We are preparing to hike a 70 mile section of the AT this coming October. It’ll be a beautiful hike with the fall foliage in full glory. I have done many, many day hikes since getting out of the military, but I haven’t done a week long ruck or hike since then. I have officially been out of the military twenty-nine years. Seems like lifetime ago.
I purchased the Osprey Ariel Plus 70 and hope that this isn’t my last section hike on the Appalachian Trail. We will bring Ghost, our husky, with us on this epic adventure. He recently turned 5 and is in great health. The Ariel Plus 70 has enough room for me to carry my gear, his gear and food for us both. I’m sure that Marty will also pack some of Ghost’s needs, as well. I recently upgraded his PupFlask to a 40 ounce flask to ensure he has enough water on our longer hikes. I have a 3 liter water reservoir for the backpack, as well. We will have to collect and filter or boil water over the course of the seven days we are on the trail.
Right now it looks like we will start somewhere near Chatfield Shelter and end in Damascus, VA. We will narrow the exact section down as we draw closer. We have the 2025 Thru-Hikers Companion which tells us the best places to collect water and all sorts of very important information. As Marty explains, most section hikers tear out the pertinent pages to their hike and carry it with them. This guide is updated every year.
Why are we doing this? Because we can. I would love one day to do a Thru-hike on the AT, but as we are still working, we have to limit ourselves to section hiking. Maybe when we retire we can take several months to do the entire trail. More like a year, but it would be a fantastic journey from Mount Katahdin, ME to Springer Mountain, GA.
We are up for the challenge. I will spend the next 3 months trying to ruck several days a week with a loaded backpack so that I will be in better condition to make the trek. One thing I am terrible about being consistent with is lifting weights. I am going to make a better effort to do weight training more frequently. I should have started here at the hotel tonight!
I’d love to hear from those of you who have hiked the AT — Thru-hike or section hike. What tips do you have? This is going to be an incredible journey for me personally and for both of us as a couple. You would think at 57 I wouldn’t have anything to prove to myself, but I do! I want to keep pushing myself to be a better person. Spiritually, physically and mentally.
Dr. Huberman’s most recent podcast was about getting out in nature to improve your focus, cognition and health. Dr. Marc Berman shares his expertise here. Those who spend time in nature live longer, healthier lives. This is but one reason I get out and hike, kayak and cycle. These activities also bring me closer to God and relieve stress.
I’m currently battling some personal issues and am trying to remember who it is that God says I am. For 53 years, I let other people determine my worth. Getting out in nature helps me remember who it is that God says I am. If you are battling with feeling worthy, get out in nature!
It took me 53 years to learn that I wasn’t worthless. 53 years to learn that I am worth the effort. I continued to go to counseling, I started hiking, joined a group of kayakers and started cycling. This is why I do what I do and why I challenge myself. Physical exercise may not be your cup of tea and I get that. But please remember this—–
When people tell you that you aren’t worth it, worth the effort, worth putting up with, or that “it’s just not worth it” to be in a relationship with you…..
REMEMBER WHO IT IS THAT GOD SAYS YOU ARE.
I don’t care who tells you this!
DO NOT BELIEVE THEM.
Your worthiness is NOT determined by another human being. You are created in the image and likeness of God. A God who came to earth and died on a cross for YOU.
YOU ARE WORTH IT.
My Little Red Bike 