Date: 2006-02-15
To: Jeremy hits the AT in March 2006!
Miles today: 0.0

What is the Appalachian Trail (AT)?The AT is a continuous, marked footpath extending more than 2,168 miles from Katahdin, a granite monolith in the central Maine wilderness, south to Springer Mountain in Georgia, mostly along the crest of the Appalachian Mountains. The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) and Appalachian Trail Conference (ATC) were founded in New England in the 1920's. By the late 30's, the AT was taking shape as a hiking corridor covering 14 states. As civilization progressed, so too did the efforts to keep the AT pristine. Over the years, state, federal, and private efforts have gone into acquiring and protecting the lands traversed by the AT. I urge you to do your own research on the AT. It's a wonderful example of what a truly grass roots effort can accomplish - to keep the wilds wild...enjoy it - I do!Hiking the Appalachian Trail has been a dream of mine for years - a dream I thought was far out of my reach. Over the course of the past year, life's twists and turns have brought me to a place that called for just this sort of adventure. The possibility of planning an '06 thru-hike became a reality, and I decided not to let the chance get away.When I first mentioned my plans to friends and family, I was confronted with the "silent sideways stare." However, after listening to me describe the trail, many are planning to meet me along the way - some will even hike with me for a few days. Please get in touch if you'd like to join me along the Trail! After all, I'm fortunate to have such loving friends and family, and I want to share this adventure with all of you.Why am I hiking the AT?I really love the outdoors! I spent my formative years running through the wilderness of upstate NY. It was here I developed a relationship with nature that has not been lost on years of city living, and I still feel "at home" in the outdoors. Walking through the woods I see the ebb and flow of life in everything. I realize how magic this self-sustaining environment is. From moss on a rock to a mountain range - I enjoy the chaotic order of it all.Then there's the physical aspect of hiking. The reality of walking an average of 12 miles a day over rough terrain month after month can only be known by doing it. Trying to ingest the daily 4500 calories needed to fuel my body will be a challenge with dehydrated food and energy bars. Working the lactic acid from sore muscles and maintaining blisters will become a daily chore. I'll be pushing myself to the limit - listening to my body; and knowing when not to listen. This will truly be a test of endurance and spirit!Backpacking is heaven for a gearhead. Mini multi-fuel stoves, ultralight tents, high tech fabrics...YEAH! There's a certain pride that comes with the ability to sustain one's self in the wilderness. I'll primarily be staying in a tent, but there are many lean-to's along the way. I will enjoy the comforts of a hotel room a few times a month...after all, a boy needs a shower and a shave once in awhile!Who am I going with? I'm going solo...well, not really. Thousands attempt to thru-hike the Trail each year, so I'll have plenty of new friends. There's a trail culture out there. Hiker names (cool...funny - still want to meet fallsdownalot), hiker meals (at least 2 regular person meals), hiker smells...hmmm. Once we all get over the physical and mental battles of a day on the AT, we find ourselves in the same place - in the middle of a beautiful wilderness. A place relatively few people dare to venture. It's a privilege to endure the pain for this.Finally, there's the thrill of venturing into the unknown. Calling a 2,168 mile footpath home for half a year. Having my mailing address be "c/o General Delivery" in any one of 14 states.Thanks for taking the time to read this - you're now a part of my hike. I hope you'll check back often to get updated on my progress as I'll be uploading my journals and photos weekly.