2019 App Trail Thru Hike: Ready, Set, ...

Helen and I are leaving this weekend to spend a few days in the mountains around Damascus, Virginia where I'll start my Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike

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The entire trail is about 2200 miles long from Springer Mountain, GA to Mount Katahdin, ME and Damascus is about 475 miles in

Larger Map and State by State Descriptions

Spraying my clothes and gear with Permethrin insect and tick repellent before I go

Overview: Just an average old(er) guy going on a really long walk to see what he can see

Why Start From Damascus? I'm trying to avoid the "bubble" of people at the start of the trail. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy encourages people to "flip flop" in order to mitigate the wear and tear on the trail. Damascus is the quintessential trail town and we had a great time visiting the area in 2017. The entire trail is about 2200 miles long from Springer Mountain, GA to Mount Katahdin, ME and Damascus is about 475 miles in. If I can, I'll walk 1700 miles to Maine where Helen will pick me up this summer and drive me back to Damascus and then I'll "walk home".

Are You Going Alone? Yes. I'm sure I'll meet people on the trail.

Biggest Worries? Injury, Lyme Disease, other sickness

Biggest Hopes? That I'll enjoy it. I'm looking forward to the physical and mental challenge. I like the idea of each day being different and, yet, strung together by the simple direct minimal "ethics" of it all: walk, eat, sleep...walk, eat, sleep...rinse, wash, repeat. 

What About Helen, Derek, and Adam? The boys are busy doing their own things. For Helen and I, it will be tough. She's been trying to get comfortable with all the financial\logistics I usually handle. Hopefully, in addition to picking me up in Maine, she'll also be able to fly up for an earlier visit. Maybe in New York to see a Broadway play. Derek mentioned coming up to see me and do some hiking with his friend Tyler.  

2019 App Trail Thru Hike: Still Tweeking

One week before my Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike departure and I'm still tweeking

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I'm new to all this backpacking stuff and trying to figure out which food storage system to go with is one of the most confusing parts. You have to worry about rodents, bears, people, and everything in between.

The most common method is hanging a bear bag and, usually, everybody just glosses over it leaving out a lot of contradictory details. Andrew Skurka's recent article on how bear bag hanging is a losing proposition confirmed my unsettled feeling about it from a pro's pro perspective.

I went by REI this past weekend to see if a bear canister would fit in my bag. It did, but it's heavy and with my food and water pushes me up close to the max suggested 35lb weight for my ULA Circuit backpack. Two of the REI workers came over and showed me pictures of their mangled "bear proof" kevlar Ursacks. They were camping recently and had to leave their camp in the middle of the night when an aggressive bear got to their hung Ursack's and eventually ripped them apart.

I think the effectiveness of the solution depends on which bear\bears you encounter. A momma bear with cubs can work together to get to a hung bear bag easier than a big heavy lazy male, but the big heavy lazy male probably appreciates an easily accessible Ursack or bear canister that he can use his raw strength against. Then there are the rodents, racoons, etc.

I'm hiking around with a bear canister this week to see if I can handle the weight. I kind of like the idea of the weight forcing me to go slow to start, but it also puts additional strain on my body. I have options to drop weight if I need to, but I don't want to hurt myself in the mean time. I crave "clean" solutions free of contradictions and inconsistencies.

Like with a lot of things, security is relative. True security is an illusion. You do what you can to deter the aggressor and hope they'll move on to easier targets, but a determined aggressor will usually prevail.

Bear Bag Pros: least expensive and lightest weight by far (4 oz)
Bear Bag Cons: time consuming to find perfect tree and hang, hard\impossible to hang properly, easiest to defeat if bad hang and have been defeated even if perfect hang, not rodent proof

Ursack Pros: much lighter (.5-1.5 lb) than bear cannister, easy to tie to tree\rock instead of hanging, takes a determined bear to puncture
Ursack Cons: heavier than bear bag, easier for bear to get when not hanging, bear resistant not bear proof, food can be mangled even if not punctured, only most expensive\heaviest Ursack is considered rodent proof

Bear Canister Pros: easiest to deploy - no hanging or tying required, rodent proof, can be used as seat, hardest to defeat and thus considered most responsible method for protecting bears
Bear Canister Cons: heaviest by far (2.5 lb), bulky and inflexible, hardest to get into especially with cold\gloved fingers, have been defeated by determined bears

2019 App Trail Thru Hike: The Mental Part

Thinking about the mental part as I prepare for my early April Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike departure

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Thru hiking is as much mental as it is physical. I'm under no illusion. It's going to be tough.

