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Main Boards => Long Distance Walks => Topic started by: Litehiker on 03:27:09, 25/02/19

Title: "Section Hiking" anyone?
Post by: Litehiker on 03:27:09, 25/02/19
I've walked about 1/4 of the Appalachian Trail in three different years, hiking sections. Then I realized the AT was just too populated for my taste and quit backpacking there.


This summer I'm attempting the 500 mile Colorado Trail. I say "attempting" B/C I'm 75 and those 12,000 ft. sections may be too difficult. Or I'll just rent a d@mn llama!  ;)



Do you Brits "section hike" to finish a trail?


Eric B.
Title: Re: "Section Hiking" anyone?
Post by: beefy on 08:31:52, 25/02/19
Hi and welcome to the forum O0
I'm a bit confused with some of the American terminology

How does a section hiker, or through hiker differ from a "normal hiker"
Thanks

Title: Re: "Section Hiking" anyone?
Post by: pdstsp on 08:36:11, 25/02/19
Morning Beefy - my understanding is that a through hiker does a trail from end to end in one go, while a section hiker may do it over several visits - bit like doing a week on the C2C one year and then going back the next to finish it off.  No idea what a normal hiker is, never met one. O0
Paul
Title: Re: "Section Hiking" anyone?
Post by: beefy on 08:43:54, 25/02/19
Morning Beefy - my understanding is that a through hiker does a trail from end to end in one go, while a section hiker may do it over several visits - bit like doing a week on the C2C one year and then going back the next to finish it off.  No idea what a normal hiker is, never met one. O0
Paul
Thanks pdstsp  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: "Section Hiking" anyone?
Post by: Owen on 08:45:51, 25/02/19
I think the answer is some do some do the whole thing in one go. I guess it depends on how much time you can get off work.
Title: Re: "Section Hiking" anyone?
Post by: gunwharfman on 09:30:40, 25/02/19
I've often seen the terms 'section hiker' and 'through hiker.' I never did know what they meant.
Title: Re: "Section Hiking" anyone?
Post by: Islandplodder on 11:38:21, 25/02/19

I suppose trails in Britain aren't so long as American ones, so there isn't such a time commitment.  You would have to be very fortunate, or maybe retired, to take time off work, family, mortgage  etc to do a trail which took you 4 or 5 months, whereas here you are usually talking one or two weeks, so it is easier to think in terms of doing the trail in one go.
That said, some people do break them up into week long sections, especially the longer trails.
I like to do a long distance walk every year, sometimes a recognised trail, occasionally just one I made up.  But I also like to have one on the go that I do in chunks of 2 or 3 days when there is time and a window in the weather.
So I suppose the answer is both.  We just haven't developed the terminology over here.
Title: Re: "Section Hiking" anyone?
Post by: Rather be walking on 11:50:07, 25/02/19
Welcome LiteHiker from the south coast near the City of Portsmouth.I've picked up those terms when 'through' hiking the 'South West Coastal Path' in the late 1980's. :)
Jon.
Title: Re: "Section Hiking" anyone?
Post by: Jac on 12:27:41, 25/02/19

Welcome from Devon.
Took me 10 yrs to section hike/backpack the southwest coast path - all 600+ miles of it plus adding a few miles
along what was the alternative inland route above Weymouth, round the isle of Portland not included in the original route and finishing by [/color]  
walking across the heathland into Wareham.
Couldn't afford to take time off work to do it in one go.
Title: Re: "Section Hiking" anyone?
Post by: astaman on 16:10:47, 25/02/19
I've come across the terms 'section hiker' and 'through hiker' on blogs and forums that involve American walkers. I have met people who have done the Pennine Way in two one week sections. Also, the official Cambrian Way website splits into three sections: north, mid and south. This suggests they are thinking of people doing it in sections. It's long and tough by British standards so this would make sense.
Title: Re: "Section Hiking" anyone?
Post by: Litehiker on 23:02:08, 25/02/19
PDSTSP,
"No idea what a normal hiker is, never met one."  Hee, hee  SO right! Especially the women.


A "section hiker' hikes a long trail one section of it at a time. Doing two sections at two different times in a year, for example, is how it is done. My hiking buddy has completed about 4/5 of the AT in perhaps the last 20 years. He is arthritic and therefore it takes him longer to hike say, 10 -15 miles per day.


On the other hand I'm going to attempt the 500 mile Colorado Trail in the Rocky Mountains in "one go" as one poster has said. For me it's a "noe or never" through hike.


