myself actually wanting to be in more of an off-grid environment, meaning no cell-phone service, no TV, and no Wi-Fi connection.  But then 2020 entered into the picture and the tiny amount of time I've actually been able to spend tucked away up on that mountaintop has become a refuge for me.  I never thought it was possible to simply crawl up a steep gravel driveway and that, once securely up on the cleared pad, the rest of the crazy world could just disappear - until it did.

In light of my being able to experience their work-in-progress first-hand, I asked the property owners if they would agree to let me share their journey with the readers here.  I thought it might be interesting to follow their progress as they work towards turning what was once just a dream into a reality - into a life in the mountains.  I hope you'll enjoy following along!!!

HOW TO ANSWER THESE IMPORTANT QUESTIONS: HOW MUCH FURTHER IS IT? ARE WE THERE YET? WHERE ARE WE?

As a back-country hiker and a fan of gadgets, I’d like to offer a performance review of the Delorme Earthmate PN-60 hand-held GPS.  I generally hike with my sisters, and we each have our particular duties as part of the team.  I’m in charge of weather and keeping us on course.  I strongly recommend carrying a light-weight GPS on any hike.  It’s always good to know your position and, with advances in hand-held units, it’s really nice to see where you are on the map.  I’ve been working with GPS technology for about 15 years.  I’ve used everything from the primitave Garmin GPS-12 – one of the first hand-held units – to the PN-60 with its advanced features.  I worked with GPS while navigating boats, and I’ve also worked with high-precision mobile mapping GPS units while collecting infrastructure data.  So, let me tell you why I like the PN-60.

The PN-60 is a relatively small, light-weight handheld that’s perfect for back-country hiking.  It’s rugged and waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about breaking it.  It also features a high level of accuracy achieved through what’s known as WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) functionality that utilizes several GPS satellites to calculate position.  This might sound like overkill, but, when you’re halfway up that long incline, it’s nice to know precisely where you stand – literally.  A detailed base-map comes pre-installed.  I opted for the higher-detail Delorme Topo maps.  The higher level of topographic detail is nice to have.  The Delorme software allows users to create way points, tracks, and custom cut map tiles for just what’s needed.  This saves a lot of memory space on the unit and increases overall performance.  There’s also a barometric altimeter built into the unit which gives the user altitude detail both real-time and throughout the hike.  We always look back at our hike tracks and marvel at some of the elevation changes we endure.  Some folks may not desire the detail, but it’s nice to have if you want it.  Speaking of hike tracks, as with any decent unit, the PN-60 will store tracks that can later be downloaded to Google Earth, or the Delorme Topo software.  The PN-60 will run for a couple of days on two AA Lithium batteries, but there’s no need to leave it on unless you’re recording a track.  The unit has 32 satellite channels, so acquiring enough satellites to calculate position is generally quick.  The PN-60 is a great hand-held GPS unit for hiking.  Its full-functionality and rugged construction make it a great unit for all-weather conditions.  There are several other options on the market, so do a little research.  There are cheaper models out there, but be sure to consider rugged construction and water tightness.  Feel free to send me any questions you have on this, or just about any hand-held GPS on the market.  I’m happy to help.  Happy hiking.

WHAT'S IN YOUR BACKPACK?

I'll begin by offering this brief disclaimer: there are as many opinions on just what's the best gear as there are AT hikers!  What I'm about to show you is what works best for ME.


I think it's best to start at the beginning!  One of the first essential pieces of gear to consider is the backpack.  I can attest to how important it is to choose this correctly, meaning take the time to get ACCURATELY  measured before dropping some dollars on this piece of equipment.  I stress the word "accurately" because getting a pack that fits correctly can literally make or break your hiking spirit!

I truly thought that I'd measured myself correctly before buying my first pack.  I excitedly rushed into Dick's Sporting Goods and purchased a Kelty pack, selecting the one next in line from the biggest one they make.  It weighed in at 5 or 6 pounds (if my memory serves me), and I was certain it would have room for everything I planned to carry on my first overnight hike on the AT.  This is me, standing at the sign marking the trail to the Springer Mountain Shelter.  See that smile on my face?  Trust me when I tell you it didn't last long!

I'd measured myself right at the 18" mark, and opted for a regular torso length pack.  All seemed well - at first.  We made it up the Approach Trail from Amicalola Falls.  I probably didn't even notice how much I was hurting from a pack that didn't fit me correctly because everything else in my body ached as we climbed Springer Mountain.  But when I woke up the next morning, the area above my hip bones was so sore that I honestly didn't think I'd be able to put the pack back on.  I did, and we finished out hike.

