'05 AT Thru Hike

“Bummer. You could work until July and go SOBO, would you have enough by then?”

“I know what you mean, Crash. I know what you mean...”

“MM, are we going to have to form our own little support group. at least you live close to the trail”

“So how much do you think it would cost you to thruhike the AT again, CB?
last edited: 11/17/04 9:56:05 PM”

“MM, hows your knees?”

“My knees are fine. I never really had much of a knee problem. Are yours bothering you? I turned ankles regularly for the first month, but after that they strenghtened up. Double Nickels had some knee pain and a regular diet of Vitimin I, though.

Yeah, I need a supprt group. Wouldn't it be nice to be planning for the spring?”

“i have to go a little slower down stairs, but the knees arent really a problem.


Wouldn't it be nice to be planning for the spring?”

when im bored, i actually pseudo-plan my mileages, etc”

“I’m going hiking again. This isn’t something I have to explain anymore. Now, people EXPECT it of me. In the last month, I’ve started to get THE QUESTION: “So, Jackie, when are you leaving?” They don’t ask IF I am going on another trip. Rather, they ask WHEN it begins. My response: “sometime in June”.
Because I don’t know exactly WHEN I’ll start the CDT.
It all depends on the snow.

I don’t even know WHERE I’ll start the CDT.
It all depends on the snow.

But I do know that I’ve given notice at my apartment,
which means I have a date when I’ll be leaving KC.
Which means I have an idea of when I’ll stop working.
Which means that there is finally a timeline to the beginning of the CDT.

The Continental Divide Trail.
The last piece of the hiking TRIPLE CROWN.

PART ONE was the Appalachian Trail. I hiked the AT in 1999. When that trip started, I had no idea that my entire life would change. I finally found something that I loved to do. Everyone has hobbies. I could never find one. Until I walked up the east coast. Lucky for me, my “hobby” lasts five months. EVERY year. Woo Hoo!!!

PART TWO was the Pacific Crest Trail. I had such a good time on the AT, that I wanted to go back to the hiking world. But I wanted a new challenge. The PCT is the logical next step for former AT hikers. So that’s what I did. I hiked the PCT in 2002 and 2003. And OH, MY GOSH, did I find an amazing trail! I love the PCT. I feel like I know that trail better than I know my neighborhood here at home. Actually, I feel like the PCT is where I live. I just spend the off-season here in Overland Park.

PART THREE — the last piece of the triple crown — will be the Continental Divide Trail. This year, approximately 3000 people will attempt a thru-hike of the AT (400-500 will complete), approximately 300 people will attempt a thru-hike of the PCT (80-100 will complete), and only approximately 40 people will attempt a thru-hike of the CDT (20-30 will complete). For those of us who fell in love with thru-hiking on the AT, then conquered the PCT, the CDT is the last step. Phluff’s (AT'97, PCT'01) wife said to me once, “You either hike one trail or three. Not two.” She’s not even a hiker, and she understands. It’s true. The triple crown beckons. I want this more than I wanted any of my college degrees. School was just something I did. Hiking is something I enjoy.

And man, oh, man, I want to be a TRIPLE CROWNER. Monte Dodge told me that only 33 people have reported to ALDHA West as completing the Triple Crown. THIRTY THREE PEOPLE. Sure, there are some who have completed, but never reported. I'd guess that even when you add in those who haven't reported, the number of Triple Crowners would still be less than 50.

This is ALL I think about. Seriously. All the time. It’s like I’m constantly WAITING. Just biding my time until I can get on the trail again. I NEVER spend money. I NEVER go anyplace. Because every dollar I spend here is a dollar I can’t spend on the trail.

It’s hard. Living this life. This life of no attachments. I come and go. I don’t ever stay. Anyplace. That makes many people uncomfortable. They don’t get it, and it’s impossible to explain. Because they have a completely different mindset. Since I know they won’t understand, I don’t even try to explain it anymore. I’ve become accustomed to being a novelty.

You know how people have their long-term goals? Their 5-year and 10-year plans? I’ve never had that. The longest planning I’ve done is this: I want to hike the CDT in 2004, the AT again in 2006, and the PCT again in 2007. Or maybe I'll do PCT 2006 and AT 2007. That’s it. That’s my long-term plan.

I just want to hike.



link”

“can you still be a triple crowner if you thru-hike the AT and section the CDT AND PCT?”

