Much of the hike was in inclement weather forcing soggy and cold dudes to keep moving in order to stay warm. Also, the elements made for limited vid or photo opportunities. Here are a few shots I like, captured when Mother Nature allowed.
So it begins
Hollywood screenwriters couldn't have written a better script for our first day on the trail. Cool and crisp in the morning is soon transitioned to mild temps with the sun shining sweetly.
Hiking from Springer to Hawk Mountain wasn't too difficult and Mother Nature blessed us. After a late start we arrived at the campsite fairly early. As the day progressed it filled up but we easily snagged spots.
The trail community was welcoming as predicted even if there was a "first day of school" vibe to breaking the ice. We met folks from all over the US and a nice dude from Brazil who raced up the trail, bad knees and all. Still getting our feet wet, we are thankful it was only figuratively. The night was cold and windy but bearable. We discovered the need to make a few minor gear adjustments to prepare for the upcoming forecast. There will no doubt be more learning on the other side of our next leg.
Our spirits are overflowing. There is disbelief we are actually making this happen combined with the attempt to wrap our head around what surely awaits. Stay tuned.
The rollercoaster has begun
Northern Virginia is home to a famous section of the AT known as The Rollercoaster. It's 13 1/2 miles of constant up and downs. In truth, all of the AT is pretty much either climbs or descents. While I have an idea of what lies ahead, the unforeseen emotional rollercoaster has manifested.
Beginning the moment the trip took concrete form and about the time I reached out to Johnson & Wales to ask for a sabbatical, my emotions have swung wildly like a pendulum on meth. One day I'm filled to the brim with excitement. The next, I'm riddled with anxiety. Once my request for a sabbatical was denied, the decision to move back South was determined. The commitment "got real", real fast.
Climbing aboard the peak & valley express, the heartbreak of leaving our great friends and the life we loved was predictably painful. Counter those emotions with the realization that I was actually going to achieve by dream and be close to family again. Then came another "yikes". The clarity of being unemployed and the daunting thought of a 2,186 miles hike, while being wet, a lot, came into focus. But wait, I'll be in the wilderness... I love the wilderness! My reasoning is sound, the timing is right and I've been working to make this happen for years. I could go on but you get the constant ebb and flow.
Yes, the rollercoaster had started. Basically, once I climbed behind the wheel of the moving truck in Providence, Rhode Island, my mind shifted into high gear, making the coaster ride even more extreme. I haven't taken my first step on the trail yet, and already the mental challenge has begun. Research has taught me that the psychological component of the trek is arguably the hardest part. My knees may argue that point, but I would think that roughly 6 months on the trail would have a complicated effect on one's mind.
Thankfully, as the start date approaches, my apprehension and fears are waning. My training is building strength and hardening my conviction. Excitement is now the prevailing emotion and I'm ready to get going.
In truth, my journey is already underway. I have acknowledged that extreme highs and massive lows are all part of this trek. I simply didn't realize the lessons had already begun. Stay tuned.