Npt

[Peebut]

End of August I'm going to hike it from S to N. Should I just cache my food somewhere off trail? Can I hang it or does it need to be in a beer vault? Also about the campground holding it. What happened there? We don't have anyone to meet us since were driving up from near Olean. I've never hiked in the Dacks so sorry about the NOOB questions. We're planning on 6-7 days. Anything we should watch for. How aggressive are the bears with food? Anything we need to bring that we wouldn't hiking in the ANF in PA.
Cheers

[BarbOrdell]

I wouldn't expect to find your food if you just leave it in a tree, especially in the northern most sections. You may have some luck asking the attendants at the state sites to stash your food for you if you have a reservation, though I never asked... Seems to me that if you had enough bear canisters that would be the best bet..but then you would have to back track and retrieve them. That's a lot of driving. Do you like rice? a small bag goes a long way.

[Rick]

End of August I'm going to hike it from S to N. Should I just cache my food somewhere off trail? Can I hang it or does it need to be in a beer vault?

Do you mean caching food for future days further up the trail, or food that you are carrying when you are camping each night? If the first, just mail yourself a bounce box - first to Piseco PO, then forward it to Long Lake PO and then on to Lake Placid PO in care of yourself and label it "Hold for NLP Thruhiker". It is the easiest, cheapest and most reliable way to have your food/film... ready when you get to another section of trail. I agree that your food might be devoured by chipmunks, pine martens and squirrels by the time you get to it, if you hang it (and you can avoid the expense of buying a bear canister)

If you mean the latter, just bear bag it. There are no restrictions that I know of requiring a bear canister when camping each night in that section of the 'daks.

Also about the campground holding it. What happened there?

Dp you mean having Lake Durant hold it for you - I' just call and ask them, but I'd hate to get there and find that perhaps the person that knows where it is is gone for the day or weekend or such...

How aggressive are the bears with food?

Use common sense and bear bag your food every night and bears are not an issue anywhere on the NLP. I don't think the trail gets enough usage from sloppy or careless folks (such as Marcy Dam or Lake Colden) to warrant nuisance bears.

PM me with your email and I will send you an excel file with the mileage broken out by and within each trail section so you can play around with calculate averages and planning and such. Not to be mordib, but I can also send you the David Boomhower article - "Death on the NLP" if you would like to read about one hike that went wrong. Might give you some ideas in your planning.

[redhawk]

Just want to mention that doing the whole trail in 6-7 days is not very realistic.

It COULD be done but you would be hiking too fast to enjoy anything, you are not allowing for a "weather day" or an "equipment day", a "blister" day and generally when on the trail for several days, about the third or forth day you really need a "hang around and rest up" day.

In other words, one or more of those days will more then likely be needed and at the pace you are setting for 6 or 7 days, you are commited to hiking 15-18 miles a day with a pack and will need a rest day.

Better to look at maybe going in from Lake Durant, or at the most in at Piseco.

[Peebut]

I'm not to worried about a blister day or a rest day on the trip. I've been hiking the NCT from Ohio almost to Letchworth this summer. Granted they've been in 3-4 day outings, 20 miles a day but I've never felt tapped out when I'm done. I only carry around 15 pds and I sleep the middle part of the day away relaxing. As far as enjoying the trip, I really enjoy being out there and the sense of accomplishment after finishing. If I want to stroll around I grab the dog, girlfriend, camera and load them into the jeep and head off. My only concern is that the elavation gained and lost is going to be alot steeper than here. It doesn't seem so though. Thanx for the advice.
Cheers

[Rick]

Sounds like you know what you are doing. Having backpacked a few sections of the NCT in PA and then the Eastern sections of the FLT, I think you will find the NLP much more remote and much easier to hike - less elevation gain and loss, though you will have mud and bugs.
Look for my files
Rick

[lumberzac]

Be ready for cold or hot weather, or both. I did the NPT two years ago in late August to early September. Temperatures were warm during the day most of the trip (70’s-80’s) and cold at night. We woke up to it snowing on morning at Cedar Lakes.
Also be ready to hike with wet feet. Some times you don’t have any choice but to walk straight through some of the boggy areas. If you decide to hang bear bags, make sure you do it properly and don’t leave your pack unattended with food in it. This is especially true as you near the northern section of the trail. The Eastern High Peaks have now made bear canisters mandatory and hungry bears my try and find over places, such as Duck Hole, were they will be able to find an easy meal.

Enjoy your trip and be safe.

[Peebut]

Thanx, I talked to my hiking buddy today and he seemed a little nervous with the 7 day plan. We may make it 8-9 to just be on the safe side. Thanx for the help.
Cheers