Date: 2014-06-23
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Miles today: 0.0

As we're approaching our start date, we're being asked tons of questions (that we're gladly welcoming) about our upcoming big adventure. Therefore, we decided to do a FAQs page. So, here you go!What about your jobs?Both of us have temporarily stopped working. Michael was blessed to receive an offer to return to his current workplace after the hike, which he gladly accepted. Kelly's school system grants leaves of absence for specific reasons only, and apparently hiking the AT isn't one of them! However, she feels confident that God will provide her with a teaching position after the "adventure."How can you afford it?We are, as our Uncle Geoff calls us, "DINKS" (double income, no kids). We've been financially preparing for about 3 years. We sold our house and cars, paid off all debt, and reduced our living expenses to direct almost all of Michael's salary to savings.What about your house and cars?See "How can you afford it?". Who's going?Just us two Looneys! Along the way, we'll meet new people also attempting this journey. We'll also cross paths with many northbound hikers over the first two months of the hike. Some of our friends and family members plan to meet us to hike sections of the trail with us (or to just hang out with us for a day of rest). Where does the trail begin?We're hiking southbound, so for us, the trail begins at Katahdin, Maine. Where does it end?The southern terminus is on Springer Mountain in Georgia.How will you get to the start?We are so grateful that Michael's dad, Mike, is driving us to the beginning of the trail! How long is the trail?The AT is 2,180 miles long. How long will it take to complete?We predict that it will take us about 5 1/2 to 6 months to complete the trail. How many miles will you average daily?We plan to hike about 10-12 miles per day for the first few weeks. After we develop our "trail legs," and make it through the rugged terrain of Maine and New Hampshire, we'll increase our daily mileage to about 15-17 miles. Overall, we plan to average about 15 miles per day. How have you physically prepared?We've done several overnight backpacking trips, and we've ascended some local mountains with our hiking gear.How heavy will your backpacks be?With food and water, each of our packs will weight around 25 pounds. Will you update us on Facebook?We will post photos on Facebook, but we will also post information and photos on trailjournals.com. Will you have a way of communicating with family/friends?We'll have our cell phones, and will recharge them in towns. What will you do about hygiene? Hygiene? That's not something hikers are familiar with! Actually, it won't be too bad. We'll carry Dr. Bronner's soap, baby wipes, deodorant, and oral hygiene products. Other than the 100 Mile Wilderness stretch in Maine, we will come to a town every 4 to 5 days. There, we'll be able to take a "real" shower! Where will you sleep?We'll alternate sleeping in our tent and in shelters, depending on several factors (tent, if the shelter is full; shelter, if we're too tired or it's too rainy to put up the tent, etc.).What will you eat?Junk! Lots of lightweight, high calorie, non-perishable processed junk! We'll need all the carbs and calories possible to provide us with enough energy to make it all 2,180 miles. Therefore, Pop-Tarts, peanut butter, and Ramen will be regular staples of ours! How many outfits will you have?We'll wear basically the same outfit every day, but we'll have layers and rain gear for weather variations. In towns, we'll wear our rain gear while laundering our daily outfit. We'll also have dry clothes to sleep in and a pair of lightweight camp shoes for relaxing (as well as showering).What will you do about water?Fortunately, water sources are plentiful along the trail. We'll carry about 4 or 5 1-liter bottles and refill with water that we purify along the way.Aren't you afraid of animals and crazy people?Duh! We are crazy people! What will you do when it gets cold?We'll switch out our warm weather gear for cold weather gear and pray it doesn't snow!Why are you doing this?We're hiking for a number of reasons. Here are a few of them:¢¢        to grow closer to one another¢¢        to become closer to the Lord¢¢        to share His love with others along the way¢¢        to raise funds to support mental health research (see link below) ¢¢        to gain a new perspective on life by actually having time to think and             reflect without everyday distractions ¢¢        we love the outdoors¢¢        to prove to ourselves what we're capable of¢¢        for a cool story to tell our future children :-)                         We only get one shot at this life, and it's all too easy not to follow a dream. We're walking away from security and comfort to have an adventure together, trusting that God will show us our next destination. "For we walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7Feel free to comment with other questions! https://www.z2systems.com/np/clients/hike/campaign.jsp?campaign=23&fundraiser=2339&