Eric B.
Title: Re: "Section Hiking" anyone?
Post by: Slogger on 17:21:02, 02/03/19
I prefer to through hike the trails or LDP's as they are called here in the UK (long Distance Paths). Some of the shorter ones up to 100miles I have done in one continuous effort, non Stoppers as I call them, usually walking all day, night and the next day until I reach the end. The racing fraternity call them 'Ultra's'. Carrying 30lbs or 14 kg I usually average 30 miles a day on a route, obviously on something like the PCT and carrying a whole lot more, the mileage would decrease accordingly.
Title: Re: "Section Hiking" anyone?
Post by: Litehiker on 21:40:14, 02/03/19
Slogger,


You should not be carrying more than 30 lbs./14 kg. on the long trails of North America if you were using UL gear. My own gear is not excessively light but it is durable and comfortable.

For a 4 day November Grand Canyon North rim-to-South Rim backpack in 2017 I carried 28 lbs. with some cold weather clothing and 5 days of food and fuel.


MY BIG  THREE:
TENT-> Tarptent Moment DW - 2.5 lbs.
PACK->  Osprey EXOS 58 - 2 lbs. 11 oz.
SLEEP SYSTEM-> Western Mountaineering Megalite down bag - 1 lb. 7 oz.  ~  REI FLASH Insulated 3 season Air mattress - 15 oz.

My stove is usually a light Trail Designs Caldera Cone stove, 3 cup aluminum pot and ESBIT fuel tablets

Eric B.

Title: Re: "Section Hiking" anyone?
Post by: Snowman on 01:57:21, 05/03/19
Hi Litehiker,


Good to hear from you.  It's refreshing to get a more international view of things, but you've spoilt my future thoughts on doing the Appalachian Trail.   I always thought that once my sons had finished school I could take a few weeks to do something like that, especially since the USA does have so much to offer in terms of places that need to be seen - I've been there a few times.   My view is that splitting a trail into bite sized chunks is fine (whatever the terminology used) so you go ahead and keep us informed how it goes and where you've got to.   If my kids finally get independence then let me know and I'll join you.


Snowman.



Title: Re: "Section Hiking" anyone?
Post by: Litehiker on 04:11:43, 05/03/19
Smnowman,


If you can train aerobically for higher altitudes Highly recommend the Colorado Trail. Do it all at once but with rest days in nearby towns. You can hitch rides from the highway to town and back again to the trailhead. But stay in town a few days, resupply and head out again. You can mail food ahead to yourself in care of General Delivery and pick up the box at the town Post Office.


The scenery of the CT, once you walk a few days away from Denver, is spectacular. And the CT has a thriving support system of trail maintenance crews, a great handbook and even a few rest yurts. Then at the western end you will find the very beautiful and quaint town of Durango set in the Rockies. Rest and drink some of our great local craft beers. In the US we are now enjoying a wonderful craft beer era. O0


Eric B.



Title: Re: "Section Hiking" anyone?
Post by: sussamb on 06:33:48, 05/03/19
Rest and drink some of our great local craft beers. In the US we are now enjoying a wonderful craft beer era. O0


Very true, I worked in the US in the early 90s, very difficult then to find a good beer, and was amazed when we went on holiday there a few years ago, what a difference.  Fantastic craft beers pretty much everywhere we went along the East coast  O0
Title: Re: "Section Hiking" anyone?
Post by: mananddog on 08:12:01, 05/03/19

Very true, I worked in the US in the early 90s, very difficult then to find a good beer, and was amazed when we went on holiday there a few years ago, what a difference.  Fantastic craft beers pretty much everywhere we went along the East coast  O0



There were always great beers if you knew where to find them. The Pacific northwest spearheaded much of the beer improvement in the 90s. There were also great beers in New England at that time. Most of the big improvements in hops have happened in The hop research centre in the USA which I think is in Oregon where Amarillo, Citra, Cascade, Mosaic, Simcoe hops which are now very popular in UK beers were originally developed. The development of Lupulin extract from hops in the Boston Brewery now extract the floral flavours with reduced bitterness. Can you tell I am a brewer and a beer lover?
Title: Re: "Section Hiking" anyone?
Post by: mananddog on 08:15:35, 05/03/19
I've walked about 1/4 of the Appalachian Trail in three different years, hiking sections. Then I realized the AT was just too populated for my taste and quit backpacking there.


This summer I'm attempting the 500 mile Colorado Trail. I say "attempting" B/C I'm 75 and those 12,000 ft. sections may be too difficult. Or I'll just rent a d@mn llama!  ;)

Eric B.



