It Is Getting “Real!”

Hi guys,  I’m Steve and I will be attempting to hike the Appalachian Trail (NOBO) in 2020.

How we got here …

It has been a few years since I started considering a thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail.  If you are anything like me, big ideas like this take a while to percolate before evolving into something “real.”  At first, I really only thought about a thru-hike while I was participating in weekend backpacking trips.  Eventually, discussion on the trail with my son or with my other hiking partners would turn to what it would be like to attempt a thru-hike.  Being from the eastern half of the US, that always meant a thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail.  Those sporadic discussions about hiking the AT evolved into what I will call the research stage.  I read some books,  listened to others on Audible, started following current hikers who were already on the trail.  I started getting answers to the questions I was pondering and began to formulate a plan.

That plan was to hike the AT the spring after I retired.

Until recently,  it seemed so far away. Now,  I feel like I am running out of time to get ready.  As we get ready for Thanksgiving, I am about 90 days away from flying to Atlanta and shuttling to Amicalola Falls.  I am excited but also a little anxious.

I look forward to meeting everyone on the trail as we share this epic adventure.

Y’all be careful out there!  Steve

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Comments 4

  • Daddy Longlegs : Nov 27th

    Like many things in life, you can research ‘til you are blue in the face but you’ll never truly know…
    Until you go.
    Congratulations on making the leap. Your life will be changed. Take it one day at a time, be receptive, and stay present in the moment. It’s an amazing journey.
    In the meantime, relish your family time and enjoy the holidays. Thanks for sharing your hike.
    Happy Trails!
    DLL AT ‘17/18 CO ‘19

    Reply
  • Just "Bob" : Nov 28th

    Steve,

    By reading the above it seems you got that “itch” that morphed itself into an “idea” which continued on to a “plan”. Congratulations to you on moving forward on this. The exact same happened to me and now I am prepping for my 5th. thru hike. It is a “disease” I hope no one ever finds a cure for !!!!!!!!!

    Bob

    Reply
    • Steve Shelton : Nov 28th

      Thanks, Bob! Will you be doing the AT this time?

      Reply
  • Jonathan Harris : Dec 1st

    Hello Steve

    Excited for you for your adventure – I hope to do the same thing when I retire in 7 years – best of luck

    Reply

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