The count down begins

“10 days and counting !!!!

In 10 days I will be leaving for my first long range hike. I am excited but scared at the same time..wishing time would hurry and pass so I can get on with this trip.

I keep saying to myslef..I can do this..I can prove to myself and others I can achieve something in my life, and at the same time maybe discover the person inside I sense is there.

This is only a 2 week hike. I know others out there have gone out for way longer but to me this a huge deal. Lets say a starting point for things to come.

I have a great support group on here and I will travel along looking forward to meeting you all in the middle of my journey.

Keep me in your prayers..and look for me on the trail.

Peace.”

“Where are ya headed?”

“Evergreen, believe me, you have already achieved things in life. Being able to get through life everyday is an achievement, having kids and bringing them up is an achievement.

I do at the same time understand what you are saying. I didn't know your trip was going to be two weeks, wow. I myself have only done a three day hike.

I hope you find the self realization that you are looking for and I will say a prayer for you upon your departure.”

“You can do it girlfriend.”

“I know I can boyfriend..

Lipstick..Thank you so much..Iknew I could coount on your prayers Lady..

I am going to Gawga, Thin Air.”

“Just pace yourself. If you start on the Approach trail, It's REAL tough right off the bat. Don't let it discourage you. About day 3 is when you should be in a good groove. Once you got your groove, your smooth sailing. As long as I don't have to work that weekend I'll see you at Blood Mtn. I'm kinda jealous of you. I wish I could take an extended hike like that.
We're in ya corner here Babe.”

“Is that in your neck of the woods?”

“Thanks Dude.

Dont be too jealous..I had to quit a decent job to do this.

Hope to see ya at Blood. =)”

“More like the top of my head woods Thin Air”

“OOPPS OOPS OOPS..more like my chest area of the woods..never said I was good at geography.”

“Nice Chest........er..Mountains ya got there.
........er You know what I mean.”

“I know what you mean.. ;)”

“Best wishes and Godspeed. You have nothing to prove to me or others but to yourself. This will be more of a mental challenge then a physical one. Physical challenges can be overcome, its the mental ones that will further mold you. Cherish this time out. May this vision quest enhance your dreams of the future and stoke the fire of your ambition to acheive them. Happy reflections B.”

“Have a super hike. Walk slow and have fun.”

“Practical things--how are you managing your food? Two weeks would be a big deal for me-- methinks you are a gutsy lady.
Best wishes and above all have a good time. Mary”

“the food situation is being lightened by our good freind Radagast..I malied him my 2nd week supply and he is going to bring it to Blood Mtn.

Thanks everyone for the support..I knew I can count on you all”

“good luck, we'll miss you.”

“You go girl! You'll be fine, anyone with the courage to start a solo 10 day hike has the courage to do as much of it as they want. Enjoy learning who you are and loving yourself for it.”

“Theres only one thing that worries me...My husband bought me a pistol today.and he demands I carry it..Im not sure if I want to or not”

“Where's "Gawga".
Is that an affectionate name for Georgia?

You'll love two weeks out.

I remember the first time I did more than a week.

We felt like King Kong, and KNEW we could kick ANYBODY'S butt!

And we were two 34 year old ladies.”

“You go, girl!! I envy you. You can do it and I can't wait to hear you tell how you did it. :o)

Go out there and enjoy!”

“Evergreen, I posed the gun question to my husband, and he askes if you know how to use a gun? What caliber is it? Is it something you can handle?”

“380 ?????

I do know how to use a gun..I shot the hell out of a Wendys cup, practicing with it today.

a small kind of hand gun..more weight though..would it be worth it? maybe for my peace of mind?????”

“you are woman! lemme hear ya roar girl!
two things i think about while solo hiking...
the path is the goal....
and (long quote alert)...
robert persig.(..author of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle maintenence)
"Mountains should be climbed with as little effort as possible and without desire. The reality of your own nature should determine the speed. If you become restless, speed up. If you become winded, slow down. You climb the mountain in an equilibrium between restlessness and exhaustion. Then, when you're no longer thinking ahead, each footstep isn't just a means to an endbut a unique event in itself. THIS leaf has jagged edges. THIS rock looks loose. From THIS place the snow is less visible, even thought closer. These are the things you should notice anyway. To live only for some future goal is shallow. It's the sides of the mountain that sustain life, not the top. Here's where things grow."

