Research data
Advice from past
students in this course (after they took the hike)
SPRING 2001 backpacking
class reflections on our hike
APRIL 12 to APRIL 16 hiking Knobstone
south to north camping at miles 1, 12, 22, & 36
I. MY NAME: Mark Schmerse
III. Advice
Be ready! Buy your
food before driving down and stopping at Wal-Mart and having plenty to eat is
always great. Hitching into town is
great! Especially for some gas station
treats. You cross a few good roads. Get your head ready! It’s at least 80% mental. Try and have a good attitude and press on. And never, NEVER pee into a stream! Especially where you’re filtering water or
Coach D is coming down the trail with someone’s mother. Backpacking is a blast! Enjoy yourself and God’s creation. Hike on brothers!
I. MY NAME: Stacey Yax
III. Advice
Realize what you are getting into before you actually
go. I didn’t think it would be anything
like it was. Bring enough TP. Pack light!!!
If you don’t you will wish you did.
Your feet are so precious—take care of them—they are the only ones you
get! Have fun. If you start south, I thought the first and
third days were hard and the second and fourth days were easier.
I. MY NAME: Josh Kramp
III. Advice
BABY YOUR FEET!
They are so incredibly important.
Read up on all info you can get on walking and feet. It is so vital. Also pack light. You don’t need more than one change of
clothes, 2 pair of socks, and not a lot else!
Make sure you drink a lot of water.
Your body needs it. One last
thing, prepare yourself mentally! That
is how you’ll get through it! I guess
the last thing I would add is make sure you read Coach D’s stuff on the
web. It’s priceless! (And you could educate yourself on
hitch-hiking too!!)
I. MY NAME: John Drury
III. Advice
If you are making good time, have the guts to hitch-hike
in to town for goodies and adventure. If
you make good time on Friday, hitch into South Boston by means of St. Rd. 160
(just beyond mile 11). Head left and get
a ride about 7 miles or so, where in you’ll find the “South Boston Opry.” Folks from all around southern Indiana meet
on Friday nights to play country and Gospel music. If you want to jump in they’ll let you. One of my craziest adventures ever! Don’t be shy, Indiana folks will hook you up.
I. MY NAME: Paul Kind
II. Advice
Where do I start?
I’ll never forget the hitchin’ into town. If you have enough adventure on the trail you
have to try that. Pack light, but don’t
sacrifice food for less weight. Take
tons of food. Water filters are great. Walk with people some of the time and by
yourself part of the time. Silence can
be a great thing. Hike fast and you’ll
have time for longer breaks in the sun.
Air out your feet quite a bit and the blister bug won’t bite as
much. Keep a good attitude as best you
can, even when there’s a 400 ft climb looming in front of you. Final advice—pick up backpacking as your life-long
hobby!
I. MY NAME: Justin Johnson
III. Advice
·
make it an
adventure (challenge thyself)
·
Pack light with
specific needs
·
Pray, pray, pray
as you hike (great opportunity to connect)
·
If you want to
be a hotty, hike the knob and have a great body
JON FOX and ANNE BAWDEN (32 miles—we didn’t make the
whole trail…but almost did!)
Name: Anne
Bawden
Advice:
Do not only look at the trail in front of your feet, look
at the beauty around you. Great way to
get “General Revelation.” Always talk
with God when you’re afraid or hurting.
He takes your mind off of it.
Don’t be ashamed if your body can’t make it.
BACKPACKING
CLASS REFLECTIONS-- 2002
SPRING 2002 KNOBSTONE HIKE-- BACKPACKING CLASS
A. MY NAME: Bobby Fannin
E.
ADVICE: Here is my item-by-item numbered advice to future Knobstone hikers.
7.
GO-LITE!! Think
about every item you take “Do I need this?” Can I make one thing work for more
than one purpose? Take what you need and you only need what you take.
A. MY NAME: Kerri Burton
E. ADVICE: Here is my item-by-item
numbered advice to future Knobstone hikers.
