First Thing Out the Window is Always the Plan

Well crap, what’s left to do?

My pack is packed with cold-weather gear, dog gear, and six days of food for myself and River. I couldn’t tell you how much my pack weighs, but it feels heavy. I’ve always carried all of Riv’s gear, and I’ll continue to do so until his hiker legs beef back up a little more. I did manage to put together my gear list but with our food only weighing ten pounds and seven ounces, plus the extra day I added, the green circle at the bottom seems a little underestimated.

I’ve spent the lengthening winter days in my kitchen and bringing in a surplus of firewood for my partner. I’ve been off work for two weeks now and had time to add a few more meal options. When I look at all this food, it’s wild to think I’ll eat every last bit of it and then some. The thought of carrying it all has also crossed my mind.

As I eat my way home, I plan to share in more detail what’s in my food bag and how it got in there. I’ve had a lot of fun putting all of this adventure fuel together. My hope is to have extra for when my partner joins. During my peak bagging adventures, I’d have two options, garlic parmesan noodles and spicy mac and cheese. For my thru attempt I have ten times that. I’m beyond grateful for the variety and the tools I possess to make it all happen.

Rager Sager the Couch Tater

I’ve been super-efficient in my trail preparations that I was able to squeeze in a lovely walk up Mount Madison with River on a gorgeous, zero wind day above treeline. It also seemed I’ve been super-efficient at being a couch tater, so much so that when I got home, I promptly added another day’s worth of food to my first carry. I knew we’d be starting slow but I’m pretty sure I’ll be moving like a herd of snails through peanut butter. Can’t speak for River, every hike I’m blown away by his unwavering abilities and love for the mountains. It’s said, ‘a pound on your feet is like five in your pack.’ Which I imagine is why most folks ditch their boots at Neels Gap for trail runners. I also doubt the weight of heavy, snow-filled microspikes will offset the food and water weight. Adding that extra zero day just feels like a smart move.

During our hike I made note of the few white blazes I passed. Those will be the last white blazes as a thru-hiker hopeful. When I first started hiking the WMNF I made it a point to circumnavigate the AT, as I knew I’d hike it some day from GA to ME. After a couple seasons I ditched that idea as I learned that I don’t mind hiking the same trail twice. And let’s be real, my memory is junk, but I’m able to find the beauty in that as well.

With my permit date fast approaching, I’m beginning to get a little superstitious. We never hike on a Saturday or start a backpacking trip on a Saturday, so I’m leaning into a weekday start. My other option is to start packing my fears which my knees would rather not. My partner and I do have a running joke of 10% chance of rain. Meaning it’s going to rain on us no matter what the forecast calls for. But a quick look at the forecast for Springer Mountain with a nighttime high of 20°, you bet your toasty bottom I delayed our start. The temperature will still be in the mid 20’s for a few nights but that’s what ‘water babies’ are for. You simply take hot, but not boiling water, fill your bottle or bladder and stuff it in your sleeping bag. Make sure the cap is tight and you confirm your vessel can withstand super-hot water.

I’ve mailed off my first resupply which I plan to take six days to get to, I managed to fit all of our food with plenty of room to spare in two medium USPS priority mailers. It cost 32 dollars to mail them both. I love to crunch numbers, as such I’m keeping track of the cost associated to meal prep an entire through hike for a human and a dog. As well as the shipping costs, logistics to the trail, and anything I purchase along the way. Knowing my resupply has been mailed, I can’t fart around too much waiting for ‘perfect’ weather. I should have known though, anytime I head down South I bring the Artic air with me. Here’s to hoping it’s not too cold for the gear I own.

Happy trails n waggin tails!