Date: 2003-01-25
To: Background
Miles today: 0.0

This might be my first entry in preparation but it sure didn't start here today.I think the first time while travelling through the White Mountains that I saw an AT sign might have been almost twenty years ago. Little did I think of what it meant then or what it might mean in the future.In 1991 I ran the Vermont 100 miler and again crossed the AT a couple of times and even now remember seeing hikers and not quite understanding just what was going on.. Then a couple of years after that a group of Gonzos (that would be one of the groups that I am a part of)decided to do a four day hike over the Presidentials from Franconia Notch to Crawford Notch, staying in Greenleaf, Galehead and Zealand Huts. I guess I was hooked after that.Since that time we have done the rest of the Presidentials, the infamous Mahoosuc Notch and this past year the 100 mile wilderness. I would say we have been seriously planning for more than a year.There are three of starting out on this one. Malcolm Pain, 65 years young, who will definately have to be held back, has been trail-named for a while and is named "Goat" for he travells over those hills like a mountain goat and nothing stops him. He has run a sub 3:30 marathon in the last 4 months thusly qualifying him to run the Boston Marathon in 2003 or 2004. He might just be a little busy this year.Ross Mitchell (57 years young)is the second one of us and he has earned his trail name of "Scrounger". This was because he travelled with us for years and had vewry little of his own gear. He brought along his daughter and her friend and didn't even have a stove or pack but managed to scrounge whatever he didn't have. My name is Gordon Warnica and I am also 57 years young. My trail name has been Viking because of my Scandinavian ancestry and my perceived toughness but I just might wait for a more applicable AT trail name.We are all members of a couple of groups here in Nova Scotia. We are members of the Gonzo Adventure Club. This a group of crazies that while organizing a few relays (the Cabot Trail Ralay being the most famous) finds time to canoe and bike and hike and Kayak. We have actually travelled for 12 hours to "night hike" to the top of Mount Lafayette and returned the next day.The three of us are also members of a great running team - Team Grayhound. This is a team of master runners, who have travelled to the Lake Winnepausaukie Relay as well as being part of the Cabot Trail Relay since its inception.We think we are in pretty good shape - physically at least.We have had a couple of Thru Hikers come and talk to us and share their experiences. Kosmos (sp?) did it about 4 or 5 years ago and Carbo and Jelly Bean did it in 2002. They didn't scare us at all and have been extremely supportive and helpful in sharing just what they went through.We plan on leaving Nova Scotia early on Monday St Patricks Day Mar 17th, getting a drive to Bangor Maine. We are beginning to think the hardest part might very well be the 27 hour bus ride to Atlanta.We actually plan to start hiking on March 19 although I suspect it will take the whole day to a get to the top of Springer. Amicalola Falls has been mentioned as a spot not to miss, so we will start from the Visitors Center, taking the 8.8 mile trip to the top.