Tough Choices and the Virginia Blues

Hello, my friends, it's been a while! I know that I've been really lazy with this whole "blog writing" thing, but I've been busy having fun and doing cool stuff. So get off my back, alright?!

 

Anyhow, I'm writing from Waynesboro, VA, where I'm taking a break from the fresh air and sunshine to lounge by the pool and work on evening out my tan. 

Spoilers: It's dirt

The hike's been going well, but I do have to admit that I've come down with a nasty case of the "Virginia Blues." This is a common phenomenon on the A.T., and it pretty much boils down to a change in perspective. You see, after hiking 7 or 800 miles up from Georgia, many people (myself included) can't help but to reevaluate their motivations and desires; to reshape their "hiker schema" to realign with the realities of coming so far on such a massive undertaking.  The truth of the matter is, that despite countless hours of internet research on things like wilderness first aid, blister care, gear reviews and general A.T. factoids, none of us really knew what we were getting ourselves into. Now we do. 

It's snakes. We've gotten ourselves into an endless sea of snakes.

The question, then, becomes, "what do we do with that knowledge?" (A secondary question being, "did I use the right number of commas in that sentence?") Without getting to deep into epistemological philosophy, it's my personal belief that knowledge isn't really good for much if we don't use it enrich ourselves and inform our choices. And the knowledge I've gained so far, about both myself and the trail, leads to me one conclusion: "You ain't getting to Maine this year, and that's OK." But that doesn't mean I'm quite finished yet!

 



Seriously, who's going to give up on this?!

I've decided to slow things down, to stop worrying about how many miles I need to make, and to start really enjoying every step of this awesome adventure. If that means I don't make it to the end, then I guess I won't make it.  I started this hike thinking that anything less than hiking all 2,185 miles of this trail would be a "failure," but I'm begging to see that that's not the case. Every day that I'm out here is a success; every sunset is a victory; every rolled ankle, busted kneecap, and sore muscle is a mark of pride, saying, "here I struggled, and here I conquered." I might not finish this hike, but I sure am loving every minute of it.

Wind Rock, VA

Late Afternoon@ Tinker Cliffs

Newly Dug Trail

The 200' Apple Orchard Falls

Doesn't get much better than this

McAfee Knob, VA

UPDATE: Pearisburg, VA

Hey again! It's time for another update on my fantastic journey along the Appalachian Trail. I've made it to Pearisburg, VA (mile 631) where today I'm taking my first true NEARO in 200 miles. Feels good, man.

The last stretch since Damascus (mile 467) has been pretty tough, but enjoyable.

I've been hiking for the last little bit with my buddies Nemo, Bullfrog, and Rogue the Hound. We've been having a pretty good time! We have some big days, and we have some small days (the latter usually involving beer). Overall, we're slowly making our way to Maine, which is the ultimate goal of this whole endeavor. Que sera sera, amigos. 

One of the highlights of my trip since the Grayson Highlands was a FANTASTIC bear encounter I had near Jenkins Shelter. It was nearing dusk, and I was walking along the trail with a head full of comparative analyses on morality in science fiction (don't judge: you start to think of weird things when you have 10+ hours per day with yourself). As I'm meandering along, contrasting Picard's defense of Data with Luke's treatment of 3P0, I hear an enormous crash in the woods to my right. Making the slow transition from inward to outward awareness, I realize that, sure enough, there's a 500 pound bear crashing through the woods not 20 yards away from me... talk about a wake up call!  Beneath the titanic crashing, I also hear a slight scratching and realize that a young cub is scooting up an old elm tree not 15 feet off the other side of the trail. Uh-oh!

Now, I certainly don't claim to be an expert on behavioral models for bears in the wild, but I'd like to think that I know enough about the creatures not to get ANYWHERE between a mother and her cub. In light of such basic knowledge, I stop dead in my tracks. My mind races as I desperately search the archives of my brain for things I've read on what to DO in these kind of situations. After careful consideration, the consensus was: TALK SOFTLY AND SLOWLY BACK THE HELL UP! So, that's what I did, and it worked out quite well (if I do say so myself). Boo-boo was watching me from the safety of his tree as mama bear angrily eyeballed me from the ridgeline to my right. As I round the corner and get out of the bear's line of sight, my heart is racing at about 200 bpm! 

