I'm off for another little walk (2,800 miles)

[Andrew Breecher]

What type of kilt do you where for such a hike? Good luck on your endeavour!

I wear a 4-yard poly-viscose Bear Kilt. The Velcro closure is great since I invariably lose weight as I hike, and it doesn't add any lumps under the hip belt of my pack, which otherwise would be painful as I hike 20-30 miles a day.

Andrew.

[Oldhiker]

Only 20-40 people set off to hike this each year, and when I finish I will be one of less than a hundred people to hike the "Triple Crown" - the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail - around 8,000 miles in total.

Andrew.

First off Bravo for the first two, I have hiked portions of the Pacific Crest in WA. I am now limited to day hikes (Bad Back), i can't carry a pack anymore.

I have a question? How does the terrain of the Appalachian compare to the other two? much elevation gain?

[turpin]

Now this is something Scotlandontv.com should do a feature on! Good luck. How many pairs of shoes do you expect to go though?

[Andrew Breecher]

I have a question? How does the terrain of the Appalachian compare to the other two? much elevation gain?

The Pacific Crest Trail is graded for pack stock, so it utilises a lot of switchbacks to gain elevation. I don't recall the exact grade, but it's pretty shallow. The Appalachian Trail only allows stock through the Great Smokey Mountain National Park, so the grade is much greater; there are several Class 3 boulder scrambles and ladders and steps along the trail. The Mahoosic Notch alone is called the "hardest mile of the trail" and goes over and under house-sized boulders. I had to take off my pack and push it ahead of me several times.

Obviously with the different terrain the mileage is different between the two trails. I averaged 15-20 miles a day on the AT, and 20-30 miles a day on the PCT. From what I have heard from others, many people do PCT miles on AT terrain on the CDT. I know it goes near many of the 14ers in Colorado, and the trail follows the Divide itself in many places, so it's going to be some rugged terrain. I'm looking forward to a lifetime of bad knees.

Andrew.

[Andrew Breecher]

Now this is something Scotlandontv.com should do a feature on! Good luck. How many pairs of shoes do you expect to go though?

Probably 5 or 6 pairs. I wear Montrail Hard Rock shoes, size 12.5 if anyone wants to donate a pair!

Andrew.

[GMan]

Good luck, and I could say Happy Trails to you, but I won't.

[TJP33928]

That is Awesome, I wish you the best on your trip.
Tim

[NancyMan]

Now let me get this straight- You'll go through 5 or 6 pairs of shoes on this trip alone, but you'll only have worn ONE KILT for the entire 8 thousand mile endevour of the triple crown? Could a single pair of pants do that? (I don't think so ) ...and certainly not as comfortably!

[Andrew Breecher]

Now let me get this straight- You'll go through 5 or 6 pairs of shoes on this trip alone, but you'll only have worn ONE KILT for the entire 8 thousand mile endevour of the triple crown? Could a single pair of pants do that? (I don't think so ) ...and certainly not as comfortably!

On the other hand (or foot) I'm not walking on my kilt! But it's true - on the AT I went through two shirts. On the PCT I went through three shirts. I can't even begin to count the number of socks. A thru-hike is tough on gear. But one kilt. Granted it's showing some wear. I think it has a little hole in it where a mouse gave it a nibble. It definitely has been caught by a few brambles. And the back belt loop has been worn a little bit where the pack rubs against it. Other than that, it's in remarkably good shape.

Andrew.

[ccga3359]

Best of luck on this endeavour. May the wind always be to your back.