Why I’m hiking the AT in 2017

Day dreaming…

I would say that I recently decided it would be a good idea to hike the Appalachian Trail this year, but that would be a lie. Because I decided that I would do it the day I knew what it was. This is the year that happens to be when I have all the gear, the money, and courage to quit my job to hike it.

Living in New Hampshire, there is a lot of access to the AT in the White Mountains where I frequently find myself in my free time. Every time I was on a backpacking trip, it seemed I was following the white blazes at one oint or another. Every time I had that backpack on I wanted to follow those white blazes as far as I could north or south; it didn’t matter.

So, why?

So to sum it all up, I guess you could say I’m hiking the Appalachian Trail this year because it feels right. Everything about it feels right to me. Walking miles through the wilderness with the few things needed to get by on your back. Walking a mountain ridge on a windy day feeling the power of the earth. Eating lunch sitting on an uncomfortable rock in the sun. Waking up in the woods, or to a sunrise and cooking up some ramen for breakfast, as the Gray Jays squawk as you for granola. Going day by day not caring much for what day it is, or what time it is. These are just some of the reasons why I love backpacking, and just some of the reasons why I am excited the Appalachian Trail this year.

I’m hiking to live free, or whatever