Appalachian trail February 2022

Micksjoiner

Micksjoiner

Ultralighter
The time feels right to attempt the Appalachian trail.
Will probably have alot of questions as time goes on but for now I'm looking for advice on.
https://lighterpack.com/r/og0lku
1 hiking insurance for the time I'm on the trail .
2 As I will be using guthooks for navigation (already downloaded map),will be able to buy sim in the USA and pop it in my UK sim free pixel 3 thanks.
3 What credit cards are you folks using abroad for talking out cash and buying stuff with,
I'm currently using the Halifax clarity at moment.
 
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Daymoth

Daymoth

Section Hiker
Might be cheaper to get a good uk roaming plan than a usa sim card. I think the fair use clauses usually cover you for 2 months.
 
edh

edh

Thru Hiker
I've used Snowcard for my trips - everywhere for years; quite pricey but excellent sevice.

I used AT&T SIMS - but no good for calling back to the UK.
 
Micksjoiner

Micksjoiner

Ultralighter
edh said:
I've used Snowcard for my trips - everywhere for years; quite pricey but excellent sevice.

I used AT&T SIMS - but no good for calling back to the UK.
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Did you buy sim in UK or USA and you just pop new SIM in UK phone
 
fluffkitten

fluffkitten

Moderator
Staff member
Some useful info in this thread for me, I'm planning on wandering the other side of the country but it is all relevant. Thanks for starting it. :)
 
Odd Man

Odd Man

Thru Hiker
Micksjoiner said:
Will look into that as well thanks
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I used my Three SIM roaming while on our road trip to US. Used as the sole satnav with Google maps. Worked pretty well, but you're limited 3G only and data/minutes/sms cap is what is your contract limits. The only drawback is that if someone local needs to call you, they need to make an international call/SMS and it's expensive.

Edit. Three has the widest free roaming coverage, or was at least 6 years ago when did my research before doing quite a bit of travelling over the next few years.
 
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edh

edh

Thru Hiker
Micksjoiner said:
Did you buy sim in UK or USA and you just pop new SIM in UK phone
Click to expand...

Bought in the US.

Verizon have better coverage generally (but who knows for East coast, I was always West) - but their SIMS did not used to work in non-US/Verizon phones.
 
Teepee

Teepee

Thru Hiker
No traction aids?

Feb on the AT is generally snowy. https://thetrek.co/appalachian-trail/my-appalachian-trail-winter-thru-hike-gear-list/

I'd also suggest replacing that stove too for something less thirsty and less prone to wind.

One winter luxury I'm never without on a longer one is an HDPE Nalgene (not BPA free, they sieze). It'll take boiling water with no fear of splitting, hot drinks and is a real gem if your cold or have to dry some socks out. Also, great to start off with a hot drink in your jacket pocket.
 
Micksjoiner

Micksjoiner

Ultralighter
Teepee said:
No traction aids?

Feb on the AT is generally snowy. https://thetrek.co/appalachian-trail/my-appalachian-trail-winter-thru-hike-gear-list/

I'd also suggest replacing that stove too for something less thirsty and less prone to wind.

One winter luxury I'm never without on a longer one is an HDPE Nalgene (not BPA free, they sieze). It'll take boiling water with no fear of splitting, hot drinks and is a real gem if your cold or have to dry some socks out. Also, great to start off with a hot drink in your jacket pocket.
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Been thinking the same,what do you recommend,I have Raynaud's , generally open some chemical hand warmers first thing in the morning
 
Micksjoiner

Micksjoiner

Ultralighter
fluffkitten said:
Some useful info in this thread for me, I'm planning on wandering the other side of the country but it is all relevant. Thanks for starting it. :)
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Feel free to jump on board
fluffkitten said:
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the main area you'd need micro-spikes unless it is full summer, probably worth having.
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I'm doing a sort of virtual walk this year to see what kind of weather I might encounter
 
Teepee

Teepee

Thru Hiker
Micksjoiner said:
Been thinking the same,what do you recommend,I have Raynaud's , generally open some chemical hand warmers first thing in the morning
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The 500ml is a good size for a thru hike. A 1L is more usefil for drying stuff and stays warm for hours but it's a lump.
 
Micksjoiner

Micksjoiner

Ultralighter
Teepee said:
The 500ml is a good size for a thru hike. A 1L is more usefil for drying stuff and stays warm for hours but it's a lump.
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I have that size already but only used it for coffee so far.Being cold is my only worry especially my hands also thinking about upgrading my quilt to a 0 degree and get one that fits my size( currently have ee enigma L W and cumulus 450 regularly I'm 5'7" shoulder girth is 48").
 
maddogs

maddogs

Ultralighter
We used World Nomads for insurance. Have used SnowCard in the past too. Never claimed on either though...
Unfortunately, the USA is horrifically expensive for this.

Verizon works on CMDA network (as do Sprint and US Cellular) and is generally considered the widest coverage network across the US. AT&T and T mobile use GSM which is what you find in Europe/UK. My understanding, like Ed, is that CMDA sim won't work in a GSM phone and vice versa, but I'm not an expert. I can confirm that my USA-bought GSM phone works in the UK.

T mobile coverage is rubbish in MA, VT and NH. No idea about further south. AT&T was reasonable, but don't expect to get much in the woods!
Depending on what you need, it may be possible to get by with just WiFi when you hit town?

And may I make unsolicited comments based on your kit list:
  • Midge head net, long sleeves (top and bototm), permethrin. The humble Scottish midge has nothing on the beasts over there in summer.
  • A few screw-in hooks to facilitate easy pitching on wooden tent platforms. P*$$*ng about with guys around twigs jammed under the slats every night is do-able, but not much fun.
  • USA-UK plug adapter. Or just buy a USA multiport USB when you get there?
  • Food hanging kit - more for the mice than the bears TBH.
  • Bin the AT and go Out West. Unless you really like trees. ;)
 
Odd Man

Odd Man

Thru Hiker
maddogs said:
I can confirm that my USA-bought GSM phone works in the UK.
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UK/Europe (900/1800MHz) and USA (850/1900MHz) use slightly different GMS frequencies depending on the carriers. Same with 4G frequencies. This means that cheaper phones don't always have the same reception, because cheaper parts don't always include all the bands. More expensive phones should have quad-band (IRCC) capability, making them work anywhere in the world. You can check this with your phone's specs and compare it to the US carriers bands.


Screenshot 2021-02-21 at 18.05.08.jpg
 
Micksjoiner

Micksjoiner

Ultralighter
Lempo said:
UK/Europe (900/1800MHz) and USA (850/1900MHz) use slightly different GMS frequencies depending on the carriers. Same with 4G frequencies. This means that cheaper phones don't always have the same reception, because cheaper parts don't always include all the bands. More expensive phones should have quad-band (IRCC) capability, making them work anywhere in the world. You can check this with your phone's specs and compare it to the US carriers bands.


View attachment 29781
Click to expand...
https://willmyphonework.net/
https://www.verizon.com/od/prepaid/...cd64c09cba744a17899d5b011679c73c#/checkDevice Found this
 
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Odd Man

Odd Man

Thru Hiker
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