Some Final Thoughts Before I Start

Well…Here I am the night before I head down to Georgia.

I am so nervous I could puke and I am so excited I could explode. I suppose that is how I should feel before leaving my friends, family, and the comfort of a clean toilet to go eat, sleep, and shit in the woods for 4.5 months.

In addition to all of this, I am having the panic of did I pack too much? My pack fully loaded with food and water is about 35 pounds or did I pack too little? I have never tried to tackle something quite like this.

I get asked all the time: “Aren’t you nervous!?”. Hell yeah I’m nervous, but heres the deal. While I know I will face blisters, rain, cold, heat, thirst, aches, pain, frustration, nervousness, and all sorts of obstacles I also know this. I am embarking on the greatest adventure of my life. I know that I am beyond excited to push myself to conquer something truly remarkable. I know that I can do all things through He who gives me strength. My dad has said for my whole life that winners never quit and quitters never win. This hike is all mental as is all of life. People fail 99% of the time because they don’t have the heart. Period. They fail because quitting is easy and success is hard. I have a lot of flaws and shortcomings but I have heart in spades (I’m also very stubborn lol). Every step that I take I will be thinking of all my friends and family who have supported me and continue to do so. I will keep reminding myself that every step is in honor of my father who battles an Ogliodendroglioma brain tumor every day. I have so much fuel to power my engine.

I can’t predict how these next few months will play out, but I know this. I won’t give up, I won’t give in and I can’t wait to see how I grow as a man spiritually and otherwise. Springer Mountian…you and I have a date Tuesday, I’ll bring the Cliff bars.

Also for anyone who cares heres the big gear I am tackling the trail with…

Pack: Osprey Atmos 65

Tent: Big Agnes Seedhouse SL2

Bag: Big Agnes Mystic 15 w/ Big Agnes Insulted Air Core Ultra pad

Stove: MSR Windburner

Water Filter: Sawyer Squeeze w/ Smart water bottles

Headlamp: Black Diamond Storm

Trekking Poles: Leki Micro Vario Ti Cor-Tek

Footwear (to start): Merrell Capra Mid Sport Gore-Tex (when these wear out i’ll switch to Asics trail runners)

If anyone has any other questions about the gear I have feel free to leave a comment. I’ll respond ASAP!

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Comments 7

  • Bob Austin : Feb 27th

    Eric, good luck and save travels. It sounds like you already have the best hiking partner, God. I’m sure you’ll have some great conversations with Him as you hike.

    Reply
    • Eric Guldberg : Feb 27th

      Thank you, Bob! God Bless!

      Reply
  • Gary Stell : Feb 27th

    Eric, good on you brother! Sounds like your heart is in the right place! I agree! Determination and a strong will, will get you up and over the next mountain! Hope to meet you on the trail! God bless and Happy Trails

    Reply
  • Alli Huggins : Feb 27th

    Praying for you on your first day!! He will give you strength! See you on the trail in a week.

    Reply
  • Jeff Mann : Feb 27th

    Starting this this Saturday! What you said and more. Ahhhhh
    I have pack and repacked my bag several times. I am at forty pounds. I know it is to much. I unwilling to ditch stuff just yet. Problem.

    I am always thinking what else do I need. Which means more weight. Back to Ahhhh. See you on the trail!.

    Reply
  • Two Peas - Robert & Kristin : Feb 28th

    You bet, it’s totally your mind set! You can do it & having an online support helped us press on last year! We started out with the Smart water bottles, switched to platypus with tube, made it much easier to drink while hiking & sometimes 3 liters was nice as areas why lacking water sources. We also put 2 or 3 packets EmergenC for electrolytes each day. Available at Dollar General. No cramps our entire thru hike!! God speed & hike on, Be Safe! Two Peas/ Big Cypress & Moonbeam

    Reply
  • Gunslinger : Mar 6th

    Best wishes and God’s speed Eric! You are ready for an epic adventure that will leave you breathless literally and figuratively! Prayers for your safe and transformational journey as well as for your dad! Sounds like he is quite the fighter as well!

    Stay true to yourself…God and the trail will take care of you!…Slinger

    Reply

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