Date: 2004-12-20
To: 2 months and everthing is still a go
Miles today: 0.0

Well, about two months to go before my start date. Things are falling into place. Gear and training are the only things on my mind lately. I have been working on my pack weight, each and every item is evaluated and reevaluated until I either change it or give it a nod that it is needed. Now I am working on cutting mere ounces. I am cutting things like my trowel. At 3 ounces, I could easily find a firm stick, and usually do anyways, to do the same thing, dig a hole. My decision to move up my start date into February added a bit of weight and a few adjustments were needed to be made.I traded in my R-4 vest for a new base layer combination that I am trying out and it is working great so far. The layer system really does work great. For cold weather, (hiking under 20 degrees, I now start with a short sleeve mid weight base layer, then add a long sleeve light layer, a long sleeve expedition weight layer, a fleece and my dragon fly (all patagonia capilene except the dragonfly). At just over 2 pounds it has worked great at 5 degrees with winds of 20-30mph and a wind chill of -14. I have tested it twice in very cold weather with great results. My winter jacket has yet to be used on any test hikes, so I am now comfortable that the cooler averages should not be a problem. My training, although slower then I would like it to be, is moving ahead. I am hiking 4-5 miles, 4-5 times a week. All the time with a weighted pack. 20 pounds on my weekend hikes. Still experiencing soreness in my ankles, but every day is less. I will step up my practice sessions in January and only practice loading and emptying my actual pack and gear in early February before I go. If you have not started your practice hikes yet, start now. Although I agree you will get into the needed shape on the trail over time, there is a lot of benefit to getting the initial soreness out of the way so you can focus on the real pains of the trail like the knees.The overall weight of everything, excluding water, but including three days of food is 25 pounds. The initial cloths on my body, with boots, is around five pounds. My pack weight in now planned at 19 total pounds. My big three is at 6 1/2 pounds. After teat loading my ULA P-2 pack, I fould I had a lot of extra room. I therefore ordered a ULA Fusion Pack at a weight savings of about 14 ounces. My stove is the pepsi can stove with an 8 ounce plastic water bottle for fuel storage. For those who have not tried this stove yet, do so, it really works great. No parts or O-rings to fail. Key items to take advatage of are simple things you already have, such a hood. I have always hated using them but since I realized I could make major chages to my overall warmth just by pulling them up when cold, and when I begin to overheat, I simply remove it, my body temp is MUCH easier to control. The AT does not make a claim to being the place to express a fashion statement, so wearing a hood is ok. Until recently, I have also hated being in the cold weather, so I cannot believe I am starting my hike earlier. Now with the proper cloths, and gained confidence to meet and exceed my body's comfort needs, I have found the cold weather to be much more peaceful to hike in with the crowds way down, and the cold weather being more energetic to hike in then very hot weather.So far all continues to go well for a Feb 21 start date. 2 months and counting. If things continue to fall apart on other fronts, I might be able to start even earlier. In either case, early or late, February is the month. See you there.