I guess that I could also title this blog: WHAT A HIKER MISSES
It doesn’t take too very long to realize that there are a lot of things that we may take for granted and that a Hiker misses within days of a long hike.
As the featured photo shows… a sink with running water!
On the trail, a water source is extremely important to the survival of a Hiker. We are always concerned about how many miles we are away from a reliable stream or spring where we can gather water and filter it for drinking.
Another item is a toilet that flushes…
It is a good day when you are able to use a privy to “do-your-duty!” When a privy is unavailable and “nature calls” a Hiker is to walk off trail 100 ft… dig a 6″ cat hole…. “do-the-duty”… cover the cat hole back up… and “pack-out-ALL-paper”… to leave no trace behind! A flushable toilet means a lot!
A Hiker misses a Shower and/or a Tub (add jets to it and this is an item that becomes a luxury).
On the trail, a Shower is simply not available (unless we run across a waterfall alongside the trail), and the only available shower is when a Hiker comes in to town and stays at a place that offers a shower. Bottom line… a shower is not available while in the woods!
A Soft Bed is a little thing that means a lot!
Don’t get me wrong… we love our Big Agnes Copper Spur Ul3 Tent and the Thermarest Mattress that we sleep on, but it’s just not the same as a nice soft bed to sleep on!
Oh… and Gas Heat! Gas Logs in a Stove or Fireplace that can warm you up in a matter of minutes are little things that mean a lot.
After a 15 + mile hike, the last thing that you want to do is accumulate firewood for a camp fire! Too much work for too little heat and too little time! The best thing for heat is to hop in your sleeping bag and zip it up!
Finally (but certainly not the end of things missed by Hikers) is a chair with a back on it!
A Hiker is happy when he/she finds a log or rock that is sized proportionate to his/her backside and can become a good seat to have a meal on… to take a break on… or sit around camp on! We love coming into a town for a meal and sitting on a chair with a back… or relaxing at a Hiker Hostel, Motel, Hotel, or Cabin in a chair with a back on it.
The next time you use one of the before mentioned items, think about us as we continue forward on The Appalachian Trail toward Maine.
