Here's another good one...13 miles and change in GWNF. Trails won't be as well maintained as the others I mentioned, but it's a nice walk and a fun scramble up to the top of Little Schloss.
http://www.hikingupward.com/GWNF/LittleSchloss/
This is a nice loop hike in Shenandoah Nat'l Park that I've done twice. You can camp at the AT Shelter (Gravel Springs) or find a more backcountry site. The drive from Frederick is about 2 1/2 hours. http://www.midatlantichikes.com/id119.html
If you wanted an out-and-back much closer to...
I love my quilt...but my main issue with temperature regulation is that I want my feet completely out when I'm warm. So unzipping a sleeping back (but being forced to have my feet in the foot box) wouldn't be nearly as comfortable for me.
I'm pretty sure all the decent quilts you can buy now...
I was curious too..per wikipedia: "The Adirondack Mountains in New York are sometimes considered part of the Appalachian chain but, geologically speaking, are a southern extension of the Laurentian Mountains of Canada."
Multi-Purpose family outdoor adventure the weekend of 10/11-10/12 in and around Ohiopyle State Park in Pennsylvania.
Fall colors were maybe not quite at their peak, but still were pretty fantastic.
The day started with a short hike on the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail, up to an overlook of...
I've not yet been in a situation where I have wished I had boots on instead of trail runners. That being said, I have never needed to wear crampons, and I do 98% of my hiking on trail. I know there are situations where boots are the proper choice, but I haven't been in those situations yet...
Two thoughts:
1) I think many (most?) of the problems that are being documented are coming in town...hikers get to hostels and then the parties start.
2) I also think the party substance of choice in some cases is significantly lighter than alcohol.
I think it's absolutely a volume issue. The percentage of people that are problems isn't necessarily increasing, but the denominator is, which means there are more jerks and partiers and whatever...
I don't really consider the AT if my goal is to find solitude. Fortunately, there are still...
@Mike K thanks. If nothing else thanks for the heads up on White Fang being free on Kindle!
Unrelated, I often get momentarily confused when you post because I'm Mike K too.
Ultimately I agree with you on this point. Personally, I like the Zion model where you park at the edge and have shuttle/bike/foot access to the guts of the park.