My basic guide to gear...

Backpack-
The most important thing about a backpack is that it fits. So try it on! Internal or external frames are both fine. And truth be told, if you're not spending more than a few days don't but a big one with all the extra pockets, straps, and built in robot legs or whatever... Simple, well built (nylon thread, heavy seams, thick material) you'll be fine. Be sure the frame is strong. Internal frame packs have aluminum stays which you can remove and mold to the contours of your back. Day and a half packs usually don't have a frame they have like a stiff plastic plate that won't cut it and you'll end up looking like Quasi Moto...

Boots-
unless you're super experienced, go with hiking/backpack specific boots that have lots of ankle support and good foot bed. Superfeet make some crazy-wonderful insoles. Waterproof is nice but not exactly necessary... Gortex is nice but not necessary. Basic leather boots can easily be made waterproof with "bear" grease or the like.
I'm kind of a shoe whore so i tend to be loyal to certain brands - merrell, Solomon, vasque...

Sleeping bag and pad-
Lots of us have extra sleeping bags so borrow one and see what you like. I love down. But it can be high maintenance. I'm also a cold sleeper so I like warmer bags which are more explains. Get a mummy bag... 15+ - 20+ degrees are probably the limit.
0 or 5+ might be better it will likly be pretty cold at night where we're going. I. Got both my bags discount and they've served me we'll. We're going to make bivvy sacks out of trash compactor bags and duct tape so don't buy one unless you want to. And it may not be THAT cold any how...
Sleeping pad? Get one. Doesn't have to be super fancy. Turtleheads are lovely but I'm a ridgerest kinda girl. Cheap. Easily replaced, age well, I don't feel bad cutting them up or accidentally setting them on fire! Pads keep you comfy and more impotently, warm.

Waterbottles-
Nalgene of course. Camelback bottle or bladder. Platypus. Sigg. No glass and must be LEAK proof. I have a camelback waterbottle that leaks all over the damn place and it's miserable.

Any questions?

Two options:

I have two routes in mind.

The one is ~14.3 miles long.  Saturday we'll hike between 10 and 12 miles and Sunday we'll do 2 or 4 miles (be out in time to eat lunch, pack up, debrief and drive home and get ready for monday morning).

if you look at the topo map from the previous posting the 14.3 mile route starts at Blackbird Knob Trail and moves west then north up Rocky Ridge Trail and then southeast on Raven Ridge Trail to where it meets up with Upper Red Creek Trail (south) and cuts back to Blackbird Knob Trail (east).

The other is ~10.5 miles long. Saturday we'll hike between 6 and 8 miles and Sunday 2 or 4 miles. (same as above).

starts at Blackbird Knob Trail (west), North on Harmon Knob Trail (north) to Dobbin Grade Trail (east) to Upper Red Creek Trail (south) back to Blackbird Knob Trail (east).

Now, keep in mind that Dolly Sods hiking is considered moderately strenuous.
The average person, on average terrain can hike 3 miles per hour (without a backpack i imagine). 

I know lots of you are worried that you're too out of shape, and i know two of you have asthma. BUT don't sell yourselves short. after all it's just walking! And those of you who are in extremely phenomenal shape (oh shut up, you know who you are!) are going to have to take it easy on the rest of us and not rub it in while we huff and puff our way up steep inclines.

So, anyway, back to the point of this post - do you have a preference?

Question:

Would you guys prefer group e-mails over the blog in terms of coorrespondence or does the blog work for everyone?