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Post date: Jan 06, 2016 5:20:0 PM

The start of the hike is fast approaching and plans are coming into focus. I'll be starting out on March 16 if the weather permits, and hiking the first 166 miles alone on the trails but with the help of Ann, staying in hotels at times if the nights are cold. Although it is hard to say, I hope to be at Fontana Dam, which is at the southern end of the Smokies, by the 27th of March where I'll be joined by Bob Schmidt for about 2 weeks. That would be an average of 15 miles daily. If we then average 17.5 miles daily, which is a wild guess at this point, we'll end up somewhere around Johnson City, Tennessee. On May 1 when Mark Brumm plans to join, I estimate (again a wild guess) I'll be around Buena Vista, Virginia. Then Brian Burns is joining for 2 weeks at Hanover, NH and a best guess is that I'll be there around July 10. This is assuming I will average 15 miles per day.

Others who would like to join should pick out a time or place and let me know.

A pack, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and tent, all light weight and the same as I'll be carrying will be available, but will have to be sent from one hiker to the next as worked out be you. Plan to bring all the other stuff you'll need. I plan to buy food along the way and not do any maildrops. I plan to have water filter and water treatment tablets. Also, I plan to camp in the tent and not use shelters unless there is bad weather. I'll be adding notes to this website as I go along, so people will have an idea where I am and where and when to meet me. I'll also have my cellphone but it will be in "airplane mode" most of the time to save the battery. I will have the book "The A.T. Guide" by David "AWOL" Miller which is a detailed guide with lots of information.

I would recommend getting used to hiking by going out and doing some hill walking with a pack weighing about 25-30 lbs. I'm wearing trail hikers- Merrell Moab Ventilators- instead of boots. I've done several long hikes in them and have been happy. They also are supposed to dry fairly quickly after getting soaked.

Some good websites for information are:

1. Google "appalachian trail interactive maps" and it will bring up a choice "appalachiantrials.com"- yes the spelling is correct "trials". Nice map with lots of information

2. Appalachian Trail Conservancy

3. www.whiteblaze.net