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Fun Size Hikes AT
If we met on the trail, among the first things you might notice is that I’m a small human being. Like, pretty short. I look at people my size and think, “Wow, that person is tiny.” And then upon getting closer to them, I realize they’ve got a few inches of height on me. I don’t even really notice that I’m short until I try to reach something in an upper cabinet, put there by some insensitive tall person. I guess I try to stay in denial about the whole thing, which makes it easier to plow ahead and get things done. At an early age, I got really good at climbing on kitchen counters to reach what I want, and I’ve been doing the real or metaphorical equivalent ever since.
Why Fun Size?
Many years ago, my children began threatening to buy me one of those shirts that says, “I’m not short. I’m fun size.” I love a good Snickers reference as much as anyone and appreciate the positivity in this message. So as I plow ahead on this ill-advised journey, I’ll focus on the benefits of taking up less space in the world.
The Implications of Being Little
While I mostly ignore my shortness, there are a few real implications that I would be foolish to deny.
First, my pack size needs to be as small and light as possible. I’ll post more on gear choices later, but just know that I’m willing to forego a lot of convenience to keep my pack light. Yes, I am an ounce-counting nut who has spent the better part of the last year fine-tuning a gear list that avoids the kind of crushing weight that would be my undoing.
Next, I have a healthy fear of New Hampshire and any other part of the trail that will rely on hand holds that were placed by a normal-sized person. I love a good scramble and look forward to approaching the difficult parts of the trail as some sort of grown-up’s jungle gym. That playfulness will end when I literally can’t reach the next piece of rebar. I’m having nightmares already.
The upside of being small is that I’m able to buy the short/small version of everything – clothes, quilt, sleeping pad – which is pretty exciting and has a not-insignificant impact on being ultralight. And my tent, designed by that genius Dan Durston, feels like an absolute palace. Seriously, two of me would fit in that space.
So, that’s my introduction and first “Hello” to this crowd. Maybe, one day, we’ll meet on the trail.
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Comments 17
An enjoyable first post, Fun Size! I look forward to reading more…
Thanks for the kind note!
Oh hey I actually met you this Fall/Winter at a vista while hiking out by the Tray Mountain Wilderness on one of my training hikes! I am setting off from Amicalola about the 13th of March, so maybe I will see ya in Virginia in April! 🤘 Happy Trails!
You’ve got big shoes to fill with a trail name like that!
Reach out to @eloisefunsize on Instagram if you need any help/advice. Fun Sizes have to stick together!
Fun Size (PCT16, CDT17, AT18, GDT21, AZT22, plus a few others)
Haha WHOOPS spelled my own name wrong. 😅
Just James, looking forward to the AT providing my trail name! 😁
I’m so excited to virtually meet you! I knew there were other Fun Size hikers when I couldn’t get the Gmail address I wanted. I am humbled by your impressive resume and look forward to keeping the name great.
Saw name and was like wait didnt she already do that, with her dog? All the best to both Fun Sizes. Great on you for helping the conservancy
Absolutely! It would be great to meet in person.
That reminds me when I was young I brought only one food item on my attempted Appalachian trail hike: Snicker bars. I fell asleep one night surrounded by Snicker wrappers in my tent and woke up to a large black bear sniffing around. Luckily my my Labrador retriever I brought along with me scared him off with a growl
Good pup!
Hey Fun Size! Good luck out there – you’ve got this! The thought of some of those climbs scares me too. Looking forward to reading about your travels!
Right back at ya, Jenn.
How short are you ? I’m 5 feet, live in NH and did the AT in 2021 While sometimes I do feel that I have to take big steps to climb and may need a hand up once in a while you will be fine in NH. I would have loved to help you out in my great state but I planning to do the PCT this year. – Water crossings are keeping me up at night Have fun and feel free to reach out with any nh worries
Hi, Smalls, thanks for the encouraging words. I’m about 5 feet as well and can appreciate your thoughts about water crossings. Extra caution for us little folks who could be swept away!
Have no fear! I am barely 5”1 and made it over everything NH AT and then some and the biggest of the climbs in ME with no issues other than the occasional hand up or backside boost. But, if you can’t get one of those, remember, We short people have a way of figuring it out. Good luck and look forward to your posts
Excellent opening blog. I guess being a touch vertically challenged has never stopped you and it won’t on the AT. Not even in New Hampshire. You’ll have the added motivation of knowing you need to keep pace to get home in time for football season and the legion of fans who love your desserts! I’m so psyched for you. At this time next month…
Finfan Allen, I appreciate the kind words of encouragement! I owe you a Mississippi Mud Pie.