*Don't push yourself harder (especially on the first day) than your body can
handle, or you'll hurt yourself.
*IT'S NOT A RACE!!! Pace yourself and take time to rest your feet.
*Be sure to spend at least a little bit of time off by yourself...this was the
most spiritually beneficial part of it for me.
*Share what you can (cooking stuff, toothpaste, etc.) with a buddy to save
space and weight in your pack.
*bring gloves! I forgot these, and I paid for it at night and early in the
morning.
*don't give up...if I can do it, anyone can do it!!
A. MY NAME: Mark Schmerse
E. ADVICE: Here is my
item-by-item numbered advice to future Knobstone hikers.
1. Hitch to South Boston and go the Opera House… It's a cultural experience
2. Hitch to Salem and get some extra
goodies
3. Don't let this be your last hike
4. Just because someone has a gun
doesn't mean they won't help you… remember your closer to the South.
5. You don't need expensive gear to get
started hiking… just get going
6. When you're in the woods be sure to
wipe well… (It's not gross it's True!)
7. If you meet a jolly old fisherman in
rubber boots… make him laugh and you won't be disappointed
8. Take only what you need… then leave
behind what you might be able to share
9. Stay Positive!! no matter what comes
your way. (Even if you think you left your Cheetos at home.)
10. Always take breaks to let your feet
breath fresh air.
11. Let this hike teach you about life
and who you really are.
A. MY NAME: Mary Johnson
E. ADVICE: Here is my item-by-item numbered advice > to
future Knobstone hikers.
A. MY NAME: Paul Kind
E. ADVICE: Here is my item-by-item numbered advice to future
Knobstone hikers. 1. You can survive bringing anything you want. You will
thrive when you have figured out what the best things are to bring (and not
bring). 2. Protein milkshakes are the way to go. I looked forward to every one
and was able to leave the stove, pot, wind screen, etc. at home in my closet.
3. Bring tons of snacks, you'll be able to munch 24/7. 4. Keep a proper
outlook: force yourself to see the positives in every situation, even when
things look grim. 5. Tarp, bleach, tennis shoes, and protein shakes all might
seem extreme...but so is carrying 40 lbs up and down 400 foot knobs. 6.
Intentionally seek out times of solitude and time spent with other people. Both
are amazing in the right proportions. 7. Get ready to laugh and laugh...I don't
really know what it is about the trail but it sure has a way of making you
think everything is hilarious.
A. MY NAME: Matt Carder
E. ADVICE: Here is my item-by-item numbered advice to future
Knobstone hikers. 1. If you don’t think extremely carefully about what you’re
carrying, believe me, you will do so very soon into this hike. But, by then
it’s too late! Basically, take only what you absolutely need, and then still go
ahead and get rid of a bunch of 2. Take
a tarp instead of a tent. It’s way lighter, way smaller, andJstuff! much
easier to take down. Plus, you can cook under it and move around more. For this
hike, there’s really no reason not to take a tarp instead. 3. Take lots of
Snickers and other snack food. You will definitely be glad you did. Pile in
more snack food than you think you’ll need 4. Don’t listen to anyone who tells
you . It is wonderful to sit down and eat aJthat shakes are the way to go for meals full pot of steaming food. Seriously. Just
carry the little Pepsi-stove and a light pot. Meals will be a highlight of the
day-carry food you’ll look forward to eating.
A. MY NAME: Luke Richards
E. ADVICE:
Here is my item-by-item numbered advice to future Knobstone hikers. 1. Be ready
and willing to adapt and learn. One of the benefits of traveling with a group
is that you'll see other peoples' ideas on how to backpack. Take advantage of
that. 2. Don't hesitate to take plenty of food. Nothing boosts morale like
food. 3. Lighten your pack at all costs (except food). If there's any question
as to whether or not you need something, then you don't need it. Also do
everything to make the stuff you do need as light as possible. 4. Take it easy
on the trail. There's no sense in going so fast on the trail that you get to
spend five hours sitting in camp doing nothing. The point of backpacking is to
backpack, not camp. 5. Take it very easy on the hills. By the second day I was
forcing myself to go very slowly up the hills, and I was amazed at how much it
helped.
