Yowzer! The AT is only a week away.   My hammock should arrive in Colorado for repairs today.  I’m guessing I’ll have to overnight it back or have it sent down the trail; time is very short.   I’ll just have to spend my first night on the ground or in a shelter.

The long term weather forecast looks OK; some rain with moderate temperatures.

The rain is absolutely no problem; that means water and that’s fantastic.

I also mailed a food supply ahead to 4 Pines Hostel; my first resupply.  I called yesterday to make sure it was OK and the response I got was, “Sure brother, we’re looking forward to seeing you!”

There are fathers who do not love their children; there is no grandfather who does not adore his grandson[s and granddaughters]. – Victor Hugo

Well, it’s only 9 days until I leave for the AT and I’ve got a major equipment failure! 😦 I was in Atlanta at a regatta this weekend, sleeping in the club’s campground in my hammock. I woke Sunday morning to a torn zipper (see pic above). The hammock is a Warbonnet Blackbird I bought in 2015.
https://www.warbonnetoutdoors.com/product/blackbird/

I’ve hiked 700 miles on the AT and done numerous other overnights in the hammock, so it’s been used a lot. I contacted Warbonnet on Sunday, got an immediate response and it’s on the way back for repairs. My fingers are crossed that it can be repaired and returned by next Tuesday, May 7th. Thanks in advance to the staff at Warbonnet for bending over backwards to get me onto the trail on time.

Oh, and by the way. The regatta at Lake Lanier was awesone, although the throwout race cost me 4th place; finished 6th instead.

T-9 and getting ready to go!

 “Hammocks are the soft tacos of the bear world.”  – Bears

There are lots of challenges that will test my ability to get out there and get it done. The biggest is mental; there will be days when I say to myself, “What in the name of JC am I doing out here?” That’s when it’s tempting to pack up and head home. The most common advice thru-hikers give each other is to “embrace the suck.” I’ve done that and am willing to deal with cold, heat and rain; no problem. But still, why? That’s where SCORE comes in; it’s an acronym I made to remind myself why I’m out there:

• Spiritual – The vision quest
• Challenge – Take on the challenge of making the goal for the section and eventually finishing the AT.
• Outdoors – Get outside and enjoy nature
• Rest – Take a break from the rat race
• Exercise – Get back into shape and get those trail lets again

Addressing the spiritual aspect should be interesting…

In my VT/MA section Wildcat gave me this:

Desiderata

Desiderata

GO PLACIDLY amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

By Max Ehrmann © 1927

It’s now 18 days, just 2 weeks and a couple of days, until I’m back on the trail. Free time at home has been spent packing, repacking, and going over the gear again and again. I heard someone say once that you shouldn’t start planning too soon for an AT thru hike because it will consume you; that’s definately true.

Right now I’m debating whether or not to take several items:

• 20 degree vs 40 degree quilt. I’m leaning towards the 20 degree quilt, but there’s lots of space savings with going with the lighter one.
• ACR PLB. (This is my satellite rescue beacon.) It weighs 4.6 oz and will only be of use if I get injured and there’s no cell signal or help around. Perhaps it’s worth the weight.
• Liquor. I’ve got a flask of Appleton Estate Reserve Rum. It works as well as ibuprofen for aches and pains, helps with sleep and it’s organic!
• Rain Jacket. I have the trusted Helium II rain jacket, but don’t plan on bringing it. All I do is sweat in the thing and my umbrella is definately coming with me. I can take a cheap and light weight poncho instead.

Feel free to let me know your thoughts and leave a comment. Right now I’m leaning towards: 20 degree quilt, yes to the PLB, yes to the rum, and no to the rain jacket.

“There is no wifi in the forest, but you will find a better connection.” – Unknown

Had a nice hike today at West Tyson Park; it’s my favorite place. I did the 3 mile (smaller) loop today with my new day pack. It weighs 2 oz and I plan to carry this with me for slack packing and water carries on the AT. I’m going to add a chest strap but so far, it’s the bomb!

And to my surprise, as I’m hiking, I run into a thru hiker. It was easy to pick him out by his gear: Altra trail running shoes, Columbia shirt, shorts and a ULA Ohm pack. Magnet thru hiked the AT in 2015, although I didn’t meet him then. He’s doing the Ozark Trail in a week or so. Have a great hike Magnet!

“Me thinks that the moment my legs begin to move, my thoughts begin to flow.” – Henry David Thoreau