Date: 2007-02-28
To: Ready for The Trail
Miles today: 0.0

[actually started entering these journal entries Marh 22st. Took me while to get my act together, find time, get organized, find internet access while in town, etc.]Howdy Rowdies!Finally got around to starting/catching up on this Trail Journal thingy. Way behind. Better late than neva. The story of my life.As most of you know I've just always wanted to hike the AT. Finally last year, while hiking a section of the AT in Massachusetts I just decided to go for it. In the last six months it became my passion, my obsession. Lots to think about. Lots to learn. Lots to prepare. Much of my plan centered on changing my way of thinking about what "being prepared" means for me. Everyone talks about the "hike your own hike" mantra. And I am. Each hiker has to decide what the trip will be for them and it's different for every hiker.For me it meant converting years of great Boy Scout hiking/camping experience into Ultra Light or Super Ultralight (SUL) mentality. The difference is huge. The Boy Scout mentality is to be extremely prepared for anything. Bring backup equipment and backup for the backup. Bring along stuff for those who may have forgotten it or been too naiive to bring it. While this is a safe and functional philosophy, for the thru hiker it's the kiss of death. The thru hiker must "let go" of many assumptions and mental comforts. He must rethink every piece of equipment he carries, and absolutely justify carrying it.I've read tons on line preparing (www.backpacknglight.com, www.thru-hiker.com,www.appalachiantrail.com,just to name a few). Did a bunch of preparation hikes with selected equipment, camped out in my backyard on many nights,especially in the worst weather to trial various equipment, philosophies, ideas to see what worked for me and what didnt. Hiked 85 miles in 5 days on the upper part of The Long Trail (VT), ~55 miles on The Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway Trail (NH), and several similar & smaller multi day trips throughout CT.Learned a ton but lots more to learn.Anyway, I arbitrarily picked March 1st to start, to get an early start and beat the really hot weather. Most northbounders (NOBO's) start early March or April. Roughly 30 new hikers/day start for these months. About 1500/year total, but only 25% will finish the entire trail, 2175 miles. Many reasons people drop: run outta $$$, homesick, family, time constraints, had enough, injuries, eaten by bear, etc.Anyway I packed up my apartment frantically & got it all to storage-THANKS SO MUCH to Ron Kersey for all the help making this happen. I NEVA could have gotten it done it time. And THANKS KRISTIN for all your help, for shuttling my truck & dropping me at the airport! Mucho Gracias!After pushing my flight back a day cuz I wasn't done packin it up ($185 ticket became $500-OUCH!!) I finally got outta CT on Mar 31st.Flew into Atlanta & got a shuttle ride to the Hiker Hostel, near Springer Mountain, Georgia. Awesome place. Met some great folks there Leigh & Josh own the place & Paul (Old Man) & Jamie (Navigator) are staff who just bought their own hostel and restaurant at the end of the trail near Mt Katadin. All great people. Great advice on starting the trail, warm, friendly and very welcoming.Met a whole crew of hikers from Alaska and around the states all starting with us on March 1st.More lata.