A. MY NAME: Michael Iles
E. ADVICE: Here is my item-by-item numbered advice to future
Knobstone hikers. 1. take breaks whenever you feel like it 2. air your feet out
3. take a sleeping pad (I didn't, but everyone else sure seemed to enjoy
theirs) 4. be nice to coach, he just hook you up with some snacks 5. look out
for Paul, he loves to help you finish your food
A. MY NAME: Kyle Hufford
E. ADVICE: - Take at least 3 liters to carry water - Make sure
you have enough fuel - GO LIGHTWEIGHT take the necessities keep you pack weight
to under 25 dry, you will thank me later - Use bleach for your water - Take
sugar free Kool-Aid to add flavor to the bleached water - Take some kind of
food luxury item to look forward to breaks - TAKE CARE OF YOUR FEET duck tape
works wonders. As soon as you get a hot spot put tape on it. - Z-rest are great
- Put your empty pack under your legs at night it works wonders to keep you
warm. - Walk at a steady even pace - IT is not a race - Keep a positive
attitude all of the time, the hike is mostly mental - Learn from this
experience - Get closer to God on the hike
A. MY NAME: Kory Pence
E. ADVICE: Here is my item-by-item numbered advice to future
Knobstone hikers. 1. It’s a mental game! Tell yourself you can do and you will.
2. Feet-wear worn in shoes, your feet will hurt but not as much. 3. Pack as
light…it’s only a few days! 5. Pick a good walking stick, you don’t want to
find out how strong it is going down a hill! 6. Buy the KRAFT mac and cheese!
It’s worth the extra 30 cents! 7. Talk a sleeping matte! It’s your best friend!
8. Pace yourself to the challenge you need to finish. Both slow and fast 9.
Have fun! 10. Take the time to listen to God and don’t do all the talking. Kory
Pence Student Center Box 1031 4201 South Washington Street Marion, IN 46953
(765) 677-6660 kmpence@hotmail.com
2003
Knobstone Backpacking class reflections
Zachary S. Szmara---
V. ADVICE TO FUTURE HIKERS
1. Know what you are getting into.
2. Don’t guess the trail. If you guess you’re at the top of the
hill, you’re probably not.
3. Pack light.
4.
Take less food than you think you’ll need. You most likely will guess too
high, and even if you run out, someone like me will pack way too much.
5. Realize that you learn from experience…you pitch the best tarp the day
AFTER it rains.
6. Look up. All too often when you hike you are looking down or
just at the trail. God has some great things in store if you just look.
7. Wear underwear. I know Coach D. says not to, but I love
underwear and wish I had it.
8. Treat hot spots immediately. It’s cool to wear duct tape on your
feet.
9. If you’re struggling and can’t go on…find people and hike with
them. Talking, laughing, and just having company makes the hike a lot
easier.
10. Make short term goals. Just make it that tree up there and
focus just on that tree.
11. Don’t think of breaks as negative things like you are too out of
shape to keep going. Think of them as what I like to call “creation
breaks” -
God is making you tired so you can take a break and look around at His
creation.
12. Remember that your mind is important. Your body follows
whatever your mind tells it to do.
13. Don’t even have a little thought of giving up. Just the
smallest thought of quitting will brew and breed itself into you finding ways
to get
off the trail.
14. It’s not a race. Don’t try to race with the people you are
hiking with. They are not competitors, they are friends. Hike with
them…not
against them.
15. Be an encouragement. If you see someone struggling, help
them. All it takes is a little smile or a joke to make them laugh and
keep going.
16. Pray. Talking to God just makes the trail seem easier.
17. Share your experience with as many people as you can.
Lynette K. Bowsher--- Knobstone 3/03 45 miles
1.
