High Mileage

I got in with a group of guys moving pretty fast. Bamma, B, and Left Field are their names. I met Left Field back when I was hiking with Stucco, Neutron, and Xan. It was a ton of fun to see him again. We are done with Mass and are just about done with Vermont. Dalton, MA was a neat town and we met Tom there. He offered us a place to stay, gave us ice cream, let us shower, etc, etc. He helped us slack pack up and over Graylock. It was a long day, but was nice to know we were coming back to a bed and a shower.

Some people are critical of people moving fast on the trail because "you can't enjoy the trail experience." I have found that as I move faster I just enjoy different things than when I move slow. No I can't see the little beetles or the unique spots of the different fungi or watch the trees do their dance in the wind. I do notice the nuances within my body and I notice the affects of social pulls. You learn to appreciate different things. The relief at the end of the day is so much greater after a 30+ day than it is after a 20 mile day.

Anyhow, I'm doing big miles, I'm in the Green Mountains of Vermont, excited to get to the Whites, the end is in sight.

Mass.

Well, I only had to spend one whole day in CT and I'm now in MA. So far its been great! I crossed the 1500 mile mark! Its funny how at first the 100 mile mark is so significant, so is the 200 mile mark. Then the 460. Then the 700. then half way. Then 1500. Its been a while since I was super excited to cross a certain mile marker. So with less than 700 miles to go I'm feeling stronger than ever, I feel like I've got a real good balance between hiking and having a good time, and excited for what the rest of the trail has in store for me.

Yesterday

I was hiking with Marty McFly near Salisbury, CT and the trail goes along the road for a bit. We decided to go to town for a hot lunch (it has been raining quite a bit) and try to find a place to dry our clothes. As we walked along this lady started yelling at us. We couldn't hear because of the cars so we went over to her. She asked if we were looking for the trail. We responded "no we're trying to get to town to get some food. Do you know the fastest way there?" Well she said "you could either take this road here, or [throws the keys] you could take my car." We refused, she insisted. Marty, trying to convince her to not give us her car said "we need to find a coin laundry too, it'll just take too long." This was a sorry argument it turns out because she says "I've got one of those too" She had to leave for some physical therapy, left us her car and the keys to her house. All she asked us to do was to not pet the dog. I was shocked and amazed by her trust of two hiker bums on a rainy morning.

done with NY

So today I just finished NY and I'm started with a pretty good chunk of CT already. I'm moving slow but strong. CT has been great so far. Swimming holes, frequent easy food, and hopefully a shower or two. These are the things that make life awesome! I mean aside from hiking of course...

So Cheeseburger and Six Course are back a half day now and I caught back up with Trashman and Ohibro just this evening. The past few days I've been running with Bodacious. He always talks about how slow he is, but somehow always ends up right behind me. He's an experienced hiker (at least 7000 trail miles under his belt) and has a lot of good information. He's a real humble guy from east TN that works for the PGA. Boundless is still a good way ahead, but i'm moving well again and with a little effort on both of our parts, I might see him yet.

Its been hot, but not like before. Water has been more common in northern NY southern CT which is real nice. I have to keep moving to make Katadin by mid Aug.

NYC

So I finished NJ and it was awesome! Hiking through marshlands across boardwalk. It was easy hiking and there was a lot of ice cream to be found. On the 4th of July it was super hot so i called the next ice cream shop along the trail and they told me they were closing an hour early. I packed all my stuff real fast and hiked the 6.5 miles in just under 2 hours just so i could get some. It was awesome.

Anyhow, my friend Miranda told me I should call her mom and set up a time to come get a shower and maybe a bed for a night. So on the 6th I called her mom and she insisted on picking us up. It was an hour and a half drive for David (Miranda's dad) but he came anyhow. I have met up with a couple of fellows; Cheeseburger and Six Course. We ate like kings and found out that it was going to be hotter the next day so we decided to ride the train into NYC in the morning. We saw the Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero, Times Square, Empire State Bldg, etc. We watched Germany lose to Spain (much to Cheeseburger's dismay- he's from Germany). And saw people! It was great.

