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Reply to camping/water/people?
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Bella Sera from Shiloh IL on 7/5/2006 9:30:32 PM:
Ok I'll be doing my first full run of the Katy Trail full through, or hope to make it that far. I'm hiking in instead of biking so my timing of towns will be different. My first day I'm hoping to hit Weldon Spring or Defiance. There is no camping there though and I'm not sure if I'll make Defiance. Does anyone have any ideas for camping over night? My first day of packing is always slow but I hope to speed up to 20 miles a day. And is there only water at the towns? My second day I hope to make it to Marthasville. Any help I can get on camping advice and water advice will be greatly appricated. One more thing is there many unsavory characters on the trail? Thansk for the advice.

 
gc from columbia on 7/6/2006 6:59:08 AM:
Good luck, Bella!
I am planning on doing the same hike, but heading west to east, starting Labor Day weekend. I am looking forward to your reports.

 
Trek Biker from St. Joseph, MO on 7/6/2006 8:37:20 AM:
Some of the trailheads have running water and others in smaller remote areas do not. Water availability may be day of the week dependent. For example, there is no water at the trailhead in Clifton City and none of the few businesses are open on Sunday. My advice would be to fill or top off your camel at each and every opportunity.



From my experience, the unsavory to savory character ratio is very, very low. Probably one per every 500 miles. The odds are in your favor here. I seem to see about one Unsav per year. I always know where I am on the trail and have the appropriate emergency numbers programmed in my cell phone (Ray has those posted on this website) and I carry marking pepper spray. I take a call from time to time and occasionally make one, but have never had to use the phone in an emergency because of an Unsav. I know where the pepper spray is, but have never even test sprayed it for fear I would have it pointed in the wrong direction.


 
Missouri Joe from O'Fallon, MO on 7/6/2006 6:27:27 PM:
Speaking of unsavory characters, Missouri is one of 47 states that have some form of License to Carry of handguns for self defense. Missouri also allows permit holders to carry concealed weapons (CCW) in State parks. Since the Katie Trail is a state park a CWW permit holder can carry there. I know some people will react badly to this fact but keep in mind that only law abiding citizens that have received at least 8 hours of training (range and legal) and have passed state and federal (FBI) background checks can obtain a CCW permit.

 
bellasera from shiloh on 7/8/2006 11:24:57 AM:
Thanks for the advice. I'll make sure I top off my water bags at every opportunity.

Thanks for the precautions too.

gc, I'll definatly come back with and post about the trip. It should be an adventure. *smile*

Bella