Guess I’m Going Sobo

Hey, what’s up y’all? I’m Kevin and I’ll be checking in as I attempt my first thru-hike. I was originally planning on a traditional northbound hike, but had some family circumstances that required me to go southbound if I were to attempt this year. After moving to in Utah, Colorado, and Washington for hiking (and snowboarding), I’ve decided it’s time to dedicate a few months for daily hiking. I grew up in Northern Jersey, about 20/30 from the closest AT trailhead and don’t think I stepped on trail in NJ until after I moved away in 2019. Since then I’ve hiked portions of the AT in NJ, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maine (picture above from Katahdin, but did not touch the summit sign).

The Why

Since my decision, I’ve had to answer the why question a few different times. Admittedly, I haven’t given the same answer more than once. The truth is there are a myriad of reasons that all just blend together into an overwhelming desire to hit the trail this year. But my answer tends to include some combination of the following:

  • I can’t imagine spending another summer staring at computer screen. I have seriously considered embarking on a thru hike of the AT five of the seven years since graduating college. Those sunny spring and summer days have become painful as I primarily only experience them from a window.
  • I recently turned 30 and I’m just not sure if I’m heading in the direction I want. It feels necessary to step back from my current life and evaluate where I’m at, what I want, and how to achieve it without deadlines, bills, and everyday obligations hanging over my head at all times.
  • I want to be part of a community. I’ve lived in five different states since 2019, and haven’t been able to establish a solid community since the initial moving away. But it’s also a bigger trend, and I feel as if I never allowed myself to truly immerse myself in a community. And despite many people unfamiliar with the trail being skeptical of the community aspect of heading off on a solo 2,000+ mile journey, every blog, vlog, and article always talks about the community. And part of the reason for the blogging is to push myself out of my comfort zone and to lean into the community piece of my why. 

Hanging at Dead Horse State Park out in Utah

Fears?

I’ve made some pretty big life changes for this hike.  So there’s a general fear that this will be a disastrous life detour that I shouldn’t have attempted.  But some more specific fears would be:

  • The biggest fear is just not enjoying it.  I have some experience with backpacking, but they’ve been single-night trips.  What if I don’t like the months-long consecutive aspect?
  • I have a history of leg injuries from running.  I hope that my ankles, shins, knees, and hips will cooperate and not create any hike-ending issues.
  • While I can be comfortable with solitude, I do want to build experience a sense of community. As the stats show, way more hikers go NOBO. Would going NOBO have given me a better chance at this goal? But will try not to dwell on the counterfactual.
  • Poison ivy. Definitely allergic to this pesty little plant. I really hope I’m able to avoid it. I don’t want to become a pink-covered monster (you’re lucky if you don’t know what this means).
  • I tend to keep a pretty fast pace on day hikes. I know I need to slow it down in hopes of avoiding aforementioned injuries. Thankfully the heavier pack and the rugged terrain of the northern section should help with that. 
  • And lastly, I like being able to head to coffeeshops for a little pick me up. Unfortunately, I don’t think that will be a reliably viable option. So need to make sure I take advantage of coffeeshops when I get the chance, to make up for the instant coffee I’ll be drinking on trail. So let me know if you have any recommendations of must stop coffeehouse on trail.

Well it’s time to go for a shakedown hike in an attempt to feel somewhat prepared.

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Comments 2

  • Gary Brown : May 14th

    Starbucks coffee sticks. I’m a coffee freak and must start each day with coffee. I went to Manitoba on a bear hunt a few years ago and took Starbucks coffee sticks. Instant Starbucks and it was great.

    Reply
  • Mike 'Mizman' Misiaszek : May 15th

    Hi Kev,

    The #1 rule of hiking the AT…’Have a plan but stay flexible’. You were going to do it one way, but now you’re doing it another.

    AWESOME. You NAILED it!

    Enjoy every step and Keep Hiking!

    I too LOVE coffee, especially on Trail. Ditch the instant, the packets, all of that detritus of trash and carry a Ziploc freezer bag full of ground coffee in the roastedness of your choice. I found a premade drip cup that weighs very little so bring filters and get that water boiling. You will not believe how good hot black coffee tastes just before sunrise. If ya just gotta have something like cream or sugar in it, try adding a packet of cocoa for a mocha…

    Once you get your recipe dialed in, there will be no stopping you! Have fun!

    Reply

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