Why I Want to Hike the Appalachian Trail

Because I am crazy? That might be my best response. I am a person who has camped their whole life, but in progressively cushier ways. I started out in a canvas tent, car camping with my family. We upgraded to a pickup camper when I was 12 and a small motor home by the time I reached adulthood. I did do some limited backpacking on the AT with my Girl Scout troop. Mostly I made my dad carry my gear. My husband and I did a one night trip on the AT in the 1980s. We forgot the tent poles and couldn’t find a level place to set up between trees. We spent the night sliding down to the ends of our air mattresses and were so exhausted the next morning it was no wonder we allowed a ruffed grouse to scare us off the trail.

So after a 30+ year hiatus I am picking up a pack to walk into the woods for six months. I need to prove to myself that I can overcome my fear of bears and being alone. I want to accomplish something that I can brag about to my future grandkids and the others in the assisted living facility. It sucks getting old but this Boomer is not ready to hang up her boots just yet. Remember, the first woman to successfully thru-hike the AT was Grandma Gatewood and I plan to follow in her impressive sneaker prints. See you in the woods!

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Comments 9

  • Robert Goulet : Oct 1st

    That’s awesome! My treks have been limited to the Northville Placid Trail in New York’s Adirondacks. I’m trying to convince myself that I should bp the AT

    Reply
    • KMac : Oct 1st

      Go for it!

      Reply
  • Andy : Oct 1st

    Fantastic it’s one of the best experience I’ve had will be back on the trail in December

    Reply
  • Diane : Oct 1st

    Good luck! Maybe we will meet. I plan on hiking the AT also in 2020. I will turn 61 on the trail. Let’s start praying for the best weather ever!

    Reply
    • Carol A. Watts : Oct 1st

      GO FOR IT!!! Have broken back, myself and am going toward 600 miles on FLT, N.Y. STATE TRAIL, MORE MANAGEBLEThey just added SIZE FOR ME.
      They just added 20 more miles of protected land and trail so that much extra to do. FINGER LAKES TRAIL…N.Y. STATE, east west or flip . Missed where you Are but it IS a good starter if you prefer that!!!
      Beautiful, more safety net…..text and talk if you want.s

      Reply
    • KMac : Nov 2nd

      Yes please – on the weather and on meeting somewhere along the way!

      Reply
  • Watermelon : Oct 3rd

    You’ve got this! So excited to hear all about it!

    Reply
  • Jane K. : Oct 31st

    I can’t wait to follow your adventures ! Keep me posted .

    Reply
  • lindm0120 : Jul 1st

    Looking forward to following you! I’m a few years older and won’t go on long trails much less camp alone. I go when my sons take me. Can’t wait for updates.

    Reply

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