But all's well that ends well, and I gave the bears about 15 minutes to regain their composure (or maybe the other way around?). After the break, I hitch up my pack and start to loudly "YO BEAR" into the woods. As I approach the scene of the incident, I anxiously check the trees to make sure Boo-boo has gotten down to safety. Seeing no signs of the cub up in the trees, I carefully proceed. I'm still "YO BEAR"-ing at this point, and I hear a rustle on that same ridge to my right. Looking over, I see mama bear in all of her glory: she's standing on her hind legs about 50 yards off the trail. I look at her, and she looks at me, and she's absolutely GORGEOUS! Realizing that I'm neither a threat to her nor her cub, she gives me one last once-over and crashes back into the trees on the far side of the ridge. It was an absolutely amazing experience. 

And that's about all I've got for today, but who knows what the next 100 miles will bring? 

Bonus Pic: Campsite on Lick Creek. I didn't stop to get a picture of the bear, because I'm not an idiot (sometimes).  

Ponies and the Grayson Highlands

Hey again folks, just a quick update while I'm charging up in a Subway in Bland, VA (mile 590!!).

Things are going swimmingly here on the AT. Almost literally, if it keeps raining like it has been. Anyhow, about a hundred miles back, I had the great pleasure to hike through Southwestern Virginia's famous Grayson Highlands, and I'd have to say that it was my favorite bit of trail so far. The highlands were just so different from anything I've hiked, and there were wild ponies to boot!  It was truly an awesome experience. I don't have enough juice to do the highlands justice with words (if, indeed, it is possible), so I'll let the pictures do the talking...

Storms over the mountain

Rhododendron is in bloom!

At Long Last: UPDATE: Hampton, TN- mi.419

All right everybody. Nice to see you again; it's been a while. I last checked in from Clingmans Dome, the 200 mile mark and the highest point on the AT. A lot has happened since then, and I'll try to give you all the short and skinny of it.

For starters, I took two weeks off the trail to attend a couple of graduations. My older sister, Shelby, finished up her stint at the Vanderbilt Divinity School where she has been studying to become a Methodist preacher. Who'd have thought? My younger sister, Katy, graduated from my Alma Matter in San Antonio. It was really nice to spend some time back in the real world and see friends and family, but, alas, the trail called me back. On May 21 I flew out of Dallas to Asheville, NC (courtesy of a Buddy Pass from my fantastic uncle Ty. Thanks a million!!!). From Asheville, I hitched a couple of rides with some lovely people to Hot Springs. Finally, I was back on the trail!

Since Hot Springs, I've had all kinds of adventures, met all kinds of people, seen all kinds of sights, and put in nearly 200 more miles on the Appalachian Trail. During this time, I've had the enormous pleasure to hike through some of my favorite bits of the AT located along the NC/TN border (As an aside, if you've never visited the FANTASTIC state of North Carolina, I highly encourage you to do so. Asheville is great, Hot Springs is great, the little towns and villages along the way are great, and the scenery is absolutely out of this world.) 

I also had my first near death experience! Well, not quite, but it scared the BEJEEZUS out of me. Here's how it went down:

I was finishing up a tough day. 17 miles of walking might not sound like much, but hiking with a 40 pound pack in the rugged mountains of North Carolina can make an easy walk into a grueling ordeal. I had spent the night before at Uncle Johnny's River Hostel in Erwin, TN with quiet the cast of characters and was, to my shame, a little bit hung over for the first bit of the day. Anyhow, it's about 6pm and I'm cruising down the northern slope of Unake Mountain, feeling sorry for myself, and imaging all of the wonderful things which I'll have to eat in the next town. Now, there's this trick that a lot of hikers use when going down a gentle slope that basically amounts to working up a slow jog; this helps you move a lot faster, and makes the going easier on your knees. I was giving it a shot. I'm pretty much jogging down this mountain, not paying attention to anything other than my aching feet and rumbling stomach, when I hear an angry sound. A VERY angry sound. A very angry sound from this guy:

I challenge you to take a non-blurry picture of a pissed off rattlesnake.

That's right, folks, I just about stepped directly on a very upset rattlesnake. After screaming like a child, jumping nearly 10 feet in the air, and desperately back-peddling for my life, I noticed that my buddy Mr. Rattlesnake was busy... He was busy munching on a big, fat red squirrel! It was something straight out of National Geographic, and I got to enjoy a full 15 minutes of watching this guy eat. That is the second time in my life that a mouthful of critter has saved my legs from a nasty snakebite (the first being a cottonmouth at Lake Whitney), so I'd say that I'm a pretty lucky guy!