MENTAL, MENTAL, MENTAL-the whole trip is mental, be prepared
2.
LIGHTWEIGHT: test the theory before you blow it off
3.
HITCH-HIKE: plan what you want to do in town before you get picked up
4.
FOOD: don’t overpack...it becomes community food after awhile anyway
5.
SOCKS: Change them frequently...it really does help prevent blisters
7.
WATER: DRINK lots...and treat it, if you so desire
8.
TARP: don’t be afraid to use a tarp...even though it rained we still
stayed more dry than we were wet
9.
TAKE ADVANTAGE- enjoy your time on the trail (esp. if it gives you a break from
classes!)
10.
SPEND TIME- alone and with other people, spend time getting to know the other
people with you
11.
BE INTENTIONAL: similar to spending time with people...make it a point to get
to know people you don’t know very well
13.
BE CONSIDERATE: of your surroundings, of the people your with, and the
people who helped you out along the way
14.
MENTAL, MENTAL: once again, the whole trip is mental
15. TRAINING:
depending on the length of your trip and the intensity...training is always a
good idea, physically and mentally
KRISTIN MILLER (Not in credit class—guest on hike)
III. advice: even though it’s fun to hike fast, don’t be too competitive that you
don’t take breaks. take lots of breaks...especially when there is a scenic
vista. enjoy and respect the beauty you are hiking through. also, germs are
overrated. don’t waste food fallen on the ground and share with people (but
maybe use hand sanitizer!) and remember to thank God for his creation.
• Kristen
Miller
Jodi Walizer --- Knobstone 3/03 45 miles
V. ADVICE TO FUTURE HIKERS
1. FOOD: eat, eat, and eat some more!
2. ATTITUDE: Do not go into the hike with a competitive attitude take time to
stop and enjoy God’s creation, even if it means falling behind a bit!
4. As Drury says…PACK LITE!!!!
5. go into THINKING it will be hard but not impossible. DO NOT even entertain
the thought of QUITTING!!!
6. CLOTHES: smart wool socks really are the best, if I were you I’d invest in
some.
7. PREPARATION: prepare both mentally and physically! You don’t have to be
super in shape but don’t sit around on your butt expecting to make it either!
8. HITCH HIKING: if you get the chance do it, it’s an experience! (just make
sure to sit facing away from the cab of the truck…you’ll regret if you don’t)!
9. CLOTHES: bring gloves, enough said
10. WATER: drink as much as you can…don’t be afraid to drink stream
water! If you don’t drink enough then your muscles will not work with
your mind!
11. TENT: if you want to stay warm sleep in a two person tent with three people
12. PRAY, SING, TALK: whatever it takes to get your mind off the hill in front
of you.
13. SLEEPING BAG: you will want as light and as compactable as you can get, if
you don’t you’ll regret it!
14. RELATIONSHIPS: get to know people you didn’t know before. Heck
if you can talk to you when you smell they are the best friendships to have!
15. SLEEP: when you are backpacking you have a lot of adrenaline to keep going
but when you get back to campus be prepared to crash, unless you somehow
managed to get great sleep on the trail…
Melissa Ruder (for those of you who didn’t know my real name!) -- Rudy
V. ADVICE TO FUTURE HIKERS
1.
CLOTHES: layer, bring warm clothing. change your socks...liners are fine, but
smartwool at night are nice. underwear...warm weather overrated and cold, why
not, the extra layer is great! - hat is a must and gloves...if you are hiking
hills, expect the wind!
2. GO
LITE...enough said - you don’t really need all that you think you need
3. FOOD:
eat lots of calories...if you want it, bring it...just makes sure calorie to
ounce ratio is worth it!
4.
SLEEP...is overrated! enjoy the company and don’t worry about the lack of sleep
5.
TARP: take advantage of the less amount of weight and easy access, one night of
rain will teach you the best way to pitch it
6.
