Walking is Still Honest

So this is really happening… I’m going, going…GONE

I remember looking at my countdown app on my phone and seeing 155 days till I start my Northbound thru hike, now it’s down to 14 days…holy Santa Claus shit. I’m still slapping my self making sure I’m really not dreaming. It seemed like yesterday I told myself I’m going to thru hike the Appalachian Trail…

Myself, hiking up Madera Peak.

I guess you could call this my first trail update or pre trail update even though I’ll be in the Florida Keys till March 3rd for vacation. Anyway I was just dropped off at the Indianapolis International Airport by my best-friends David and Lauren (thanks for the ride guys! See you in the Smokies!) and I said goodbye to my loving girlfriend Nicole (my biggest fan!)

My friends and girlfriend rule!

My friends and girlfriend rule!

It’s been kinda crazy having to say goodbye to friends and family for 6 months, I’ve never had to do that before; it was bittersweet. In the long run it’ll be for the best. I’m currently sitting in the gate at the airport with my older sister waiting to catch our flight to Tampa.

A.T.K.O. be there or be square

Image from Tumblr.

Image from Tumblr.

I’m planning to be arriving in Amicalola Falls State Park March 4th for the 2016 A.T.K.O. and either starting the 5th or 6th. So let me know if anyone is starting around the same time! I have all my gear ready, packed, re-packed, and then re-re-packed making sure I don’t forget a single item. I’ve lost too much sleep over what I should bring.

Over the past couple weeks I’ve been receiving my gear from my sponsors from the Thru Hike Syndicate ( Vasque Footwear, Osprey Packs, Nemo Equipment, Leki, and Darn Tough Socks. Thank you again) So its been like Christmas when I come home form work to see what is waiting for me on my front porch.

The Unknown Passage

Through out my hike I will be photographing my entire journey, posting photos here on Appalachian Trials,my Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. My main goal is to create a photo story book showing as many things on and off trail as possible, hikers, trail angels, volunteers working on the trail, ridge runners, landscapes, and basically any one or thing I find interesting while on my hike. I’ve chosen the name for my book and it’ll be called The Unknown Passage. So keep an eye out for me on trail, maybe you might get you photo taken?! I’m very excited for this as well as the next six months.

My next post will be a full gear list of everything I’m bringing on my hike, so stay tuned! See you on the trail!!

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Comments 3

  • Nathan : Feb 21st

    Stoked to meet you out there man. I’ll be keeping up on here off trail too!

    Reply
  • Tonja Price : Feb 23rd

    How exciting! I can’t wait to see your journey!! Some friends of mine did the whole thing years ago and it was fun to hear about. I don’t have the stamina, knowledge or means currently to take on an adventure like this, but I hope to learn a lot from y’all hikers to get me going some day. My heart says yes! I can do this, but my head says whoa…lol. have fun and be safe!

    Reply
  • Irvin Valle : Feb 25th

    I am a dreaming thru hiker and wanted to let you know that I will be following your hike and a few others with interest. I decided to reach out to the hikers that I thought had interesting blogs. I also saw you mention that you are in the keys on vacation. We have a home in Marathon where my daughter and mother live. ( not to be weird, i am a 52 yr old father of 3 kids, 24, 22, 18) . Good luck on your thru, we will be looking forward to seeing your photo work.

    Reply

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