Other than that little scare, the hike's been pretty tame, albeit awesome. The balds of NC and TN have provided some breathtaking views, my body has started to get used to the abuse, and I'm making lots of new friends to supplement those I left when I got off the trail. 

Here's a few pictures of the last couple of weeks. Until next time, happy hiking!

Laurel Falls, NC

Jones Falls, NC

Sourpatch on Big Hump Mountain

Middle Earth, or NC? 

Max Patch

Hiker Pad Thai

So, a lot of a hiker's day is spent thinking about food, talking about food, dreaming about food, and wishing for more food. And, burning 5-6000 calories per day, we do a lot of eating. Unfortunately, a lot of traditional "trail food" (I.e. lightweight, calorie dense, high carbs, cheap, and easy to prepare) can get old pretty quickly. As such, hikers are always looking for new and tasty ways to replenish. I thought I'd share a recipe I learned on the trail.

Hiker Pad Thai

1 package Chicken Ramen (get your sodium fix!)

2 Scoops Peanut Butter (PROTEIN!!)

1/4 cup Minute Rice (more calories and carbs!)

1 druggie sized baggie of chili powder (courtesy of the folks at Yeti Foods)

2 or more Ramps (wild leeks that grow everywhere along the trail. They're amazing!!!)

Boil 2 1/2 cups of water, mix it all together, and you're set for a meal worthy of a hiker!

200 miles down!

Clingman's Dome is the highest point on the entire AT, with an elevation of roughly 6600ft. Unfortunately, my phone died right after this, so I didn't catch a picture of the amazing sunset.

UPDATE: Unexpected Zero Day @ Fontana

Hey all, just popping in for some quick updates. I'm currently in Fontana Village, which is 165 miles up the trail for any of you knuckleheads keeping track of that sort of thing. I've been on the trail for 17 days, which makes my average pace 9.7 miles per day. Considering that I've taken two Nearos and am doing a Zero today, I'd say that's not too bad! Certainly not great, but not bad either.

Anyhow, about that Zero. I hitched a ride into Fontana Village yesterday afternoon to hit a short term resupply and do a bit a laundry. All went well, and I hiked on to the next shelter to spend the night (aka "The Fontana Hilton" for the fact that there's actually running water on site!). Now, about 1 mile past Fontana Dam is the boundary for Great Smoky Mountain National Park, which requires that anyone hiking in the backcountry obtain a permit. The plan, made in accordance with outdated information, had been to nip into the Fontana Dam Visitor's Center (about a half mile past the shelter) and obtain said permit prior to entering the park. However, the VC no longer issues paper permits, as everything of that nature must be done digitally now, so I had to hitch back into town to access this computer thing I'm currently on. A completely wasted morning!! FURTHERMORE, one can't just camp willy-nilly in the Smokies, one MUST utilize the shelters built along the trail (blah blah blah... high traffic volume... Leave No Trace principles, etc., etc., etc.), and the first shelter isn't until the 11 mile mark. Isn't that just swell? So now I'm stuck in Fontana, half a day wasted, and not enough daylight to hitch back out of town and make the 11 mile hike (which is, per usual, a brutal uphill battle with 3000 ft of elevation gain in the first 5 miles). I guess I'll just have to eat a big, fat, juicy cheeseburger at the local bar and grill... the hiking life can be so hard sometimes.

Will check in again from Gatlinburg.

EDIT 2PM: The grill was closed, I had to eat overpriced hot dogs from the gas station. They were dry. Today officially blows. I did have a lovely Cheerwine (cherry flavored soda), though, so that was nice.

EDIT 3PM: There's a Mini Cooper convention of sorts in town. There are literally 1000 Minis in this tiny resort town. Every one of the drivers is, by all appearances, completely serious about owning a Mini Cooper.

EDIT 4PM: I bought a very depressing book on "The Rise and Fall of the Cherokee Nation." Heading back to the luxurious Fontana Hilton ( it's nearly rodent free!) to sulk in white guilt and make supper. I'm thinking a nicely re-hydrated couscous topped with cashew butter. Maybe a Cliff Bar for good measure. Oh, and tap water from the nasty public restroom. I bet the Cherokee never had to drink tap water from nasty public restrooms.

