Date: 2013-01-27
To: Prep 1
Miles today: 0.0

Well, if you are reading this then that means that you are at least mildly interested in this big adventure that I am preparing to embark on in March. I have been dreaming of and planning on thru-hiking* the Appalachian trail for about 8 years now. I will be starting in Georgia and walking north to Maine**. I am nearing the date of departure rapidly, so I am really just working on tying up the last loose ends!I am waiting on one more package in the mail that will finalize my gear for the trip. So hopefully later this week, I will be able to update my gear list and weights on here, once I have it finalized.I have been hiking a lot this year already, both to test new gear and to start getting at least closer to trail shape. Last Saturday I hiked at Clear Creek Metro Park with my friends Jacquie and Lauren. It was my first time carrying my fully packed ULA Circuit backpack and it went swimmingly, although my knees clearly weren't used to this extra weight. The following day, after an admittedly calm night in Athens, I hiked the 10 mile day loop at the Zaleski State Forest backpacking trail. It was a tough 10 miles and took longer than I expected, so I got to use my headlamp for the last 1.5 miles or so. I look forward to returning to Zaleski for a weekend trip in February. Today my friend Renee and I went back to Clear Creek and did an 11 mile hike that went quite well, besides her sore hip and my slightly achy knees. I carried 18 pounds today, which will be almost exactly my base weight*** once I have all of my gear together. I feel good knowing that I am already comfortable hiking these distances with added weight.Last night, I slept outside in 14 degree weather to test out my cold gear. While somewhat rare, it is entirely possible that I encounter nighttime temperatures like this (or lower) in March and April, so I wanted to make sure that my gear would keep me alive. Although I was a tad uncomfortable, I am happy to say that I will certainly survive the extra cold nights at the beginning of my hike.My mom and her husband, Craig, will be driving me down to Amicalola Falls State Park on March 10, and will be seeing me off on the AT approach trail**** on the 11th. On this note, I must take the time to thank my mom, Craig, and my dad for their generosity and support in helping me get prepared to do this hike. If it wasn't for you three, I'd only be dreaming about hiking the trail. On top of this, countless other family and friends have given me their support, and I couldn't be more thankful.Lastly, you will see me referred to as Blood Orange on this journal, as it is my trail name. A trail name is a nickname that hikers go by while on the AT. I was somehow bestowed this nickname while on a camping trip in Urbana, OH a few years ago (for reasons nobody seems to remember). Also, I think it sounds bad ass. That's it for this first preparation entry, stay tuned for more exciting news!Blood Orange* Thru-hiking refers to hiking the entire length of the AT in one calendar year, most commonly beginning at one terminus and ending at the other.** Since I will be starting in Georgia and ending in Maine, I am referred to as a NOBO, or northbound, hiker. Other options are SOBO (southbound), flip flopper (starting at one terminus, stopping at a certain point and travelling to the other terminus, and then hiking to spot where you stopped), and section hiker (not a thru-hiker, but somebody that does sections of the AT whenever they can and eventually completes the whole trail).*** Base weight refers to the weight of my backpack and the gear it contains, however not including any water or food that I might be carrying. Essentially, the stuff that remains constant and that I will always be carrying.**** The Appalachian Trail approach trail is an 8.8 mile hiking trail beginning at Amicalola Falls State Park in Georgia, and ending at Springer Mountain, the southern terminus of the AT. Caveat: A lot of people who do not know common AT lingo will be reading this, so I will be explaining a lot of the terms that are used in the AT community (in case you hadn't noticed already). Sorry to those who are already in the know.