Backpackin'

How much backpacking have you done?

I have a fair bit of experience living out of a backpack, traveling extensively throughout the world on a budget for a number of years. However, hiking whilst carrying all I need to live out in the countryside is a relatively new experience. I was born in and raised in the major metropolis that is Hong Kong, so I didn’t really have the option to hike out in the woods. When I moved to England, participating in competitive sports (soccer and rugby) dominated my free time.

My major foray into the world of backpacking in the countryside (woods, mountains and moors) began when I decided to train for life as an Expedition Leader. I have never quite found a career that felt right to me so I would work in any odd job for a bit and then use the money I saved to travel. I was looking for something a bit more sustainable and decided to become an Expedition Leader. The field I looked into involved taking students on a “gap year” on foreign excursions. A gap year describes students taking a year break to travel in between graduating from high-school and starting college. It is very common in the UK and is starting to gain popularity in the US.

I started with my Mountain Leadership training (I am currently working on my award) in Snowdonia National Park, Wales. I spent a month in the mountains undergoing training in areas such as group management, navigation, emergency procedures and equipment, access and conservation, security on steep ground and campcraft.  

Once this was completed, I went out to Central America where I received further training specific to remote environments under the guidance of local Jungle Warfare Instructors. I then progressed into a leadership role with “gap year” kids, as we worked on projects in the jungle with an organization called Trekforce. We lived in the heart of the jungle, far away from any civilized areas with only two local guides. We built all or shelters, toilets and sleeping areas.

This experience proved a stern backpacking test as we trekked, camped and essentially lived in one of the least hospitable environments in the world. I also had to implement my training to seek out potential satellite camp locations then design and build one once a site had been located. Everything was transported by backpack and those with responsibilities had to carry extra equipment that led to some very heavy packs that would horrify those ultralighters out there!

Upon my return to the UK, I have continued to lead groups on backpacking trips, as well as go on several of my own or with friends. I am furthering my training as I am working towards creating my own overseas expedition company and need to check a lot of boxes before I do so. I think I am going into the thru-hike armed with not only a lot of experience, but also a lot of expertise. This has given me the confidence to undertake such a trip.

How do you think your AT thru will be different from your cross Asia bike trip?

This is a toughie! They are two completely contrasting trips and there are many differences. Weight wasn’t much of an issue on the bike trip until I hit a big hill or mountain (of which there were many). It was intensely hot most of the time, but then I never had to worry or accommodate for the temperature variations that I will have to on the AT.

We had no set route on our bike trip, no idea where we’d sleep at night as we had no guidebook and weren’t fluent in the local dialects. The AT has a defined route, with a defined start and finish, with designated places to stay and data books with maps of towns with amenities listed.

On the bike trip we mostly ate in restaurants. This won’t be possible on the trail of course. Although it’s more practical and less of a hassle to eat in a restaurant, I grew tired (and eventually sick) of noodle soup. At least on the AT I will be a bit more in control of my diet, but will still be at the mercy of what is practical over what I want.

I went on the bike trip more for the experience (and challenge of course) rather than with a specific objective in mind. Although thru-hiking the AT will be quite the experience, there is of course a set route with a clear starting and finishing point. I want the challenge of reaching a set destination and the endeavour to get there. I fully believe it’s the journey and not the destination, but I want to hike those 2,178.2 miles, summiting at Mt Katahdin. I am also prepared for the possibility that may not happen, but it won’t be for any other reason that physical sickness or injury.

Although the AT is not 2,200 miles of remote wilderness, it will certainly be a more remote experience than the bike trip. We passed major tourist destinations, cities and even cycled on a four-lane highway that put a whole new meaning to a “white knuckle” ride. I am also traveling alone, so it will be a lot more solitary and tranquil (I hope) experience.

Once I finish my time on the AT, I doubt I will be in a position to compare the two experiences. I am sure there will be similarities, but I do hope and expect that it will present me new experiences and opportunity. I think the biggest difference really is that I have is that I will start somewhere with a clear objective in mind. It’s part of the reason I’ve decided to thru-hike the AT.

