What’s up, my name is Mike McMahon (Footlong) and on March 27th I will begin my attempt to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail northbound. I’ve bought the gear, read the books, and done my best to get into the right headspace for such an undertaking. I sold my car and now walk everywhere in Chicago, including plenty of 20 and 25+ mile days, but have only done a couple overnight camping trips to test gear. Hiking is not my primary hobby and camping is new to me. I’m thinking more folks can relate to this than might admit. I put my preparedness somewhere right in the middle. But my confidence is fully intact and now that I’m starting this blog, if I fail, I’m gonna do it publicly. I’m 36-years-old. I’m from Roseville, Minnesota but my wife and I moved to Lakeview East, Chicago in June 2020. Alicia and I have been married eight years and she’s awesome, as is probably suggested by the fact that I’m able to just leave for six or seven months. I had an incredible job in Minnesota as a partner of a burgeoning restaurant group. But it became clear to me that it wasn’t bringing me enough intrinsic happiness and that a change was necessary. Despite it making very little sense to anyone, we knew it was the right decision, so I bailed. Alicia had gotten a sweet job with United Airlines that required a move to Chicago and we said “why not?” We bought a condo where we live with our two dogs and tortoise; Edwin, Newton, and Daisy respectively. Life’s good. Been waiting tables but I put in my 10-month notice last May and I am excited to turn my focus to the mountains. Gonna be nuts