Today we did some work around the house (brought a fridge from a neighbor's house and switched trailors for their boats after figuring out how to get air in the tires) and worked on knocking down some of the bever dam nearby. As part of our plan to destroy the dam Cheeseburger suggested getting some guns. This sparked a trip to the local gun range and our sheltered German friend shot his first .22. While we were there I talked to a fellow who was shooting a 1911 .45 and asked him if my buddy could shoot it and showed him his target. He said yes. It was awesome. I got some awesome film of him. It was tons of fun. But that means 2 zeros. I never felt so good about it though!

Anyhow, its' bloody hot, but i feel good. The rest has been great and I am just amazed yet again at how much people are willing to do to help people live their dreams. Life is good.

Its been a while

So I've been through several towns since my last entry. Lucky for me most of those didnt have internet access... The one that did, Duncannon, PA, the library is only open for 6 hours per week. Yeah. Not 6 per day. I ended up being an hour late. Awesome

So some thoughts so far. Harpers Ferry= awesome. Maryland= awesome (the shelters are great, terrain flattens out, etc). PA= not so awesome.

My experience so far (and it could very well be that I'm getting burned out or something) in PA has not been too great. There is lots of big rocks that you have to jump from one to the other. This slows your pace quite dramatically. As a result you twist ankles, stub toes, and almost fall several times a day. Twists, stubbings, and falls I can deal with on any normal day, but when its hot as blazes, the flies and gnats won't leave you alone, and there are snakes all in the rocks; thats when it gets under my skin. Then to top it all off I can't get a hitch 2 miles in to town! Yeah, its been a tough few days.

On a lighter note, Boundless is taking some time off with friends for the 4th of July so I should be able to catch him. I think that will be the incintive enough to get my butt in gear and get out the move on. I have a lot of support from friends and family (and previous employers) for which I'm greatful. Now it's just a matter of me finding the gumption and pushing through this mental "wall".

Night Hiking

Its 2200 hours. I leave the diner. I say "goodbye" to the other hikers staying in town. I walk to where I know there is a spigot and top off my water. 10 dry miles lay ahead in the darkening hills. Up the road I go seeing few white blazes. I remember a left turn on the map so I cross the street just in time to be blinded by the brights of the oncoming cars. I pass a dimly lit house and thank God the dog is on a chain. Two white blazes! I turn left.

Into the woods I bravely step, pushing the little button and cutting a swath of light into the darkness. The path is wide and flat. I move faster. A few twists and turns and the trail begins to narrow. I stub my tow distracting me from my next step that rolls my ankle and slams all my weight onto the outside of my right foot causing a sharp pain that elicits a sharp phrase. An expletive. The first audible word since "goodbye".

I gather my wits, subdue the pain, and start walking again. Fireflies and the moon work on spreading the evening light. still not enough to see the roots and rocks. I break out of the forest and stop quick. Not the bear or snake I fear to see, but the moonlight hitting acres of wheat about ready to harvest. The farmhouse sits lightly on the far side with its solitary porch light/ I see storm clouds off to the south and east lit in random places and times like the fireflies in the the forest I've just left. I'm glad it's not raining too. I soak up the peace, majesty, and wonder of the moment.

Pressing on. I see the gradual increase in elevation. I feel my heart rate climb until i can hear it in my ears. The sweat starts to pour despite the chill on the night air. It is summer after all. Into the forest. Into the field. Into the forest. Into the field. Forest laden with flickering flies. Fields lit overhead by the waxing gibbous and ursa major. Farmhouse after farmhouse I pass thinking of the people inside; sleeping comfortably, hear the ones they love. The thought makes me smile.

Often tonight I will feel like I am lost. Maybe I took the wrong trail. That last flash of paint was so long ago! Then, each time, just before panic reaches in to take control, I see another blaze, bringing peace to my wildly pounding heart. Its 2300.

Shenandoah

So I have kind of mixed feelings on the matter of the Shenandoah National Park.

