My Lists

In order to ensure that I have done everything humanly possible to mentally prepare for a successful  Appalachian Trail Thru-hike, I have read Appalachian Trials (It’s a must-buy if your preparing for an AT thru-hike) and created “My Lists” just as Zach advised me to do. These lists will hold me accountable throughout my hike and remind me of the purpose of my hike.

I am thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail because…

• I have my whole life to work, why not hike the AT while I’m young and healthy?
• I’m sick of boring everyday life and I want to change the pace of things and bring some excitement and adventure into my life.
• Hiking the AT has been a dream of mine for many years.
• So I can eat as much food as I want and still lose weight.
• I’m a competitive person by nature and the AT is definitely a big challenge!
• I’m not entirely sure what I want to do with my future career-wise, maybe I’ll find myself on the trail.
• The time is right, when will I ever get another opportunity where both my brother and I can take off 6 months together?

When I successfully thru-hike the Appalachian Trail I will…

• Hopefully know what I want to do with my future career-wise.
• No longer be a statistic- 70% of people who attempt the AT will ultimately fall short.
• Have enough stories and memories for a lifetime.
• Be more appreciative and grateful of the comforts I have at home.
• Have an immense amount of pride.
• Become more confident of what I am capable of.
• Continue to go on adventures.
• Have more photos and videos than I know what to do with

If I give up on the Appalachian Trail I will…

• Start saving up to attempt the AT the following year.
• Have let everyone down for falling short, including myself.
• Be ashamed
• Have less confidence in myself
• Be embarrassed- I told practically everyone I was attempting to thru-hike the AT- even the mailman.
• Have quit my job and left everything behind only to fall short of my goals.

Now that my lists are public, there  will be even more people I don’t want to let down. I will be boarding the Amtrak this Friday, March 18th and headed to Gainesville Georgia. Ron’s Appalachian Trail Shuttle will be driving us to Amicalola Falls to begin the Approach Trail. I’m extremely excited to start my thru-hike this Saturday March 19th. Alongside my blogs here on Appalachian Trials, I will also be posting videos on YouTube. You can find my YouTube Channel here:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcF5QHoJJkuwItnJuUyTLTg

Happy Trails,

Josiah

 

P.S. here is my most recent YouTube video: