Finalizing Things...

After running lots of logistics my grandmother, Weezie, will be seeing me off on my journey, or at least from the Springer Mountain parking lot. Depending on the road conditions she may even be hiking a mile or two from Springer Mountain. We will meet at the Hiker Hostel in Dahlonega, Georgia on the night of the February 28th. She is spending the month of February in the Florida panhandle so it's just three hour detour, as she returns to her home in Madison, Wisconsin. I'm very excited to spend this special day with her!

This past Saturday at the Section 8 Chicago, Annual General Meeting, I made my official announcement about hiking the AT to raise money and awareness for the Chicago Fire Foundation, the charitable arm of the Chicago Fire Soccer Club. I spoke with many Fire fans and Front Office staff after the meeting -- all of them gave we words of encouragement and wished me good luck. Hopefully the donation page on the Section 8 Store, will be up and running very soon, so we can start raising money for the Foundation.

My last piece of gear, wool long johns, are on their way to me. No more gear purchases need to be made!!

It's 29 days before I have my boots (well, trail shoes) on the ground in Georgia.

Why I blackedout my blog on January 18th 2012...

This blog is not a political blog, so I won't say much about the SOPA/PIPA bills except, that they are a true threat to all American's First Amendment Rights. The Internet should be a place for free exchange of ideas.

Brother Martin Luther King wrote in his from a Birmingham jail that,  "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."


Thanks for your ear, I'll set off my soap box now.  

The Date is Set!

Megabus, for the win! My journey to Springer Mountain Georgia will start the morning of February 27, 2012. I booked a bus from Chicago to Memphis for just, 10 USD. I will stay at the Pilgrim House Hostel in Memphis for the night. Unfortunately, I won't be in Memphis while the National Civil Rights Museum is open. On the morning of February 28th I will c. The bus fair from Memphis to Hot'Lanta was just 1 dollar! My total travel expenses will be $11.50 (50 cent Megabus booking fee).

The wonderful people of the Hiker Hostel will be picking me up in Atlanta and shuttling me to their Hostel. The morning of February 29, 2012 the Hiker Hostel will drop me off at Springer Mountain, the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. There my journey of 5 million steps will begin.

Happy New Year!

Boots on the Ground

Beautiful day on the Jane Addams

I took my first walk with a mostly full pack (didn't have food or all of my cook system) on the 21st. I hiked about five miles on the Jane Addams Trail in just over an hour. Which is more impressive if I didn't tell you that the JAT is part of the Rails to Trails Conservancy -- the trail is an old railroad build and has very gradual elevation gain/loss. So it's not that great for training, but it was still good to get out there with my pack on! I also wanted to get a few miles in on the trail before the first substantial snowfall. After that the trail is taken over by drunken snowmobilers racing by polluting the air, water, and breaking the silence of the winter wonderland (that's was my inner Edward Abbey escaping). I am planning to hike at least 2 miles a day until I leave for Springer Mountain this spring, regardless of the weather.

Happy Holidays!

Sponsored!

I reached out to Emergen-C for a sponsorship a few weeks ago. They make a supplement filled with Vitamin C that can be added to water or just sipped out of the envelop (my favorite). I have enjoyed it ever since I was given a couple packets from a classmate on our Ozark Trail field study a few years ago. I didn't think they would actually sponsor my trek since they are already sponsoring another hiker that is attempting a thru-hike but I said "What the heck I'll throw my name in the hat." It turns out they didn't find my sales pitch half bad. I'm very happy to be carrying Emergen-C with me during my hike and very grateful for their support!

If you or someone else is willing to sponsor my hike feel free to email me. 

It's still just walking

Last week the Appalachian Trail Conservancy released the milage for 2012. It'll

Photo :: Stephen Gingold 

miles to Mount Katahdin, Maine for northbound hikers from Springer Mountain, Georgia. The milage changes year to year do to hiking clubs that maintain the rail rerouting it for a number of reasons. My Data Book from the ATC, should be on it's way from West Virginia. I have lots of news and updates, that will becoming before the New Year, stay tuned...