ATTITUDE: it is everything. if you say it sucks then it will! Don’t
underestimate the power of your mind!!!!!
7.
GOD: he is everywhere...seek him continually! pray continually
8.
TIME: take time alone and with people
9. BE
INTENTIONAL! - think about what you want to accomplish by doing the hike
10.
HITCH-HIKE - it is a great experience and it will change how you think about
people and other hitchhikers. if nothing else...the different food and
meeting people like the godfather are worth it!
11. BREAKS! they are fun
and when all you are doing is walking, why not take a break. rest your body and
talk. it is amazing how the group grows.
12.
NAPS: take advantage of naps outdoors, except if it is raining
13.
HIKE AGAIN: don’t let this be your one and only experience, do it again!!!
14.
FORGET SCHOOL: leave all your worries behind. you cares what you will encounter
Monday when you get back. if it is really that much, make a list before you leave
so that when you get back and you are sooooo mellowed out and tired that you
don’t and can’t remember...you have your list to remind you. but, just let it
all go and enjoy an experience that can, if you let it, change who you are and
how you think!
15. WATER: don’t treat
it...take a risk and see if you get sick. a good way to find out if you carry
giardia...it is only 3 days and if you do get sick...maybe someone in the
science building will want a sample stool! ha! ha!
EXPERIENCE
EVERYTHING TO THE MAX! DON’T HOLD BACK ONLY BECAUSE IT IS 3 DAYS. GIVE OF
YOURSELF TO OTHERS, YOU WILL BE AMAZED WHAT THEY GIVE BACK TO
YOU!!!!!
Justin Gentry --- Knobstone 3/03 45 miles
V.
ADVICE TO FUTURE HIKERS
1. WEATHER: Check the weather
2. MIND: Decide you are going to finish before you start
3. Promise yourself a snickers at the top of every hill (don’t worry your
body does not know you don’t have one)
4. Change your socks and check your feet often!!!
5. Layer your clothes
6. Bring a big variety of food...you get sick of stuff quick.
7. Take your time...don’t rush. This is a great hike. Take it in
and let it
change you.
8. Listen to Ray...lighter is better
9. Make sure you bring lots of food (hehe)
10. Don’t make it a race. In this game winning is finishing with a good
attitude and a new perspective.
11. Pack warm gloves and a warm hat.
12. One key to staying warm is to keep moving and to keep the “furnace”
going i.e. keep eating and keep your torso and head warm.
13. Make the most of the people around you. Get to know them. You
are
experiencing this together.
14. Nature is God’s sanctuary, be respectful and enjoy the view
15. Take ownership of the hike and give it everything you got.
________
Josh Gordon--- Knobstone 3/03 45 miles Yes I did hike
1,
Get as light as you can. Many things you think you
need
you really don’t.
2,
Drink plenty of water.
3,
Frequent stops, rest and relax.
4,
Enjoy the scenery.
5,
Forget school and work for awhile and just enjoy
the
weekend.
6,
Hike alone and spend some time with yourself and
God.
7,
Remember to laugh.
8,
Hitchhike at least once, it is an experience.
