It Starts with the WHY

Thru Hiking the Appalachian sounds crazy to many people. Even those that enjoy the outdoors question spending five consecutive months on the trail. Others are put off by the 2200 mile distance or the 515,000 feet of elevation gain. Like so many things in life (and business), doing something challenging is powered by a strong WHY.

I first set foot on the Appalachian Trail near Wind Gap Pennsylvania when I was about ten years old. Only a day hike, but the back story of a contiguous trail from Maine to Georgia fascinated me. A few years later, living in upstate New York, my friend Bombo and I spent a few nights on the Appalachian Trail. I recall it rained most of the time and at night the mosquitoes were so big you could feel their legs on different quadrants of your face. Still, I enjoyed the experience immensely and we immediately made plans for a longer journey. Well, that journey never happened but the seeds of a thru hike had started to germinate.

Fast forward sixteen years and I was living in Georgia. A good friend came for a visit and we decided to go hiking. After driving up some old forest roads we struck out on a trail and found ourselves at the southern terminus for the Appalachian Trail. We could only spend a few days on the trail before having to head back to civilization.but it was gorgeous and inspiring (I still have the pictures). That experience resurrected the desire for a thru hike but with three small girls and a career in the building, it seemed like a dream more than an achievable goal.

Twenty six years later and the kids are grown (mostly). A few annual trips to Yosemite with my son rekindled that long dormant desire and what once appeared impossible suddenly became quite doable. I just needed to make the commitment and make it happen.

So, I head onto a Trail I first encountered and started dreaming about forty-five years ago. In doing so, I will check a major item off the bucket list, fulfill a long term goal (confirming to myself and my family that we can accomplish anything we commit ourselves too) and forge a set of memories and bonds with my only son that will last a lifetime. I also expect there will be significant learning and experiences over this five month adventure that improve my personal perspective and gratitude. It is those lessons I aspire to capture and share through this record. .

#AppalachianTrail #hiking #SOBO #Why