2 1/2 more weeks until we leave for Georgia and the beginning of the big hike. We plan to leave Bel Air on Sat. March 5th and drive part way. Then on Sunday Jan & Brian will drop me off at Ocalala Falls State Park to begin my hike. The State Park, however, is about 8.8 miles from the actual starting point of the AT. There's a 2,000 ft. climb to get to the start at Springer Mountain. The entire AT is 2,175 miles and traverses 14 states (GA, NC, TN, VA, WV, MD, PA, NJ, NY, CT, MA, VT, NH and ME). I'm hoping to do 8-14 miles each day, depending on the weather and terrain.
I've been getting my gear ready and organized. I've also been doing some small hikes in the area with my pack weighing 30-35 pounds for physical conditioning. I'll be carrying a tent, sleeping bag, food for my first 7 days and water... as well as a plethora of items to help make the hike more enjoyable! I'd like to keep the weight of my pack under 35 pounds the whole way.
I haven't invited anyone to come along because of the commitment...but if anyone has a desire to join me please give me a call. It will be approximately 6 months of "walking in the woods."
"In planning for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable."
Dwight D. Eisenhower
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