Day1: Started off great! nice cool morning, met some cool people, etc. There were 2 water sources. One at 8 miles in and one at 9 miles in. I was skipping right along "in the zone" and all and passed the first water source. So thinking the second was the first, I passed that one by intending to get water at the latest possible place for the next 10 mile dry stretch. Bad choice. The sun started blazing and the trees became more sparse. I kept sweating like crazy. For a while. I definitely was severely dehydrated by the time I rolled in to the shelter where there was a little spring. Luckily Dewlap and Rainer were there and had just filled up their water and offered me some. I put a liter of water away while i was filling mine up. Oh was it delicious! I swear to never say "water is over-rated" ever again. It isn't. But yeah, that was rough. In case you're wondering, when you get dehydrated your brain doesn't function quite right- you get disoriented, paranoid, then apathetic. It's an interesting process I don't recommend to anyone.

Day 2: Came nose to nose with a Bear. I was walking down the trail, still a bit dehydrated (even after downing 3 liters the night before and 2 more at breakfast) and "in the zone", when I heard a twig snap in the woods. Now you hear lots of twigs snap in the woods while you're hiking the trail, but this one felt different. It snapped me out of my daze and right on the side of the trail not more than 5 feet away was a full sized black bear. It just looked at me. Then went back to eating berries. I backed off and waited for LJ to come up. He came and suggested we just walk by (considering the brush was way too thick to bushwack a wide berth) . And of course I was in front. I walked first with LJ right on my heels, or so I though. I locked eyes with the bear as I went past. What an interesting feeling! I got a safe distance away and stopped. LJ was back on the other side of the bear looking pretty nervous. Having seen me make it, he started his attempt. When it didn't do anything to him, he decided it would be a good photo opportunity. He grabbed his camera and brought it around for the photoshoot and that bear turned around like LJ was a matador holding his red flag. You should have seen the Englishman run! Point of the story: I saw a bear, and bears are not supposed to be so comfortable with humans.

So there is some beautiful scenery in the Shenandoahs. The Mountain Laural is out like crazy. If you're going to do a weekend trip it's great. Anything more than that and you're criss-crossing roads, staring down bear, etc.

More details...

So our group has tripled in size. I can't help it that we're so fun to be around! But this poses some new problems. I don't really like big groups. There isn't room for everyone in a shelter and sometimes not even in the camping areas around it. It sure makes for a good time though! There is always someone coming up with something witty to say or something crazy to do.

Yesterday evening I was able to break away for the night while 12 others cowboy camped on top of McAfey's Knob to wait for the sunrise. I saw 3 more bear. I was speeding down the trail trying to beat the setting sun the .6 miles to the next campground. I came to a switchback and saw what I thought was a charred stump start to move. I realized that it was a cub. First instinct then is to look for mama. There she was with her other cub. I reached for my camera but that noise alerted the mom and she called back her curious cub. I stayed for a few minutes and watched them breaking a log looking for grubs to eat. As I passed on by I had a cool experience. At the risk of sounding like a hippie, I had the most amazing feeling of peace come over me. I think, for the first time I embraced the Earth instead of fighting her. I realized that all that I have been given, allowed to experience is for me but that from this I have to do something. I don't know what that is but I will know before the end of my hike.

The Modest Mouse song that says "someday somehow something's going to steal your carbon" came to mind. The interconnectedness of everything is astounding. I wonder why it is so easy to forget just how much we need this Earth and how we can take it for granted. A good friend of mine scolded me once for referring to something as "man made". Everything is already here and we decide to make some interesting combinations or alterations without thinking about the consequences. So I have resolved to think about ways to conserve what I use.

For more story-like reports please check out Stucco's blog.

Quick update

Yesterday I passed the 700 mark. Today was my 25th birthday. I've seen some of the best views yet over the past couple of days. I'm running with a fun crowd. My family surprised me by showing up today. Life is splendid.

The temperature is climbing quickly. My pores are leaking like a sieve. My clothes are soaked through several times a day. I can feel the plastic shank in my left shoe. It's making my 3 middle toes go numb. Life is splendid.

