patrickjd9 Member

That last picture doesn't look like Florida!

Be prepared! See you have a lightweight trowel. Something I plan to add to my gear for 2019.

On the Sawyer Squeeze vs. Sawyer Mini, I don't think the weight savings is worth the slowness of the Mini. Also, don't let either one freeze once it's been used once. They are not recommended for use after that.

I mentioned the word "retire" to my boss for the first time this week. 2019 is my planned year, told her I'd be willing to go next year. :D

Fruitcake!

Check conditions and snowpack to make sure you're not too early to be up in the passes

Cold Mountain on the Appalachian Trail north of US 60 in Amherst County is nice, it can be a difficult hike from US 60, or easy from the dirt road just north of it. I understand there is a fire in the area right now, though.

Great pics!

I got a walk in despite not being able to leave the office at lunch. At just over 10K steps on the Fitbit. Not quite my daily goal, but good enough.

Early retirement seems to be a thing for hikers. I'm planning for retirement in 2019 or early 2020 at 59/60.

Losing weight is much slower, but keeping good habits seems easier right now. Of course, technology is helping in the forms of MFP and Fitbit.

Recover from a pulled muscle in my back without doing much damage to my eating plan. Walked barely 4000 steps today, when I average 12-13k.

Having trouble flying, especially getting comfortable in airline seats. I avoided it for several years.

Hi, I'm Pat. I'm 56, live in the Washington, DC suburbs, and have lost 50 pounds in 16 months. Still 20+ pounds from my goal. I took the first 30 pounds off fairly quickly, but am now going slowly by plan-about 2 pounds a month at 2200 calories a day. I think I can eat at this level permanently if need be. As long as I…

For shirts, I've mostly been getting along with some taking in of side seams. I can do that myself if the shirt isn't too dressy. Going from 40 to 36 waist in the same pants is simply not possible. I had some smaller clothes, mostly size 38 pants, but they are now too big. One odd thing is that, as I've gotten thinner,…

Agree with Cheesy on carrying a backup water purifying method. Also, share your specific night-by-night plan with a trusted person.

Planning a series of four day hikes on the Appalachian Trail in Vermont in August. Fall plans aren't set yet.

Congratulations, this is excellent advice. I have hiked hundreds of miles of the Appalachian Trail while 75 pounds or so overweight. Now that I'm facing New England, I'm losing weight because I won't get through otherwise. But I'm walking to get in shape, not getting in shape to walk at some future date.

I bought a Mountain Hardwear Ratio 15 earlier this year. I like it so far, and it suits this bigger hiker well. Went for a long size for the extra diameter at 5'11, 245.

Whiteblaze.net and Appalachian Trail Section Hikers on Facebook may also be helpful. I wouldn't do without hot drinks in Maine in any season. A folding canister stove with fuel would add about half a pound if you use only once a day. I have an MSR stove about the size of a glasses case.