The Story

Hey everyone! This is Otter (Sam), and this is the story leading up to our adventure on the Appalachian Trail.

Ever since Daniel first read about the Appalachian Trail in a Backpacker Magazine in 2010 he's had a desire to hike it, and ever since then he's been taking the necessary steps to set out on such a large endeavor.

For over two years now, he's been studying the Appalachian Trail and the various forms of gear needed for the trail.
In addition we've both been working and saving as much as we can for this event.

As it is, we've only been on three backpacking trips, once in 2012, and each of the consecutive years following.
That of course, is only a small amount of back country experience, but each time it encouraged us that the AT could be done.

Daniel's plan has change several times, ever since he established march 9th as the start date.
The most major plan change happened in August of last year, when I decided to go with him.

I was undecided about going on the trail for several years, with people always encouraging me to go with him.
And yet I was still unsure, I still had my doubts about costs, time, and what I could be doing while he was gone.
Then it occurred to me, that I would regret not going on such an epic adventure!
This sort of opportunity doesn't come around every day!

And so I've been elected as The Keeper of the journal, and minister of propaganda (I.e. public relations officer.) It's my job to keep mom happy with weekly pictures and the like.

I'll be back in a week or so with more!

-Sam

Eighty-two days and counting...

Hi everyone! this is that blog I talked about making for our (Daniel and I {Sam}'s) Appalachian Trail Adventure/quest/backpacking trip/hike/thing.


I assume that you (the reader) already know Daniel and I to (at least) a vague extent and are curious about what we plan to do.


What we plan to do: Hike the Appalachian Trail.

What is the Appalachian Trail?
It is a hiking trail that spans 2185 miles across the eastern United States.
Going from Mt. Springer, Georgia To Mt. Katahdin, Maine, going through fourteen states total.

How Long will it take you?
We plan to start on March 9th 2015, and hope to finish around the middle of August.


Most hikers finish in about six months.
We hope to finish it in five and a half months.


How do you plan on doing it?
Walking. Lots and lots of Walking. Weeks of walking, Months of walking.


Where will you sleep?
In Hammocks for the largest part of the trail, we may start with a tent during the coldest part of spring and get our hammocks back in late spring/early summer.


How will you resupply?
Mostly the plan is we resupply in towns, with occasional care packages from home.


Does that mean it goes though towns?
Yes. Although, it doesn't go THROUGH many, it's near-ish to towns all the time.


Why are you doing this?
Here are a few reasons:


#1 It's an Adventure, An EPIC adventure.
#2 We think that'll be good for us (Mentally/socially/ Spiritually)
#3 I have to make sure Daniel goes all the way.
#4 We've talked about doing it too much now, we can't back down.
#5 This about the only time in our life that we can go on an Adventure.
#6 There is no reason six
#7 A Five month vacation....


And so on...


How much will this cost you?
Most people average out at $2-3 per mile
We don't know how much it'll cost us.
We hope to get by on a budget of $500 dollars a month per person.


How do you plan on getting to the Trail?
Dad and Mom are taking us there, and then taking us back when we finish.


How much weight do you plan on carrying?
hopefully we'll have a base weight of around 25 pounds (that's not including water and food). 


That covers most of the Frequently asked questions, I'll give a little more story next time!

If you have any questions leave a comment or ask us in person!