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Introduction

In 2001 my good friend Andrew suggested that we section hike the Appalachian Trail. He recognized how close I lived to the start of the trail here in Georgia and said - "I've always wanted to hike the AT, we should do it!" I kinda thought he was kidding. As it turns out, he wasn't. I saw him later that year and he said "so - when are we going?" Plans begun.

In 2002 we started out just the two of us. I had never backpacked before but I loved hiking so I figured I knew what I was doing. Andrew had backpacked as a young man and did have experience. He gave me pointers and a list of stuff to take. I took way too much.

One of the things I did to prepare was a fun read of A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. It was a very funny book with much insight into hiking the AT. What I hadn't realized until I read it and really until I got on the trail was that a big part of the experience is meeting interesting people. As I learned later upon walking in the woods, it also is about managing your effort, supplies and mental state. Here is a website called Trailplace that has a terrific amount of information thorugh other's experiences. And the Appalachian Trail Website - the conservancy has become a great resource in itself.

Effort is clearly the most obvious component of backpacking. If you don't prepare physically you won't enjoy yourself if you have set a distance or time goal. It is hard work with a pack on your back and a climb "up" the mountain. It takes good cardiovascular conditioning and a reasonable amount of strength. Effort also involves technique. You have to place the pack on your back properly - the weight should be on your hips, not your back or your shoulders. And pace is important too. Not too much but not too little. More then once I went out too hard and paid for it later. Or went out too slow and found myself setting the tent up in the dark! Balance is key too - nothing like being on a ridge and leaning a little too far. You aren't used to that extra weight up high and each tilt is magnified. You lean too much, you are going down! I walk with a stick - I use poles now, ski poles or specialized hiking poles are great tools. Balance going down and pull going up all are easier with that extra help from a good set of polls.

Supplies are key too. I'll add a page later on what I carry. Over the years I have added a few things but taken away more. This year I hiked with a 25lbs pack (without water) but the first year I hiked with 50lbs! I have key things that weigh very little. A water pump filter to have clean water, a stove to cook and bowl to eat and drink. I have a titanium spork that is a great tool too. I have a pocket knife with pliers. I have plenty of stuff sacks, water tight. I use a 2 man dome tent and sometimes a bivysack - but the extra headroom is nice to have when you are sore and need to stretch! My sleeping bag is a down lightweight and my pad is a Therma-rest And then a rope to hang my food bag at night. Clothes - I wear poly blend to wick water and my pants have built in under shorts to save that extra space. I also take a little plastic shovel, TP and hand sanitizer for that necessary stop now and then.

Mentally - its amazing the things you think about. First year just Andrew and I we got a long great and got to know each other better. I went up and down emotionally and we shared much about ourselves. Its amazing how two people can talk when there is no TV or computer or cell phone around. As we added Taylor the next year the dynamics changed. And further when we added Tim the third year in 2004. Last year we tried several times but by summer, it was just me (2005) and that was completely different. I heard things I had never heard, thought things deeper then I had in years. I even scared myself one night - when I camped alone in the dark, dark night.

2006 so far I have taken a quick weekend with Daniel, my 9 year old son. It was again different and very rewarding.

I'll keep updating these pages and keep hiking at least once a year. Its now become necessary.

Yearly Logs

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006