4th Leg Appalachian Logistics and Preparations

Before any hike, Logistics and Preparations is imperative. If you go out there without the proper equipment, food or water...you could die. No Joke. However, with a little prep work, you can have a great hike, avoiding dangerous or uncomfortable situations. I'm still learning, every hike I try to take away lessons learned. Last hike i went on...I learned; Wet jeans equals uneed weight. So before I went this time I made sure I purchased a pair of North Face lightweight, perspiration wicking hiking trousers w/ plenty of pockets, from Hudson Trail Outfitters.

Food...Bring enough. Trail Meals, PowerBars, Energy Gels.

Trash bags..Bring one or two small bags. You pack it in, you bring it out. Leave No Trace!

Plan your Mileage...Set a goal, study maps, be realistic.

Jeremiah and I decided to leave my car at Beahms Gap on the Skyline drive. We didn't leave Fairfax until 9pm and it was about 11pm when we arrived at the Thorton Gap Entrance to the Shenandoah National Park. No one was manning the gate that late, shocker. Jeremiah and I pulled over to figure out what to do. We knew we needed a permit to go hiking in the Park...but there was no one there. Thats when Ranger Caldwell arrived. I got to give credit to this guy...I would have been scared to death rolling up on two cars in the middle of the night. He was very helpful, told us where to park and where to go for our permit the next day. So thank you Ranger Caldwell. It took 1.5 hrs to get back to Jeremiah's crib... I could not stay awake and fell asleep in the car.