Generosity

So I've been running with my new crew; Neutron, Zan, and Stucco since Grayson Highlands. We've had an awesome time so far. We pulled a 30 mile day to get to the Partnership Shelter where you can order pizza delivered. It was absolutely delicious! While there I busted my toenail and it started bleeding pretty bad. It's looking much better now! I think I might even be able to keep it!

We happened upon some more trail magic. There were 2 gentlemen that finished hiking the AT last summer (they had been section hiking for a few years) and in order to show their appreciation for the trail they grill out for any hikers that are coming through that day. We got there about 10 am and stayed until 2pm. I ate 4 chilly dogs, potato salad, pasta salad, a banana, an apple, 2 small bags of chips, 2 pieces of blueberry coffee cake, and a bunch of other stuff. It made it hard to move when you're sitting there with some good friends, full to the brim on good food, enjoying good weather.

Stucco's aunt Jeanne lives close to the trail and came and picked us up with her friend Wendy. They have been so generous to us! Jeanne opened her home to us, let us shower, dry out all of out gear, drove us all over the place, fed us till we couldn't eat another bite, and have been full of pleasant chatter. I am so full right now as I type on Aunt Jeanne's computer and I look forward to another night on a comfortable bed. This has been my favorite zero day on the trail. It is great to see people so giving- especially to strangers. These ladies didn't know me (I walked up to them first out of our group all muddy, sweaty, smelly, etc) and they instantly smiled and began helping me. They even bought me a Cheerwine! I love my life. And theirs.

Grayson Highlands

I took a couple of days longer than I wanted in Damascus but I think in the long run it was good for me. I was able to get my blister some care, let the swelling in my ankles go down, and get super excited to get back on the trail. My first day out I was planning on doing 16 miles, but did 21 or so. I got to the shelter I was planning on going to and found it full so I decided to find an awesome place to camp. Then I just got in the "zone" again and kept moving. I ended up camping on top of White Top Mountain in a beautiful field of yellow flowers with lots of fog and rain blowing through. Luckily I got set up and fed before the rain blew in. I slept great! And in the morning I woke up to a mobile crane driving up the road I was next to. I threw the driver a peace sign out the window of my tent and he waved back. I can only guess what he was thinking...

The next day I went through Grayson Highlands. It is just so beautiful. I think that was the place I first fell in love with the AT. I decided to just do 12 miles and I kind of poked along, taking my time, soaking up the scenery. I had to do a bit of hiking in the rain, and it looked like more was coming so I was coming off of one of the balds kind of fast. This turned out to be a mistake. I put my right foot carefully on a rock that looked pretty stable. Finding it so I proceded to lift my left foot. At this point, my stable right foot became unstable and I suddenly found myself laying on my back looking up at the looming storm clouds with one of my trekking poles underneath me. Luckily my back was between me and the rock, my pack cover was on so my pack didn't get soaked, and those clouds were quite pretty. I got up, shook myself off, and got on down the trail to the shelter.

At the shelter I met up with my new group...

Trail Days Part II

So it has been quite an exciting time catching up with old friends from the trail. I saw Sly who I thought would have already been in PA by now... He was staying at the place I was staying at and came walking around the corner one morning as I was just getting out of my tent. It was awesome. The Christian movement is alive and well here in the town. They have done so much to help us- food, drinks, deserts, Gold Bond, tooth brushes, dinners for the road, showers, internet access, etc. I really feel like their motives for serving us are pure. I mean, its not like they can expect too much in return from people that are carrying their lives on their back (all 30 lbs of it). And they're always cheerful and helpful in any way they can. There was a parade today that basically is a big waterbaloon fight- the citizens of Damascus vs. Thru Hikers! It was awesome. You really had to keep your head on a swivel.

I think I will be moving slowly out of Damascus. It has been a good time, but I really want to get back on the trail. I'll miss Boundless, but I think it's time for me to get some alone time. Not as if I haven't had any, but the extended periods of time will be good for me I think. Its been a good adjusting period. Now I'm ready to get my head moving as well as my feet.

