KATIE HOUSTON & NICK PAVLOT aka OATS & LEGS ~ THRU HIKING GEAR & TRAIL WISDOMS
“Smiles Before Miles!”
GEAR
FOOD
• Outdoor Pantry
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SLEEPING
• Nemo Hornet Elite
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• REI Quarterdome
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• Kammok Thylacine
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• Marmot 20 degree
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MISC
• Hiker Trash Vogue Photobook
VIEW
• Leave No Trace Rules
VIEW
• Spot
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• Fresh Grounds (Trail Angel)
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• American Adventure Service Corp
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• “Into the Wild” by Jon Krakauer
VIEW
• Te Araroa
VIEW
• Green Mountain House
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WISDOMS
THRU HIKING
• One of our Nero’s we did 15 miles, we went to an ice cream shop, we went bowling, played pool, went to a brewery and then camped at a drive-in movie theatre. If you’re not doing that, I don’t think you’re doing the AT right.
• They (family) really did not want me to go initially. They were really worried a couple weeks in, but its gotten so much better. They finally kinda understand that I’m with a bunch of people that know me. That expect me to be certain places and that if I’m not there, they’re going to know that something is wrong. It’s nice knowing that my family now trusts the trail to take care of me.
• That’s initially what gave me my injury. I was pushing 20-25 miles a day in the first two weeks. Which is NOT something that you’re supposed to do.
• The other day we stopped at a beaver pond for two hours and watched three beavers swimming around and goofing off. I didn’t realize breaks were so amazing.
• Katie’s ground rules for enjoying the hike: 1. I’m done hiking by 6. 2. I take breaks. 3. I take breaks to eat snacks. 4. I drink at least 2 liters of water. 5. I stay in a hotel or hostel at least once a week to get a shower. It’s nice that I realized how to keep myself happy on the trail as soon as I did
• Smiles before miles!
• Are people having this much fun on the AT?! Because we seem like we’re having a lot of fun!
• Feet hurt after 20 miles.
• All that matters about hostels is that people that own them and the people that work there. If they’re cool people that genuinely love hikers, you’re gonna have a good experience.
• One blaze at a time.
• Take it all in. Not just as a thru hike, but as a part of the whole adventure itself.