ZZZZZOMG!!!1!!!

One week from now, I won't be able to sleep from excitement about starting the trail the very next morning! Unfortunately, I open the store tomorrow morning at 4 AM so I have to go to sleep now... But I just wanted to update about a few things...

I had my very last close at the store on Saturday, and one of my crew members brought in a cake for me.

So rad.

And I got my new pack and it is FABULOUSSS. Pictures to follow. The weight including about 5 days worth of food and 2L of water falls at about 32 lbs, which is exactly where I want it to be and I haven't even tried trimming off any weight. GO ME.

Really getting pumped now!

Updated Gear List

New purchases! I've been trying to update everything to more efficient and convenient gear while dropping weight... I think now I'll end up hovering around 30 pounds, which is about where I want to be..


Backpack: Osprey Atmos 50 in apple green. :) I tried one on at the outfitter and I LOVED IT.. but not the price tag.. So I went online and found it for about 50 dollars cheaper than retail. It's SO confortable, and almost 3 pounds lighter than my REI pack. All in all, a good purchase.

I got a lighter, larger cooking pot from Jason that I'm switching out with my 1L MSR. I think it'll be better.

I'm also considering not taking my camp stove, simply because I don't mind eating cold meals and because I don't want to have to be buying canisters all the time. We'll see how much my pack weighs with and without it.

I got a collapsible spork. It's pretty neat.

I ditched my old cracked nalgene and got a nice 40 oz stainless steel bottle that I can stick straight in the fire so I don't have to waste fuel.. plus it's free.

I broke the mirror part off of my compact brush so now it's lighter.

Got a nice small leather journal.

Made a duct tape wallet for all my cards, cash, etc.

Added a tube of superglue for repairs, etc.


For my sock situation, I'm going with 3 pairs of sock liners and 3 pairs of nice socks to change out, one of them being a camp pair.

Exactly 2 weeks before take-off! Freak out!

Happy Valentines Day!

Love is in the air. I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday. Dan got me flowers and is currently making me dinner. I made him a valentines day treasure hunt this morning.

20 Days until take-off!

23 days to go

Almost 3 weeks left to endure before I embark on my really long walk. I don't think it's really started to sink in yet, mostly because 23 days still kind of feels like a long time. I suppose I'll really start feeling the anticipation around the one week mark. I know I have pretty much all of my gear in order and I will definitely be meeting my money goal by the time I stop working, but I still spend all of my free time groping for information on message boards, looking for last minute tips on the best ways to stay warm in the rain.. or what kinds of foods are best for providing the highest calories while weighing the least. It feels like I'm beating a dead horse and just working myself up into a nervous frenzy.
I wish there was more I could do to prepare, but there's not. All I really need to do right now is just ride out this super-long 23 days and hope to baby jesus that it doesn't snow anymore, haaaa. That's the only reason I would delay my start date, besides needing more mulah.

Here's some random thoughts off the top of my head:
I'm going to miss my precious angel miracle, Butters Stotch.
I'm going to miss my parentals and familials.
I'm going to miss Dan
I'm going to miss my dear friends.
I'm going to miss showering everyday
I'm not going to miss driving the chrysler.
I hope I don't have to drop off the trail before Neels Gap. That would be embarrassing.
I'm NOT going to miss Bojangles.
I hope I don't break my leg 2 miles in... But if I do maybe I'll use my remaining cash to go to Hawaii.
I'm excited about everyone who wants to hike sections with me.. Uncle Mike through North Carolina, Blacksburg amigos whenever I'm coming through in May, Uncle Dave whenever I hit Harpers Ferry, Dan again when I go through NJ..
I hope it doesn't rain every single day... I can handle a lot of rain, just not a TON of it.
I know that most of the time, the next 6 months is going to be hard.. Like REALLY hard. I'm going to hate it sometimes.. But I hope that through the difficult times that I can remember to smile and just keep swimming.
I hope I don't break my camera.
I hope I meet some cool people.
I'm really looking forward to seeing: The southern terminus plaque, all of the balds, NOC, Neels Gap, Fontana Dam, Black bears, ALL of the smokeys, Clingman's dome, Pigeon Forge (wooh!), crossing into VA again, Grayson Highlands ponies! Damascus, eating at the Homeplace for the first time, Waynesboro, Harpers Ferry, some plat hiking for a change so I can do some 30 mile days, side trip to NYC, walking through that zoo, Being in New Jersey, ALL of new England, Lobster in ME, and summiting Katahdin.

That's all for now. I'm going to test out some Lipton noodles and watch Spartacus.

30 DAYS

Apparently I have the mileage wrong in my banner.. it's 2,181 miles. Wikipedia lied to me.