Tomorrow will be my first day on the trail. In this liminal moment, a hectic energy meets a relaxed excitement in me. Much is prepared, but despite my efforts, there is much last-minute work to complete. This website, for example. Who knew that building a website would take so long?
From a journaling perspective, I will have far more interesting updates to share once I am on the trail, but this website will be more than just a journal. I have already posted my first article (a reflection on this blog title), poem (written during a snowy night in the backcountry last winter), and book review (Edward Abbey’s Desert Solitaire). Along with journaling, I plan to add to these components of this blog as well. It will be an ambitious writing schedule.
Especially for those readers who might someday want to do a long-distance hike themselves, I think it would be fun to share my packing list. In a few days, I will undoubtedly realize there are a few things I wish I had and other things that I realize are superfluous.
Clothing
| Short sleeved shirt x2 |
| Long sleeve shirt |
| Light jacket |
| Warm lightweight sweater |
| Waterproof shell jacket |
| Thin hiking pants |
| Waterproof pants |
| Tights |
| Running shorts |
| Soccer shorts |
| Underwear x3 |
| Hiking socks x2 |
| Sleeping socks |
| Light gloves |
| Warm gloves |
| Warm hat |
| Visor |
| Buff, nose warmer |
Essential gear
| Backpack |
| Sleeping bag |
| Sleeping pad |
| Garmin connect |
| Tent/fly/footprint |
| Gravity filter and Steripen water purification |
| Iodine tablets |
| Waterproof pack cover |
| Hiking poles |
| Water bottle x2 |
| Lighter |
| Headlamp |
| Sunscreen |
| Medical kit |
| Swiss army knife |
Miscellaneous
| Light towel |
| Sunglasses |
| Toiletries |
| Chap-stick |
| Extra headlamp, Steripen batteries |
| Rolling ball |
| Exercise band |
| Wallet |
| Phone |
| Battery pack x2 |
| Phone/watch/battery/Garmin cables good grief |
| Bluetooth keyboard |
| Charging block x2 |
| Earplugs set |
| Bowl and spork |
| Extra plastic bags |
| Toilet paper + sanitizer |
| Supplements |
| Printed Smoky Mtns permit |
I loaded the pack with food and water and am happy with the weight. When I get to the trailhead at Amicalola Falls, Georgia tomorrow, I will learn what the starting weight is. The item I’m most likely to get flak about is the bluetooth keyboard. Hey, writing is a huge motivator of this hike for me. The keyboard is coming.
Photo: Annapolis rocks, Maryland, Appalachian Trail. I hiked the Maryland/S Pennsylvania section of the trail for a week in 2019. I was stunned by the beauty and drawn in by the experience – quite severely it turns out.
Enjoy the trail. I will enjoy your writing:)
So excited for you, Nate! I love everything about this and will be cheering you on.
Happy Adventuring!
Agree with everything on this list except the pants and shorts. Unnecessary. Happy trails
You’re probably right. Well likely send them back at some point