getting ready to go for a two week walk...

[skeeters_keeper]

I will be leaving on Saturday for Springer Mountain, GA! As some of you may know this is the beginning of the AT. I'm going with a friend of mine who is going to do the whole thing (GA to Maine), Starting mid Feb and ending mid Aug... I think it would be pretty cool to do the whole thing, but not cool enough to devote 6 months to it

He and I did the state of Mass last summer (90 miles in 5 days), this time due to rougher terrain and probably plenty of snow were going to keep our days shorter... we were dead after pushing it 18 miles a day w/ basically no prep.

I'm going to be getting off at Bryson City, NC on Sat the 27th. Its about 135 miles from Springer Mountain, so we only have to average about 10 miles a day, but given the weather and the fact that the entire length of the trail is in the 2500-4400 feet of altitude range it won't be a real easy two weeks!

Once I get back from this trip I have to really start in earnest trying to find out what I'm doing next with my life... but after the last 4 years of school I was ready for a little 2 month vacation from life (working a 50hr week is vacation compared to school... at least with the amount of school I was doing).

Just figured I'd give my Festy family a heads up... and if anyone along the route is as crazy as I am and wants to try to meet up with us along the trail let me know I can't say for sure where we will be each day but I can give a rough estimate!

[GenevaDirt]

Wow Nate....sounds like fun....wish I was young again. Would do a lot of things different. You got an internet capable phone or anything? Able to keep us updated?

[Levitan]

If you don't make it back, I'll be skeeters keeper2 if you want. Also, what is the beginning of AT you posted above?

[batstiva]

^^ Appalachian Trail. Runs from GA to Maine, I believe. I've done a few miles of it near me. One of these days I'll do the rest.

[bobbyspider]

this is a good decision bro everyone needs to do something like this (in my opinion) it helps you alot. some times ill get a hotel room just for the weekend and bring nothing but a bible and a note pad to think about my next move. i like this idea of you going on a treck. just be carfull and plan well. god bless and see you on the other side.

[FB71]

Have fun, Nate, and be safe. I'm wanting to do another cross-country motorcycle ride. Won't be this year, due to work schedule. But almost definately next summer! Probably do a 4 day run this year, just to keep the sanity.

[FB71]

^^ Appalachian Trail. Runs from GA to Maine, I believe. I've done a few miles of it near me. One of these days I'll do the rest.

yup. I did about 40 miles of back in college, over 4 days. This included daily diversions (white water rafting, etc).

[Pu241]

Skeeter,
You going carry everything or do you need for some of us to make a food drop along your path at some point?

[wybnrml]

The only way I would do that is if I could drive my Festiva down the trail, I'm to lazy to walk, Good Luck, and have a safe trek.

[Stivadiva]

Nate -- will be going with you in spirit! I've always wanted to hike the AT, just never got around to it. Be prepared. There can be some very nasty weather this early in the year. Take photos!

[batstiva]

I did several hikes in the 10 -12 mile range last year. Never strung them together on back to back days, but I had a blast. Have a great time, Nate!!

[packrat427]

Good luck Nate , be safe and have fun , take lots of cool pics .
Sounds like a lot of FUN !!

[25Horseplay]

Good luck Nate! I hate walking to the mail box!LOL!!!

[muscle_Car1]

Have fun, Nate, and be safe. I'm wanting to do another cross-country motorcycle ride. Won't be this year, due to work schedule. But almost definately next summer! Probably do a 4 day run this year, just to keep the sanity.

Where can I meet up?

[skeeters_keeper]

I'm in for a cross-country bike ride! My bike is all torn down at the moment... re-jetting, pod filter (makes removing carbs a lot easier), new rear shock, new fork springs, new sprockets+chain, swingarm removed for cleaning/re-greasing of the needle bearings, throttle mod, etc. My goal is to ride to the redwoods at some point. Maybe not all the way from VA to there... but then again, who knows.

John, were carrying a weeks worth of supplies and will re-supply at any small towns we go through. Total beginning pack weight is around 40lbs... or 35% of my body weight

I don't have an internet capable phone, I have a small pay-as-you go phone for emergencies but thats it... I'll update with pics/stories after I'm back!