“Are you referring to Yogi's reference to the PCT in '02 and '03 or are you starting to think about sectioning the other two?? If you're talking about Yogi she did thru-hike the PCT in '03 but left in '02 due to injury. Did you see her PCT guide anywhere along the way on the AT? I read some of it at Kincora. Good info.

http://www.pcthandbook.com/

The PCT is the logical next step unless I want to do the AT again. Not sure when I would get to either. Probably not before 2008, but who knows. Did you pass that guy Walks Alone on the AT this spring? We saw him in Roan Highlands. He hiked up to Cloverdale, I think, and back south in prep for the PCT start. Nothing like a 500 mile hike to get you ready for a 2500 mile hike!”

“i seem to remember someone doing the AT in preparation for the PCT, dont remember the name”

“Hi

I'm signing in under my new trailname, the one I intend to use for my thruhike. I'm also changing my starting date from 3 April to 3 March, largely because I'm getting too anxious to sit still. Hopefully my w-2's will come in on time and I can crank out my taxes, or this will have to be changed again. Thanks”

“good luck dude!”

“nf, youre gonna have alot of cold days

bs, report to the "dude" thread”

“cool name, CB's right - its chilly in them thar hills in April. But I wouldn't let that stop you!”

“He's from Minnesota, I think he can take it!”

“There's a lot of good weather here in the south in March; a lot of wind too and maybe a few big snows at high elevation.”

“thats a great day to start mar3 is my birthday.......you will meet so many people just do let any group partying slow you down.....


watch out for the weather in the smokies”

“different type of cold in the south vs cold in Minn

I had a relative visit me from Alaska and she dang near froze to death in Tenn”

“Novatrek - My birthday too. It'll be cool (pun intended) to start out on my 60th.

Ewker - parts of Alaska don't get that cold in the winter. lots of rain. I understand I could be in for a shock, but I've got some pretty warm gear. Besides, being single and retired I can change my mind 50 -60 times before I actually set out. Having lived in Virginia for 17 years I figure I can deal with the cold much better than southern heat. Most of Virginia's winters were little more than light jacket weather.”

“Good luck”

“nimble, she was born and raised in Fairbanks and it gets cold.

Biggest problem was the moisture in the air, they didn't have that up there. Dry and cold is a lot better than wet and cold”

“So....I guess you are not coming to my birthday party??????

my offer is still open if ya want to fly to Huntsville and I will shuttle ya to Springer....I don't bite........
often.......”

“Ewker - It's sort of funny, but when I originally posted early April as my start up Artex asked if it wasn't a litle late. Now that I'm changing it to early March I get "isn't it a little early?" I understand that you're both aware of conditions on your respective ends of the AT, but eventually I have to hike it no matter what the weather. Who knows, maybe I'll start in mid-March. Lord knows I've got the time and opportunity. I do appreciate your concern and input and, yes, that damp cold it much worse than our dry cold...but we still proudly wear our buttons exclaiming "40 Below Keeps Out the Rif-raf".

Divinity - I'm not afraid of getting nibbled on (or even nibbling;)), I just am afraid that if I meet you I'd never get to the AT. There'll be a time tho...”

“Hi Nibblefoot
It's not the rain or the cold or the weather at all. People hike day trips or two maybe three days and for some reason they think that they can hike two thousand miles. It's a Mental thing. The only problem with hiking early is you may hit long stretches with out seeing anyone or anything. Most folks blow this off and say this is BS. Even people who think they are so called loners can not take, not having some kind of human contact for five, six days or longer. I have never bought into the weather thing on the AT, because there are to many shelters and other places to get relief from the elements. Here in Florida it is mostly flat, I've had people come here and hike the FT thinking it would be a piece a cake. The long stretches were there is nothing but you, yourself and yourself and yourself. Is what will do in 95 percent of so called hiking gurus. I think that you will do fine, as long as you prepare yourself Mentally, if the weather turns bad stay in a shelter for a couple of days. For most people this is not a option”

“nimble, I am not saying it is to early. People have started earlier than what you are doing. I was just making a comment about the weather being a different type of cold than what it is up north. If you are use to mositure/dampness in the air then it won't be a problem.”

“Point taken. Thanks for your input.”

“Nimble, you might want to read this ladies journal. She is getting ready to do the AT next yr also starting in March or April
http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=85389”

“I read it and get the feeling you're trying to tell me something. Out with it.”

“maybe you two will run into each other next yr..nothing like a little female companionship along the trail
last edited: 12/10/04 3:09:43 PM”

“That's not the point. Two together can shave the weight of two separate. One cookset, one tent, one first-aid kit, etc.”

