Video: Appalachian Section Hike 2016 - Part 1

[Dead Man]

My son and I did a section hike on the AT at the end of May 2016. Part 1 is a breakdown of the planning and the first day's travel and initial half day on the trail starting at Deep Gap and ending at Carter Gap Shelter. The other three parts will be posting up in a couple days.

[Spiguyver]

Thanks for sharing that! I did part of the section you guys did last year, and part of it (from Winding Stair to NOC) this year with my 11 yr old son. Awesome!

[Klaussinator]

"... We're men. We're hammock men and we're proud!"

Great video, DaddyDaddy. That ought to be the cry of hammock campers everywhere! haha

-Klauss

[Dead Man]

"... We're men. We're hammock men and we're proud!"

Great video, DaddyDaddy. That ought to be the cry of hammock campers everywhere! haha

-Klauss

The truth is I probably should have said, "We're goofballs, we're a pair of goofballs, and we're just out on a lark but having a great time".

That's our relationship. Two kids out having a good time. Occasionally I have to be the adult. Lord, I love that kid.

[TrailSlug]

Looks like a good start to a great adventure. You must have been tired that first day starting in the dark from New Orleans. Thanks for sharing.

[Dead Man]

Looks like a good start to a great adventure. You must have been tired that first day starting in the dark from New Orleans. Thanks for sharing.

That is no joke. The early flight plus the hassle of the airlines, then the three hour car ride all add up to a rough start to a long day. The boy did well but you can tell in his face at Carter Gap Shelter that he is really feelin' it. A few weeks after we were home he confided with his mother that the whole adventure was a lot more than he anticipated. Gross understatement.

[johnspenn]

Great video. Love seeing men getting their kids out there. Looking forward to the rest of the trip!

[Dead Man]

Great video. Love seeing men getting their kids out there. Looking forward to the rest of the trip!

You asked a very relevant question on my blog and felt compelled to answer it her also. You asked given the physical results (read as success) on this hike compared to the section hike I did in 2014, would I reconsider doing a thru hike.

Absolutely so. The larger issue from the previous hikes was the alone time. Far too much time in my own head. Having a companion to hike with made a huge difference in my mental game. A thru hike is said by many to be 10% physical and 90% mental. You get physically stronger as you hike and the percentage of gain is significant. The mental game is set from the jump. You’ll open up additional facets but they are already there just needing to be revealed like layers of an onion. I wouldn’t have to be with someone every second of the day. Just knowing that someone else is depending on me for guidance, for motivation or for miles fits me better and gets me down the trail.

The big issue remains of funding a thru hike. Not only the monetary cost of the hike itself but the monetary reserves needed to keep the home fires burning. Mortgage paid, cars fueled, groceries bought, dogs feed, etc. for the wife and daughter left to the "real" world while my son and I are away pursuing the dream.

[winterbeard]

My son and I did a section hike on the AT at the end of May 2016. Part 1 is a breakdown of the planning and the first day's travel and initial half day on the trail starting at Deep Gap and ending at Carter Gap Shelter. The other three parts will be posting up in a couple days.

Hey, DaddyDaddy,
Just found time to watch your AT hike, with your son.
Sounds like you two had some fun out there. PioneerPatti keeps talking about me and her doing a section or so. (warmer weather stuff...)
Anyway, nice work, and Thank you for sharing!
Ted


"What's the best gift you can give a kid?
Happily married parents!"

[Dead Man]

My pleasure sir. By all means, go do just that. Patti sounds like a right smart pioneer.