Offer to Loan out Winter hiking stuff

[ednotmilkman]

Just thought I'd share with anybody interested- I've made plans to do a winter AT hike next month with a buddy and I ordered a pair of Katoolah Microspikes to use on ice or snow.  They are very expensive but the reviews were much better than for anything cheaper. Since I won't be using them more than once a year, if anybody else has need to use them for similar hike, let me know and I'll ship them to you for the cost of shipping plus whatever you find they are worth to you.

http://www.rei.com/produc...crospikes-traction-system

Might even consider selling them to you after Jan 20 if you promise to let me borrow them once a year for the cost of shipping plus $10 or so.

Also if anyone has a zero degree sleeping bag I'm interested in borrowing it by Jan 4 ;-) otherwise I'm using a summer bag inside a 20 degree bag and pray for no nights below zero from Erwin TN, to Damascus.

[Uncle Wayne]

You've made a fair offer and hopefully someone will take you up on it.
Good luck with the weather and your hike.

[Rob]

Ed... Wish I would have known you needed them, I have a pair hanging in my gear closet I would have loaned you. I have used them the last couple of winters in the Smoky Mtns./Ap. trail and I love them. A little awkward at first on ice but easy to adapt to. I wear mine with my Vasque boots and they work well.

[ednotmilkman]

Hike went well.  Just got back yesterday.  Walked from Uncle Johnnys at Erwin to I-81 at the end of Mount Rogers NRA in 14 days.

Used the micro spikes for the climb up and down Roan Mountain for maybe 3 miles total, where there were many iced over spots on the trail.  After that, there was no serious need for them although I did wear them for another day and a half in 6+ inches of snow on the highest spots of Mt Rogers. Might have given me a bit better traction in snow but no ice there as it didn't warm up enough to melt any snow.

May post a few pictures, but might not take the time. I had to go alone after my buddy heard his wife was in a car accident. Camped with other hikers in 4 of the shelters. The rest of the camps were alone- once in a FS bathroom, twice at hostels both of which were mostly closed for the winter, and the other nights in shelters by myself.  I had one shower on the morning of the 4th day at a hostel that was open where I had left my 1st food drop !

Also I bought a pair of Gore-Tex insulated Garmont Momentum hikers at REI on the way up there, so I'd include them with the offer to use the microspikes if you can wear size 11 1/2 to 12.

Edwin