Lots of us here will be sending you postitive energy with our thoughts....if ya think of us... shucks...we'll be connected as corn!

I look forward to seeing you at Blood Mountain in a couple of weeks or so!

oh yeah...if you can find it at an outfitter store, pick up a copy of "The 2 oz. Bacpacker" A problem solving manual for use in the wilds..." it weighs two ounces, about 4x6", chocked full of all kinds of tips and " what to do about anything that can happen", you can even boil and eat the pages if you run out of food..ha....it was quite entertaining for me to read to,it was a little security blankie...heh.. even kept a trip journal in it..”

“Evergreen, LG says if you are comfortable with it, then that's fine. Just know if you can legally carry it into where you will be going. It's against the law to carry it in National Parks.”

“Good on ya Evergreen!! I know this will be an experience you will hold on to forever.
I was out on a section of the PCT this past weekend, and talked with quite a few hikers doing "The Trail". I saw two separate solo women hiking the trail that had quit jobs to do it. "It was now or never" one said. Lots of envy on my part. Vicarious pleasure will have to do for now.
Hike your hike knowing that your life will never be to same (A good thing) again.”

“Evergreen
I've got that Book that OM mentioned (2 oz Backpacker), I'll send you mine.”

“i do not think you should carry a handgun, there.

but.... if that is his demand, and it makes him feel better, it is not much of a burden to bear.”

“I'm sure you'll have a great two weeks and have great stories to tell.

As long as the gun is legal where you'd be carrying it, the key question is "would it add to your peace of mind?"

Mebbe pepper spray or something like that would be a good compromise.”

“to keep the peace in the family, you could do like barney fife.....carry the gun, but leave the bullets out...put one where you can get to it if you need it....
what are the rules of where you will be traveling. regarding guns?”

“Evergreen - You'll have a great time! The fact that you quit a job to do this will make your time even more delicious. Happy hiking!

i-am-om - That Robert Persig quote is great, I loved it. I'm gonna have to read that book, I've heard quite a few people talk about it.”

“Evergreen, we may not be with you for the trail part, but we're with you in spirit. I wish I could meet up with you at Blood Mountain with the others. Unfortunately, scheduled surgery on June 1st will keep me from going to Blood Mountain.

I know you can do this. I know how good it will be for you. You have nothing to prove to us, just prove it for yourself. May this journey be part of the many good things to come for you.

Our thoughts and prayers will be with you.

I'm not sure about the gun thing. Seems like too much weight. Maybe pepper spray would be a good alternative, like PedXing said.

We'll be thinking of you. Don't forget to keep a journal for that trip report.”

“A gun?, what happened to the bear spray idea? Unless you can get comfortable with handling it and acustom to trigger pull and recoil, reading the manual over and over to understand how the gun works and find a easy accessable area on the pack to stow it, I would leave it behind. If you do decide to carry it. get a little pouch/bag that can be secured to the hip belt. Just don't lose it!

EG, it is a personal choice. If it would make you feel more secure knowing you have it accessable and pleases hubby then take it. Just don't do it for hubby's sake if this may undermind any of your beliefs or principles.

I honestly don't know how remote you will be but would a cell phone be more useful in some sections of the trail.”

“I am undecided about the gun idea. It would add to my peace of mind a bit and it would make him happy if I do carry it..wish he would have bought me a pair of gaiters instead. =)

I have handled guns many times before so thats not an issue. If i do carry it it will be inside the pack and not out in the open.

Thanks Dude I was going to pick up a copy of that book today but now I can spend the money on something else..perhaps bear spray..lol

Ski,
My thoughts will be with you the same. Hope you have a speedy recovery. The journal was one of the first things that was packed.


I feel pretty confidant that I have everything taken care of, gear and supply wise. Now all I can do is wait for that day to arrive. I can imagine how exciting those first steps will be..thinking of what lies ahead. and praying its all good.

