Home Appalachian TrailAT Continental Divide TrailCDT Pacific Crest TrailPCT
author photo">
Apr 2, 2016 : Alan Goodwin Appalachian Trail

Heading down south to the land of the pines

The title was a blatant steal from Bob Dylan (don’t sue me).

Am I prepared? I think so? Am I nervous? I think so? The pack is weighing in around 30 pounds. A little more then I wanted, but I need those extra few pop tarts and I couldn’t leave the neck pillow behind (edit: the neck pillow got left behind).

Now to some serious talk. Over the past few weeks I have realized how great my family and friends really are. Everyone has been super supportive and I really do appreciate every bit of it. So kudos to me for finding great friends and being born into a loving family. Proof, this cake that my Aunt got for me. image

So details for all who want those: flying to Atlanta at 5:40 Sunday Morning (April 3rd) Getting a ride to Amicalola Lodge (thanks Josh). Staying the night at the lodge. Start hiking first thing Monday morning (April 4th).

 

 

Affiliate Disclosure

This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any product or service you purchase using the links in the articles or advertisements. The buyer pays the same price as they would otherwise, and your purchase helps to support The Trek's ongoing goal to serve you quality backpacking advice and information. Thanks for your support!

To learn more, please visit the About This Site page.

Alan Goodwin
Apr 2nd : Alan Goodwin
Author Page
Alan Goodwin's Bio

Just a 29 year old guy from New Hampshire who will be attempting to hike the AT starting in late March 2016. Everyone has their own reasons as to why they are hiking the trail. I suppose mine are similar to others – need an adventure, need a change, have big dreams, want to live life to the fullest etc. etc. My goals of this blog are to hopefully provide everyone a little bit of entertainment, a little bit of inspiration, and most importantly to let my parents know that I’m still alive. Working 8-5 for the next 35 years (with a few vacations mixed in) scares the shit out of me. People live their lives in a magnitude of different ways. Find something that you love and do it because you want to, not because society told you to. (this whole paragraph is such a cliché) I’ve had people ask me if I am hiking for a charity or for a cause. My answer is no, I suppose that is selfish, but you shouldn’t donate to a cause because someone is hiking the AT, you should donate because you want to. If you feel strongly about one specific issue you should contribute in any way that you can. Whether that is cancer, ALS, or the heroin epidemic is a huge bitch right now. If anyone wants to send me anything along the way (another selfish statement) snickers and whiskey are encouraged items.

Comments 7

  • Brad Blake : Apr 3rd

    Alan, Godspeed to you! Best of luck on this endeavor. I am a classmate to your Dad from Lincoln, Maine. I started hiking at Baxter State Park, your ultimate destination on this quest. You are doing what I aspired to do, so I will live your adventure vicariously. For a number of years I lived near Bethel, Maine and in a decade or so, I systematically knocked off every mile of NH & ME on the AT plus segments of the trail in every state from Maine to West Virginia. I look forward to your blog and stay healthy & kind along the trail. Just maybe I will meet up with you when you get into NH or Maine and hike a section with you!

    Reply
    • Alan : Apr 3rd

      Brad, thank you for the kind words. I’m holding you to hiking with me in NH or ME. Looking forward to it.

      Alan

      Reply
  • Lisa Troast : Apr 3rd

    Alan!!! You better be safe!! You know you are our favorite Auditor here in Sutton!! Im going to follow your blog, so I know when you are in MA! We’ll meet up with you in Western MA and hike a section of the trail with you. (I’ll be sure to bring whiskey and snickers!!!) Have a blast! You are a really cool guy (even if you do write mean management letters about my dept 😉 haha! Just kidding! Talk soon! Lisa Troast

    Reply
  • Lee Kubishta : Apr 4th

    Alan – step one, day one…thinking of you today!!! Enjoy. Lee

    Reply
  • Ethan : Apr 4th

    What pack are you using?

    Reply
  • Bobbi : Apr 5th

    Doesn’t look like Dakota knows she’s not going? Hope you packed lots of Moleskin 🙂 Happy trails!!

    Reply

What Do You Think?