10 Things I've Learned in 10 Days on the Trail

Hey again! I can't believe it's been 10 days on the trail! Part of me feels like I've been hiking forever, while another part feels like I only got started yesterday; it's a very strange dichotomy. Over the last several days, I've been putting together a little list of things I've learned so far on the trail, and I've figured that it might be worth sharing. So, without further adieu, I present to you all "10 Things I've Learned in 10 Days on the Trail."

1. Hiking is hard

Like, really hard. I thought I was in good enough shape, and I thought that I had decent enough hiking experience. I was wrong. The very first climb up Springer Mountain left me huffing and puffing, and it has been a (literal) uphill battle from there. It turns out that nothing can really prepare you for spending 8-10 hours a day lugging a 40lb pack up and down mountains.

2. Hike Your Own Hike

Some folks hike fast, some folks hike slow. Some guys pride themselves on carrying the lightest packs possible, while others don't mind carrying a few extra pounds of comfort. In the end, we're all out here for our own reasons and to our own ends. You've got to respect that.

3. Trail Magic is Magical

I can't even begin to describe how wonderful Trail Magic can be. Imagine stumbling down a mountainside 30 miles from town. It's hot, you're tired and dehydrated, you've still got 5 miles before your next campsite. Suddenly, you hit an old dirt road and are greeted by a group of former hikers handing out hot food, cold drinks, and energy rich candy from the back of an SUV, all free of charge (BIG shoutout to Sherpa and Frankenfoot). Everyone you meet is supportive of your hike and wants to do anything possible to see that you make it to the end. THAT'S Trail Magic, and it is awesome!

4. Planning Ahead Actually Kind of Matters

Who would have thought that blindly blazing into an 8 mile dry stretch of trail with only half a liter of water was a bad idea?

5. Old Folks Can Rock and Roll

I have been surprised by the number of old geezers I've run into on this trail; I've been INCREDIBLY surprised every time one of them breezes up a hill while I'm breaking my back trying to get to the top!

6. The Extra Mile is Worth It

After a tough day on the trail, the sight of a blue blaze (the mark of a side trail) can seem extremely unappealing. But following those blue blazes has taken me to some of the most awesome and beautiful bits of Appalachia that I've seen yet.

7. The Trail Calls to all Kinds of People

When I set out for this hike, I imagined that there was a certain "type" of person who hiked the AT. I couldn't have been more wrong. From "Twigs and Berries," the barefoot twins hiking in loin cloths, to Jack the 11 year old, I've encountered all kinds of interesting and wonderful people on the trail.

8. Just Pee Already!

This one's a bit more practical for any of you folks thinking about taking off on some wilderness adventures. It's most useful when it's freezing cold outside, and you're all bundled up in your sleeping bag. If you have to pee, get up and do it! Apparently, your body has to expend a decent amount of energy keeping that extra liter of water at a toasty 98°F, and this steals heat from the rest of you. I guarantee you'll be warmer and happier if you get up and get it done!

9. Calories per Ounce / Eat the Heavy Stuff First, You Idiot

While I certainly appreciate the pre-departure trip to Wal-Mart with Mom, I certainly didn't appreciate carrying 20 lbs of food down Springer. I think I'm getting the hang of this "hiker food" thing, as I'll elaborate in a future post.

10. No Pain, No Rain, No Maine

Simply put, if you don't hike through pain and you don't hike in the rain, you'll never make it up to Maine.

Celebrating 100 miles on the trail!

At Mulligan's Sports Bar in Franklin, NC.

Hi mom!

Update: NEARO at Haiwassee

Hi again! I'm checking in from a semi- comfortable room at the Budget Inn in Hiawassee, Georgia. All's well so far on this journey/quest/thing I've got going on. 70 miles down, only 2115 to go!

I'm taking my first "NEARO," or near zero mileage day, today. What that means is that, rather than spending a full day on the trail, I hiked 3.5 miles from last night's camp to the nearest road, hitched a ride into town (which was surprisingly easy!), and am getting to spend an afternoon/ evening back in civilization. So far I've had a footlong Bacon Chicken Ranch Melt at Subway, a cup of Starbuck's coffee, and a deliciously cold Mountain Dew. I'm also planning on hitting an All You Can Eat joint (or "AYCE" in hiker-speak) for dinner in a bit. Town life is kind of nice!

