Friday, February 28, 2014
People along the trail
This is Isabella she is English living in Scotland. Get this just picked up and is doing the trail solo. She is doing about 25 miles a day.
Hiking buddies
These are the two hoping to finish the trail with. One this is the second time through.
Needs gap hostel
This is the bunk room at the hostel I stayed last night. The bunk with a shower and a towel is 17.00 per night.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Today
Today was a long hard day, spent the day at blood mountain national Forrest. Finished climbing blood mountain. Kicked my hiney. On schedule making good mileage. Went 16 today!
Driver from Atlanta airport
This is a picture of Ron Brown, who picked me up from the airport. The drive from Atlanta to Springer airport was 2.5 hours the last hour is a dirt road. I hiked 1.5 hours in the dark on the 25th because of such a late start.
the second shelter is where I stayed the first night.
Linked up with a good guy retired army helicopter pilot. Also a retired Martine gunny sergeant. Both tough!
Friday, February 21, 2014
Me with my two sons
This is myself with my son's at our corporate offices at Alpha Warranty Services.
Steve is the CEO and Ryan is one of our Agent/Dealer support.
Alpha Warranty is a nationwide extended warranty provider servicing all 50 states here in Riverton, Utah
So D day for the Applacian Trail in February 25th!!
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Animals along the trail
Like anywhere out doors, there are animals. From bear to snakes to coyote. The best rule of thumb is if you leave them alone they will leave you alone. There is guidance to avoid bears at night, to hang your food bag in a tree. And don't keep food in your tent.
To be honest I'm more worried about a mouse or squirrel eating a hole in my pack looking for something to eat.
Map, compass, GPS
I will be bringing a map compass and GPS. Since the entire trail is well marked with a white blaze. The thing I will probably use is the trail map. There are rivers and roads that cross the trail along with the shelters that are marked on the map. That is enough to have a rough idea where i'm at.
Preventing potential medical problems
Since there will be several looking for information on thru hiking I thought I would go into some detail on some important areas. Medical issues could definitely be a big stopper for completing a thru hike.
1. Foot care, this is probably the most important area. I really like trail runners vs hiking shoes. I running shoe I will be using is the HOKA one one Stetson one size larger for swelling feet and additional toe room. The socks are the thorlo brand, they are specifically designed for comfort and blister prevention when running or hiking. I also use an outer sock, a womens ankle nilon. The reason for the two sock is for friction reduction. There are many ways to handle blisters, and the best way is to prevent them completely. Just the fact that you are running or hiking will toughen up your feet. All of us know where our hotspots are on our feet. Personally I like using bandaid brand for blisters. They never come off you can get them wet and wear employees For a month. I have also used moleskin, duct tape etc.
So this is what I do. Put bandaid for blisters on all potential hotspots, then put petroleum lubrication on the feet. Then the two layer sock then shoes. That's what works for me.
2. Personal hygiene, since it will be a week to ten days between showers. Baby wipes and desitine. Will help prevent rashes.
3. Guardia, my doctor gave me some pills just incase, I do have and will use water purification. When on the trail drink plenty of water stay hydrated.
4. There are ticks on the trail especially when it gets warmer. Need to do every day and take precautions about lyme disease from these guys. Systems rash around the bite and flue like symptoms.
5. Chiggers very small biting bug. Keep waist and around feet deet sprayed.
Its always good to have first aid background in this type of environment.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
The Man in The Arena
"It is not the critic who counts, nor the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; Who, at best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat. "
February 19
THERE IS NO CHANCE NO FATE NO DESTINY THAT CAN CIRCUMVENT OR HINDER OR CONTROL THE FIRM RESOLVE OF A DETERMINED SOUL
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
The Appalachian Trail Guide
This book the AT trail guide is an everything you need to know hiking the trail.
A detailed map including mileage, shelters, food locations, water,hostels, hotels along the trail, mail pickup addresses, places to shower and elevation. This makes it much easier to plan. I have planned out my first 18 days on the trail. I also know that the best plans can change in an instant. So I will always stay flexible.
February 18
My pack that I Will be using is a Gregory baltro 75, because of the comfort and durability of the harness.
My shoes are Hola one one Stetson, the best trail runners on the market. I will be going through 3 pair hopefully. I will discuss the rest of my gear on the trail.
My pack weight counting 5 days food. Is 22 lbs. Which is what I was wanting to be at. I will shed another 3lbs when I send my winter gear home.
February 18
I had my military patches sewn on my pack rain cover. It's more of a motivator on the days when I'm getting my hiney kicked.
Hopefully to refocus me on finishing the journey, no matter what.
About the trail
The Appalachian Trail is one of the longest continuously marked footpath in the world, measuring roughly 2,180 miles in length. The trail goes through, fourteen states along the crests and valleys of the Applacian mountain range from the southern terminus at Springer Mountain, Georgia, to the Trail's northern terminus at Katahdin, Maine.
February 18
This is my good friend Dave Blaylock who has helped me train. This guy runs 6 100 milers a year.
February 18,
This is the trail head at Lone Peak where I would start my running/ hiking. The elevation here is about 5,000 feet. Lots of cold and snow this past winter. And yes I trained through some bad weather
February 17, 2014
Full picture of Lone Peak at the south end of the Salt Lake valley. Goes up to 13,000 feet. I did all of my training and preparation for the applacian trail on this mountain.
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