9, 2
t-shirts
10,
Columbia sweatshirt
11,
Golite rain paints
12,
Marmot rain jacket
13,
Light shoes
14,
Remember to bring gloves and knit hat
15, 2
pair of socks
16,
Keep your feet dry and use baby powder
Rusty Diskey --- Knobstone 3/03 11 miles—This was too hard for me—I hope I still graduate
V. ADVICE TO FUTURE HIKERS 1. CLOTHES: Bring warm clothing. Change your SOCKS...LINERS are great. UNDERWEAR...if you must wear underwear go light.SHOES, wear a lightweight pair of shoes. HAT, a hat is nice to keep the cold air off your head.GLOVES, with all the stickers gloves are great if you fall. 2. Pack light: If you think you have too much you probably have WAY-TO-MUCH! TRUST ME ON THIS ONE!!!!!! 3. Food: Pack some food but DON’T OVERDO IT!! Pack foods high in calories. 4. Sleep: Very important. Have a good night sleep to be rested for the next mornings hike. 5. Use a tarp instead of a tent: The tent is just extra weight. 6. While hiking remember teamwork: There is strength in numbers. 7. Take the hike one mile at a time: If you look at the hike as a 40 mile hike you will be overwhelmed. Look at the hike one mile at a time and never look back. 8. Take advantage of water ways: This will give you a chance to fill up and give you a good opportunity for a break. 9. Breaks: Take breaks often. Don’t try to do the whole hike in one day. 10. Pace yourself: Ideal pace is one mile per hour. Again, don’t try to do the whole hike in one day. 11. Enjoy your hike: Don’t just look at the hike as a chore. Enjoy nature and Gods great work. Talk with God while you are enjoying wonderful world He created. 12. Always have a map: Trails are not always marked. A map will help you if you get off the trail.THE MOST IMPORTANT ADVICE I CAN GIVE YOU!! 13. Know you capabilities: If you have had a recent surgery or injury and have any doubt about the hike... DON’T DO IT!!! 14. This is worth saying twice: PACK LIGHT!! Imagine carrying a 5 year old child on your back up and down huge hills for 11 miles. TRUST ME, I DID IT AND IT WAS NO FUN!!! AS I WRITE THIS PAPER, I HAVE A HEATING PAD ON MY BACK BECAUSE OF MY 100 POUND PACK. THAT IS WHAT IT SEEMS LIKE. 15. Future husbands, ALWAYS LISTEN TO YOU WIFE!! Your wife always knows what is best for you. If you don’t believe me just ask you wife. If she tells you not to go on a hike, do yourself a favor and listen. The pain of this hike was nothing compared to the pain my wife Inflicted on me for making her drive 4 hours to come get me. J
Stephen
Schweickart--- Knobstone 3/03 45 miles
V. ADVICE TO FUTURE HIKERS
1. hike up hills flat footed (easier on calves)
2. the water is safe, drink lots of it.
3. make sure your food is lite
4. have lots of padding in your shoe soles
5. go #2 in the woods. it is a liberating experience
6. CLOTHES: Bring wool socks
7. Velcro shoes rock
8. long underwear
9. zip down quick dry shirt
10. a back up front tooth in case yours falls out
11. gloves
12. bandana
13. who needs a toothbrush anyhow
14. soap is for the weak
15. HEAD LAMP, so when Dr. Drury doesn’t wait an hour
for you, you have
something to see with and not get lost while catching
up to the group.
1. PACK LIGHT! The less weight on your back, the
easier it is to hike up hills! 2. Spend time developing FRIENDSHIPS with others
along the trail. 3. Take the opportunity to UNWIND and un-stress. 4. PRAY and
talk with God while hiking. 5. JOURNAL during the hike. 6. FORGET life’s
stresses for the moment. Leave work and school behind. 7. LOOK for signs of God
all around you. 8. WORK OUT and get in shape before the hike. 9. Remember
PHILIPPIANS 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” 10.
Always think POSITIVELY, YOU CAN DO IT! 11. Remember to LAUGH! 12. Spend break
time reading your Bible and just LISTENING to God. 13. If there is a chance of
RAIN, make sure your entire sleeping bag is under the tarp, otherwise your feet
get really cold. 14. DRINK lots of water. 15. Keep the destination in mind, and
KEEP ON pressing forward!
16. SHOES: wear tennis shoes, they are really light,
and most likely your feet are used to wearing them which decreases your chances
of developing blisters. 17. SOCKS: Bring at least two pairs of socks and change
them frequently, because they will get wet! 18. HAT & GLOVES: Make sure to
bring these so that you stay warm. Even if you don’t think it is going to get
cold. These are great to have on the ridges when the wind blows as well as at
night, when the temperature drops.
