Learning Lots and Learning Knots

So. Months and months of research have gone by, and now it’s real. We are a week into the trail and it’s gone by at a blistering pace. Quite literally. I figured my blog wasn’t going to be a day-to-day journal of the trail; more like a hot takes section from my brain. However, since it’s new I wanted to share some trail experiences with you all. So here’s a couple lessons from the first week on trail!

I am a sleepy sleepy boy

Before heading out on trail I had a job that started at 5 AM, so I’m used to going to bed around 9 in order to get some good sleep. Usually I fight my way upstairs and force myself to the land of nod after some lengthy procrastination. Not anymore! Out here my last watch check is around 7:35 PM before I drift off into my sleeping bag. Now, to give myself some credit, there isn’t much to do when it’s cold outside. But still, you may as well swaddle me and give me a thumb to suck on because I am out like a light.

Sometimes maybe good, sometimes maybe bad

Comparison is the thief of joy. I’ve never agreed more with this than on the trail. Plus, it feels like all we do is compare: ‘how many miles are you doing?’, ‘how much does your pack weight?, ‘how long does it take for you to cook dinner?, ‘have you done your taxes yet?’. Great reminder from the last person.

Sometimes you get an answer you love- ha! I’m the king of hiking! No one is faster than me! Their pack looks so heavy! And sometimes you hear something that practically adds 5 pounds onto your back. I think the key is to keep your head down and Hike Your Own Hike. People will do their own thing, I’ve just got to focus on mine.

We met a triple crown hiker at a shelter. That means he has hiked the CDT, PCT and AT. Clocking up over 7,000 miles through the USA. Wow. Not only did he not care what I had in my pack, he sat me down and taught me some knots for my bear bag and looked after us as newer hikers. Was this kindness the key to his success as a thru hiker? He chalked it up to not being eaten by a bear.

Georgia Won’t Give Up

Georgia is one of the shortest states on the trail. Clocking in at 79 miles, it could be done anywhere from a week to a fortnight. From day 1 my eyes have been focused on my home state of North Carolina, but Georgia just won’t let go. The last 15 miles have been ruthless! Up and down along a rollercoaster of hills and hollers. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve loved Georgia. The people here have made the trail incredible; from the Georgia ATC working hard to keep us safe, to the friendly folk and trail magic looking to brighten your day. But DANG, you couldn’t go out with a whimper? A nice slow walk out? Come on maaaaan!

Trek bloggers will find you.

So after 5 days we finally made a friend on the trail. They are a  summer camp aficionado, so we had plenty to start talking about. After a few hours talking and wanting to show off some skills, we tried to drop in that I was blogging for The Trek. Until she dropped in the she was blogging for The Trek…. And another girl at our campsite was also blogging for the Trek. Go figure. So if you see any posts that have the same stories- hopefully I posted mine first. Go read all about Pinky on her blogs found here!