Just finished up a 106 mile (un-supported/no resupply) section of the Appalachian Trail (GA/NC). I planned for 9 days, but finished in 7 days and a wake up. Weather was great, so a couple days I was able to add a few extra miles with the longest day being 20 miles in about 9 hours...
A lot of talk on the trail about the "machete killer" incident just a few weeks ago up. I always CCW on the trail where legal and my primary handgun has been my Kahr CM9. Four-legged threats are really non-existent, but the two-legged threats present the most risk; however, even that is assessed as a very low risk. Regardless, I carry because I can and I enjoy it despite the added weight. I'm no ultralightweight backpacker, but I do weigh and assess every item in my pack, keeping excess and redundancy to a bear minimum.
Since this trip was with no resupply, my pack choice and base weight were much heavier than normal. My typical "base weight" (everything in the pack minus food, fuel, and water as they fluctuate depending on the length, season, and type of conditions on the trail), is normally about 12-13 pounds. This trip, that was bumped up to almost 16 pounds with a few extra items I wanted to test.
My CCW platform has been a Hill People Gear Kit Bag for the past decade plus. My favorite is their smaller Snubby Original. These are a pretty discreet and versatile carry platform. with several advantages. I must have seen a 50 other backpackers, hung out at a shelter with a few, ate my dinner around some when at the shelters; all while wearing my Kit Bag. Not a single question or curiosity except from one lady who was prior service and thought it was some type of Army-issued bag.
Versatile, as I'm able to carry my phone, map, compass, snacks, Bic lighter, etc. in the front area that is easily accessed while hiking. While it is comfortable with a pack, it does trap some heat in the chest area, but I've found it tolerable as my whole body gets pretty soaked when trekking in the hotter/humid months here in the Southeast. The best attribute is the ability to integrate very well with a pack without interfering with the should straps, waist-belt and suspension. It's also nice as a stand-alone for when I dump my pack but have to hike up to a quarte- mile to collect water.
Access is excellent. While you can draw it one handed with either hand, it's cumbersome. However, with two hands, it's quite fast and with the proper technique zero issues of "flagging" yourself. More importantly, since I hike with trekking poles, I've done several live-fire drills with my poles and I'm able to access, draw, and shoot with my poles (pole straps are laced through onto your wrists, so they'll dangle when shooting from a standing position).
Over all, a good gut-check and the CCW is one of my acceptable-weight, "comfort items" that is just part of my standard backpacking kit. The Kit Bags are simply of the best methods I've found over the years that works perfectly as intended when you're better off carrying concealed vice open carry.
ROCK6
A lot of talk on the trail about the "machete killer" incident just a few weeks ago up. I always CCW on the trail where legal and my primary handgun has been my Kahr CM9. Four-legged threats are really non-existent, but the two-legged threats present the most risk; however, even that is assessed as a very low risk. Regardless, I carry because I can and I enjoy it despite the added weight. I'm no ultralightweight backpacker, but I do weigh and assess every item in my pack, keeping excess and redundancy to a bear minimum.
Since this trip was with no resupply, my pack choice and base weight were much heavier than normal. My typical "base weight" (everything in the pack minus food, fuel, and water as they fluctuate depending on the length, season, and type of conditions on the trail), is normally about 12-13 pounds. This trip, that was bumped up to almost 16 pounds with a few extra items I wanted to test.
My CCW platform has been a Hill People Gear Kit Bag for the past decade plus. My favorite is their smaller Snubby Original. These are a pretty discreet and versatile carry platform. with several advantages. I must have seen a 50 other backpackers, hung out at a shelter with a few, ate my dinner around some when at the shelters; all while wearing my Kit Bag. Not a single question or curiosity except from one lady who was prior service and thought it was some type of Army-issued bag.
Versatile, as I'm able to carry my phone, map, compass, snacks, Bic lighter, etc. in the front area that is easily accessed while hiking. While it is comfortable with a pack, it does trap some heat in the chest area, but I've found it tolerable as my whole body gets pretty soaked when trekking in the hotter/humid months here in the Southeast. The best attribute is the ability to integrate very well with a pack without interfering with the should straps, waist-belt and suspension. It's also nice as a stand-alone for when I dump my pack but have to hike up to a quarte- mile to collect water.
Access is excellent. While you can draw it one handed with either hand, it's cumbersome. However, with two hands, it's quite fast and with the proper technique zero issues of "flagging" yourself. More importantly, since I hike with trekking poles, I've done several live-fire drills with my poles and I'm able to access, draw, and shoot with my poles (pole straps are laced through onto your wrists, so they'll dangle when shooting from a standing position).
Over all, a good gut-check and the CCW is one of my acceptable-weight, "comfort items" that is just part of my standard backpacking kit. The Kit Bags are simply of the best methods I've found over the years that works perfectly as intended when you're better off carrying concealed vice open carry.
ROCK6