The next day, however, we headed to Mountain Crossings at Neel Gap for a pack shakedown and advice on my issues.  Turns out, my pack was too big for me.  When the very knowledgeable young man in the store measured me, I needed a small torso pack.  He chose one for me to try on, and the difference was amazing!  Because it fit me correctly, the hip belt didn't touch the tender areas my other pack had caused.  The fact that it was a women's pack meant that the design of the shoulder straps was a bit different too, making it fit me much better around my shoulder area.  I truly couldn't believe the difference!  So, $200 later, I left with the right pack, and still carry it today.

My ULA Catalyst

Yeah - I know.  It doesn't look like it would cost $200, but it was some of the best money I could have ever spent!  It's a simple pack, weighing in at 3 pounds.  It's a top-loader, with a large net pocket on the outside, a smaller, zipped one inside, two large pouches on each side, and two small pouches attached to the hip belt.

Yes, it can be a challenge to load until you do it a couple of times.  And, at the end of the day, I do have to take everything out to get to my sleeping bag.  But I really have no complaints about this pack.  It's served me well!  About 3 years ago, I purchased an Osprey women's pack, but have yet to carry it.  It's a heavier pack with a different type of suspension, and Osprey does seem to be "the name" you see most on the trail.  For now, however, I'm sticking with what's tried and true.  I'll be taking my ULA on my next adventure!

Selecting gear can almost seem overwhelming at times.  Not to mention, it can get really expensive.  My personal advice to you is this:  if you're on a budget, I think the three items that are worth spending the most money on are your pack, your tent, and your shoes.  Ultralight is expensive, folks.  There's a limit to what I will (or can) spend on gear, no matter how cool and shiny it looks, or how many people carry it on the trail.  That being said, shoot for a good backpack before anything else.  There are tents you can buy that might be a bit heavier, but will do the job.  My first tent was a Eureka 2 person tent.  My sister and I hiked together so we split up the weight.  It came it at about 5 pounds or so, but proved itself to be waterproof and roomy ( since we shared it).

If you know someone who hikes, maybe they have some  gear they'd be willing to let you borrow - but please, don't take it personally if they don't want to - we tend to guard our gear pretty fiercely.  If you can only afford one costly item to begin with, go for a good pack.  You can always add to your ultralight collection later if you decide long-distance hiking is for you! 

Next time, I'll cover a bit more of my basic gear like my tent and sleeping system.  Again, it's all things I've learned over the course of my section hikes.  I'm by no means an expert!  I don't claim to be!  Part of the fun of a hike such as this is the planning and learning.  My hope, however, is to help you avoid some of the mistakes I made!

HAPPY HIKING, EVERYONE!!!

SO, WHAT CAN I EXPECT ON THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL?

The View from the Fire Tower on Albert Mountain

I think this question can best be answered by telling you what we weren't really expecting on that day we set out to complete our first section hike.  Rain.  And lots of it.  So much that we actually held off departing for a day.  But, the rain didn't seem to care that we were on a time schedule and couldn't delay starting our hike past the one day we chose wait it out.  Nope.  It was still coming down by the bucketfuls on the second morning, but we had no choice but to load up and head up to the parking lot at Springer Mountain.

 I can vividly remember sitting in the back seat of the shuttle driver's pickup truck, wondering what on earth we'd gotten ourselves into.  Jack offered to "wait it out," but it looked set in for the day, so we declined his generous offer.  He was so happy as he zipped up his rain jacket and hopped out of the truck - maybe because he knew he'd been hopping right back in a couple of minutes later.  I zipped up the camo rain jacket we'd purchased at Walmart the day before, opened the door, and stepped out into the pouring rain. We slung our backpacks on, waved goodbye to Jack, and took our first steps on the Appalachian Trail - in the pouring rain, making our way through what seemed more like a stream than a trail 

Scott and me at the summit of Springer Mountain

Thankfully, the rain stopped by the time we reached Three Forks, and stayed away for the remainder of the hike.  That being said, what we learned from that point on was that mountains tend to make their own weather, so expect to be rained on at least once during any particular hike!  I'll add the following disclaimer: while you might get "used" to walking in the rain, it is not "refreshing," nor does it help wash away the hiker smell.  You'll probably argue with yourself about whether to wear the rain gear or if it's just a waste of time - it'll make you sweat, but without it, you risk getting cold (yes, even in the warmer weather) - and when you get where you're going, you'll have one more piece of wet stuff to find a place to hang.

Double Spring Gap Shelter, Smoky Mountains

No hope of getting a fire started in this one!

