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

There’s lots to do to get ready. I’m keeping busy packing, sorting and repacking along with practice hikes and other logistics.

The new thing this year is that I got a food dehydrator for Christmas.

When I first started as a LASHer, I quickly learned that I missed fresh fruits and vegetables the most. So I’ve been dehydrating spinach, tomato, apples, oranges and even mangoes. 🥭 In fact, mangoes with chili 🌶 powder are the bomb! 💣

I saw few die of hunger; of eating, a hundred thousand. – Ben Franklin

I’m starting to lay out my gear again. I’ll be taking my 20° quilt but otherwise mostly summer gear. My luxury items include: a book, some extra cooking gear and camp shoes.

We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves. –  Buddha

I filed my paperwork today to take a leave of absence from work and go back to hike another section. I’ll be travelling on May 8th and start southbound the morning of May 9th where I left off in Virginia in 2015. I’m looking forward to finishing the longest state on the trail and getting back into the wilderness. There should be lots of NOBO thru-hikers on the trail, so I shouldn’t be alone. In fact, I suspect I’ll be looking for ways to get some solitude.

All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost.

J. R. R. Tolkien