Trail Days

So Boundless and I cranked out a few big days to get to Damascus, VA in time for Trail Days. It's a big shindig for all sorts of outdoors vendors and people interested in it. Yesterday we got into town about 12:30, got lunch (a double bacon cheeseburger, corndog, and fries), and set up our tents in "tent city". Tent city is a public area where everyone pitches their tents so they don't have to pay for a room in a hotel (since there are 2 in town). There will be thousands of people here- people who have hiked in years past, people hiking this year, and people that want to hike the AT.

There is a Baptist Church here that puts together a clinic where they have doctors and blood tests and all that. This lady went to town on my blisters! I'll put up some pics of those here soon too. I was going to take care of them myself, but she insisted and did a pretty good job- I must say. Other than that I'm healthy although I "should probably back off" and have a Jesus experience. If I do those then I should be right as rain!

Last night people were up drinking and smoking dope till 4 am then the guys that passed out yesterday at 7 got up at 5:30 and were talking. I didn't sleep much. So I got up and picked up the trash from last night. It was better than doing nothing!

Life is good. I'm excited to see what else Damascus has to offer!

30+

So Boundless and I were planning on taking 3.5 days to get from Hot Springs, NC to Erwin, TN. Yesterday the weather was great- nice and cool, the sun behind the clouds, etc. And we had done 13 miles by 11:30. And had done 21 by 2:30. So we decided to push on to the next shelter. Especially since it was on top of Big Bald Mountain and there was supposed to be a meteor shower last night. Well, we did manage making it to the next shelter in time to watch the sun go down (making for some beautiful pictures), but were so beat we just went to bed. 32 miles is a long way to carry a 30 lb pack. But it was a beautiful day and I enjoyed myself. It feels good to go ahead and have some big mileage out of the way. It makes getting to Trail Days in Damascus, VA a viable possibility. Plus, it made it so I could spend some more time with my mom. Happy Mother's Day!

Great Smokey Mountains

I left Fontana Dam at 10:00 in the morning, a bit late for me to start, but I had tried to wait for Sly and Boundless. They were nowhere to be found so I expected that they had started hiking already. So I hitched a ride back out to the trail where I had stopped the day before and started hiking. The trail connects back up with the road and you walk down this sidewalk over the dam. You get a beautiful view of the resevoir and the river down below (pictures will be up soon).

It was a nice hot day so as soon as I had got some pictures and admired the engineering feat, I headed up into the Great Smokies. I hiked about 13 miles- rolling up to the ridge line. I was walking along enjoying the feeling of freedom and the sensation of my body being used, knocking the rust off the ol' joints. I started whistling Be Still My Soul, a church hymn, just for fun (it had been rather quiet that day- i think the birds were a bit shy of the sun). As I started whisteling I looked up towards the top of the hill to see just how much more I had to climb and I saw a big black figure crossing the trail. At first I thought it was a boar- the most dreded encounter on the trail. As I watched it start running, I noticed that it was bobbing up and down (a sign that a pair of legs were shorter than the other). This is a sure sign of a black bear. He went tearing off through the woods as I sood there in amazement. It was the first bear I had seen without the protection of a vehicle. I waited a moment to listen for more activity and seeing that there was none I moved up the hill towards the shelter. I counted steps and the bear crossed the trail 21 paces ahead of me on the trail. It was a great start to the Smokies.

The vegitation up there was sparse, the trees didn't have their leaves yet. The sun beat down pretty hard, but it made it so I could see some cool birds. I got a decent picture of a Piliated Woodpecker (like Woody the Woodpecker). They are pretty rare from what Bird Nut says. And he would know.

I saw another bear on my 4th and last day in the Smokies and actually had the presence of mind to take his picture. Handsome little devil! I can't wait to put the pictures up because there were some great views that telling about just doesn't do justice.

This Morning

This morning as I was hiking along in the warm pattering rain by myself, I started thinking about how beautiful a place this world is. I noticed the dark brown soil- darkened from the rain causing a spongy layer of mud. I noticed the fog floating through the light green leaves of the trees around me. The smell of pure cleanliness. The cheerful, almost extatic, songs of the birds. The scampering of a squirrel or chipmunk trying to evade my gaze. Then I saw 2 box turtles in about a quarter mile. It was a good morning. I love the peace. And that I am a part of it.

