Four-week FAQs
Four weeks from today, I probably wont be able to sleep. Ill put all my gear together in my pack and get ready to check it at the airport. Ill say goodbye to my family. Four weeks and a day from today, Ill be on a plane to Atlanta. Ill catch the shuttle to a hostel in Dahlonega, GA, pack and repack and repack my newly-heavy-with-food Osprey, and meet my first hiker trash friends. Four weeks and two days from today, Ill take my first of approximately five million steps on the Appalachian Trail.
Its starting to hit me that this is all real. Im really going to try to walk 2,190 miles. Im really going to leave everything I know behind for five(ish) months. Im gonna poop in the woods. Im (probably) going to see bears in the wild. Im really going to be free, and very soon. Its terrifying in the best possible way. I cant wait.
99% of the conversations I have lately feel like interviews. I dont blame my friends and family; if someone I knew was doing something that seemed borderline insane from my perspective, Id have some questions too. Sometimes theyre probing and almost disrespectful, sometimes theyre questions Ive already answered 50 times. Dont get me wrong, I love talking about it. Bring me all your questions, Ill learn ya. But, if you feel like skipping the line, here are the answers to the top FAQs Ive gotten about my thru-hike.
Q: What is the Appalachian Trail?
A: The AT is a 2,190-mile-long continuous foot path that runs from Springer Mountain in northern Georgia to Mount Katahdin in northern Maine.
Q: Whats a thru-hike?
A: A thru-hike is a one-trip completion of the entire length of a long-distance trail.
Q: So you’re going to be like Reese Witherspoon in that Wild movie, right?
A: Totally different trail, she didn’t thru-hike, different reasons for hiking, etc., etc… But yeah. I hope so. A little bit. Cheryl Strayed is one tough lady.
Q: How long will it take you to finish?
A: Ideally? As close to five months as possible. Realistically? No clue.
Q: Wont you get lonely?
A: The AT is known as the most social of the long-distance trails. Last year more than 3,000 hikers attempted a thru hike and that number is anticipated to rise. I know that at least 20 hopeful thru-hikers will start on March 10th with me. There will also be a ton more out there hiking the trail in long sections or just for the day. Ill be in good and plentiful company!
Q: What are you doing until you leave?
A: I currently work full time doing in home non-medical healthcare, and I play with my dog.
Q: How are you training?
A: I’ve gone on a few practice hikes. I read too much about the trail. I talk to AT veterans. I play with and test my gear all the time. Im leaving early enough that Ill be able to do small miles for the first few weeks to get myself in shape for the rest of the trek. Im preparing mentally more than physically.
Q: Can I send you a present/letter while youre out there?
A: Yes and please! Shoot me an email or contact my mom to find out where my next stop will be!
Q: What about your boyfriend?
A: Hell be hiking too, just not on the AT and not with me. It was really hard to make the decision to not bring him with me, but the whole point of this journey is for me to become my own strong, independent woman. I want to learn to rely on myself and to love myself without anyone elses encouragement. I want something that is 100% mine. I totally believe that thru-hiking as a couple can be awesome and were considering attempting it in the future, just not this time. He supports me 110% which is just the best thing ever.
Q: What/how will you eat?
A: Keywords: large quantities and frequently. Ill shop/send myself packages in towns close to the trail every 3-5 days and carry what I pick up in my pack. Im carrying a small, lightweight, gas-fueled stove and cook system.
Q: Couldnt this wait until after college?
A: Maybe. But I chose now. I hit a low point and had to make a choice about who I wanted to be and the kind of life I wanted to live. I felt that if I put that decision off until after I graduated, it would be too late to make the necessary changes to live a healthy life. I should (hopefully) still graduate on time and my incredible university (go cougs!) made it so easy for me to take the time I needed.
Q: What are you taking to protect yourself from crazy hillbillies?
A: My brain and maybe a can of mace. The trail is another world. Sure, sometimes there are creepers around, but the community is so tightknit and well populated, Ill never be far from help.
Q: Arent you afraid of bears?
A: No, but theyre afraid of me. Black bears (the only kind on the AT) are highly intelligent and, in the majority of cases where they are unprovoked and are not acclimatized to humans, want nothing to do with me or my fellow hikers. As long as I hang my food bag right, Ill be fine. They’re also my favorite animal, so I may be a little too lax.
Q: How much will this cost you?
A: Probably too much. By the time I reach the end of my road, Ill have spent an (estimated) $4,000-$5,000.
Q: How can I contact you while youre gone?
A: Ill have cell service sometimes, but will usually have my phone on airplane mode to conserve power. Ill be checking in while in town every 3-5 days. Your best bet is to send me a message on social media and Ill get back to you ASAP!
Q: Why are you thru-hiking?
A: See my list of whys here.
Q: How can I follow your thru-hike?
A: Ill be regularly posting pictures and stories on this blog and on all my social media platforms. Subscribe and find more info here!
Is your question missing? Think someone else would like to know the answer? Drop a comment below!
Happy trails!
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Comments 1
Best wishes on your journey Hannah. I’m Gypsy J starting March 11th 2017 solo NOBO. I’ll be right behind you maybe we’ll see each other on the trail. I’m sure you are as excited and terrified as I am. CAN’T WAIT.