Many backpackers, like me, are gear freaks. Give us a breakdown of your gear in detail.

I am already bracing myself for in depth discussions on gear. I do hope that there will be more diversity of conversation along the way! However, I’ll admit that since deciding to thru-hike the trail, I have been swiftly transforming into a gear freak too.

I will quite happily carry a bit of extra weight if it provides me with greater comfort. I prioritize performance, comfort and price over weight (in that order). This is what works for me.

- which brand and model of pack did you chose and why? How much does it weigh? How big is it in cubic inches or kilograms?

I wanted to go with an Osprey pack for the longest time. I took a cheap pack out to the jungle with me, as I didn’t want to decimate a decent backpack. It had a pathetic excuse for a hip belt and my shoulders suffered as a result. I knew that I wouldn’t have this problem with an Osprey pack. However, with a strong pound, a massive discount and a friend visiting from the US: I decided to go with a Gregory Z55. I’d heard good things too and I haven’t been disappointed. It’s not the lightest at 1.4kg (3 lbs 2 oz Ed.), but it fits perfectly and is the right physical and cubic (3050 cubic inches/50 liters) size for my needs on the hike.
 
- What kind of shelter do you plan on using?

The sleeping shelter is the most important piece of kit for me on this trip without a shadow of a doubt. I suffer from chronic insomnia and it is imperative that I am comfortable at night.

I used a Hennessey Hammock for the 6 months whilst I was out in the jungle and did not find sleeping in it that comfortable. Despite being near the equator, I’d still awake very cold at times too.

With these factors in mind, I decided that a tent would be the best option for me. It will become my home for 5 ½ months after all. Sleeping in shelters, bunkhouses and probably even sharing a motel room is not an option I will consider.

Although it was not my first choice, I decided on the Big Agnes Seedhouse SL2 as I got it at a ridiculously good price. It also has the added bonus of being very light (1.1kg)(packed weight 3 lbs 6 oz. Square Footage 28 square feet) for what it is and has performed admirably so far.

- What stove, pot and other kitchen gear are you taking?

I am already expecting comments about the size of my pots! I am taking the two pots (1 x 2.5l and 1 x 1.5l) from my MSR 2 Quick to Cook system. I love to cook. I love drinking tea (go figure). They may take up a fair bit of space, but I easily store food in the pots and the weight is nominal.

I take and will take my diet very seriously as a healthy diet is not only important for my physical health, but also for my mental health. I am taking these pots so I have greater freedom and flexibility to cook a variety of meals. The cooking system I have is a British Army system that is exactly the same as MSR Pocket Rocket. 
- What sleeping system will you use?

Sleeping Bag: Rab Quantum 250 (Down). Not the warmest of sleeping bags (0C, 32F) but I get very hot at night and it will be used with a Jag Bag deluxe sleeping liner  ). If I’m still cold, then I’ll put on my merino wool long johns and down jacket. The sleeping bag weighs 630g (1 lb 6 oz) with the liner weighing 174 (6.13 oz).

Neo Air sleeping pad (260g) (9 oz) – received it as a Christmas present and am very happy with its comfort, performance, size and weight.

Mammut Ajungilak Air Pillow (200g)(7 oz): I need a pillow. I struggle to sleep otherwise. This is surprisingly comfortable pillow and is one of my favourite pieces of kit.

-    What clothes are you taking?

I x pair of North Face zip off trousers (190g).
1 x Finisterre Merino Wool Long Johns (180g) 1 x Montane Atomic waterproof pants (198 g)
1 x Finisterre Merino Wool Baselayer (190g)(6.7 oz)
2 x Finisterre Merino Wool T-shirts (1 for camp – 160g each) (5.64 oz)
1 x Montane Dragonfly shirt (200g)(7.05 oz)
1 x Halo Crux Down Jacket (222g)(7.83 oz)
1 x Ground Effect Merino Wool Hoodie (263g – for camp and town use) (9.28 oz).
2 x Bridgedale socks (40g per pair)(1.41 oz)
1 x soccer shorts (60g – for camp)(2.12 oz)
2 x Merino Wool Buff
1 x Extremities Powerstretch Gloves (40g)(1.41 oz)

I have still yet to decide whether or not to take my Merrell Chameleon 3 Ventilator Mid GTX  boots or to go with some trail runners. I would like to wear boots as I would rather the safety they bring, rather than the comfort of wearing lighter runners. But after 10 miles, the boots do cause me some discomfort and I am worried about extended constant use of them.

