Date: 2015-02-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I think I now have all the gear that I need to get started. Actually, I probably have too much stuff and will probably end up sending some of it home soon after I get started. As I¢ve mentioned before, I am a rookie when it comes to long distance hiking. Here is a list of all the items I intend to start with. I welcome all seasoned long distance hikers to take a quick glance at the list to see if I¢m properly prepared. If the item list lacks some things I may need or has too many thing I won¢t need, feel free to let me know what changes you would make to the list. I will have to rely on the knowledge of others who know a lot more about this challenge than I do, or just make mistakes as I go and learn from them. I¢m hoping for a combination of learning from my misadventures and using advice from others¢ experiences.My brother will be taking care of my house and yard while I¢m gone, and my parents will keep my Jack Russell/Fox Terrier mix for me. I have extra shoes and gear that I will have shipped to me along the way if I need anything replaced, but I intend to purchase all my food as I go. My bills are all on auto-pay, and I feel as if I¢m ready to take the plunge. Three more weeks to go.I am known for letting my crap laying around and forgetting to take it with me, so my running buddies think I should attach a small GPS tracking device on each item so I can locate any gear that I let scattered along the trail.Today I saw my doctor for one last checkup and a prescription refill for hypertension medication, something I had to keep an eye on for the past decade to keep it where it needs to be. The last time I saw him and discussed my plans for this summer, he cocked his head, looked at me, and said ¢did you ever think about, you know, just lounging by a pool for a summer?¢ The truth is, I never even gave it a thought, or ever desire to do so.Here¢s my list:¢¢        1-Backpack (Osprey-Aether 60)¢¢        1-Raincover (for backpack)¢¢        1-Tent (Velocity 1)¢¢        1-Ground sheet¢¢        1-Sleeping Bag (Sierra Designs-Zissou 12)¢¢        1-Bag liner¢¢        1- Wallet¢¢        3-Waterproof stuff sacks (Sea to Summit)¢¢        2-Water bottles¢¢        Zip lock bags¢¢        1-pair hiking shoes (Keens)¢¢        1-Pair rubber sandals (for camp shoes)¢¢        2-Hiking poles (Black Diamond Flicklock)¢¢        1-2015 AT Guide (AWOL¢s)¢¢        1-Fleece jacket¢¢        1-Down jacket¢¢        1-Rain jacket¢¢        1-Pair pants (with removable legs)¢¢        1-Pair running shorts¢¢        2-Long sleeve tech shirts¢¢        2-short sleeve T-shirts¢¢        2-Pair socks¢¢        2-Pair briefs¢¢        1-Pair running tights¢¢        1-Pair rain pants¢¢        1-Hat¢¢        1-Pair gloves¢¢        1-Pair mittens¢¢        1-Bandana¢¢        1-water filter (Sawyer mini)¢¢        Water purification tablets¢¢        1-Stove¢¢        1-Pot¢¢        1-Spoon¢¢        1-Fuel canister¢¢        1-Lighter¢¢        1-Leatherman tool¢¢        1- Headlamp¢¢        Toothbrush and toothpaste¢¢        1-Roll toilet paper¢¢        Ibuprofen¢¢        A few band aids¢¢        Short length of duct tape¢¢        50¢ of paracord¢¢        1-smart phone (Note 4)¢¢        1-battery pack ( for phone)