Road Trip!!

Well the day finally arrived! One more day to go! I am back into my normal sleeping habits...woke up to my alarm clock at 5:15 am...still way too early!

I was getting very nervous yesterday because it took about 2 hours to pack my backpack...and it is filled to the brim! 2 hours is way to long to pack you backpack, but I am much more confident today. It only took me 17 mins and 30 secs to pack it today. Yeah!! It is still busting at the seems, but I am sure I have probably packed to much stuff!

We plan to start driving at 7 am...and God decided to give us a wintery send-off! Thankfully as we head south it will just turn into rain! The weather forecast calls for rain today in Georgia...my prayers go out for those thru-hikers starting today. What a way to kick off the trip...but it isnt like we will never see rain! The weather forecast for Wednesday, when I start the trail, is sunny and NO rain! High 61...low of 33. Looks like 60's the rest of the week too! Yeah!

Amicalola Falls State Park is the destination today. It is just north of Atlanta on the map below. We will actually spend the night in Elijay, just outside the park. Lord willing, it should only take us 8 hours to get there. If there is enough daylight left, we plan to try to find the 2 mile approach trail that will lead us to the top of Springer Mountain!



Again, thank you all for your prayers for Amee and I. We greatly appreciate it! I will miss you all. I have lots of time on my hands now, so feel free to text me any prayer requests you would want me to pray about to 589-8220. Also, if Amee has any wild parties or seems like she is enjoying herself to much without me...text me as well! lol. Just kidding!

Well it is time for me to shave for the last time for the next 5 months and eat my last bowl of cereal for a while. Or should i eat a poptart to get me in the mood! lol.

Again, i will either be texting updates under "Jeremiah's AT Hike Update", which is in the right hand column, or be sending pictures from the trail in the left hand column! This is for you mom...so you know where I am! Don't worry, I will be fine! Love you!

God bless!

Insomnia

AHHHH! Only 2 more days left.

Today I woke up at 4:50 am ON MY DAY OFF!! That has never happened! I am definetly not a morning person at all, but I hope I become one on the trail! Well once I woke up, my mind kicked into high gear thinking of all the things I need to get done today! Why is it that when ever you pack for a big vacation, you always know that you will forget something....no matter how organized you are! I just hope it isnt something I desperately need!

I do have my insurance card (a tip from my co-worker!) just in case I get mauled by a black bear...which my co-workers are sure will happen! And if anyone knows my love of trying to pet any animal...they could be right! lol.

Also I have been thinking of all the love and kindness my fellow co-workers showed to me on my last weekend of work! The threw me a carry-in on BOTH of my last 2 days of work! I think they were trying to fatten me up as much as possible before I leave! Thank you... Lois, Marilyn, Donia, Mallory, Jessica & Monette!

Marilyn and Tracy even came in on their day off to say good-bye and bring me more essentials for the trail...poptarts, twizzlers, blister treatments, beef jerky, snickers, ect..! Thank you... Lois, Marilyn and Tracy!

Marilyn, who is a AT section hiker, also brought in a 3 foot map of the AT and posted it on the unit, so they can keep track of me on my adventures! What awesome co-workers I have been bless to work with. I will miss you guys!





I have been thinking of some of my goals as well. Here are just a few:

1. Make it through my first night on the trail!
2. Make it through the first week on the trail!
3. Break down the "wall" in Virginia (the longest part of the trail!)
4. Hike the beautiful White mountains of New Hampshire!
5. Summit Mount Katahdin!
6. Daily devotions and bible readings
7. Memorize as many of the psalms as possible
8. Journal daily
9. Avoid getting Giardiasis - a nasty diarrheal illness

Trail Humor - Pt. 2

Yes, that is right...three more days! Things have been a whirlwind around the Redden home. Between finishing my last few days at work for a while and getting everything packed and ready for Amee when I leave, I cannot believe it is soooo close!

Well I thought I would post one last story by George Steffanos. His stories on his '83 thru-hike are amazing. He is a very talented writer. Anyway, this story is in the style of General George Patton. Enjoy....


When I stopped at Punchbowl Shelter for lunch, four backpackers were already settled in for the night. I walked over to the first one and asked, "How far did you come today, son?"

"Forty-five miles, sir!" he replied in a strong, clear voice.

I told him to keep up the good work and moved over to the second hiker. I asked him the same question, and he shot back, "Thirty miles, sir, but both of my ankles are sprained!"

I told him I was proud to be hiking with men like him, and vigorously shook his hand.

The third hiker's reply was a sickly, but firm, "Twenty miles on a broken leg, sir."

I was overcome. I knelt down, said a little prayer for the lad, and kissed his forehead.

Then, I walked over to the fourth hiker.

