On March 29, 2011, around 8 in the morning I'll be hiking the 9 mile approach trail to the southern terminus of the Appalachian trail on Springer Mountain in Georgia. This will be the start of my potential 6 month journey over 2,176 miles of wilderness, traversing through 14 states, starting with Georgia and ending in Maine. My naivety has been the death of many other (yet much smaller) dreams of mine, however I haven't had the luxury of ignorance with this one. Through months of research and planning, I have intimate knowledge of the challenges and obstacles I will meet on this trip; however, this is a dream that i feel I must pursue. In the months ahead, I will face extreme loneliness, a constantly aching body, persistent blisters, a 4X increase in appetite, straight weeks full of snow, rain and mud, mountain after mountain to surmount, and extreme battle of will to push on. Because of obstacles like these, the majority of the people who set out on the Appalachian Trail, with the same intent as me, turn around and go home. 15% of potential thru-hikers leave trail after the first three days, 35% leave within the first hundred miles, and approximately 35% leave before the halfway point. This leaves a mere 15% of the average 2000 potential thru-hikers that set out each year to reach Mount Katahdin, Maine.
At this stage in the planning process, while I prepare my food, gather the last of my gear, and get ready to face the goal I have set for myself, I am beginning to absorb the weight of those statistics, and understand the odds of fulfilling my dream. But although the odds are against me, I will do my best to remain positive, and trudge on as far as my will, legs, and money will take me; because, despite the difficulties that i will encounter, I am positive that as long as i persist and rely on God, the benefits will far outweigh the struggles in the end. This will be a time of self purification, exploration, experience, persistence, and witness to the beauty of God's creation.
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I would like to view all of you as my support team. I will experience times of great discouragement, and loneliness, where i will need the support of my friends and family to stay motivated and push on. Your prayers and support will be greatly appreciated over the coming months.
I will pass through towns every 2- 6 days on my journey, and at occasion i will have an opportunity to check this page and post updates of my experiences. Write on the wall, send me a message, and/or send a letter to my home (my wonderful Mother can send mail to certain post offices along the trail along with my food boxes.)
Pray that God will develop and strengthen me during this experience, and give me the will and persistence to stick it through to the end
Any form of support will be very much appreciated.
Thank you.