The last four days have been decent enough, if a little rough at times. It turns out that hiking in the Appalachian MOUNTAINS involves a LOT of uphill hiking, and uphill hiking is actually kind of hard. Between the blisters, Charlie horses, stubbed toes, and agonizing moments of frustration when you think you've made it to the summit (but it turns out there's another 100 vertical feet ahead), it's been a taxing time to say the least. I've actually determined that the creators of the AT must have had a bit of a sadistic streak in that they decided that the trail needed go to the TOP of every single mountain in the state of Georgia, regardless of whether or not there's a decent view (I've seen 2 in 70 miles). I personally see no problem whatsoever in going AROUND a mountain or two, but what do I know? 

Anyhow, all's well that ends well, and the relaxing nights in camp spent with like-minded individuals and kindred spirits make it all seem worthwhile. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that the people I've met and gotten to know so far are the best part about the trip, and by a long shot. It's altogether amazing how many wonderful and interesting people I've met in only 8 days on the trail! There's been Ben and Ben, Rail Thin Johanna, Charlie the Guardian of Tortoises, Dan and Jane the hilarious retired couple from Boulder with their outlandish and amazing stories, Greg the Missionary, Big Chief and Sean, and James from Maine.. just to name a few of my hiking companions from the last few days. 

Rundown of the Last 4 Days

Easter Sunday: I hiked out of Neel Gap at 8:30 into a crisp, clear morning. Pulled a pretty easy 11 mile day, and stopped for the night at the Low Gap Shelter area. Low Gap is a wonderful campsite with lots of tent space and a fantastic water source. While there, I met "LC" a total hippy hiker who was attempting a thru hike with his two dogs; his keen powers of perception led him to remark that Easter happened to fall on the 20th of April, and he spent the next several hours celebrating accordingly ("Oh my God, it's such a beautiful day, I love you all. Am I talking to much? I feel like I'm talking to much."). Also met an ATC Ridgerunner named Zach. He was a cool guy with a REALLY cool job; he basically spends 5 days a week on the trail picking up trash and reporting damage. Hit the sack by 8PM. 

Monday 4/21: Hiked out of Low Gap to the site of an old cheese factory (no longer standing, unfortunately), covering a distance of 13.4 miles over tough terrain. Apparently, a fellow back in the lat 19th century had a dairy farm in Blairesville, GA, and he sent the milk up into the mountains to make cheese in the cooler temperatures; supposedly, it was pretty good. The site is, supposedly, also haunted...but I wasn't bothered by any hillbilly ghosts wielding cheesy banjos or anything, so I think that might be an exaggeration. Hit the sack by 8PM.

Tuesday 4/22: After two big days, I took it easy and hiked 9.4 miles to the Deep Gap Shelter area, AKA "Mouse Palace." Got a bit of rain around midday, but the thunderstorms that were forecast luckily passed me by. At approximately 2:15PM, I decided that I hated mountains and everything they represent; I will be making a formal complaint the the Appalachian Trail Conservancy concerning the lack of cable cars and/or escalators available on the trail. At 3:00PM, I ate a Snickers bar and felt much better. Hit the sack by 8PM.

Wednesday 4/23: Hiked down from Deep Gap to Dick's Creek, where I hitched a ride into Hiawassee. Ate like a king, took a shower, resupplied, and did some laundry. I smell nice again. It's weird. Hitting the sack by...9PM. 

Below is another round of random pictures from the journey thus far. Check back soon for my next post "10 Things I've Learned in 10 Days on the Trail."

Four days' worth of trail food... all for under $20

The "Mouse Palace" AKA Deep Gap Shelter

Taking a break at Unicoi Gap

Flowers and Stuff

Heading out from Neel Gap, the only place on the AT where the trail goes through a building

Neel Gap

So, after four days in the Georgia wilderness, I've arrived at my first pit stop, Neel Gap. I had initially planned on doing a short term resupply, and maybe grabbing a shower, before hiking out to the next campsite. However, a very long, cold, and rainy night at Lance Creek convinced me to shell out the $17 for a bunk in the hostel beneath the store. No regrets!

To recap my last four days: cold, cold, cold and wet, wet. So, in general, it was a good time!

I hiked up Springer Mountain on the first morning, then pressed on for another 8 miles, where tented at Hawk Mountain the first night. Temperatures dropped down to 30° minus wind chill! That was a cold night.

On the next day, I hiked a pretty easy (with the exception of Sassafras Mt., which was a rough slope) 8 miles over to the Gooch Mountain shelter, where I slept in the upper loft. It was certainly warmer, but the mice, snoring neighbors, and hardwood floor made for a lot of tossing and turning.