- The AT is a wet trail. What rain gear will you use?

England is notoriously wet and so I am more than prepared for this aspect of the trail. I have bought the base layers from a local surf company and they actually perform better when wet (exothermic).

I’ll be taking my Rab Drillium eVent rain jacket. Rated as one of the best performing, most breathable, lightweight rain jackets there are (343g)(12 oz). Not bothering with rain pants or hat (excellent hood with wire brim on the jacket).

I’m also using an Ortlieb rucksack liner  78 liters (394 g).  There’s no chance of any of my gear getting wet this way. I take it out of my backpack at night, stuff my pack into it and put it outside without worrying about it. This frees up a little extra space for me in the tent too. I’m also thinking that it will be a good way to fend off the critters. 

- Will you carry any sort of survival or emergency kit?

I will have a compass, whistle, waterproof matches, iodine tincture and penknife in a ziplock bag, in one of my pockets.

- Are any of your gear choices based on caring for your illness?

I chose a biggish tent and pillow for maximum comfort at night. Insomnia poses the biggest threat to my trip.

- Will you use trekking poles? If so, what brand and model?

I don’t really like using poles that much, but my knees aren’t what they used to be and so I decided to procure the ingenious and highly rated Pacer Poles. I decided on the aluminium over the carbon for their greater sturdiness and durability. They come in at 670g (1 lb 7.63oz) for the pair.

-    If you plan on treating your water, what method will you use?

I will probably use Iodine Tincture. Not the biggest fan of the taste (but then who is), but it’s brilliant for treating cuts, grazes and blisters too.

What is your skin out weight; that is, what is the total weight of everything, including the clothes on your body, without food and water?

Including poles and on the basis I will be wearing boots: 8.29 kg (18 lbs 3.2 oz Ed.)

What resources have you used to get ready for this, such as which books and websites have you found helpful?

I started by looking at various websites on the trail – the Appalachian Trail Conservancy in particular. I was directed to a correspondence with "Baltimore Jack" and “Yorkie” (English thru-hiker) for some information. Jack referred me to the Whiteblaze website that has been the most useful of resources, although too many people are too willing to tell others what they should and shouldn’t be doing. I have also bought several books on and about the trail, as well as a few trail guides.

My wife, Mudpie, and I take medication for our mental health issues and we have yet to determine how we will keep in supply on our thru. If you are taking medication, how will you handle having enough for being on the trail six months?

I have an excellent relationship with my Doctor and Psychiatrist. They understand that trips like these are instrumental in self-management of my mental illness (bipolar disorder). The Doctor gives me a 6- month prescription (free for me on our National Health Service). I keep them in a container with silica gel packets (to prevent moisture). I will keep 3 months worth with me and get the rest when I meet up with a friend (near Boston).

Will you carry a map and compass or a GPS?

I would never consider going anywhere I was unfamiliar with without a compass. I’ll buy maps as I go along. I am considering taking a GPS, but mainly because I’m a bit of a data geek rather than to help me find my way.

Are you taking one of the trail guides, and, if so, which one?

Awol’s A.T. Data guide will be the guide I look at first. I love the layout with the elevation charts. I have made a commitment to help out with fielding editing for the Companion and will take printouts for sections as I go along.

Do you plan to use mail drops or a bounce box?

I’ll put up the odd mail drop address as I go along if anyone back home wants to send me some home comforts, but I plan to procure all my food as I go along.

Will you carry any other electronics, like an iPod or MP3 player or a netbook for email?

I’ll definitely be taking my camera as I’m a keen amateur photographer. I have a Panasoninc Lumix camera that takes top quality pictures. I enjoy the sounds that nature provides so I won’t be listening to any music along the way.

