Date: 2013-03-15
To: Frequently Asked Questions
Miles today: 0.0

Here are some of the most common questions that I have been asked. I'm sure I missed some but these are the ones that I get asked in almost every conversation. 1. Why do you want to thru hike the Appilachian Trail?A: There are many reasons why I have decided to do this and they have changed throughout the course of all of the planning. The one thing that has remained constant is that I really want to do this and I can't really envision my future without this thru hike being part of it. It all started though when my friend Nick suggested that we hike the Appilachian Trail before we're 40. I thought it sounded like a great idea and started looking into the trail. It was then that I found out about thru hiking and things just started to click for me, and it was something that I had to do. At that time the plan was for us to thru hike together and having a partner made people feel much better about this crazy adventure. I became pretty much obsessed with gear and planning, which helped me to take my mind off of work which I was not at all happy with. I was also losing all hope in humanity and wanted to do something that would help me to regain my faith in people. As I began to solidify my plans, it was clear that Nick wasn't going to be able to do this with me. It took me a couple months to really wrap my mind around doing this by myself and even longer for my friends and family members to accept that I was really going to do this by myself. Now, however, I'm really excited that I wont be starting the trail with a partner because it allows me much more freedom and I will meet plenty of friends on the trail. My last reason for deciding to do this is that I want to make sure that I live my life and do the things that I want while I have the chance. You never know what the future will hold and I don't want to put things off because then they may never happen. 2. You're bringing a gun, right?A: No gun! I've never had a gun in my life and I have come in contact with many crazy people and crazy situations. The trail is very safe and although there are dangerous and crazy people everywhere, I will just be careful and trust my instincts. If someone makes me feel uneasy, I will move on. It was far more dangerous at my previous job going into people's homes then it is to hike the Appilachian Trail. 3. What about your job and career?A: I had no problem leaving my job because I was miserable there. I worked as an Intensive-In Home Therapist meaning I worked with children and their family's in their home and in the community. Although I loved many of my clients and my co-workers, the company I worked for was terrible and the North Carolina mental health system is just as bad. I'm not worried about getting a job when I complete the trail, but I'm hoping to find a job that fits me much better and that I really enjoy. I also realize that I will change throughout the trail and I may have differnt ideas about what I want to do when I am done. I've also realized that I care much more about being happy and enjoying my life than I do about my career or money. 4. How/what will you eat?A: I will be able to go into towns every three to five days to resupply and buy anything that I need. No, I will not be eating bunnies and squirrels. Also when I am in towns, I will be able to pig out on real food. 5. Aren't you scared to be going alone?A: No. I'm actually really excited about it. The trail is very social so I will not be alone often. 6. How do you keep clean?A: You can shower and do laundry every 3-5 days in towns and in between towns I will clean up with a bandana, soap, and water. You get used to being smelly and gross. Only 6 days left!