Day three was another smooth day off hiking from Gooch shelter, through Woody Gap, and on up to Lance Creek, where just about everyone and their dog decided to make camp when a spring storm rolled in. The rain really hit about 4pm, and I spent the next 16 hours stuck in my tiny one-man tent. Not having taken a shower in three days off mountain hiking, that was an... interesting experience. The outside temperature was in the low 40s, but being wet made it feel much colder!

Today's hike included over 3000 feet of elevation change over the course of 6 miles, all in mild rain. Yikes! Blood Mountain is the highest point on the trail in Georgia, so the worst is over...at least until after Fontana.

After a hot shower and a hotter meal, I'm just about ready for bed!

Below are some photos, in no particular order, to slow a taste of trail life so far. This Blogger app won't let me insert them into the text.

Check in soon.

Almost there!

24 hours, 5 cups of coffee, 3 filthy terminals, 2 trains, 2 buses, and a short walk later, I'm catching some R&R at a Barnes and Noble in north Atlanta. Only 90 miles to go!

The Night Before, and Final Gear List

Tomorrow, I begin my journey on the Appalachian Trail. More appropriately, I begin my journey TO the Appalachian Trail, but I'm counting it as close enough! 

Here's what my load out looks like as of 3:00 this afternoon.

Turns out, that's all you need for six months on the trail! In the picture, you can see many of the items I listed in my "gear" post a few weeks back, including the Eureka Solitaire tent (second bag from right), my old sleeping bag, my cookpots, and the Sawyer Squeeze water filtration system. Some additions and modifications that I've made since that post include upgrading to a ThermaRest ProLite sleeping pad from this piece of garbage, investing in some quality hiking clothes, stealing a Carhartt beanie from the lost and found at work (sorry, Jared), and getting a decent first aid kit together. 

I've also made some serious changes to my cooking system. While I had been originally planning on packing a homemade alcohol stove along the lines of the stuff found over at Zenstoves, I've found that my ability to construct these things is, at best, sub-par. In light of the many crushed soda cans, small cuts, and grumbled curse words that went into my efforts, I've decided to 

go with a prefabricated alcohol stove by 

Here's a beautifully scored and ridiculously long-winded demonstration of how a Trangia stove set works

Well, you've got to love the Swedes!  However, since I have neither the desire to spend $300 on fancy Swedish products nor the patience to deal with them (IKEA is my nightmare), I've gone with a much simpler (and cheaper) setup which only utilizes the BURNER portion of the Trangia cooking systems, demonstrated below.

And here's the bag I'm supposed to fit it all into :/

Actually, there's quite a bit of "dead" space in the bag. The total weight right now is about 30 lbs. 

Be bear aware!

Bear safety tips courtesy of Grand Teton NP

Three lists

Intro

Hello all! It's three weeks until my departure, and the preparations for my hike are going pretty well. My gear list is coming together, my savings account is almost where I want it to be, I've bought my tickets to Atlanta, and I'm getting the final logistics for hitching a ride to the trailhead together (should I spend the $80 on a shuttle/overnight stay at a B&B near Amicola Falls, or go with local trail magic and see what happens??). Through all of this, I've been doing lots of research and voraciously reading blogs, articles, and all thing AT related. One thing which I stumbled upon while browsing the posts over at http://www.appalachiantrials.com/ was a bit by a wonderful young woman named Allison Kiely who is currently engaged in a 2014 NOBO thru hike. In her post, Allison talks about three lists which she made to pull out at and look at during her preparations and in the midst of rough times on the trail. These lists serve as a reminder of why we're doing this, what we hope to achieve, and what happens if we fail. And so, like Ms. Allison, in the spirit of doing everything possible to ensure a successful thru hike, I'm posting my three lists for the world to see.

Why I'm Hiking the AT

1. It's there
2. It's a challenge
3. I've always wanted to do this
4. Now's the best time for it (or, if not now, when?)
5. I desperately need a change of pace and of environment

When I Succeed, I'll...

1. Gain a serious feeling of accomplishment for doing something awesome
2. Have learned something about myself and of what I am capable
3. Be in great shape with the discipline to maintain it
4. Have (hopefully) made some cool new friends
5. Have the confidence and experience to start planning my next adventure

If I Fail, I'll...