Trail Name

On the trail the custom is to pick a trail name. It's kind of a "rite of passage". Some people pick their own, but the group I started running with all decided to just let it happen. So now we've got Boundless, Red Bear Spider Monkey, Bird Nut, Waldo, and the names just get cooler from there.

I was just recently given my trail name: Achilles. Or the full version is Achilles the Gangley Red Leper. Now you're probably thinking that I got the Name because of my warrior-like approach to life, or my legs that are the size of tree trunks, or, perhaps, my strong broad shoulders that could weild a 30 lb sword no problem, or maybe my square jaw and noble brow. If you thought this, then you would be, well, only partly correct.

With the recent issues I have been having with my Achilles tenden, I made the remark that it was funny that my achilles heel is my achilles heel (you can accent either part of that and it means the same thing- trust me, I thought about it for hours). So Boundless and Bird Nut got togher and decided that my name should be Achilles. Or Achilles the Red. Then, because I had poison ivy on my hand that Bird Nut was sure was Leprosy, that got added in. Then because I'm so tall and skinny , Gangly got added in too. Shew! got that all out! I'll tell you about the Great Smokey Mountains tomorrow.

Alive and well,
Achilles the Red

Fontana Dam

Yesterday I got in to Fontana. I started hiking at 6:50 to bust out a 21 mile day by 5 so i could get to the post office before it closed. After about 15 minutes of hiking it started raining, my achilles tendon started hurting real bad ( like a knife was stuck in it), and the wend blew up. There were several times I had to just laugh at myself- limping up the hill in the pouring rain, shoulders turned sideways to keep the rain from blowing in. I mean who does that to themselves? And a better question, who actually enjoys that!? And I realized i was having a blast so I quit wondering and started watching where i was stepping. It was sooo slick! I almost slipped and split my skull a couple of times on the slick roots and rocks. A couple of times it was real close.

I stopped to get some more water and for a short snack break along the way, and actually finished by 3! Well the shuttle to town didn't get to the marina till 3:30 and i found out from the shuttle driver that the PO closes at 3 in Fontana... Talk about frustrated! I found out that Boundless and Sly had gotten turned around and Boundless had decided to stay at the next shelter. Sly had decided to get a room in town so I joined him for a relaxing evening of ice and ipsom salt foot baths. It was awesome.

I'm going to do a short day today, try and get my achilles feeling better. I am in good spirits and the forecast looks promising. Great day to enter the Smokies!

Franklin

I made it to Franklin, NC today with a bit of rain from 6:30 till 8:30 or so. Had some trail magic at the end of the Winding Staircase Gap. This older couple hooked me up with some hot chocolate and a couple of cookies. It was real nice. Got a ride in to Franklin, showered, washed my clothes in the shower (for the lack of laundry facilities) and went to eat at Mi Casa, just across the street. It was pretty good. It was nice to have something spicy again.

Tonight we say "bye" to Bill, or Juma. He's a 64 year old gentleman that is sectioning the AT hoping to finish in the next couple of years. He's a real nice fella and will go as far as us young bucks do even if it does take him a bit longer to do it. He is always the first one out of camp so he can get ahead then lets us pass as soon as he hears us behind him. Daks is skipping the next 20 miles because he has already done it. Me and Boundless are hoping to catch up to him in the next few days. We have been pulling some long days, a 17, then a 14. The 17 just about killed me- my left quad was in rough shape. I hydrated well, slept a lot, took some IBU Profin, and woke up feeling golden. I also found some acorns and dogfood in my shoe... I blame it on the squirrels. We then pumped out the 14 miles by 12:30. So we spent the rest of the day BSing and eating. It was glorious. Then last night the mice were out and about, trying to find what food they could. They were loud little buggers. Kept waking me up. I will sleep well tonight!

Assuming the tornadoes decide to pass on, Boundless, Freeman, Red Bear Spider Monkey, and I will probably pump out a 16 miler tomorrow and 12 the day after that. We are well on our way to getting our "trail legs". I can't wait!

