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Post by catonsvillebill on Aug 16, 2016 7:54:49 GMT -8
I am new to the forums, though I had posted a few times in the old forums. My name is Bill, and I live in suburban Baltimore MD. Most of the time I hike on the AT in Maryland./ Virginia, as well as the C&O towpath. Coincidentally my Cousin is taking me up the Adirondacks next week.......Harris Lake Campground.
I started backpacking a few years ago, when I started to walk trying to lose weight Lost 25 lbs., down to the mid 180's. Back then I would go to Centennial Lake here in Maryland, which has 2.5 mile paved path around the perimeter. I got so tire of going in circles that I started doing the towpath, which got me interested in backpacking. Now I have a full kit and look forward to day hikes almost every weekend. But for this intense heat we've been getting, I'd try for an overnight on the AT ( Annapolis Rocks area). There is a caretaker at the campground up there who lives in a tent during the summer. I would LOVE to pick his mind about camping..backpacking etc... Maybe after Labor Day.
I have been reading the forums for several weeks, and look forward to participating.
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Deleted
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Hello
Aug 16, 2016 8:45:16 GMT -8
Post by Deleted on Aug 16, 2016 8:45:16 GMT -8
Welcome, from the Lone Star state!
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reuben
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Post by reuben on Aug 16, 2016 9:00:21 GMT -8
If I thought Annapolis Rock would be cool enough I'd go, and pass by Catonsville on the way. Greenbrier State Park is sort of on the other side of the highway as you leave the parking lot to hike toward Annapolis Rock.
There are a lot of minds to be picked here. Eventually you'll distill all of that advice down to something that works for you.
Welcome from a fellow Marylander.
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Hello
Aug 16, 2016 9:10:20 GMT -8
Post by Lamebeaver on Aug 16, 2016 9:10:20 GMT -8
Welcome back Bill
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Deleted
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Aug 16, 2016 9:31:50 GMT -8
Post by Deleted on Aug 16, 2016 9:31:50 GMT -8
Welcome Bill. Thanks for the introduction.
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Hello
Aug 16, 2016 10:38:52 GMT -8
Post by trinity on Aug 16, 2016 10:38:52 GMT -8
Welcome back, Bill. Glad to have you aboard.
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tigger
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Aug 16, 2016 14:27:38 GMT -8
Post by tigger on Aug 16, 2016 14:27:38 GMT -8
Welcome to the fire! Pull up a S'More stick.
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Hello
Aug 16, 2016 14:44:03 GMT -8
Post by johntpenca on Aug 16, 2016 14:44:03 GMT -8
Welcome from SoCal. Let us know more about your hikes.
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mk
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North Texas
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Aug 16, 2016 16:41:39 GMT -8
Post by mk on Aug 16, 2016 16:41:39 GMT -8
Welcome -- glad you decided to join in!
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rebeccad
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Aug 17, 2016 10:38:14 GMT -8
Post by rebeccad on Aug 17, 2016 10:38:14 GMT -8
Welcome, Bill. You are welcome to all the advice you can find here. You have a good filter, right? ;p
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Hello
Aug 19, 2016 7:42:48 GMT -8
Post by catonsvillebill on Aug 19, 2016 7:42:48 GMT -8
Thanks for the welcomes!! Let us know more about your hikes. As for my hikes, mostly I have done the AT from Harpers Ferry to within a few miles of Pennsylvania. Lots of the C&O Towpath as well. In my surfing around some local hiking clubs, I saw on the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club site information about shuttles. I had not known that there were people that would shuttle you for a fee. Up till now I have been doing out & back hikes so I cover the same ground over and over. Now that I have learned about shuttles, I may take a 4 day hike during my last vacation week. I usually take that week over Christmas, so I may hike the AT in Maryland/ Virginia. I like going out in the winter......it isn't too cold here in Maryland, and you can get a lot of solitude. One thing that I have trouble with is pacing myself. When I first started to use hiking for exercise, it was all on flat ground. I guess I could do 2 to 2 1/2 miles per hour. When I go at that pace on the AT, I get winded FAST! It is a constant struggle to tell myself to slow down.
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Deleted
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Aug 19, 2016 8:18:53 GMT -8
Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2016 8:18:53 GMT -8
I like going out in the winter......it isn't too cold here in Maryland, and you can get a lot of solitude. It's actually that way in many areas, but not all of us have discovered it. Winter is better than summer in many ways, and I'm glad you have learned that early. One thing I've found that has in the past helped me with that is breathing exercises. I time inhales and exhales according to steps — taking a couple steps to inhale and a couple steps to exhale. And, of course, on hills the steps are closer together. Anyhow, you'll probably discover what works for you.
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reuben
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Aug 19, 2016 8:32:46 GMT -8
Post by reuben on Aug 19, 2016 8:32:46 GMT -8
Here's another tip. Keep the same level of effort, not the same pace. You'll slow down when it's uphill and you're tired, and you'll speed up when you feel energetic. Trying to keep the same pace going uphill will wear you down mentally, which generally isn't the idea when hiking.
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snappypepper
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Aug 19, 2016 8:58:44 GMT -8
Post by snappypepper on Aug 19, 2016 8:58:44 GMT -8
Welcome Bill! I'm from Annapolis, MD and have hiked all you mentioned. Have you done much in Patapsco or Gunpowder? They both have decent trail systems as well as some water to help cool you off! Another hot weather favorite is Kelly's Run in Holtwood PA, which is just outside Maryland.
We live in Gettysburg now, so I don't get to hike down that way as much, but feel free to reach out if you have questions!
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reuben
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Gonna need more Camels at the next refugio...
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Post by reuben on Aug 19, 2016 12:06:10 GMT -8
Annapolis? I can kayak to there from here. Gettysburg is a bit farther away...
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