New Tattoo! And Things I Learned on my Shakedown Hikes | Appalachian Trail 2022

Showing off my new tattoo, and discussing things I learned on my two Appalachian Trail shakedown hikes in Shenandoah National Park and Dolly Sods Wilderness.

[normarinker]

Right on. Lotsa good observations. I didn't watch the shakedown hikes first so I'll be sure to do so. Thanks for the great information.

[wanttogo]

You'll have to use both straps with yòur quilt to keep drafts out and will also, on the coldest nights, need to snap it and then, while sitting up, put your head through the opening then lie down. EE quilts come with two straps. I own their 30° Apex Enigma. Safety pins for the socks are a workable option. I instead use a very lightweight mesh bag that I secure to a mini double carabiner that is fastened to one of the webbing loops of my pack. It protects the socks somewhat from snags and can hold mutiple items I need to dry out. I think you will find that the only way to dry your tent well is to lay it out. Good luck.

[jasononthetrail]

Thanks! This is a testament to shakedowns. Good luck out there!

[hghikes]

Thanks for sharing your lessons learned!

[dennislavelle]

The one thing I loved in this video that I don't see in many others is how you really specifically talked about your gear and how it did in real specific practical situations- GREAT STUFF!

[johnbarber]

Alicia, I used the flat plastic clips on bread bags as clothes pins and they worked great and weight basically nothing. Safety pins work also and are lighter than the black clips and can be muli-purpose. Putting your wet shoes and socks in a large freezer bag and under your quilt will prevent them from freezing over night, they will still be wet in the morning but not frozen. Also put a water bottle for your coco in the morning and your sawyer squeeze, battery pack, phone and PLD under your quilt. Batterys drain fast in the cold . FYI the trail was closed due to snow the first 3 or 4 days of April in 2015. Hope you have snow chains for yor shoes with you. Best of luck to you A;icia, Happy trails Capt. America 2015

[HikingWithWhiskers]

Awesome video!! Thank you for sharing!🥾🥾⛺️

[videosbygreg]

I use black-coated safety pins to hang things to my pack. They're lite and secure.

[KrizAkoni]

Lot of great things learned and experienced here. I do like my sealskin socks. Sitpad is one of my fav items on trail. 😎

[AlongATrail]

8:45 glad you learned this now and shared it :-) then try to learn it when you’re on the trail shake down hikes are fantastic and you doing this one in the rain learning about your tent and how to secure items certainly is a benefit and you sharing helped me want to think about it a bit more :-) 11:00 that’s why I like my rain kilt so far it’s worked well for me not for all I can also use it as a cover for my backpack when it is raining and I need to set up my tent and I’ve got my raincoat on 15:00 damn expiration dates, just went and tested mine after your video and you’re right dammit so glad you made common about it and tested it again thank you for this video I keep editing more and more as I watch

[joeymaryland]

Looks like you are getting things dialed in. Looking forward to your AT videos. Wish I had time for a thru hike. I've done 600 of the AT in sections and always have a great time and meet great people. I am excited for you. I know you will have an awesome adventure. Go Buffalo !

[WALKITOFFDavidSmith]

Good stuff. I love my EE Visp. Great investment in my opinion. I never leave without my GG 1/8" foam pad. It has so many uses. Mostly I use it under my air mattress for added protection from punctures. Also, adds a little more warm to the pad, can use as a sit pad instead of the zlite, use it to spread out gear on and use it folded up inside my frameless pack to give padding to my back and structure to the pack. Good video and best of luck out there!

[KimCrowHikes]

Great rundown Alicia. Thanks for sharing your experiences! xx crow

[SmilesforMiles]

Great vid on the things you learned from your shakedown! I used diaper safety pins to pin my socks on the outside of my pack this year on the AT. Also, you probably already know, but you can also fold the GG thinlight pad flat into a squarebif needed.

[tombrown]

Very interesting and informative lessons from your shake down hikes. Cold wet feet in the winter are miserable and a test of your resolve. Some people wear camp shoes 👠 or beach shoes when crossing to prevent cutting the bottom of a foot on a sharp object.👏👏👏👏

[jhikes]

most quilts have snaps to go around your neck to prevent drafts

[angeltrumpet]

The moment you started talking about your tattoo and what you were worried about I thought DOG 🐾

[kaleblazer]

All very going points. I think you are right on with all the things you mentioned. I also have the EE rain jacket just used it for the first time last weekend. I was also thinking safety pins (I see many have mentioned). My luxury item is my zrest, you are right it has many useful functions. I'm glad you mentioned the sleeping bag liner was worth it. I'm on the fence about getting one and carrying that extra weight.

[annsolce]

With the rain pants, see if someone can add zippers for you on the legs of the pants.

[OntheWrightPath]

That's a really cool tattoo of your dogs. I got some custom bags from Hilltop Packs so I could take my pets with me. I know I'm going to miss them badly.