1. Be disappointed in myself 
2. Have to publicly explain to my friends and family why I failed
3. Be embarrassed and ashamed (see number 2)
4. Have missed out on a great opportunity to learn about myself and others
5. Lack the confidence and experience to try something even more awesome

Gear so far

From everything I've read, the biggest factor for success while hiking the AT is motivation and common sense... but having the right gear can't hurt! Below is a list of Gear I've accumulated so far.

Pack and Gear

Kelty Big Bend 5000 Pack - It's a bit heavy, way bigger than I need, and it doesn't fit quite right... but it's what I have, and it's worked for me on excursions in the past. In an ideal world, I'd go in for a fitting and buy a brand new, slightly smaller and lighter pack. But this isn't a perfect world, and I'm on a pretty tight budget!

Mountain Hardware 30* Sleeping Bag - As with the pack, I'd probably go buy a new sleeping bag if I could spare the money. But the one I've got is light, it's warm, and it's served me well for the last 10 years. With the right clothes, it'll keep you warm even on a cold spring night a 6000 ft, but it's light and comfortable enough to use even during a hot Texas summer. 

Walmart Foam Pad - for insulation against the cold, wet ground. Now, they sell high end, self-inflating sleeping pads that apparently feel like feather beds beneath your head. However, my research has led me to believe that the $10 blue foam pad will not only get the job done, but also reduce total pack weight and be easily replaceable.

Sawyer PointOne Squeeze - A lightweight filtration system perfect for eliminating the need to carry pounds of heavy water. The AT runs through some of the wettest regions in the world in terms of annual rainfall, and there are plenty of sources from which to draw water. The Sawyer Squeeze water filter makes groundwater safe to drink by removing 99.99999 percent bacteria and 99.9999 percent Protozoa/Cysts, and it only weight in at 3oz. 

Eureka! Solitaire 1 man tent - I've used the Eureka! Apex 2T on many trips in the past. It's a great tent, but a little heavy for long distance hiking. Since I don't really need the extra space afforded by a two man tent, I've order the Solitaire as a lighter weight replacement. While I haven't tested the tent out yet, I expect to be just as satisfied with it as I have been with other Eureka! products in the past. I'll be using a simple $9 Walmart "Backpacker's Tarp" in place of the traditional footprint, which will add extra insulation and cushioning. 

Clothing

Day to Day Hiking Clothes - 1 "Underarmor" like workout tee which I got for free during my misguided attempt at playing college footbal, 1 wool tee, 1 wool long sleeve, fleece, zip-off synthetic hiking pants, compression shorts, wool hiking socks (extra socks for gloves), ballcap, and (undecided) a pair of gaiters to keep those nasty ticks off. 

Frogg Toggs Rain Gear - Frogg makes a full body, lightweight rain suit that retails at under $30. It worked great for me during a recent overnight in Dinosaur Valley State Park, I expect the same on the trail. As stated above, the AT gets a LOT of rain, and hiking through the rain is one of the things that you just have to get used to. 

Cooking

Pepsi Can Alcohol Stove - After shopping around for various high end backpacking stoves, I stumbled on the great advice at http://zenstoves.net/. While I didn't find my design on zenstoves, I was determined that homemade alcohol stoves were the way to go! They're cheap, ultra light, efficient, run on denatured alcohol (which is also cheap and efficient, although not as light as other fuels), easily replaceable, and super fun to make! I don't expect to be doing any gourmet cooking, but it'll definitely get the job done.

SuperCat Alcohol Stove - I'll also be packing a homemade SuperCat stove as an emergency backup/ water heater. The SuperCat burns less efficiently than the pressurized jets on the Pepsi Can Stove, but it'll be a great way to heat up a cup of tea or cocoa while my primary stove is busy cooking supper. 

Homemade Windscreen and Pot Stand - I'm in the process of finding a design I like, but I'm shooting for lightweight and portable (duh!). 

Coleman nesting Cookware - I've had a set of nesting pots from Coleman for the last five of so years. They work really well and aren't too heavy. 

Guide

I've looked through both AWOL's NOBO guide for 2014 and the ALDHA's 2014 guide. They both seem to be great choices, but I like the format for the ALDHA guide a bit better, so it'll probably be the one to go in the pack.

MISC. 

MedKit - A basic MedKit for any wilderness excursion can be assembled from supplies found at any pharmacy. It should include anti-inflammatory painkillers, antibiotic ointment, sterile needle and thread, sterile gauze, athletic tape, ACE bandage, personal medications, body powder, Purell, latex gloves, and emergency water purification. I'm sure I'll play around with this as my departure date gets closer.