For many, the trail calls to the wanderlust in our soul. It's easy to romanticize and there are enough stories and information out there to keep us immersed in that wonderland. It's even more fun when you start preparing and playing with all the gear. Doing the actual hiking is the hard part. As Mike Tyson said, "Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face." Some people like this guy and this guy make it look so easy that you question why you bother to plan at all.  

I borrowed a book on Mindfulness a while back from the Kindle lending library and finally got around to starting it. I was "busy", but it probably took me so long because I was skeptical. It turns out, I shouldn't have been. I'm sure the ideas are going to help me in real life and on my thru hike.

I'm analytical and judging and I like it. It's me and I don't want to turn it off. It makes me critical and impatient with myself and the world around me, but I like what all the analyzing and judging gives me in terms of planning and navigating life and I certainly like where it got me up to this point - retired and planning to walk the Appalachian Trail.

However, the analyzing and judging is relentless, distracting, and, at times, overwhelming and all-consuming. Every decision, every sensory input, every interaction is a 1000 word mental essay of pros and cons with a backing data sheet. I have no idea what it's like to live in the rapid "texting bubble" world of simple back and forths skimming along the surface of awareness. I find it difficult to interact in that world.

I reject the idea that analyzing and judging is "bad", but I would like it to be more efficient. I want it to be "quieter". I want it to sleep when it's not needed and turn on when it is. Finding the balance is the challenge.   

Here are some tips from other hikers for handling the mental part of a thru hike:

• Break your hike up into micro-goals instead of looking at the trail as a whole. Your next resupply point, shelter, water source, etc.
• Express gratitude to the rocks or mud...for making me stronger, leaner, kinder, more patient etc. - whatever I wish to have more of in my life. And I have been known to sing to a steep mountain - the song is an original created in that moment. It is kind of a zen technique to become one with the mountain.
• 'Square' breathing (breath in 4-count, hold 4-count, exhale 4-count, hold 4-count)
• Think in terms of  "I get to" not "I have to"
• Focus on one thing (like your breath or a word\phrase\song) while you're walking and try only to think of that one thing and you will notice that your mind will try to guide you off of it but ease yourself back to it and, eventually,  you will get better at it
• Push awareness out of my body - toward the smells carried on my breath, the sounds both near and far away, the beauty in whatever is around, etc. The surroundings have no pain of the body, no depressing memory of past mistakes and trials, no anxiety-inducing anticipation of the future, they just exist in the present moment.
• Be inquisitive about everything...like it's the first time you have seen the object (like a tree, flower, cloud). It forces you to be present as you decipher what and why the object truly exists.
• Pretend like you're walking with someone:  friend, loved one, pet, historical figure, etc
• List all the things you are grateful for. Don't stop short. Make the list as long as possible.
• Use all your senses to take in this moment. Nudge your awareness to the smallest of things near and far that you can sense in this moment. Your mind will wander away and that's okay, just gently nudge it back without admonition.
• Start with individual toes and work your way up paying attention to detailed sensations near and far. Eventually settle on the rhythm of your breath - an amazing thing always there for us to return to. Try to sense it spreading to even your most distant distinct body parts. Your mind will wander away and that's okay, just gently nudge it back without admonition.  

2019 App Trail Thru Hike: Accessories

Accessories for my early April Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike departure

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(From Top Left):

Black Diamond Trekking Poles: Lightweight and collapsible. I don't plan on using them all the time, but they're really nice when slippery, steep, tired, hurting, etc. 

Electronics: Phone, MP3 player and earbuds, Anker 10000 portable charger, outlet charger and cords, small notebook and pencil

Suunto Compass: Not necessary on the well marked AT, but it's responsible to have one and know the basics. GutHook GPS phone app shows you where you are. I also installed a compass phone app. I expect the weather to come from the south\west\north and plan to setup my tent accordingly by securing necessary guy lines, using existing rocks\trees\etc as shielding, and facing my door away from the weather.

Black Diamond Head Lamp: Having one with the red night light mode, so as not to blind others, is expected on the trail

Sea To Summit Bug Net: Never used one before, but highly recommended on the trail

Outdoor Research Helios Sun Hat: For sun, rain, tick protection, and to keep bug netting off of your face and ears

Rain Poncho: For driving rain and wind. It insulates my core and I can pull my arms and hands inside and shield them too. I use one we had laying around. It's a nice weight. Some are too flimsy and some are too heavy.

Umbrella: Becoming more popular on the trail. Usually rigged to attach to your backpack to keep hands free for trekking poles, phone, etc. I just got one on impulse at the grocery store to try and I think I like it. It was nice on a recent hike when sporadic rain started falling not to have to keep putting on and taking off my rain gear. I attach mine with an 18 inch gear tie. It's a little clunky but works.

Sun and Reading Glasses: Annoyingly, I think I have to bring my reading glasses. Sunglasses can help with gnats in your eyes.