Oh..and I think my doggie is as excited as I am..everytime I get my pack out he jumps around like a silly thing..He has his own pack and is very proud of it..prances around showing everybody. =)”

“I was wondering..would a fleece sleeping bag liner keep me warm enough at night?..perhaps a space blanket to as an added cover??? I really hate the thought of taking my 20 degree bag if its going to be too much..It seems like the lows at night average about 60 degrees.”

“yes. bring long underwear, just in case.”

“but i am a hot sleeper.

leave the bag in your car, so if it is a little chillier than you thought, your whole trip is not ruined.

or, just bring it.”

“Is your dog going with you? If so, I would leave the gun behind. Even if not, I think pepper spray may be a more viable alternative and you can carry it where it is readily accessible (like on your hip belt) and not really worry about whether it's legal or not or that you might upset someone not accustomed to seeing hikers with guns. If you were to be attacked, how would you retrieve a gun from inside your pack?

Best of luck to you. Long hikes are fuuuunnnnnn!!!!”

“Rosey, good point if I do decide to take the gun along.

Rad..think about it...leave the bag in my car? It appears YOU are the one in need of a vacation.”

“if you leave it in your car, it is not as bad as leaving it at home.

only a day of the trip would be ruined, not a week.”

“Evergreen we'll be praying for ya! You'll have a wonderful time! I've only done two extended trips but the third day is always when I hit my groove too. Take it all in and savor every bit! Can't wait to hear about it when you're done!”

“Campmor sells a two pound down forty degree bag for 90.00. The item number is 40064

They also have a mid weight (read polartec 200 weight?)Fleece blanket in a bag for 20.00 item # 46210 in forest green. You would need to wear all your clothes I imagine with the blanket. it says it weighs 18 ounces and is 60X48.”

“Thanks Mary
but I have already drained the bank..I am seriuosly thinking of going with just the fleece liner and space blanket..What do you think?

Joy,
you are the third person who has mentioned the magic of the third day..I am in wonderment what my third day holds for me..

Rad,
husband is dropping me off at the trailhead and then going back home..hopefully he will pick me up at the end of my trip..odd he's more interested in the drop off point thant the pick up point..lol”

“Evergreen, if you do take the gun, you are right that it won't make sense to have it where you can't get to it. Check a gun shop (your hubby seems to know how to find one, LOL) and find a fannypack holster -- looks and acts like a normal fanny pack, but a velcro closed panel conceals the gun and can be ripped open very quickly. A nylon pack of this sort isn't too expensive. But really, check the laws and be sure you are mentally ready to use the pistol if you have to and deal with the consequences.

The bear-oriented pepper spray (such as Counter Assault) seems a better idea, not being provocative toward humans and will work better with a bear than a .380 ever would.

I'll keep you in my thoughts as I go off on my first solo hiking in the Dakotas in about a week.”

“Evergreen, Bringing a gun is such a personal decision, so I can't say anything. That was so funny what you said about your husband should hav bought you gaitors instead, lol.”

“Gaitors does seem more practical.

the gun came with 2 different kind of carrying cases..sheesh..I dont want to think about the gun anymore..

I just mailed my package to Rad.
Half of it is dog food..theres no way to pack light dog food..thank goodness Buddy has his own pack or else his little puppy butt would stay home..lol

Pekka..how long are you staying out? the Dakotas sound wonderful..cant wait to hear about it when you get back =)”

“I'd trade the gun for pepper spray & gaitors.
Are you using trekking poles? If so, You'll love having them.”

“Evergreen, about two weeks, but split up in to a number of two and three day hikes (see Prairie Hiking thread). Lots of sights to see this trip rather than one longer trail.

After reading walkindude's comment, I flashed on an image of you walking into a gear shop, whipping out the pistol and shouting, "Gimme the bear spray and the gaitors and no one gets hurt!" LOL”

“Pekka..lol..I just might walk out of there with more gear than I need..and a set of pretty chrome handcuffs..lol

Dude,
Yeah I have poles..and I love them..I dont know how I hiked without them before.”

“ROTFLMMFAO @ Pekka!!!!!”