UPDATE: I’ve changed my mind about doing an out and back. I have decided to complete a full southbound (SOBO) hike of the trail instead. After finishing the 1300 miles from Pennsylvania to Georgia I will “flip-flop” to Maine and hike SOBO from Mount Katahdin to Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania. I'm a sixty-eight year old semi-retired software architect/engineer and systems analyst. I live with my wife in north-central New Jersey within 1 hour of several trailheads on the Appalachian Trail. I enjoy day-hiking the AT with my wife, rails to trails biking with my college buddies, reading about technology (especially space) and reading/listening to science fiction novels. I'm currently planning an out and back on the AT from the Delaware Water Gap in New Jersey to Springer Mountain Georgia. I am planning to start this 2,600 mile round-trip hike in late March and to finish sometime in September. This will be a real challenge for me and I am looking forward to it!