“Oooohhhh - I thought you were just calling me an out of shape arthritic old fart...which would be correct on one and one-half of three. I'm really comfortable starting alone because I know I'll run into lots of people who hike at about my pace and are willing to remain silent about their religion and politics. Do you know what really concerns me the most? This damn digital camera. I haven't learned to use it yet; it's been sitting in the bag I brought it home in for about 6 weeks. Anything slightly technological and I procrastinate. Reasonable, I guess, if you can remember when your telephone number was a long and 2 shorts. 8)”

“Nimblefoot---

Regarding your comments re. starting dates, camera choices, etc., you'll find all sorts of discussion on these and other matters at www.whiteblaze.net which is, as far as I know, the most comprehensive resource on the Internet for planning or preparing an A.T. thru-hike.

Other good sites:

www.atconf.org
www.aldha.org
www.trailjournals.com

Good luck with your planning and your trip!”

“how many batteries are you going to have to carry for that camera. would it be better to take a disaposble one. I realize the pics aren't as good but it will be a lot lighter.”

“It runs on 2AA. It is a little heavier but I've used those disposable cameras all my life and I'm willing to pack the weight for better shots...providing I can get half way good with it. I'm experimenting with it as we speak.

Baltimore Jack - thanks for the input. Milemonster said if I was fortunate I'd likely run into you somewhere along the way.”

“I admire anyone who steps foot on the mothertrail even if you don't finish...not that you won't, its still an amazing thing to contemplate. I'm not that amazing.”

“Welcome, welcome Baltimore Jack! I didn't know you posted or even perused this site. Or have I just missed it before? At any rate, it's good to see you here. For those that don't know Jack, to count his thru hikes you'd need both hands and some toes, too.”

“Dont want to be an ass, but shouldn't you be waiting to get on the trail before you "choose" your "trail" name? I always thought it was better to have one be given to you, or adopted from a memorable "trail" situation.”

“I've never been much for what other folks think I should do. Not having been permitted input when I was born, I now reserve this right for myself. Having a differing opinion doesn't make you an ass however, it doesn't NOT make you one either. j/k”

“nimblefoot, i also once believed that i had a choice in the matter. for a long time, i was "2 scoops", which was a nickname that had nothing to do with hiking. my AT thru-hike was coming up, so i re-named myself "stormbringer" in reference to something that actually did happen on the trail (but not the AT). i was re-christened "falls to ground" on springer, and re-re-christened "Crash! Bang!" at low gap. the best trail names are humorous or odd ones, not ones that scream "i think im a hellava hiker".
dont mind me. im just jealous that you got a sendoff from baltimore, an AT legend”

“In the old days, a "Trail Name" was generally bestowed on a hiker by other hikers, usually based on a personality trait, quirk, physical attribute, etc.

In more recent years, the over-whelming majority of hikers pick a Trail Name for themselves, and this very frequently takes place before the trip has started.

Either way is perfectly fine, but there's nothing wrong with Nimblefoot naming himself, either now or later on. Most people nowadays choose their own names.”

“Oh, one more thing....Crash Bang, thanx for the kind words, but the only A.T. trail legend I ever knew died on 5 May 2002, and that was Earl Shaffer. The rest of us are just hikers.”

“hey, bj, did one-leg finish?”

“oh btw, we met on top of some big-ass mountain in maine. i was grunting and cursing at the mountain, you were relaxing with a book and asked me how far back one-leg was.”

“Baltimore Jack, considering your initials that CB just laid out in full view, I'm thinking I might be up for a name change. Personally I have no problem with someone else naming me along the way as long as it's not something like "Sits-in-Jail" or "Falls-off-Cliff". I appreciate the support from everyone. This is the time where I start to second guess myself. Fortunately I know myself well enough to know what I am up to and can tell me to just chill. The coolest support comes from my 2 adult children that I raised by myself. When I told them what I was going to do they just acted like it was a fact that just hadn't happened yet.”

“What ever you do, don't accept the name "Pop Tart." I'm no expert, but there seems to be at least a couple of "Pop Tarts" every year.

I've never liked my trail name very much. I didn't use it on the AT because it seemed a little presumptive and there are some folks out there that can really bust out some miles. I wasn't happy with the one I picked for myself on the AT this past year - Endorphin. I need something a little more mellow.”

“I could go with Tart lover. Snake Eyes had to go though. Not exactly a mellow name either. I'll stick with Nimblefoot on here and who knows what's around the bend?”

“we can call you "jilly jane" if that makes you happy. hahahaha...I'm so funny. Stikmon I am, and shall remain, but I answer to "Hey#&%!$head" too.”

“milemonster, considering the amount of time you finished in, your trailname is apropos”

“but yea, its also the kinda name you shouldnt use unless someone gives it to you. then it would be cool. nf, if youre gonna name yourself, go for self-deprecating or off-the-wall. and dont make it have anything to do with bears. thats so played out.”