So. It. Begins.
One year from today, March 12, 2015, I shall embark on an epic wandering journey. I will attempt a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. The Appalachian Trail (the AT) is a foot path that runs through the Appalachian Mountains, having its southern terminus on Springer Mountain in Georgia and its northern terminus at Mount Katahdin in Maine.
Why would I want to spend 5-7 months hiking 2,168 miles through the mountains? The most direct answer that comes to mind is, “Because it’s there, and I want to.” Honestly, it just sounds like a cool thing to do. Some think it’s a crazy thing to do. Who’s right – is it crazy or cool? No one is right – like many questions or issues, people will fall on one side or the other or somewhere in between. Which side they tend towards is a reflection of their own personality. I clearly fall on the “cool” side of it.
Aside from the “because it’s there” answer, there are many reasons I want to do this. Details will be the subject of a future post. For the time being, however, I simply want to get this blog going. It is my way of “binding myself” or “committing myself” (do I need to be committed???) to this journey.
There we have it – Kelly is going to attempt to thru-hike the AT starting on March 12, 2015 at the ripe/seasoned age of 44. If you received an e-mail invitation to visit my blog, it is because we’ve either talked about this already or because I think you might have some interest in following along.
So, come follow me! I will be blogging about my preparation, gear research, gear acquisition, training hikes and – finally – my attempted thru-hike. Consider subscribing to my blog – the benefit being that you will receive e-mail notifications when I post new entries. Also feel free to share any worthy posts with your friends – you have the ability to “share this on” all major social media sites.
Finally, because I love feedback (maybe even more than spaghetti… eh, maybe not), my blog is open to comments – so comment, comment, comment! Posting a comment will require a name and e-mail address. If you have a Facebook, Google+, Twitter or WordPress.com account, you can simply use that instead of manually entering name and email.
Hope to hear from you!
I enjoyed this first post very much.
I think that your journey is going to be really cool. It is something I could never do, so I am looking forward to taking the journey with you through your blog. 🙂
Yay! my first comment!! 🙂
Thanks Brenda!
Love your blog! I will be following along step by step (not literally, of course) with my son, who I am so proud of. Can’t wait for the next entry about this amazing journey you’re about to begin.
Thanks mom! Your support means a lot to me!!! Maybe you will join me for a concrete hike in Harpers Ferry!!! 🙂
Now that sounds like a trail I really could hike!
hey! Out there!!! This is Old Ass ME…Dad sending you a VERY BIG CONGRATS . Lets see where it goes from here. Iknow you will be successful in your endeavor. love you son. Go for it!!
I must say that I think I fall on the that’s really cool side of things but my body says I would be crazy to attempt it. So with that being said I look forward to living vicariously thru you as you embark on this amazing journey!
Thank you… I hope you enjoy the ride!
Kelly, have you read Bill Bryson’s “A Walk in the Woods about his attempt at the AT
Hey Matt – yes I have! In fact, I’ve got the book on audio and have listened to it! It is a total hoot!
Wow!!! Totally EPIC. I remember reading your journals about your False Cape trips back in the day, and that was amazing. Being able to follow your journey as it happens will be phenomenal!! This is truly the journey of a lifetime 🙂
Hi Billye! Ah yes… False Cape… Those were the training wheels for the bicycle of all hikes. Unfortunately, (or was it ‘thankfully???’) those trips were on flat land – where the AT will *not* be! 🙂
An aside – remember those two late night hikes to Sandbridge?!?!?
Clearly I fall on the “‘cos its cool” side as well, because as soon as I read the first paragraph I thought, “Man, that’s kinda awesome!”
Immediately followed by, “Wow, is this actually safe?”
haha
I hope you succeed! I feel like it would be an experience that would open one’s mind up to an entirely new way of viewing the world around you. Not to mention an awesome way to really “get back” to nature.
Hey Ashley! Thanks for reading.
I’ll be doing an FAQ page soon, because the three most asked questions I get are: 1. Are you going alone? 2. Are you taking a gun, and 3. Is this safe?
We could get all philosophical with the “safe” question. Is life itself safe? We certainly like to “think” we have safe choices to make. But to answer your question – hiking the AT is no less safe than walking down a city or neighborhood street. In fact, the statistics would show that hiking the AT is SAFER than just about anything you could think of.
Kelly, looking forward to see your journey through your blog. I think Thats a cool thing to do. Say what you mean and do what you said.
Wow Kelly I am so excited for you…what an exciting opportunity. I will enjoy following your blog and living vicariously thru your journey since I will never be brave enough to attempt such an endeavor!
This is pretty awesome, Kelly. I hope your journey is safe and everything you want it to be. I’m excited for you. 🙂
And so the AT journey begins… I am so excited for you. Will be keeping up with your journey through the blog.
Kelly I am so excited for you!!! I’m also more than a little jealous! So I will definitely be in Damascus during trail days next May to watch you proudly make your way down main street with the other thru hikers coming into town and maybe join you for a day or two of hiking in “my neck of the AT” 🙂
A good way to do some hands-on research would be to visit friends of yours who may could take you to parts of the AT this summer and fall to practice!! Oh, and I happen to know a good friend of yours that this applies to 😉
Good luck and can’t wait to read all about it!
Paula!!! Holy crap – This is the first comment from someone who knows the AT culture!!! If my hiking pace doesn’t afford (or surpasses – unlikely) a Damascus visit during Trail Days in May, then I may just have to hitchhike up there so I can say “Hey!”
As for preparation (future blog posts coming soon!), I am planning a “shakedown trip” this May in the Shenandoah’s. The primary purpose of that trip is to get familiar with my gear “in the field.”
However, later in the summer and fall (more shakedown trips) – I just may have to get that friend of mine to take me to some other sections of the trail.
YAY for you Big Bro!! I wish you all the best and hope that all goes well! And yes! You are a little crazy! Can’t wait to follow your trail!
Michelle! Yay! So glad that one of my siblings posted a comment! 🙂 Thanks for following!
This is really cool. I’ve always wanted to just do the Virginia stretch, much less the full trail. Smart of you to do this and not wait.
Yay!!! Love it so far!
Thanks Michelle! I’m just “spicing it up” just like I do with my lunches.
Are there any Pizza Huts on the AT?
Jim!!! Well, the AT will pass thru some towns that have Pizza Huts – so in a sense – yes! I hear the hikers particularly like places that have all-you-can-eat (AYCE) buffets – I will sure be watching out for them. 🙂
I am so excited for you and this life journey you are starting! It will be an amazing adventure and I cant wait to follow you on your trails… might even decide to take a few days and join you on the trail if I’m still in the area then. This is probably the best thing you could give yourself! so proud of you!
Hi Belinda, long time!
Woohoo!!! Anyone is welcome to come join me on trail!
Hello there! This sounds awesome!!! Definitely something I would love to do one day… But for now ill follow your blog!
Hi Amy, thanks for your interest and comment! 🙂
Hey Kelly, Without a doubt too cool! Now I am really in awe of you oh great Jedi Master!
Well this will be the most interesting journey anyone I have ever known will do. Thanks for all the information about how the trail came to be. That is really interesting. Being able to read about your exciting journey as you do will be so much fun!!! I hope i can do something along these lines one day!!
Hey Wendy! Thanks for checking out the blog and following – Upcoming posts will cover some gear
choicespurchases I’ve recently made. Stay tuned!