I intend to keep a very detailed, updated journal along the way and am looking into phones, small netbooks to do allow me to do so. I’m still doing some research into this. Being a foreign citizen does make this a bit harder as it will be difficult for me to get a phone plan.

I understand it is not uncommon for people doing a thru-hiking to experience some degree of depression or anxiety, caused by some combination of such things as exhaustion, loneliness, frustration, and bad weather. One AT thru-hiker told me of having almost three months of continuous rain in New England. How do you think you will handle this?

One of the benefits of having a mental illness is that I have years of experience with living with the various symptoms and factors that you list. A few years ago, I would not be in a position to even contemplate doing a thru-hike. However, I am glad to say that my recovery is at the latter stages and I have learnt several healthy coping skills. I think I’ll be better prepared for the hardships of the Trail than most for this reason.

Recovering from the serious bout of suicidal depression I went through a few years ago was the hardest challenge I have ever faced. I really had to dig deep to pull through and I know how to find that inner-strength that will be needed when the going gets tough on the AT.

I am also a keen mythologist and use mythology to manage my mental health. Inspired by the works of Joseph Campbell and Christian Vogler on the archetypal “Heroes Journey” myth; I look at my life as though I am the Hero in a story of my own making. Every hero throughout history in legends gone by and in box-office blockbuster movies (Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, The Matrix) undergoes hardship and adversity. It’s the pinnacle crux of each of these stories and it’s these testing times that define the hero and his journey – they set him on the path he was meant to follow.

When faced with hardship I ask myself: “how do I want the next few pages to read”? Do I retreat or do I stand up straight and face the adversity head on? Whilst there is much of our lives that is beyond our control, we choose how we respond to the situations that confront us (if we are healthy). I did not choose to have bipolar disorder, but I have chosen what to do with my life with bipolar disorder. I’d like to think that people now see me for what I have done, than what I have.

I really do believe that there are positive moments in every experience, if we choose to see them. Looking at my life, my travels or my experiences in a mythological context really adds a sense of purpose and colour to my life; it allows me to see the light in darkness.

I really think Martin Luther King, perhaps my biggest source of inspiration, hit the nail on the head when he said: ‘As my sufferings mounted I soon realised that there were two ways that I could respond to my situation: either to react with bitterness or seek to transform the suffering into a creative force. I decided to follow the latter course. Recognizing the necessity for suffering I have tried to make of it virtue. If only to save myself from bitterness, I have attempted to see my personal ordeals as an opportunity to transform myself and heal the people involved in the tragic situation, which now obtains’.

You are trained in mental health first aid. I imagine few people have heard of it so please tell us about it.

Mental Health First Aid is exactly what it suggests, a first aid approach to mental health. Originally conceived by Betty Kitchener and Professor Tony Jorm in Australia, the introduction of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) has become an international activity. However, it is yet to be introduced in the US.

First Aid is the help given to an injured person before medical treatment can be obtained. Mental Health First Aid is the help provided to a person developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis. The first aid is given until appropriate professional treatment is received or until the crisis resolves.

This training, which I am qualified to instruct, will make people more aware of the various symptoms of the various illnesses. This will lead to earlier intervention and prevent the illness form escalating. Too often, people don’t receive the right, or any treatment for that matter, until serious, irreparable damage has been done to their lives: families destroyed, jobs lost, life savings gambled away, addictions to harmful substances manifested and suicide.

How many miles do you plan hiking per day on average?

I like long hard days so plan on 16-18 miles on average. I hope to see some sights along the way so want to keep my miles up so I can be a tourist and complete some of the objectives I have in mind (see below).

You plan on visiting local education providers and mental health projects to see what they are doing to help lessen stigma and discrimination about the mentally ill. But you have a deadline on a north bound AT thru. Mt Katahdin closes in October, so you’ll have about seven months to finish, including a stop to attend a wedding. How are you organizing these visits and do you think you will be pressed too much for time?

The wedding is now scheduled for after the thru-hike but I have a total of 180 days in the US as that’s all that my visa allows. So my time is limited and I can’t dedicate too much time to this, but I do believe that I can gather some decent information along the way.

