I've had it! I'm outta here...

[handmade34]

questions??

I started Appalachian Trail in 2013... got snowed out and then my partner ended up in hospital so I had to get off trail...

March 2018... I'm headed out tomorrow to give it another shot... figured this is a good time since I am driving myself crazy with the madness of politics... I'm giving myself until the end of year to walk the entire 2190.9 miles (will take a break for election time!!)


2013... me on left...



2013 into NC...

[JDC]

1. Happy Trails!

A Walk in the Woods as Bill Bryson called it. Best of luck.

[handmade34]

19. 1st time around

my hike was almost the same as his... got off in Gatlinburg because I ran into a couple of rangers and they said people were being taken out with hypothermia and I leapfrogged up to PA and hiked a bit before I had to go home to be with partner

[pangaia]

58. Seems spring.summer,fall is a better time than winter. :))))

Have fun....

[dameatball]

2. If you can, check out "Trail Days" in Damascus, Va....week after Mother's Day....:)

[handmade34]

22. good way to celebrate Mom's Day!

[notdarkyet]

32. The barefoot sisters, two books is an excellent description of. Trails, people, guides, full of lots

Of information and funny. They do the whole trail.

[Docreed2003]

3. Once you get to Newfound Gap

Take a side trek over to "Charlie's Bunion". It's not far off the AT and the view is worth it! My favorite overlook in the GSMNP!

[handmade34]

21. will do that!

it is on my agenda now

[spike jones]

36. The rocks at Charlie's Bunion are rotten and very dangerous to climb. Be careful there. n/t

[FBaggins]

4. Can DU start a poll to pick your trail name?

[handmade34]

15. good luck!

figure not too many people here know me but...

[Martin Eden]

43. Hi, Mulligan!

You took a Milligan on your first attempt, so ...

[Eliot Rosewater]

5. What movie did I see about this? You are braver than me.

[gratuitous]

10. A Walk in the Woods?

Robert Redford, Emma Thompson (largely wasted) and Nick Nolte.

[Eliot Rosewater]

14. that's it

[RandomAccess]

12. LOL -- Probably Deliverance

[handmade34]

16. oh no...

I will have nightmares tonight

[RandomAccess]

20. Oh, no -- you weren't supposed to see that

[LiberalLovinLug]

42. or Wild with Reese Witherspoon

[livetohike]

6. So jealous! Have the best time and can't wait to hear

about all of your adventures.

[handmade34]

26. hopefully I can check in every few weeks

[Solly Mack]

7. Thinking of you! Best of everything - weather, people met, etc..

Keep us posted when you can.

I know you can do it!

[handmade34]

23. thanks for the encouragement!

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

8. What a grand adventure!

I hope there will be pics because otherwise, you know, it just didn't happen..........

[handmade34]

25. oh there will be pictures!

2013 Mollie's Ridge Shelter in the Smokies... it was COLD!!! men coming in with icicles hanging from their beards

[A HERETIC I AM]

9. One hell of an undertaking!

Stay safe and take lots of pics!

[handmade34]

27. will do!

[A HERETIC I AM]

33. If you can get Nick Nolte to tag along......

[handmade34]

35. I have a story...

no time to tell it now but last hike I have a real character latch on to me and he was a hoot... not too far from Nick Nolte... I lost him once I got to NC

[A HERETIC I AM]

37. That movie was great.

Last October I drove up to CT to see my aunt, my moms last surviving sister. From the Hartford area we then went north and west over to Lake George, NY to see an old friend I hadn't seen in 40 years! We passed across the trail several times in western Mass and South Eastern Vermont.

Such incredibly pretty countryside.

Again, one hell of an undertaking and it is my sincere wish you have a safe and enjoyable "Walk in the Woods"

[tblue37]

11. Not the Mark Sanford way, I hope! (Actually, good hiking to you, though!) nt

[handmade34]

17. Venezuela

would be warmer

[tblue37]

46. And much, much more dangerous these days! nt

[riversedge]

13. Stay safe and happy trails.

[handmade34]

18. thanks!

[lunasun]

24. Have a good time

https://m.