Knee Compression Sleeve: Recently picked up a lightweight compression sleeve just in case. Knee pain seems common on the trail, especially when getting acclimated. I can see adding some heat rub and using it more for recovery than stability. I only have one so only one knee at a time is allowed to hurt.

Recovery Ball: Lacrosse ball for rolling out sore muscles. I like to lay on it and roll out my hips, back, IT bands, etc

Quick Dry Towel: I cut a quick dry towel down, but left it substantial enough for wiping sweat, rain, etc.

Poop kit: Loksak odorless bag and velcro strap, pet waste bags, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, anti-microbial towels, and snow stake. I plan on packing my waste out or at least disposing it in privies, but I have a lightweight snow stake to dig a hole just in case.

Tape, Repair, etc Bag: Small amounts of duct, gorilla, leuko, rock, and tenacious tape, lighter and dryer lint, tent pole splint, ziplock bags, reusable towels, pet waste bags, toilet paper, air pad repair kit. It's common to wrap a little tape around trekking poles for quick access.

Quick Hygiene, etc (in hip belt for quick access): Picaridin insect repellent, bleach (norovirus), hand sanitizer, quick dry towel strip, lip balm, pocket knife, fishing line for cutting sausage\cheese\etc, emergency whistle

Daily Hygiene Bag (odorless bag of frequently used stuff): tooth paste and brush, floss and floss sticks, Dr Bronner's peppermint soap, hand sanitizer, reusable towels and scrub pad, Badger foot balm

Other Hygiene Bag (odorless bag with small amounts removed from original packaging): rock tape, eye drops, sunscreen, laundry detergent, body glide, body powder, Vaseline, heat rub, anti-biotic and anti-fungal creams, ibuprofen, Aleve, Sudafed, Benadryl, Claritin, Mucinex, Pepto Bismol, razor and blades, tweezers, nail clippers, needle and thread for repair and blister drainage

2019 App Trail Thru Hike: What To Wear

The clothing I'm taking for my early April Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike departure

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Montbell 800 Fill Power Down Jacket: I was really trying to be the last person to own a puffy jacket. Oh well. It's light and warm. More for camp than for hiking. You get warm fast hiking and cool down fast when you stop.

Outdoor Research Helium II Rain Jacket: Very popular on the trail. Super lightweight and folds into a compact pouch. It's my first additional layer for cold or wet. It doesn't have pockets, so I duct taped some plastic bags with some quick dry towel material to the lower inside of the jacket. I can flip them out and shield my hands from the weather if necessary. 

Columbia Silver Ridge Long Sleeve Shirt: The shirt I plan to wear everyday. It has pockets, ventilation, and sun protection. I will pre-soak it (along with most of my clothes and tent) in permethrin insect repellent to protect against ticks and mosquitos.

Smartwool 150 long sleeve shirt: Minimal merino wool layer

Smartwool 150 short sleeve shirt: Hangs from the bungee on the back of my pack for quick access. Usually as an underlayer, but might end up as my primary shirt in the heat.

REI On The Trail Short Tights: My only "pants"...commando. Breathable, quick dry, drawstring, don't ride up so inside thighs don't chafe, and a mesh phone pocket. My legs never really get too cold. I never wear long pants in real life, but if I need to shield my legs in really bad weather I can wrap my tent footprint and\or a compactor bag around them. I cut a hole in the bottom of a compactor bag so I can slip it on as a skirt. I tested it in a cold driving rain and it worked well.

Duluth Trading Boxer Briefs: Maybe to sleep in

Sealskinz Waterproof Socks: Nice layer to have just in case it gets really cold or I'm having blister trouble. Cold, wet, and mud are all fine with sandals, but sand\grit or prolonged skin-penetrating wetness can cause blisters.

Copper Fit Compression Socks: Recently got these on impulse while walking through CVS. I've never had compression socks, but they will be nice to put on at camp after cleaning my feet and rubbing them with Badger Foot Balm. Like a spa treatment.

Darn Tough Micro Crew Socks: Additional socks...maybe to sleep in

Windstopper Gloves: Older pair of gloves from skiing. Hands are exposed using trekking poles. Will pull plastic bags over them for cold\wet protection. Might get some Showa waterproof gloves.

Merino Wool Buff and Buff Hat: Buffs are ubiquitous on the trail because they're so multipurpose

Chaco's ZCloud Sandals: I wear Chaco's sandals almost exclusively everyday. I don't want to start wearing shoes I'm not used to. I haven't encountered a time when my feet were too cold to wear sandals and I love how free my feet feel and how quickly my feet dry in sandals. It's not that unusual to hike in sandals these days.