What I really want to achieve in the future and what I am working towards; is brining something along the lines of Wilderness Therapy to the UK (I’m leaning towards Adventure Therapy). Wilderness Therapy has been around in the US for a while and enjoys great success, but it has yet to find its way in the UK. One user on Whiteblaze has the following quote as his signature "A vigorous five-mile walk will do more good for an unhappy but otherwise healthy adult than all the medicine and psychology in the world." (Paul Dudley White). I really believe this to be true and I hope to promote the benefits of outdoor activity to managing mental illness.

I am hoping through forums and my journals, that people will become aware of what I do and what this is about. Hopefully they’ll somehow try and get involved in a manner they deem most appropriate. These Question & Answers are a good start! This could be done on the trail or a meeting in the evening in a town off the trail.

I’m an advisor for an English governmental campaign and they are willing to contact schools or organisations that I become aware of on my behalf to try and set something up. The campaign is called ‘Shift’ and it is an initiative to tackle stigma and discrimination surrounding mental health issues in England. Our aim is to create a society where people who experience mental health problems enjoy the same rights and opportunities as other people. There are some really good resources that are applicable and can be downloaded by people in the US. Check out www.shift.org.uk for more information.

I don’t plan on meeting up with many, but perhaps ones that come highly recommended or are willing to come together to make something happen. I’d love to talk in a few schools about my travels and experiences with mental illness. I am not going to make this a structured objective, rather hope that it naturally morphs into something.

I’d really like to take something back with me that could help the work I do back home. If you think you can help then please contact me! I’m really keen to hear from those involved in Wilderness Therapy.

You’ve written that along with exercise, a good diet is important for managing your disorder. Many thru-hikers subsist on Pop-Tarts and Snickers Bars, with cheeseburgers during town stops. A good diet can require some careful planning for a thru. How will how handle this? How do you plan on resupply?

I worked as a chef throughout college and my parents used to own a restaurant, so I know my way round food. I am aware that is going to be difficult, so I plan on supplementing my diet with multi-vitamins and cod liver oil (omega 3 is very beneficial for mental health).

I plan on re-supplying in towns and being disciplined in what I eat when I am in town. It’s fine that I do eat junk food; I just have to make sure that I get my fill of Iron, Omega 3 and Vitamins. I don’t have a lot weight to lose so I will have to keep my calorie intake high and that means eating pop tarts and snickers.

What is Change Through Challenge?

Change Through Challenge is a charity that I have recently created. It has been inspired by the personal change that has transpired through undertaking challenges, coupled with the change in people’s understanding of mental illness that has arisen from it. It’s part of my plan to bring Adventure / Wilderness Therapy to my local community.

Change through Challenge is very much in its infancy at the moment, but is slowly becoming a body that encourages, supports and makes provisions for people at risk of social exclusion (for whatever reason) to undertake personal challenges. We have just launched a competition called ‘Win a Challenge’ where we challenge people to take up a challenge. I define a challenge as anything that takes someone out of their comfort zone. It doesn’t have to be physical and it doesn’t have to be something as grand as thru-hiking the AT.

The winner will receive a challenging, active expedition to Morocco. I am a keen advocate of personal development and this is the essence of ‘Change through Challenge’. I want it to become a medium to encourage to people to reach their full potential. I’ve read somewhere that life’s challenges aren’t meant to paralyze you; they’re supposed to help you discover who you are.

By the beginning of 2012, we should be in a position to offer overseas expedition to the Philippines during the winter months, whilst staging Bushcraft courses in the summer (based in England).

The first time I hiked on the AT I met an actively delusional schizophrenic at one of the shelters. (I used to work in mental health) The Change Through Challenge site notes that 1 in 4 people will have a mental health problem in the course of a year. Research I once did for a magazine article indicated that if you include addiction and co-dependency, there is far more mental illness than most people realize. Now, usually the largest group of thru-hikers starts from Springer Mountain in March, when you plan to. The odds seem pretty good you will be meeting others with diagnosed or undiagnosed mental illness. What does this likelihood mean for you?

