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Jun 1, 2018 : Paul Monsen Appalachian Trail

Decisions, Decisions. Some Easy, Some Hard

I’m leaving in less than 30 hours and still working through last-minute decisions.

Some decisions were easy.

Rain pants or rain kilt. No brainer. I’ve never had an opportunity to wear a skirt before so I’m going with the kilt. My daughter’s not too excited about being seen with me wearing a skirt, but she’ll get over it.

Another easy decision… Snickers or Milky Ways. Both, of course. Duh!

Sleeping bag or quilt? I’m starting with a quilt and will switch to a sleeping bag when the weather cools down in the fall.

Other decisions have not been so easy.

Like SOBO or flip flop.

I was all set to start up in Maine and go southbound, but due to a lingering achilles issue I have been advised to start out slow and build up the mileage very gradually. So I’ve made a last-minute decision to do a flip-flop thru-hike starting in Connecticut, going north to Maine, and then flopping back down to Connecticut and hiking south to Georgia. This will allow me a few hundred miles to build up more strength in my achilles before I hit the Whites and Maine. It should also help with the black flies.

The fun is about to begin.

I look forward to sharing some of my shenanigans with you.

Stay tuned for more.

Cheers!

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Paul Monsen
Jun 1st : Paul Monsen
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Paul Monsen's Bio

Free spirited, fun loving prankster going for a long walk. I’ve been dreaming about this for longer than I can remember, and I am completely stoked! I’m looking forward to burning up 5,000 calories per day including all the snickers I can eat. I’ve always wanted to sleep under a bridge, and I look forward to being homeless for a few months.

Comments 6

  • Willie page : Jun 1st

    Go getter Paul!

    Reply
    • Cooney : Jun 2nd

      To tight laces n good soles!
      And great adventures!!
      Have fun Paul.

      Reply
  • Randy : Jun 2nd

    Wow, what a great adventure! Best of luck Paul! Keep us posted. 🙂

    Reply
  • Nanook : Jun 2nd

    Hey Paul,
    I start my AT SOBO thru hike on July 19 and hope to cross paths with another “mature” gentlemen.I’m sixty!
    Happy trails,
    NANOOK

    Reply
  • NORiA : Jun 4th

    Thank you for the chapter!http://essaywritekd.com/

    Reply
    • BOB RHEIN : Jun 5th

      see ya in a few months –

      Reply

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