19. JACKET: Definitely bring a jacket. This will be
your ongoing partner during the evenings and when you take breaks and stop
walking.
Ryan Myles--- Knobstone 3/03 45 miles
V. ADVICE TO
FUTURE HIKERS
1. run down hills, it’s fun
2. water is your friend, bleach is that thing
you hate but
need.
3. pack a good amount of snacks, but don’t forget
meals....and don’t go dry with food
4. bring a couple socks cause they’re important.
5. leaves are just as good as toilet
paper
6. bring something warm
7. take rests....even God rested
8. long underwear
9. synthetics were very nice in all weather, but
especially when it was
warm.
10. snickers, it satisfies
11. gloves
12. scope...a little bit......it’s really nice at the
top of a hill early in the
morning
13. anti-bacterial soap is nice, but somewhat
overrated
14. walk alone for a while, it’s different......in a
good
way
15. head lamp, just in case
16. last but definitely not
least......hitchhike....an amazing experience you will never forget...it’s not
that scary thing your parents always said it was.
Burton Webb --- Knobstone 3/03 approximately
20 miles
V. ADVICE TO FUTURE HIKERS
1. Pack light
2. There is a fine balance between enough food and
too much
3. Hiking poles are nice on long climbs, and great on
long muddy descents
4. Watch for double blazes
5. Attack the hills
6. Prepare your mind!
7. Prepare your body!
8. Prepare your soul!
9. Look at nature
10.
The hike IS a metaphor, find it and you find yourself.
Spring
2004 Backpacking Class
Rebecca Jean Petersen.
Trail Name: (just toyin' with it) Lemmy or Lemming,
since that is how I felt for some of the hike
II THREE PIECES OF ADVICE TO NEXT YEAR’S HIKERS:
1. Collect all the food you
think you'll want to bring, then scrap about 1/3 of that--you cannot possibly
eat it all!
2. Hiking with someone
really gives you a lot of time to get to know them. Try to hike with
everybody on the trip. It also makes the hills easier to maneuver when
you have company.
3. Amble along.
Really, I loved being in the back of the herd. You can do anything you
want, as loudly as you like and there's nobody nearby to hear it.
Jason Roller -- Knobstone Trail 4.04 45 miles in 2 ½
days
II THREE PIECES OF ADVICE TO NEXT YEAR’S HIKERS:
1. Your pack can be as light
as Coach’s!
2. Hike with everyone, don’t
be in front or back the whole trip.
3. Take the steps slow, that way
you can keep going at the top, no rush.
Mark Schmerse -- Knobstone Trail 4.04 45
miles in 2 ½ days
II THREE PIECES OF ADVICE TO NEXT YEAR’S
HIKERS:
1. Do not give
much consideration for a weather report. It is merrily a suggestion as to
what will happen. But, be prepared for the worst.
2. Be Social and
laugh, the trail is the best place to laugh! Thanks to everyone for
helping that.
3. Take food that will
make others in the group drool!! I didn’t and drooled.
Jessica Dvorak --
Knobstone Trail 4.04 45 miles in 2 ½ days
II THREE PIECES OF ADVICE TO NEXT YEAR’S HIKERS:
1. Bring a variety of
"crap" food and "food-food." (ask Becky Peterson to make a
menu out for you!) Anything you can add water to (rice, potatoes, etc)
and eat cold is fair game.
2. Wear tennis shoes--ask Sheri
Horst about her feet...contrary to popular belief, boots aren't hiker-friendly.
3. Pack light! Do you REALLY
need to bring your whole pedicure set or those cute fuzzy slippers you got from
Macy's? Odds are, you probably won't need most of what you think you
need.
Joshua Keesling --
Knobstone Trail 4.04 45 miles in 2 ½ days
II THREE PIECES OF ADVICE TO NEXT YEAR’S HIKERS:
1. Pack light, and understand what
light is not just less food, more quality of food.
2. It is not just your physical
condition but you mental condition.