fandomsecrets | [ SECRET POST #6287 ]

[ SECRET POST #6287 ]

⌈ Secret Post #6287 ⌋

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Name or describe em! Do you prefer a wooded stroll, mountain climbing, do you chase waterfalls? Or are you more of a desert hiker or hardcore lava scrambler?

My most frequent spot is Frozen Head because it’s just down the road and has some difficult trails that mean I can escape the crowds. But this week of course I haven’t been able to go because the whole world suddenly decided they’re interested in the Barkley Marathon. The usual dailies in Frozen Head all went across the street to Obed National River so I got swamped out of there, too. I ended up down at GSMNP which I usually avoid because of the crowds but the place was empty except for a few thru hikers on the AT.
I’m spoiled for choice in this part of the world but it still gets dark too early to get any worthwhile trail time if I unexpectedly have to drive an extra hour or two to a different spot.

All of the above! Well, maybe not the lava one...

I'm not am "extreme" hiker or backpacker. It doesn't have to be a challenge, I'm just looking to get out in nature. I happen to live somewhere where im a couple of hours drive to the mountains in one direction and the ocean in the other, so I'll mix it up in choice of trips.

Casual dayhike stuff its mostly just local wooded trails. There's a river with some good trails and plenty of old Civil War battlefields that are now trails.

Not really a fan of "urban hiking" - for me its the nature not the necessarily the exercise so "hiking" in a city holds no appeal.

I've only been able to afford hiking across Gates of the Arctic once, but it is my favorite nonetheless. Guys, if you haven't hiked Gates of the Arctic, then you really gotta hike Gates of the Arctic. Pack plenty of bearspray though.

Or the dingle way. So far my favorite hike has been the Camino Frances.

Locally I really adore Grayson Highlands because its just magical - plus wild ponies!

This isn’t anything I’ve done but a goal of mine is to section hike the PCT. I may even get to do a section this year! If not, then I’ll go next year. I think I’ve decided on central Oregon to find my tail legs. I’d go NOBO from Williamette Pass but not sure exactly where my end point would be. It depends on if I go this year or next year because I’m still dealing with some medical stuff, plus next year I’d likely be able to go for two weeks instead of just the one this year.

I have a friend that did a big section of the PCT and it sounded amazing. I hope you get to go! I'm too much of a wimp about grizzlies and mountain lions, but I do sometimes toy with the idea of tackling the AT.

The PCT serial killer is more of a worry to me than any other wildlife.

AYRT Nongrozzlies in Oregon! And you won’t see the mountain lions, either. Those are there but they want nothing to do with you.

I live along the AT in the southern part and hopefully you’re cool with Black Bears because they will camp with you every night. The AT is so popular and thru hikers are so notoriously bad at taking even the simplest of precautions that the black bears are now a huge problem :(

ayrt - cool and very familiar with black bears! I had a scary experience with a mountain lion hiking out West and its left me a little paranoid.

I hike various AT trails in the summer and its gotten so bad not a summer goes by where they don't have to shut down a trail or two because of bears or thru hiker nonsense. I really wish I had done the AT when I thought about it back in early 2000s, way less popular then. My biggest turn off of doing it now is the popularity. I saw someone trying to live stream from the AT and just no. That is not the AT experience I want.

The AT really is disappointing these days :( It’s frustrating how careless and entitled the thru hikers have become.

They do have black bears in Oregon too but they’re still timid, unlike the AT bears. But the no grizzlies was a big part of why I picked Oregon. I always take a bear canister even when not required, so I feel comfortable about tackling the PCT in that regard. I did have a black bear decide to join me for coffee a few months ago at Big South Fork on the John Muir Trail and that changed how I do my morning coffee. I now pack up and then boil my water and brew my coffee so if Yogi decides to join me again I can just abandon my cup. I was two hours late returning that trip because I had to wait for it to clear off so I could pack and of course I was super paranoid that every sound I heard was it returning. I absolutely love black bears but not 15 feet away with nothing but a log between us.

First step is find someplace to get actual hiking shoes for my flat as fuck feet. Lol

They exist! Kuru and Orthofleet make them. You can also find trail runners from Brooks. If you’re in the US, it’s worth going to your closest REI and getting fitted. Tell them exactly what your experience is and what you plan to do. They’re not working on commission, they’re not going to only show you the most expensive thing. They’re experienced and are there to use that experience to help you. They also have amazing customer service if you end up buying from them and then change your mind.

Unfortunately, flat means you are going to be paying a bit more for something that’s already pretty spendy. Once you know what works for you, you can replace them more cost effectively with online shopping. I’m very lucky and can get away with Merrell Moabs which are on sale for like $50 on Amazon several times a year.

Try googling “easy hiking trails near *wherever you live*” and you will likely find some that you don’t even need hiking shoes for. Any kind of athletic shoe will do for plenty of trails. Grab a bottle of water and just go! I use SmartWater bottles because they’re light and durable and cheap to replace if I need to. I don’t even take a backpack unless I’m going more than 3 miles total or if I have my dog(s) with me.

North Wales, or Torridon in Scotland. I love the bare uplands and the birch and heather woodlands lower down. And of course the glorious, reliable sunshine, lol.

The Torridon is pretty crap, all the Scottish hikes are. You shouldn't come here. Try somewhere else, you'll prefer it.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ SECRET POST #6287 ]

Favorite Hiking Spots

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I dream of hiking the west highland way

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None but I'd love to get into it since I go on hour long walks around town

Re: None but I'd love to get into it since I go on hour long walks around town

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