It's getting closer . . .

A few hiking-related things have happened since my last post.  I've tried out my backpack, first with 14 lbs and then with 20.

Meeman-Shelby Forest with my best hiking partners

It seems to be a good fit so far.  We tested out the Sawyer water filter at Pioneer Springs in Shelby Forest a few days ago; the water had a 'dirty' taste to it, but was clear and apparently safe.

Our view yesterday

On these cold, rainy, snowy days we keep having, I've been reading books and trail journals to keep my motivation up.  Each one will also tend to remind me of something I forgot I need or introduce me to a new idea of how to do something.  The PCT (now THERE'S a trail!) account I just read was written by a man who sent his stove home at the beginning of the trip.  Hmmm.

Just adding a little flair (but I don't like to talk about it)

For my upcoming Spring Break, I'm hoping to go do a little hiking in Arkansas through the Ozarks.  In preparation for that, I just found out (I've actually heard of it before but had long forgotten) about the Ozark Highlands Trail (OHT), which is around 200 miles.  I might walk a bit of it next week if things work out.

The sort of major thing that alters/guides our backpacking plans will be our trip to Hunter, NY in early June for Mountain Jam (like Bonnaroo, but for grown ups =P).  I'm now considering backpacking the NY section of the AT, the Long Trail through Vermont, or even coming home and doing the OHT.  Although my original plan to hop on the trail with Nobos in Virginia could still happen, too.  So basically, I don't know where I'll be doing my long backpacking trip yet, but I am definitely doing one (unless I get injured . . . which seems to happen more and easier these days).

I haven't acquired much gear since the last post.  My backpack came in, which can be seen above.  LJ now has a backpack and hiking boots (although he wants to return them to help fund a new guitar =P).  I've just ordered sleeping pads (the cheap, foam ones) and his headlamp, along with a collapsible bowl for Ria's water.  The biggest item we have yet to get is the tent.  I've checked out two pretty thoroughly, and the one I want is a Tarptent, two-person.  Even if it wasn't most suitable, I'd want to order from this company anyway.  It's basically an award-winning tent company that a man started out of his home.  I believe it's still a home operation, although he may have other seamstresses (seamsters? What do you call the men?) now.  So it's Made in USA, small business, and has excellent reviews.  That, along with sleeping bags, rain gear, trekking poles, stuff sacks, bear bag, etc. are the only things we still have to get.  =PPPP  I am ready to have everything, figure out what extra stuff I have, sell it, and be done with it.

Those are the updates for now.  I hope to have some great pics from Arkansas to share next week!

Preparations are well underway!

The spirit of giving during the Christmas season has proven very beneficial for my planned expedition.  Our families have been helpful in our acquisition of the necessary gear for the trip.  In the last few days, we've gotten our stove, cookset, water filter, and several pair of socks.

 I was planning on going by the closest REI store next week and choosing a backpack, but an email from REI this morning took me to their outlet website.  The first thing I searched for was the backpack I've had my eye on.  The only one they had was my size, my color.  It was fate.  It was also a hundred dollars less than the current model (I bought last year's).  So this beauty will be coming to live with me next week:

Except mine also has some nifty blue trim.  I'm super excited.  We still have several things to gather, but we're off to a pretty good start.  =)  My trail guide (David Miller's) was also delivered on Christmas Eve, so now I'm able to start determining exactly what section we'll be hiking this year.  =D

It's Official . . .

. . . at least in my mind.

Sometime last winter or spring, Barry started telling me about the Appalachian Trail.  It sounded interesting and seemed cool for some people, but at the time, I had no desire to acquaint myself further with the notion.  Fast forward to May, and my mom tells me we're going on vacation to Virginia.  To stay at a church camp.  To serve meals to hikers.  I was less than thrilled.

So we drive like 8 hours, across Tennessee, and make our way to the off-season Methodist church camp at the foot of mountain near Bland, Virginia.  Of course, any adventure can be a good adventure once you acclimate yourself to the idea.  On the way over, we took turns reading aloud AWOL on the Appalachian Trail.  We became more familiar with the trail and backpacking, and I grew more optimistic about our week.
As it turns out, it was a very eye-opening and fun experience.  We fed over 20 hikers on the first day, and several more on each following day.  They all looked dirty, tired, self-sufficient, and very hungry.  These people put the food away like you wouldn't believe.  By the time they reached us, most of them had hiked over 500 miles from Springer Mountain, GA.  I was hooked.

From that time, I started thinking of backpacking someday, no specific goals in mind for when or where.  But now I've decided that there's no time like the present.  I have no desire to thru-hike the AT, and no means to do so if I wanted, which means I'll be a section hiker.  Section hikers hike (ready for this?) a section at a time.  I still don't know specific locations or dates, but I plan to do my first section this coming summer, somewhere on the southern end of the AT.

I have started researching and acquiring the necessary gear, which is a challenge of its own.  Aside from a few loaned items, most will be purchased.  I've coerced myself a hiking partner, in the form of my boyfriend.  He's not as gung-ho about the prospect as I am, but he's going along willingly.

As we get gear and try it out, make decisions about time/place, and do some trial runs around home this spring, I'll try to share on here.

Stay tuned!