Date: 2003-02-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

24... Thats the number of days until I leave for Georgia. I remember thinking on Jan 1st that I couldn't possibily wait 2 WHOLE months until the trip. Now I'm down to 3 1/2 weeks and I'm trying to do everything at once. Finish rounding up gear, putting together maildrops, buying food, making a schedule, figuring out finances. All of this planning has got me anxious, feeling like I will forget something. I have to keep in mind the fact that I've done more planning than I think. Practically since learning about the AT I've been doing research. I suppose its like I've been planning for the last 4 years, reading hikers journals', looking at pros and cons of gear, studying the towns, miles and all that other fun stuff. I'm so familiar with the mileage of the Trail, I'm like a walking data book.   My buddies have bets on me. Josh has me getting half way (1000 miles), Chris 1500 miles and Seth (my new favorite friend) going the distance to Katahdin. I'm not trying to be biased fellas, but I'm gonna do my best to win Seth his money :)   I went to the PA RUCK last weekend. It was loads of fun, and I met lots of great people. Talked to a bunch of thru-hikers who gave me valuble info. Went on a nice loop hike, including walking past the half way monument. There was a guy there who didn't know much about thru-hiking and simply came to learn more. For any of you who were there, he was the man taking notes during Baltimore Jacks talk on thru-hiking. On saturday evening, myself, a couple who is hiking this year, EZ-DOES-IT, BJack, Bigfoot, and this guy were all in the hallway talking. Us novices were picking the veterans brains about everything we could think of. The man, who was very nice, and very interested in learning about thru-hiking, asked me something that totally set me off-guard. I told him I was planning a thru-hike this year and was leaving on march 1st. He looked at me and asked "Do you really think you could make it all the way"? He didn't say it in a mean or demeaning way. He simply and honestly wanted to know. I told him that I was planning on it.    His question sunk in and hit me all evening long. The answer seemed like an obvious "yes" to me, and everyone else who plans to walk from Georgia to Maine. I guess i was just suprised to hear a question like that. My real answer to him shoulda been 'well, i wouldnt be planning this trip if I didn't think I could and will make it. Later that night, I told Leanna and Regan (two other people planning on hiking the whole trail this year) about what he said. They had similar reactions. Leanna said "I know theres a decent chance I won't make it. Theres always the possibilty that I won't like it". This put me at ease. I thought I was the only one who thought that. I don't think anyone that sets out for a hike in Georgia can really know for sure, that they will make it to Maine. Excluding injuries, there is always the possibility that thru-hiking will not be for them, as its not for everyone. I suppose one could make themselves keep a good attitude and keep hiking despite being unhappy. After awhile, I think that would catch up to anyone.    I guess the guys caught me off-guard. Although I know and have weighed the possibilities, I keep the mindset that I will suceed, and that I will summit Katahdin. I think we all have that attitude, its just a matter of maintaining it.   On my drive home from New Paltz (visiting a friend) I stopped off on the AT, on route 17 in NY where the AT crosses over I87. I parked my car and headed down and across the road and up Agony Grind. The trail was covered in snow and ice and it was tough without boots or poles. It was a very pretty day out, with the late afternoon sun. I made it to the top, wet and dirty, to find a beautiful overlook of the mountains to the north. I felt so happy up there, alone, with the sun beaming off the rocks, view in front of me. On the way down, it was all butt-sliding down the steep snowy trail. Those hiking poles are a neccessity!   I know everyday won't be sunny, or warm or fun. Its all about keeping a good attitude, and remembering 'Its gonna get better'.