Day One, One Year Ago

One year ago, I started hiking the approach trail to Springer Mountain. I said goodbye to my parents at Amicalola Falls and set off with my husband, Rob, who was accompanying me for the first day and night of my Appalachian Trail journey.  The approach trail hike included a roller coaster of emotions making the trail seem much harder to hike than it actually was. I asked my self a series of questions followed by a series of positive affirmations - this went on for miles. 

What am I doing? Being a badass. How long will I be able to hike? All 2,189 miles, baby! Did I pack enough? I am an ultralight guru, I don't need anything else! Will I meet anyone cool? Who is cooler than hiker trash friends?! How am I going to leave Rob? Easy, I am a hiking beast who needs no one! What the hell am I doing? Being a badass. 

Before I could second guess myself anymore I was on top of Springer signing the trail log. 

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Right foot, Left foot, Repeat. (Wise words from a prior thru hiker.) 

Little did I know that the two names above mine would go from strangers, to friends, to one of the first of many hiker families. These strangers would transform into Wrecker, Squeeze, and Alan the Scapegoat. I didn't foresee how confident I would grow on the trail, right now I was only worried about making it through day one. 

That night was a blur of fixing dinner, comparing gear, setting up in Stover Creek Shelter, and listening to a German couple snoring.  I surprised myself by waking up early, a habit I would continue along the next 1500 miles of trail.  

That morning I said goodbye to Rob - he headed south and I went north. I did't let my self cry, although I wanted to turn around and run after him. I had made a commitment to myself and nothing was going to stop me (so I thought). I turned to the north and said to myself, "right foot, left foot, repeat."

Appalachain Trail Breakdown 2015

Many friends and family have lots of questions about my time on the trail.

Here are a few fun facts about my time on the AT:

Miles Walked: 1498.9 miles

Miles Left to Walk: 690.3 miles

States Finished: 10 states (GA, NC, TN, VA, WV, MD, PA, NJ, NY, Conn)

States Left: 4 states (Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine)

Number of Bear Sightings: 13 bear! 

Number of Rattlesnakes: 2

Times I Peed in the Woods: Oh, countless. 

Average Pack Weight: 25 pounds

Pairs of shoes: 4

Main Injuries: 1 sprained ankle in VA, multiple stress fractures in Conn

Amount of pop tarts consumed: 186

Taylor Swift Songs Sung: 7 (minimum)

Kick-ass Friends Made: Oh, countless.

Days I miss the trail: 84 days and counting

Hope to make it back: June 2016

Appalachian Trail Update

For my friends and family that do not know... I am off the trail.

I rolled into Salisbury, Connecticut on the night of June 25th with extreme right foot pain. Admittedly, it was a pain I had been ignoring for a week, but I kept telling myself to suck it up! You are a thru hiker damn it! Pain is the nature of the game. No pain, no Maine - am I right?

The next day I told my hiking friend, Mouse, I thought I would go to the hospital just to check it out. I figured they would tell me I was crazy and I could gladly hop back on the trail the next day. Instead, after an MRI they told me I had multiple stress fractures and to go home. I was devastated and immediately started crying, which immediately made the doctor uncomfortable. I could tell he had no idea what the hike had meant to me and so many other thru hikers like me. I had just made it to mile 1499 and only had 690.2 miles to go! I think he just thought I was some dirty hippie instead of an athlete trying to hike over 2,000 miles.

A few of my trail shoes and my newest shoe! 

I got a ride back to the hostel from the sweet lady that owned it and made my going home plan. I hated seeing Mouse head back to the trail alone, and hated the fact that I was headed back to KY via train then plane.

Don't get me wrong, I love being home with my husband and my two pups, but there are things I love and miss about the trail. Here are just a few of those things:

The Community

Every person I met on the trail was amazing. You feel an instant connection with everyone you meet. It's crazy how people you barely know become your family in a matter of minutes. I never thought I would bond with a bunch of guys while singing Taylor Swift. But hey, it happens. You also meet hundreds of people off trail that are willing to help you, give you a ride, or cook you a meal. The trail renews your faith in mankind.

Confidence

I know this sounds cliche, but I felt confident for the first time in years. I was making all my own decisions, carried all my own gear, felt I could conquer any challenge, and never for a second worried about how I looked when hiking! This confidence wasn't there on day one, but it is something I feel all thru hikers gain each day they are on the trail.

Sleeping

After walking 20 miles, you sleep because you are tired. Now that I am home confined by a boot, I am never tired. I find myself back to my bad ways and staying up all night! I miss getting up with the sun and falling asleep at dark.

Even though I am off trail and most likely done for this year, I one hundred percent will finish the last 690 miles of the trail next year. It was my original goal to thru hike in one year. Instead, I get to hike it over two seasons, doubling the amount of wonderful people and memories I will take from the AT. Thank you to everyone who helped me along the way!

8 Reasons Why Hiking The Appalachian Trail is Like Retirement in a Nursing Home.

After hitting mile 343 of the Appalachian Trail, I have come to a realization. Hiking the A.T. is like retirement in a nursing home.

Here are 8 reasons why:

1) You have saved up all your money and quit your job, only to find your self living on a fixed income.

2) You rarely see your friends and family. You now sleep in rooms with strangers that quickly become your new friends and family.

3) You smell a little funny. No one mentions it out loud, but everyone can smell you.

4) You rarely shower, and when you do it is more like a sponge bath. Have I mentioned my love for cleansing wipes?

5) You find your self going to the bathroom in things that do not flush. A bed pan is a lot like a privy.

6) You regularly incorporate soft foods in your diet. Instant mashed potatoes are a favorite.

7) You wake up at 5:30am and can't help but fall sleep at 7:30pm when the sun goes down.

8) At this point in life, you are use to the ups and downs along the way!

Strong Are Thy Walls O Salem! More Inspiration for the AT

I set off to hike the Appalachian Trail in a few weeks and I am starting to get nervous! Only one in four hikers that attempt a thru hike actually finish the 2,189 miles of trail. I have done my best to physically prepare for the trip. More importantly, I have been trying to mentally prepare for the trip. I have a journal I will be taking, and on the first page I have written some helpful notes to inspire me in times of doubt. This way, when I am getting eaten by bugs and don't think I can take another step, I can look at my list and remember why I took this trek. Much of my inspiration will remain private to only me, but there is one example I would like to share.

It all started when I attended Salem College, an all women's college in Winston-Salem, NC.  Salem is steeped in rich history. Founded in 1772, it is the first all-womens college in the United States and the 13th oldest school in the nation.

More important is how it was founded. A group of 15 Moravian women walked from Bethlehem, PA, to North Carolina in 1766 to found the school. They walked over 500 miles to help start a school that would educate women, a not so popular idea in the 18th century. They did it without cuben fiber tents, easy water treatment drops, pre-packaged food, or a blazed trail! It makes me feel spoiled, but also thankful, that I will be able to go on my journey with all of my ultralight gear.

My 2,189 mile journey will be tough, but not nearly as perilous as the Salem Sisters' quest to establish my beloved Alma Mater. Without them I may not be who I am today, and I may never have found the courage to try this trek on my own. So whenever I have a moment of doubt, I will make sure to think of the sacrifices my Salem Sisters, both past and present, have made for one another.

I think it is safe to say you might catch me humming this song as I walk:

Strong are thy walls O Salem

Thy virgin trees stand tall

And far a thwart the sun lit hills

Their stately shadows fall

chorus:

Then sing we of Salem ever...

You know the rest! So, if there are any Salem women in the 14 states along the trail that would like to walk even a mile with me, just let me know!