A shelter full of 12 soggy hikers!

 It's in the rain, that you learn what it means to "embrace the suck."  And it does suck.  We spent two full days of hiking in the pouring rain as we covered the first half of the Smoky Mountains.  It was not fun in any sense of the word.  With the rain comes other foes: mud and slippery rocks/tree roots.

MUD

AND MORE MUD (managed to keep shoes on feet though)

During said hike in the Smoky Mountains, I found myself on my backside in a cold, muddy puddle thanks to a tree root that I couldn't see because it was under water.  It's not fun, folks!

Between Double Spring Gap shelter and Clingman's Dome

The beauty of the AT

But it's some of the most memorable time you'll spend hiking -

The moral of the story is to go into a section hike knowing that it WILL rain on you at some point - maybe even for days at a time. Expect it.  Embrace it.  Revel in the feeling of the cold water running down your legs, soaking your socks, and sloshing around in your shoes.  Bask in the glory of having to slide back into those cold, wet clothes the next morning.  And know that, when all is said and done and you're back home all toasty and dry, that you'll look back on those rainy days and think to yourself, "It doesn't get any better than that!"

Happy Hiking!

IT'S BEEN WAY TOO LONG - JUST SAYING HELLO!

I’d like to take a moment to say hello to our followers.  I know that posts have not been put up on a regular basis, but I’m hoping to change that in the next few weeks.  We all know how it is.  Life gets busy and, before you know it, months have passed by in a blur!  At least, that’s how it feels to me.  I thought a good way to get back into the swing of things would be to post a little bit about myself, and I’m hoping to include profiles from my (hiking) partners in crime.  

 Lori Domingo aka Headlight

Somewhere in the Smoky Mountains!

     Hi.  My name is Lori - my trail name is Headlight - and I’m an (almost senior citizen) Appalachian Trail section hiker.  My obsession with the AT began back in November, 2011, while on a trip with my youngest son to visit the senior military college he would be attending the following August up in Dahlonega, Georgia.  While he was busy doing his thing with his ROTC peers, I had time on my hands and ended up visiting Amicalola State Park.  I honestly had no idea when I was paying the park entrance fee that I’d soon be standing in front of that famous arch that marked the beginning of the Approach Trail.  Taking one step through that arch was all it took!  I knew in my heart that I HAD to hike the AT – even though, at that time, I’d never hiked or camped anywhere (except for during basic training).  I had no gear.  I had no experience.  And, I’d soon come to find out that I had no idea! 
     Fast forward to today, and I can say that I’ve got a mere 223 miles under my backpack hip-belt.  While I wish I could get out on the trail more often, it simply doesn’t always work out the way I plan.  Accepting that fact is something that my time on the AT has taught me.  To date, I’ve completed all of the Georgia section (including the Approach Trail), and then from the GA/NC state line up to Clingman’s Dome in the Smoky Mountains.  To many, that might not sound like much.  But I can genuinely say that I’ve learned something each time we’ve set out. 
      It is our sincere hope here at Trail Snails that what we have to offer will help someone make the decision to get off the couch and hit the trail.  We’re not experts.  We don’t claim to be.  We do, however, have the knowledge we’ve gained from each one of our section hikes.  And if we don’t know the answer, we will certainly try to find someone who does.  This is a place for beginners.  This is a place for experienced hikers to share with beginners.  Please stay tuned as we try to get things in order!

Happy Hiking!

Scott Keith - aka Weatherman

      My name is Scott Keith and I was drawn to the world of back-country hiking by my love for the mountains and the sense of accomplishment that completing a challenging hike brings to my life.  I’ve been hiking on and off for roughly seven years.  My first exposure to backpacking came on a section of the Florida Trail.  We utilized these hikes near our home to prepare for our bigger, longer adventures on the Appalachian Trail.  I’ve completed three sections of the AT covering ground in Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee.  I learned a lot about backpacking equipment and skills from my sister, Lori Domingo.  Her passion for hiking and the challenge of the hills is unparalleled.  I consider myself the “technical support” of the team, with Lori being the route planner, and my other sister, Debbie, being the food and logistics planner.  I handle the route mapping and analysis and carry a GPS to keep us on track.  I’m an Air Force-trained weather forecaster, so I also provide weather support for our team.  Everyone has a role of sorts, and it’s always a blast.  In the real world, I’m a maintenance supervisor for a large city’s traffic signal department. I look forward to every hike and can’t wait for the next adventure.  Happy hiking!

 Debbie Keith aka: No Trail Name Yet!