I'm still working out kinks for the rest of my pack, including personal items, electronics, footwear, drysacks, and winter gear, but I feel like I'm making good progess. 

Zach's NOBO Journey!

Hi. My name is Zach Lucas, I'm 24 years old, and I'm starting this blog to document my northbound journey along the Appalachian Trail during the Spring/Summer of 2014. Katahdin, here I come!

Background: Or, About Me

Hiking the AT is something that I've always wanted to do, but never thought I would. Well, now's about as good a time as any to get it done.

I've always had a love for camping and hiking. Even when I was growing up, being outside was a big part of my development. As a family, we'd often take long weekends on Possum Kingdom Lake, or spend days at a time in the State Park system, as our vacation. I have my wonderful mother to thank for that. It was always cheap, easy, and fun! Of course, as is wont to happen in the great outdoors, not everything was perfect. I have a fond early memories which involve our old, heavy family canvas tent, a rainstorm, and winding up in a hotel room! Despite this temporary setback, I insisted that we had my 10th birthday in a cabin on the shores of Lake Texoma. I lost my baby sister on a "kids only" hiking tip around the lake, and I've since learned the importance of trail safety and sticking together. Over the next few years, I had the great privilege of attending Camp Highlands for Boys. Our daily curriculum at camp included activities such as water skiing, sailing, sporting, archery, skin diving, and ropes. Every day was an adventure, but my most treasured time was always that spent during the course of "Expedition" training. It was during "Expedition" time that I first became familiar with the true fundamentals of outdoorsmanship (Thanks Councilor Eric!), and  I had the chance to use and improve these skills on my first "real" canoe trip as a "Midget" in Cabin 16. My first backpacking trip, in the Porcupine Mountains, came the next summer, and I've been in love ever since!

In more recent events, I graduated from Trinity University in May of 2012 (B.S. Chinese Studies, Minor in Psychology), and I've spent the last two years doing absolutely nothing of importance. To be somewhat more honest, I'm living with my parents and working the same job I had in high school (cue the world's smallest violin). Now, it's not nearly as bad as it sounds; in truth, I enjoy what I do. I' d like to think I'm a little bit respected in my workplace, I'm very good at it, and I make a decent living to boot (although, I have no clue where all that money's been going!). I've spent a lot of time wondering what my next step should be, and I've come to the realization that there's absolutely no rush. I'm in an absolutely perfect situation for getting out and seeing a little bit of the world. Allons-y!

Why?

Why hike the AT? Why go through the incredible amounts of mental and physical strain? Why not? I've already stated that it's something which I've always dreamed of doing, and I feel like that's reason enough in and of itself. In more concrete terms, I feel like the experience of overcoming these challenges will enrich me as a man, as a person, and as a citizen of the United States. I mean, what's not to like about utilizing our Nation's wonderful public land, experiencing an enjoying the great outdoors, discovering the camaraderie which develops between hikers, and attaining the feeling of accomplishment that comes with attempting such a task? Sign me up!

The Plan. I've got one, right? 

My plan, simply put, is to hoof it for 2,185 miles from Springer Mountain, GE to Katahdin, ME. Easy enough. Seeing as how I should probably eat and sleep in a shelter, I'll be carrying a pack full of goodies. A heavy pack, mind you. 

My plan is to start at the Springer Mountain trailhead and move on from there. For the first couple of weeks, I'm keeping to a very modest goal of 8 miles per day. During the peak of my hike, I'm hoping to have several 20+ mile days, but we all have to start somewhere, right? Three weeks in, I'll have to hop off the trail (somewhere between Gatlinburg and Hot Springs) for a week or so to witness my wonderful older sister graduate from Seminary and my splendid little sister graduate from my own Alma Matter. After that, it's back on the trail! I'm hoping for a late September finish.

Desired Outcome

Aside from weary feet, sore knees, and a fabulous collection of blisters, what do I hope to gain from spending six months on the trail? I'm honestly not sure. That's not really why I''m doing it. I certainly have hopes, but I have no expectations. At the very least, I'll be in phenomenal shape by the time it's all over!

Hang on. What about Game of Thrones? 

I know, I know. Season 4 of Game of Thrones starts right around the time I begin my journey. (SPOILERS) Little King Shithead gets his comeuppance. If I can wait five years for a book, I can wait six months to watch the show. You green children of Summer know nothing of patience. Winter is Coming.