A walk in the Park

Well its been an awesome first leg of my journey! My Dad spent the first few days with me making sure I got settled in on the trail. Well, as settled as is possible... I started on friday and hiked Springer Mountain then a bit further. It was sooo hot the first few days, it was tough to keep hydrated. I've got in with a good crew. We have been pulling 10-15 mile days on some pretty rough terrain. I have seen some beautiful vistas, waterfalls, and flowers. Pictures of those will have to wait till i get my cord to put them on the computer.

The first 15 mile day we did over Blood Mountain because the bear activity around there has been way to regular. The berries aren't out yet so they live off of hikers' food bags... nicely wrapped in a bag hanging in the tree for them. My crew and I got to the hostel after a big crew had got there so there was only one bed left. Megan's knee was going out so we let her have it and camped at the next campground. Aaron hung his food instead of running it in to the hostel like the rest of us. Bingo, the bear on the north side of Blood Mtn. made off with $40 worth of his food. I heard him come through camp, but he wasn't too interested in people.

I hooked up with Boundless for the last couple of days and boy is he fast! He likes to get down the trail then relax once he makes camp. We are planning on running with each other the next few days.

Today I picked up my first food drop. My mom is mailing me packages with food in it to different places. I go pick it up then get on down the trail. I am planning on staying at the Blueberry Patch Hostle in Hiawasee, GA tonight then hitting the trail early tomorrow. With a relatively short day we should be done with the trail in GA. That's much faster than I was planning on going.

Yesterday was the toughest day so far. My food supplies were running low, i ran out of water, we pulled a second 15 miler, the rain was blowing sideways, the temp dropped pretty fast, we hit the steepest mountain we've climbed so far (Trey Mountain), we didn't know if there would be room in the shelter, the fog rolled in on us to where we could hardly see the white blaze marking the trail, etc etc. It was awesome! Got to the shelter, got water, cooked up some potatoes for dinner, changed into dry clothes, and climbed into my sleeping bag. Before long, I was "right as rain" as they say...

So over all, its been tough (only 2 minor blisters and one mean hot spot so far), but quite enjoyable. I've met some real cool people that have helped me and I've been able to help out some of them. Its been a good time. Life is good.

Genesis 1

My name is Adam. Welcome to the jungle of my brain! Thank you for your interest! A bit about me; I am 24, raised in a good home by good parents who love me, when I'm not being too serious I'm being childish, I have about a year to go to get my Bachelor's degree in Physics Teaching ( I want to teach high school), I have run 3 marathons, I am an Eagle Scout, I am Mormon, I drive bus to pay for school (I'm currently debt free), and last, but most importantly, I'm not perfect, but I am a good person.

The purpose of this blog is to record some of the highlights of the next chapter of my life. I am hiking the Appalachian Trail. All 2,185 miles of it from Georgia to Maine. My scheduled start is the 15th of April. It will take me the better part of 5 months. Now, most of you are probably thinking to yourselves, "what the hell? Are you crazy?!" I have to say in reply, "maybe so." I feel more at peace about this decision than i ever did about attending university. If that's not crazy then I don't know what is!

To help you understand where I'm coming from, here are some of the many reasons I'm starting this trek;

• I am seeking something spiritually and I feel close to God in nature



• I am seeking discipline-mental, physical, and emotional



• I want a more natural healthy diet



• I am seeking new experiences- stretch my comfort zone and develop abilities



• I want to get away from all these modern "necessities" and see what that is like



• I want to hear people's perspectives that have already experienced this



• I want to establish myself with more firm philosophies, values, and priorities.

I feel like these things are much easier to accomplish away from the distraction and noise of our current society. As this list continues to evolve and develop I will keep you informed.

I love to discuss, debate, and inform. Therefore, I appreciate comments, questions, jokes, etc of all kinds (please keep language and humor to a PG-ish level as my mom will likely be reading this) including remarks on theology, philosophy, science, current political news, etc. I am looking to deepen my understanding of these things and challenging me will, I believe, enhance this experience. Please comment!

Oh, encouragement is also appreciated...