I did a section of the AT from the Vermont border through to the end of the Presidentials into Maine in the early 90s. It was pretty quiet even in September. The main problem I had was the damned trees!!!!! There was only a view on the Presidentials when you got above the tree line. The rest of the time you were walking in trees, looking at trees all day everyday. I went stir crazy.[/color]  

Title: Re: "Section Hiking" anyone?
Post by: Snowman on 09:38:33, 05/03/19
Thanks for that information Eric.   I'll certainly consider it, and now you've pointed out the Craft Beer situation I'm even more keen.   


However I note that you mentioned some sections of 12,000 feet.   I've walked at over 10,000 and did feel some effects so would have to consider how to acclimatise to 12,000.   I don't suppose there are any bars at 12,000 feet where you can stay a few days to get used to the altitude?   If not, there's a good business opportunity.


S.



Title: Re: "Section Hiking" anyone?
Post by: Slogger on 17:24:11, 06/03/19
Slogger,


You should not be carrying more than 30 lbs./14 kg. on the long trails of North America if you were using UL gear. My own gear is not excessively light but it is durable and comfortable.

For a 4 day November Grand Canyon North rim-to-South Rim backpack in 2017 I carried 28 lbs. with some cold weather clothing and 5 days of food and fuel.


MY BIG  THREE:
TENT-> Tarptent Moment DW - 2.5 lbs.
PACK->  Osprey EXOS 58 - 2 lbs. 11 oz.
SLEEP SYSTEM-> Western Mountaineering Megalite down bag - 1 lb. 7 oz.  ~  REI FLASH Insulated 3 season Air mattress - 15 oz.

My stove is usually a light Trail Designs Caldera Cone stove, 3 cup aluminum pot and ESBIT fuel tablets

Eric B.
I don't carry 30ilbs these day that was quite a number of years ago, I was just giving an idea of mileage when/if carrying that weight. Some on multi days routes over here do carry quite a bit more than 30ibs though. being an island we are always affected by seaward weather systems and so you have to go prepared for anything. Indeed we have have sun, rain, sleet and snow and back to sun all within a few hours on occasions. Our mountains are not high in comparrison with the Rocky mountains or European Alps but conditions in Winter can be Arctic. I too have the Osprey sacks in various sizes.
Title: Re: "Section Hiking" anyone?
Post by: Litehiker on 19:55:36, 06/03/19
Slogger,


Were I backpacking (wild camping?) in the UK I would add my lightweight eVent rain pants to my gear as well as my Merrill GTX lined mid boots. "Mid" refers  to barely over-the-ankle boots. And if I knew there was the possibility of snow I'd add my GTX gaiters (and 3mm closed cell divers' socks as VBLs for added warmth). I do have a fondness for camping in snow. No bugs anon people.


Of course with rain, and being forced to cook in my tent's vestibule, I would have to leave my caldera cone stove at home and take my canister top Brunton CRUX (like an MSR Pocket Rocket) so the canister(s) would add more weight than 5 days worth of ESBIT tabs. However it has been shown that after 3 days taking a canister stove is the lighter option over an alcohol stove due to less fuel weight.


So yeah, I can see that backpacking in the UK can call for taking more and different gear than a stroll in the Mojave desert where I live.


Eric B.




Title: Re: "Section Hiking" anyone?
Post by: richardh1905 on 08:12:03, 07/03/19
So yeah, I can see that backpacking in the UK can call for taking more and different gear than a stroll in the Mojave desert where I live.

Eric B.




I imagine that carrying enough water can be quite a challenge!


Interesting your comment about the weight of alcohol - it does have a lot lower calorific value than gas or kerosene.
Title: Re: "Section Hiking" anyone?
Post by: Owen on 12:02:57, 07/03/19
Slogger,


You should not be carrying more than 30 lbs./14 kg. on the long trails of North America if you were using UL gear. My own gear is not excessively light but it is durable and comfortable.




It really depends on how much food and fuel you're carrying. My gear is more or less the same whether I'm walking for a weekend or a long trip. What changes is the consumable. I like to get far away from the madding crowds for my holidays so I try and avoid stopping and going into towns to go shopping. I can generally get two weeks plus a couple of extra days off work at a time. This gives me fifteen days walking plus travel time. I can get the weight of everything down to about 20kg (45lbs). That's about as much as I can handle these days. The good news is it goes down by 650 - 700g (23 - 25oz) every day.