January 2016 – wandering chardonnay

Thing about doing another trail is you have kinda have an idea about what’s coming at you. When I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail I had really no clue what I was getting myself into. Great thing about hiking is you’re always learning. I’ve learned that gear can make a world of difference in your enjoyment of the woods.

So I got me some better gear! Yea me. Lighter load equals enjoyable hiking. I met other hikers on the PCT that had tiny ultralight packs and I read a ton about it, hoping I could shed pack weight as well. However some things I just gotta have. As much as I love nature, and would love to float along the trail with a super light tarp, I need a tent.
It’s a bit heavier than my last one but it’s spiffy and free standing! I’m also taking a stove this time and a rain jacket. So where am I cutting the weight?…..I…..don’t….know (yet).

Ok, it’s not that bad I still think I will come in with a base weight around 22 pounds (base weight =the total weight of your entire gear kit, excluding consumables which are food, water, and fuel.) yeah….that is a lot and not light or even ultra light.

Omg I’ve been yacking about gear, for those of you wondering here is some info about the trail!

What is the Appalachian Trail?
The Appalachian Trail (AT) is a approximately 2,165 miles long continuously marked footpath in the Appalachian Mountains that spans 14 states in the eastern U.S.
Its northern terminus is Mt. Katahdin in Maine (where I will end). Its southern terminus is Springer Mtn. in Georgia (where I will begin). One in four thru-hikers who start
from Springer Mountain makes it all the way to Katahdin in Maine.

Crazy exciting right!! This is going to be another physically and mentally challenging adventure with steep climbs, rocky mountainsides and river crossings (oh gawd). So totally like the PCT but way different!! Currently working on my gear list (coming soon), learning to blog from a new phone and an itinerary that I probably won’t follow.

atmap

Well the holidays are behind us. All those things that I have been putting off till “after the holiday” are looming large. I don’t have in NY resolutions, I just have things I need or want to do. In 2015 I covered a lot of my wants, but the needs got a tad neglected. That being said 2015 was a great year for me. Things did not work out because of some resolutions or a grand plan I set in place. Nope. Things just worked out. I like to think things always work out the way they should even if it’s not the way you wanted. Just deal with it.

Many things changed over the last year but many have stayed the same. I’m cool with that.

So 2016 being a even year I think it will be a good one. In my world big things tend to happen in even numbered years. Why? Don’t know they just do. So this should be interesting.

My intention is to thru hike the Appalachian Trail this year. Well I am 95% committed at this point. Why not 100%? Because I got ALOT of stuff to do in a very short amount of time and I like to keep everyone on the edge of their seats to see if I will pull it off. Plus no better time than now, I’m not getting any younger, my ‘career’ is non-existent, and my living situation is sketchy. Plus I got the CDT in 2017! Yeah after that I gotta stop moving. Ya know settle down and stuff. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

So I’m in the preparing, training, stress out phase right now. The “off” season was really off for me (off the hook!!!). No seriously, I had good time and now it’s time pay the piper, buckle down and all that stuff.

You would think after one thru hike the next would be easier. Nope. There is a bit more logistical planning involved this time, gear to replace, new maps, a new phone to a post from and guidebooks! So many things. Did I mention I got a spiffy new rain jacket while I was home for the holidays! Yep no more poncho! So I got that going for me.

Stay tuned……….this should be fun!