Date: 2006-01-24
To: Doodads and Whiz-bangs
Miles today: 0.0

I must have worked at an outfitter in a past life because when I discovered backpacking and the AT, I fell in love with all the doodads and whiz-bangs. They're all so mesmerizing and wonderful. However, it is a source of much confusion for newcomers. Especially if we've never long-distanced backpacked. Carrying a multi-tool knife-file-corkscrew seemed like a necessary tool early on, but at a half-a-pound, and with few bottles of wine stored in the shelters, it was overkill. All I really needed was the smallest Swiss Army knife they make, and even then, it was the toothpick I used most often. If a chipmunk would attack me, my Spork would offer more protection than the blade on that tiny knife. There's just not a lot of hand-to-hand combat on the Appalachian Trail. The biggest enemies are the elevation gains and the decisions we make on gear. Thanks to gravity, those two don't get along with each other. Gravity sucks. Literally. Thank goodness for Backpacker Magazines gear guide and particularly those handy comparison charts in the back. In fact, by not carrying half-pound corkscrew knifes, I didn't find the Approach Trail quite the demon its made out to be in 2004. Others would disagree with that such as the person who discarded the cast-iron frying pan I found in the middle of the trail. Oy! I could hardly take another step forward from laughing so hard. As I play this waiting game before this seasons start, I've been able to draw on even more experience to adjust my load further downward. Now it's important to say, I don't like to treat my hike as a foray into deprivation. I want luxury items along with me. Things like an MP3/radio with earplug-headphones. They completely eliminate any sleepless nights due to scampering little mice feet and the midnight symphonies of other hikers. I carry a digital camera, drawing tablet, color pens and a journal to record all the texture of life on the trail. Why I even carry rain pants! Many do not, but nothing makes you feel invincible in a deluge more than complete foul weather gear. And I even carry a tiny flask of Captain Morgan Spiced Rum for that end of the day nip. Those are mine and I'm sure you have yours. It's a wonderful time to be hiking though. The lightweight gear revolution of the past five years has made it easier to thru-hike than just a handful of years ago. The key word being easier, a thru-hike is never easy. But lightweight gear will not get you to Katahdin, it only helps. The more joy you can find, the stronger emotionally you'll be. Somehow, miraculously, with it being the fifth wettest season on record according to the Weather Channel my year, I carried more smiles than frowns. For me, the weight I carry or should I say don't carry, has a significant influence on the journey. But everyone is different. Despite the Appalachian Trail getting longer each year, the percentage of hikers making it end-to-end has been rising consistently. What was once 10% has increased to 20% (plus or minus). Gear has helped. Gear Guides have helped. Information sources like Trailjournals have helped. That book I wrote helps too.No matter what your gear, carry patience and humor. Short of injury or a crisis at home, laughing at how hard it can be at times will help and thankfully, the fabulous days do outnumber the challenging ones. You can make it if you keep going. The only way you don't is by stopping. Nobody cares how fast or slow you are other than you. So don't fret about your pace or the journey. Savor it.I don't have as many frets as I did two years ago, but I still have some. If you have a pulse, you have frets before a thru-hike.