[handmade34]

28. hey...

a pack horse is a great idea

[KPN]

29. Awesome! You are living my dream.

Best wishes to you in your journey!

[kairos12]

30. Happy Trails!

[Mountain Mule]

31. Best of luck to you and have a good time!

[barbtries]

34. i hope your walk is safe

and rewarding. enjoy nature.

[SallyHemmings]

38. Safe travels

[royable]

39. I'm jealous! What a wonderful adventure!

I've only hiked (never backpacked) on many portions of the AT in Maine, where I grew up aeons ago. My very favorite peak is the northern terminus of the trail, Baxter Peak on Mount Katahdin, 13 feet shy of one mile high and hosting a spectacular view on a clear day. I hope you make it all the way there safe and sound and strong.

[cilla4progress]

40. Awesome!

Good luck and have a great time!!

[caraher]

41. last summer I met a guy cycling around the continental US

He'd hiked the Appalachian Trail at least once... He said he spent much of that time "looking like Moses and smelling like roadkill"

Good luck and enjoy!

[Martin Eden]

44. When will you cross Mount Rogers in SW Virginia?

In mid-late June the mountainside is ablaze with flowering rhododendron. The views are outstanding, and herds of wild ponies roam about the place.

Be safe, endure, and have fun.

[fleabiscuit]

45. Just saw this on Oregon Public Broadcasting...

Some inspiration.

https://www.opb.org/television/video/orfg-2817-01-ultralight-hiking/

Good luck!

[SHRED]

47. Cool

Have fun.

[magicarpet]

48. Take a lot of granola bars...

Be Safe, stay healthy, pace yourself.

Have fun !!!

[LittleGirl]

49. Better you than me!

LOL. I would love the hike, but I need my epsom salt bath after a daily walk like that. I am not a camping type of person at all.

I hope you have a good hike this time and have nothing but peace and quiet. Happy Trails!

[raven mad]

50. I am GREEN with envy & wish you all good trail!

This old Alaskan's major hiking days are now fond memories. Yours is a "Hike", not just a hike! We'll try to send any rotten weather west instead of east.

Knowing you will have an incredible time, wishing I could go with, and anticipating TONS of pictures!

[BigOleDummy]

51. Wishing you...

.... luck and safety! Enjoy!

[sinkingfeeling]

52. Good luck and good health.

[gademocrat7]

53. Take care

Safe travels.

[csziggy]

54. Have a safge and happy trail experience!

My neighbor completed the Appalachian Trail some years ago. He did it in a bunch of segments and trained by climbing the stairs in the Florida State Capitol Building. At first he had problems with the security people but once they got to know him, they cheered him on. When he had finished, the first time he went back to the capitol to continue his exercise regime, there was a big banner over the stairs congratulating him, signed by hundreds of the state people in the building, including the governor!

[Fla Dem]

55. Happy Trails! Youve got more get up an go than I sure do.

[Kurt V.]

56. Nothing about that looks fun to me.

Best of luck and stay safe!!

[lillypaddle]

57. Best of luck

Godspeed to you and your friends. Stay safe.

[denvine]

59. Best of luck and Happy Trails!

Taking a break from the news of the destruction of our Democracy day after day sounds like heaven. Be safe and have an amazing journey!

[alfie]

60. Are you picking up back in Gatlinburg or

going back to the beginning? If you are starting all over, when you get to Hiawassee, PM me if you need anything.

[ChazInAz]

61. I'm jealous!

My hiking days are long past!
Buddy of mine just started on the Trail. He's been hiking and hitching cross-country for over a year, now. His name's Corey H., and I met him and his dog at last Spring's Saguaro Man in Arizona's White Mountains. He expects to reach the end of the Trail this Winter, also.

[jimlup]

62. Good Luck! I've been thinking of this myself this month...

not seriously but realizing it was March and that is the time to start. Are you starting in Georgia?

[7962]

63. Getting away from the madness will do wonders.

Dont worry, it'll all still be here when you get back

[MLAA]

64. How wonderful, best of luck

[ornotna]

65. Best of luck

[tonedevil]

66. You are not fooling me for a minute...

you are taking up with an Argentine journalist aren't you?

[red dog 1]

67. Via con Dios!

(and watch out for snakes)