">
One Woman’s Inevitable Return to The Appalachian Trail
Hello, and thank you for dropping in! Most likely you are a fellow long distance hiker, an aspiring backpacker, or an amazingly curious friend or family member supporting my thru-hike. My name is Joanne (trail name: Lucky Penny and/or Bam Bam). My husband and I live just outside the Pisgah National Forest of North Carolina close to Asheville. I am a wife, mother to an amazing kind-hearted 23 year old, licensed physical therapist assistant, recreational nature and landscape photographer, and 2023 thru-hiking blogger for The Trek.
Long Distance Hiking Is More Than Just An Endorphin Rush
I began section hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2018 with the intention of covering trail miles that were logistically closer to home. I had previously thrived on years of pounding pavement with running friends and groups training for and completing multiple marathons. Due to pesky tendonitis and a cervical spine disorder that began taking a toll on my running performance (more on how I personally plan to prevent injuries during my thru-hike in later posts), long distance hiking and backpacking had become a lower impact alternative for me to chase that next endorphin rush. But, hiking isn’t just my substitution for runner’s high; it has been my dream for over 2 decades to complete the 2,198.4 mile Eastern US footpath “traversing the scenic wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains.” (NPS Footpath for the People)
SNP on the AT by Joanne Gigliotti
Abandoning The Dream
I registered in 2021 as a thru-hiker, yet repeatedly told myself that it was unfair to my husband. I concluded it was irresponsible for my career at the age of 46. Some would think I had lost my mind; wondering for months in the forest rolling around in dirt. Others would think I just felt like taking a selfish jaunt on a more permanent vacation from the “real world.” What if they think this? And, what if they say that? Can I really make it that far? My body isn’t getting any younger. I had broke out with a nasty case of the reoccurring “what if’s.” The more I tried to reconcile with the knowing of what I must attempt, the more the “what if’s” would pop up.
I abandoned my thru-hiking dream after succumbing to doubt and experiencing many major life changes. But, the trail continued to subtly call… as it always has. Postponing a thru-hike until retirement age was sounding more like an excuse riddled with a flawed thought process, rather than a legitimate reason not to proceed with the inevitable. Older, wiser folks in my life expressed their life regrets. To sum up the popular opinion: “You are 47 years old. Don’t you dare stop dreaming of something you are perfectly capable of accomplishing. Life is too short. Do it now while you can!” This dream has been with me for well over two decades; long before A Walk in the Woods and The Wild were brought to life on the big screen.
Spring Boarding Off Trail Memories
After section hiking the first 512 miles from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Fox Creek VA, I thought it would suffice and temporarily quench that flame to hike every mile to Katahdin, Maine. With fond memories, just as many rainy days as sunny days, cold nights, hangry moments, ponies (let’s not forget the wild ponies), pooping in the woods, meeting hikers from different countries and all walks of life, listening to other’s inspiring stories as to why they where hiking, watching field mice do acrobatics across my tent in the moonlight, and the taste of days worth of salt and filth washing off my body in a coveted hot shower- I vividly recall each section. Now, I am ready to dive deeper and rise above Shenandoah in VA, Rocksylvania, The Whites in NH, The 100 Mile Wilderness in Maine and the Katahdin summit.
Mountain Crossings Neel Gap, GA
Recalling Milestones
I remember the sense of accomplishment felt on my 45th birthday crossing over the GA/NC border of the Appalachian Trail. Looking down at the base of the sign nailed to the tree, I saw it; a penny dated 1960 covered in dirt. It was most likely dropped by a previous hiker taking the same milestone photo. The penny is taped to the inside of my AT Passport book. It is my constant reminder of that small (in the grand mileage scheme of the trail), yet very significant 80miler milestone, and my dream to hike every AT mile to Katahdin.
1960 Lucky Penny at the NC/GA Border
On the back cover of the passport book:
“Feel the spirit of those who have gone before you;
Imagine those who will follow you;
Appreciate those who walk with you today”
The Green Corridor by Joanne Gigliotti
Answering The Call
2023 is my year to answer that call of the wild (with the risk of sounding very cliché – lol). I confidently take that first step from where I left off. I know there is something for me on the AT. There will be lessons learned, memories made, and a deeper spiritual walk pursued.
How would it feel knowing you were equipped with the tools and the support to complete a dream; yet you chose never to ATTEMPT to try? Could you live with that? – Joanne Gigliotti, 2022
Starring down the endless green corridor of rugged summits, extreme weather, boulders, tree roots, and mud; a nagging curiosity calls. We all have a unique life story. In the end, (hopefully) the story includes pursuing a dream despite what WE think others will think.
I look forward to sharing my AT thru-hiking journey and lifelong love for the trail with you. See on the trail in March!
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.
Comments 15
I fell in love with backpacking in the Pisgah NF with the NCOBS for 23 days in 1980. It’s beautiful there. I’m looking forward to following you on your flip-flop.
Thank you! Pisgah is a very special place. That’s fantastic that you had the opportunity to participate in one of the Outward Bound programs – love their mission!
I am all about the flip-flop.! I am excited to follow your journey.
Thanks Roz!
I’ll be following your adventure. Maybe I can provide some trail magic when you get to the Whites/Maine. You’ll be pretty early!
Good luck. If you are in the Boiling Springs, PA area, check us out. Red Cardinal B&B. We love hikers. Joanne and Bill
Thank you Joanne! Joanne sisters from different misters 😉 I will definitely look up your B&B.
I can’t wait to follow you on your journey. Are you going to be posting on the AT Facebook page?
Hi Elizabeth, thank you! And yes I will be 🙂
That’s awesome! Good luck on your next adventure! Hope to complete the AT section in CT this summer.Once lived an hour or so from Mt. Katadin…kick myself now for not climbing it… maybe one day.Hope to follow your blog.
Thank you Carl and Happy New Year! Enjoy your AT/CT section hike this summer 🙂
Glad to hear you have decided to head north Joanne. I waited too long but I have, like you, section hiked (over the past three years) northward and have made it to Bland VA. I am planning to continue this March and look forward to following you on your adventure. I am retired now and in my 60’s so I’m running out of time…ha ha. Use to run a lot but after two back operations the doctor said stop running and take up hiking…it is awesome. Again like you I’m addicted to hiking the AT and can’t wait to get back on trail in March. Buy lightweight gear, do low miles to start, don’t carry your fears in your backpack and you will do fine…I’m sure.
See you on the trail…aka Bermyboy…go North young woman, go North!
Thank you! And yes, hiking is a such a great alternative to running. I wish you well on your March adventure on the AT! Happy Trails fellow section hiker!
I am so excited to follow your journey! Thanks for making my dreams come true by taking me out on the AT. Think of me when you see those little pesky field mice! Maybe I will meet you in my old stomping grounds GSM! Love ya! Hike on my friend!
You will certainly be with me in spirit along my entire journey. And you owe me another section hike after I flip at Katahdin and make it back down to GSM! Love you too and thank you for being one of my biggest cheerleaders!