As soon as REI starts offering in person bike maintenance classes near you, take them. They are invaluable and as an REI Member you get a discount.  Also, check around to see if any of your local bike shops will be offering the Parks Tools Bike Maintenance Classes. They are also great. Get acquainted with some other riders and or cycling groups and then watch and learn, and do not be afraid to ask questions of other cyclists. The learning curve is steep at first but will soon, after a season or two and several hundred miles, start to flatten out, and people will start to look toward you as a source of information from someone with exerience. ... View more

I used the 8R (and the 111B) for decades. The Svea 123 was basically the same type stove as the *R but in a different configuration.  I eventually switched to the MSR Whisperlight for liquid fuel and the MSR Pocket Rocket II for cannisters. I use the Whisperlight for longer trips and trips in the winter, especially if I will be heating water or cooking for more than myself.  I use the Pocket Rocket II for short solo trips spring through fall. I found the Pocket Rocket II on the REI page but not the Whispoerlight. ... View more

Welcome. Where about (approximately) in Ohio? ... View more

I understand that "sentimental" thing, I often find it hard to part with old gear that I no longer use but is still useful. Some of that gear have a lot of memories associated with it. ... View more

Along with @SILHiker I recommend The Trek website. It is pretty current with a lot of advice from folk who have recently hiked or are getting ready to hike the AT. ... View more

You might consider a Dagger Zydeco 9 (https://www.dagger.com/us/kayaks/zydeco-90). I picked one up at REI a few years ago but REI no longer carries it. I am a little smaller than you and have found it almost to roomy compared to my sea kayak. I have paddled it on flat water lakes as well as class 1 and maybe even class 2 small streams. I also like my Werner Comano Paddle  (https://wernerpaddles.com/products/camano-adjustable-straight-shaft) but think you need to take a measurement before deciding on a size. ... View more

Maybe the problem is not insulation but inner warmth and circulation. Insulation will not help you if there is no inner warmth to insulate. Try putting boiling water in a Nalgene bottle, making sure it is sealed tightly, and then put an old sock around it so that you will not burn yourself. But it in the foot of your bag a few minutes before turning in.  Also, make sure you ate something before turning in to fuel you through the night. ... View more

@aarond More than once I have decided not to cycle or go day hiking because of rain. On the other hand, on an extended trip with an itinerary, I may have no choice. You know what is worse than rain? A cold 40 degree rain! I would rather hike and backpack in the snow at 30 degrees or below than hike in a cold rain. ... View more

A couple years ago I washed a 40 year old bag using Nikwax Down Wash Direct (https://www.rei.com/product/890310/nikwax-down-wash-direct). I filled the bathtub up with warm water and added the Down Wash Direct. Then I added the bag and mushed it around (how is that for a technical term?) trying not to lift it out of the water so as not to rip any baffles. The water turned gray from dirt and grime.  I then pulled the plug and softly and carefully pressed down on the bag to remove as much of the water as I could. Then I filled up the tub again to above the bag and repeated the mushing to rinse. The water was still a little gray so I repeated. After the second time the water was pretty clear. After getting as much water out of the bag as I could, I then put it in the dryer with a couple tennis balls on low heat until it was dry. After everything, the bag looked and felt new. I think the loft, depressed from years of use, nearly doubled.  ... View more

@Alien702 - And those areas are? ... View more

I used to live near SNP and enjoyed some day hiking there, but at that time, even using guidebooks, it was difficult to find circuit or loop day hikes. I did some day hikes on the AT but often had to hike one way and then halfway turn around and  retrace my steps. The AT through SNP, however, is nice and I highly recommend it. If you have not yet hike to the top of Old Rag, put it on your bucket list. I found it more challenging than I expected.   ... View more