Date: 2013-02-02
To: Springer Mountain, GA
Miles today: 0.0

I know that most of the people reading this are hiking junkies, but some are also friends who don't hike who think I've lost my ever lovin' mind. This entry is for all my non-hiker friends, to "learn" you something about this little trail journey I've decided to take on. First, the Appalachian trail is 2,184 miles long. That's miles, not feet or yards. Yes, I have lost my mind. Anyway, it starts at Springer Mountain, Georgia, near Amicalola Falls, and ends at Katahdin Mountain, in Baxter State Park, Maine. Hikers going in this direction are called North Bounders, or NOBOs, and those who go South from Katahdin to Springer are Southbounders, or SOBOs. Most people choose to go North, maybe because most people choose to go North, like it's the popular thing to do, but more likely because the North end of the trail is the most difficult, which is why I'm going North. Although I can walk to the mailbox and back without oxygen, I figure I would need to walk a while to get in shape for the toughest part of the trail. I wouldn't want to learn how to ride a bike going uphill either. I have some statistics I found on the internet, and since everything on the internet is true, this must also be true. Last year in 2012 about 2,500 hikers started at Springer Mountain. Of those, 1,017 (41%) got as far as Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, about the halfway point, and 397 (16%) made it all the way, on foot, to Maine, without the use of a four wheeler, horse or rickshaw.   About 330 hikers went Southbound starting in Katahdin, Maine. Out of 330 SOBOs, 162 (49%) got to Harpers Ferry, and only 27 (8%) finished the trail all the way to Springer Mountain, GA. Since about 16% of NOBOs made it all the way compared to only 8% of SOBOs, maybe it's best not to learn how to ride a bike going uphill. Here are some of the questions I've received from non-hiker friends that I'll try to answer. First, are you crazy? Well, maybe. OK, yes. Where do you poop? In the woods, or in privy's (outhouses) when available.Do you ever get off the trail? Yes, when lost or to take a break from pooping in the woods.How do you take a shower? You don't, unless you take a break and get off the trail.Do you ever take a day off? Yes, to take a break and get off the trail. This is called taking a "zero", which stands for "zero trail miles" walked that day. This gives hikers a chance to stay in a hotel or hostel, take a shower or three, sleep in a soft bed, email friends, family and debtors, and catch the latest episode of CSI. Who carries your stuff? I do. Everything I need is in my pack. Water, food, bed, shelter, nail clippers, everything.Where do you sleep at night? When I'm on the trail I'll sleep in three sided shelters that are along the Appalachian trail, or in a tent that I carry in my pack. Do you sleep on the ground? Almost. I believe most of the shelters have a floor, but I have an air mattress to keep me from becoming stuck to the frozen floor or ground when I'm in my tent. How heavy is your pack? Don't know yet, but I hope to keep it somewhere close to 25 pounds, or at least under 30. See my Gear List on the left and you'll see how light everything is. It's totally necessary to have light gear because I will be carrying it over 2,000 miles. Does the trail go around the mountains? From what I've read, no. In fact, there are many long and steep hills because the trail goes up and down those Appalachian mountains. How do you keep from getting lost? Follow the trail. If the trail isn't enough, there are markers on the trees called "white blazes" that tell you where the trail is.Are you going alone? No, I will have 2500 new friends walking with me in the same direction (but we won't all start at the same time).Your daughter is getting married in June, will you be there? Of course I'll be there. I'm supplying the shotgun. I'll just take an extended zero, and after she's hitched I'll resume the trail where I left off.   Will you take your phone? Yes, but it will be off to conserve the battery. I'll just make and return calls when I'm in range of a tower. If I don't return your call it's because I either dropped my phone in the water or I just don't like you. Will you carry all your food? I'll carry only the food I plan to eat, but that will be no more than a one week supply at a time. I'll resupply at the stores and by mail drops in the little towns near the trail. Deb, bless her heart, will send me the dehydrated food we've been cooking and she will continue to slave over the next 6-7 months, which is how long it will take me to walk the AT (Appalachian Trail). I'll just warm up water and re-hydrate a lot of soup and casseroles and such tasty meals. I'll also eat a lot of jerky and dried fruit along the way, instant oatmeal and grits and that sort of thing, food that is light and easy to prepare. How will you get to the towns from the trail? Some towns are right off the trail, and some are a drive away. I'll summon a limo when it's too far to walk, or find a ride if no limo is available.Will you carry a gun? No. Guns are heavy. Aren't you afraid of bears? Yes. Bears eat people. Lastly, Why are you doing this? See first question.