Mental illness is still not something that is really talked about openly, well not in the UK anyway. Rarely will you hear people talk about the mental illness in a positive light. To many, that would be an oxymoron. I am happy to talk about my experiences of mental illness with brutal honesty. I’m not a preacher but do not find any question uncomfortable.

Many people with a mental illness have never had a candid conversation about their experiences of mental illness. There is still a great deal of shame involved in being mentally ill. Where once I wished it away, I now think my life better for it. I have lived quite an adventurous life and I largely put that down to me having bipolar disorder.

I look forward to meeting people with mental illness along the way and hope we can share our experiences.  A mental illness often goes undiagnosed because the person afflicted is too ashamed to admit: to themselves and those around them. I hope, through my transparency, that people realize there is no shame. We only feel shame because of the prejudice and ignorance that exists in society.

I read one post on Whiteblaze in which someone warned of homeless people on the AT often having a mental illness and therefore may be violent. The fact is (in the UK anyway) that a person with a mental illness is 6 times more likely to be at the receiving end of violence than commit a violent act. It’s these prejudiced beliefs that I work hard to change.

Do you have some sort of emergency plan in case your illness asserts itself to a dangerous degree?

I have a lot more self-awareness now than I used to and can therefore recognize any onset of symptoms. I will be able to contact my Doctor and Psychiatrist if anything materializes. I plan to continue my medication and this should really prevent my illness asserting itself to a dangerous degree.

Is there anything about your thru that worries or concerns you?

My biggest fear is that I won’t make it due to unforeseen circumstances and the emotional fallout that might have. That is far more likely to trigger an onset of depression than anything I will face on the Trail.

As anyone expressed opposition to your hike?

I’ve got nothing but support and well wishes for my hike. If I hadn’t done the bike trip and spent 6 months out in the jungle, then perhaps there might be some questionable voices. My psychiatrist actively encourages me to take up challenges like these, as the benefits they have had on me are clearly evident.

How are you being sponsored?

I am self-financing the trip and have saved the money to do so. However, I have applied for a fellowship from the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust. I recently had an interview with them and I will receive a grant if successful. I had to prove that this experience would not be of benefit to myself, but of British society too. Winston Churchill, voted the greatest Briton in history, also suffered from a mental illness and the Trust wants to ensure the legacy of Churchill continues.

A recent report by a prominent political adviser suggested that modern-day attitudes to mental health are in some ways more discriminatory now than then, and that Churchill’s depression, which he famously called his black dog, would have been held against him. Owing to sensationalist and oppressing scrutiny of the media, Churchill would never survive the inevitable character assassinations that exist today. We have taken a step backwards and I hope to continue to be part of the initiative to tackle the stigma and discrimination that exists within society. I hope to do this by presenting a more accurate portrayal of mental illness through what I do.  

The report, called ‘A World Without’ also examines the achievements of Abraham Lincoln. As Americans: how do you think a politician would fair into today’s arena with an apparent mental illness such as Lincolns? It was Lincoln’s personal experience of melancholic suffering (would be diagnosed as clinical depression today) that was to endear him to the plight of slavery.  

How can people help?

If anyone reading this has an idea of how they might be able to help then please contact me (   stuartskinner@hotmail.co.uk). I am particularly keen to hear from people involved in Wilderness Therapy, especially those who set up their own organization.

I really hope through interviews like these that people will be encouraged to go out and be of help to those around them, rather than help me directly. It is said that the mental health remains the greatest civil rights challenge of this century. It’s time to change!

You’re going to post your journal entries on this site. Where else will people be able to read your journal and where else can they get information about your trip?

First point of call would be on my website: www.therealadventuresoftintin.com. I will be posting my journals on www.postholer.com/tintin. You can follow me on Twitter (username: trailtintin) and I hope to post video blogs on www.youtube.com/tintinonthetrail .

What advice would you give other people with mental illness about undertaking such an adventure?

I don’t believe in telling people what they should and shouldn’t do, rather, speak from experience. I’m only an expert on my mental illness and cannot speak for others. You know yourself best. You know what works for you and what doesn’t; what your boundaries are and what you are capable of. If this is something you want to do and know you can do; I encourage you to trust yourself and follow what your heart is telling you rather than what is expected by others.