Date: 2010-08-18
To: Spring, Texas
Miles today: 0.0

UPDATE: I've started once again, check out the 2011 journal here!It has been about 3 months since I got off the trail. While I do not regret my decision to get off the trail...I do think about the trail every day. While running, walking, driving, watching TV or any of my other daily activities I get flashbacks of the trail. The flashbacks include vivid memories of a particular hill/mountain I climbed, shelter areas I camped at, people I hiked with, scenery, weather conditions, trail magic, etc. All good. I wanted to provide some insight to hiking the AT to prospective newbies...considering I was a newbie to long distance hiking before hiking 625 miles of the AT this year.1) Nothing prepares you for hiking the AT except hiking it. I thought I was in good shape when I started my hike...NOT! The first 4 miles or so of the northbound AT lulls you into thinking..."this is going to be pretty easy"...then the trail smacks you upside your head with tough climb after tough climb...welcome to the AT...GAME ON.2) Don't say " I'll wait until the next water source to fill up"...you will eventually regret that decision. Dehydration is not fun...especially when you are trying to climb 1000 ft in elevation. 3) The word "gap" means there is a nice climb ahead of you.4) Climbing up hill is an art/skill...it took me quite a while to get the hang of it. The key is to go slow...very slow. Eventually your conditioning will improve and you'll be able to climb a mountain without stopping to take a break every fifty yards or so. 5) Tenting worked for me...while sleeping in the shelters allowed for easy pack up in the morning...you have got to deal with the snoring and being cramped. My tent was my casa...it felt good to have my own little space at the end of a long day.6) I wish I had an IPOD. Many times on the trail I could have used some music to pick me up or break up the monotony of the trail...yes the trail is not beautiful scenery all of the time. 7) Waterproof/resistant gloves would have been great to have. Cold, snow, wind, rain can really make life miserable for your hands. 8) Drink a lot of Gatorade...your body needs more than just water. 9) Wish I had brought an extra pair of wool socks. I had two...one to wear during the day and one to wear while sleeping. It would have been nice to change out at least once during the day...especially if your feet got wet or extra sweaty...sure would help to reduce the blisters you will be getting. 10) Duct tape is once again the best product ever invented.11) You will fall...it is just a matter of when. I must have tripped and stumbled about 100 times...I fell 3...fortunately they were not bad falls. Just remember...if it rains...rocks are like ice...slow down...roots are not much better.The AT has been a tremendous experience. It tested me physically and mentally...I think making me a stronger person. The people you meet are from all walks of life which makes for a very interesting hike. Ninety-nine percent of the people on the trail are terrific. I plan to complete the AT in sections picking up next year where I left off in Pearisburg. I will do a gear review in my next post. Thanks again for following my journey.