Merry Christmas!

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and thanks for taking a look at my blog. Hard to believe it's been nearly a year since I created this blog. And hard to believe that the hike is almost here. I have a feeling great tears will be shed on the day I start. And seeing the plaque on Springer Mtn. And the other milestones to come. But God has been so good. Meeting some great people online who are wishing me well on the hike. Was able to get hiking boots for Skipper and Paul Bunyan for only $27 on Steep and Cheap last night - the same boots they have now so they have two pair for the trail! Also had an offer for me and Paul B. to stay at a cabin in PA that Ed Garvey once stayed in and where he signed the trail register. Talk about nostalgia. Can't wait. Already there are trail blessings to be had.

The next hurdle is to again inform my parents of this trip which I plan to do during the Christmas break. I have hinted a few times before but this time I must tell them it's for real and I leave March 1st. But a friend of mine already said she would pray for that encounter, and I am so grateful.

Gear List

Updated List

Clothes - Blissful

down jacket – March-May
Terramar black microfleece top
Terramar silk long underwear
Patagonia heavier fleece bottom – March-May, August
Smartwool long sleeve top
lightweight microfleece pants – May-July
Moving Comfort tights for hiking – March-May, August
LL Bean green tights for hiking – May-July
1 pr shorts
hiking skirt - summer, town
t-shirt
Duofold long blue shirt - summer
1 sports bra
1 evening bra
3 pr hiking underwear
1 pr cotton underwear for night
Fleece hat
Balaclava – March-May, August
Fleece gloves – march to May, August
3 pr wrightsocks
1 pr Acorn socks for camp
Marmot precip rain jacket
North face rain pants
Gaiters
bandana
Hiking boots (2 pr)
Crocs (from Payless)
Clothing stuff sack
Yak traks - March
Bug net – face - summer

Pack

Lowe pack
Trash compactor bag to line inside of pack
Pack cover
Ultralight fanny pack for town
Hiking poles

Sleep

Tarp tent
15 degree synthetic bag, possible new one for the summer
Big Agnes pad
one short ridgerest
Thermorest seat pad
2 cocoon pillows

Cooking / Water

Snowpeak Titanium cookset
spork
MSR pocket rocket, Fuel for rocket, lighter
Synthetic towel, small sponge
Silnylon Stuff sacks (2 – one for kitchen, one for food to hang plus rope)
Aquamira
Hydration sack and tube

Toiletries, drugs

Toilet paper
Sm first aid kit, medicines, personal
Glass case
Sm toothbrush and paste, dental floss (no flavor)
Sm deodorant
Ivory bar - 1/4 bar


Misc.

Headlamp
Journal, Bible, other book, pen
Thru hiker companion info, maps
credit and debit card, phone card, some cash for hostels, plastic case from travel gear
Light fanny pack for town
MP3 (one extra battery)
Rope for bag hanging
Cell phone
Camera

Update

Well, after realizing I only had about two and a half months left to go, I dragged out a box filled with hiker food from trips gone by and put it all out in my office. I was surpriseed to find the different foods we had stocked up on. Had about fifteen packets of meats, lots of noodles, fruit bars, etc. They will be separated into specific mail drop boxes where food can be difficult or expensive to get. We definitely have enough to get us by the first few weeks with some to spare for other drops. And of course food will also be purchased along the way. But it was good to at least begin some organization.

Last weekend I tried on yet another pack - a new Osprey Aura, but still not enough padding for my back. It's like I have an open nerve sitting right there on my lumbar spine and any direct pressure on it makes it act up. So had my Lowes on yesterday for a practice walk around the neighborhood (has hills too here which is good) and did okay. Just hard when you see everyone gearing up with two lb packs. But I have to carry what works for me. And this works for my back.

I have been trying to keep in shape - taking long walks, and will likely be carrying my pack more often as the time draws near. Other than that, my gear looks to be in pretty good shape. I only worry about the weather in March as December has been so warm and no precip. It's a game of wait and see.