"I've been here at this shelter for six days," he sobbed. "I just can't seem to shake off this depression. Virginia is too much for me. It's all the same. I can't stand it! Everything is all the same! I can't take it any more!"

I grabbed the yellow coward by his collar and yanked him to his feet. "You no-good, lousy, stinking coward!" I screamed. "You don't belong here in this shelter with these fine men! Get out! Get back out on that trail, and I hope you fall off a cliff! You make me PUKE!!"

He ran out blubbering into the forest, quivering like a leaf. I know that Ike is going to give me heck for this, but, then, the AT is heck. I love it, though.

--General George Steffanos

Food Bag

6 Days Remaining.

My food bag is finalized and packed for the trail! It includes 5 days worth of food....

5 Snickers
5 Paydays
5 Cheese and Peanut Butter Crackers
5 Single servings of trail mix
3 Blueberry poptarts with frosting
2 Strawberry poptarts with frosting
1 pound of buffalo summer saugage
1 bag of Carribean Trail Mix
1 small tub of Peanut Butter
1 container of Chicken in a Biskit crackers
1 can of Chedder Cheese spray
3 - 7 oz. foil packages of white chicken in water
3 bags of Cranberry & Chicken Rice mix
2 bags of Red Beans & Rice mix
2 - 7 oz. foil packages of white tuna in sunflower oil
10 individual mayo packets

I will also grab the day before I hit the trail a package of bagels to take with me to have some more carbs!

Hope this doesnt make MKate (a nutrionist) cringe to much! ;O)

Indiana mountain.jpg

Indiana mountain.jpg, originally uploaded by Hikingfool.

Since Indiana has no mountains, this is what I have had to use to train for my hike! I don't know if it has been enough, but what can a man do with nothing but corn and bean fields all around him! I have about 20 pounds of books in my backpack to somewhat simulate the weight of my pack while climbing! Thanks to Newtone for a great place to work out!

Trail humor!

A backpacking comic strip! (from a 1983 register)

The Return of the Backpacker With No Name... by George Steffanos (1983)

They lived hard, loved hard, and seldom got enough roughage. They were the backpackers. They would limp into town, worn by the rigors and the loneliness of long-distance hiking. They would clean up, party up, and bravely set forth to face new challenges. They were young. They were daring. They were as hungry as heck. They were the backpackers.

One day, a backpacker, different from the rest, strode into town. He hitched up his hiking shorts, set down his backpack, and stretched his tired muscles. He struck a match and proceeded to light the short, bedraggled stump of a cigar. Pulling his worn serape around his shoulders, he walked into a motel.

"Give me a room with a bath," he told the dirty, weasel-faced motel owner.

The man glared defiantly back at him. "I suppose that you're here to use up all our hot water and eat all our food," he snapped.

"No," the backpacker calmly replied. "I'm here to eat all you food and then use up all your hot water. First things first."

I noticed that the owner's lips didn't exactly move in sync with his voice as he barked, "You're a filthy, disgusting pig! I don't rent rooms to backpackers! Get out!"

The backpacker's glare was cold steel. "Give me a room," he repeated.

"No! Get out!"

The backpacker moved like lightning. In a split second, the motel owner was dangling by his drawers in the most vicious wedgie I have ever seen. He picked up the register and held it out.

"Sign here, please," he squeaked.

Needless to say, hot water and Pop-Tarts were in short supply for some time. As the backpacker strode out of town, he warned all of the motel owners that he would be back, so they had better be nice to other hikers. I ran up to him.

"Who are you, stranger?" I asked.

He smiled, flipped me a package of instant oatmeal, and headed up the next ridge.


***story was edited from original content***

Coming soon! A Walk in the Woods - Movie!

I am soooo excited to hear about this book becoming a motion picture movie! Even if you dont like to hike, Bill Bryson's humerous protrayal of life on the AT is worth the read! It is hilarious, and a quick read! Wouldn't it be cool if this was the year they started filming for it! I could be in the movie!

Here is the news story:

Los Angeles - Hollywood legend Robert Redford is to direct the movie adaptation of the best-selling book A Walk in the Woods.

The 1998 book by Bill Bryson is a hilarious meditation on the author's adventure hiking the Appalachian mountain trail. Back in America after twenty years in Britain, Bryson decided to reacquaint himself with his native country by walking the 2,100-mile Appalachian Trail, which stretches from Georgia to Maine. The AT offers an astonishing landscape of silent forests and sparkling lakes--and to Bill Bryson, it also provides endless opportunities to witness the majestic silliness of his fellow human beings.

Redford has been trying to make the film since 2005. He will produce the film and star as Bryson.

p.s. If you have read it, please let me know what you thought about it!

Amee - The Greatest Wife in the World!

Since I had to work all day on Valentine's day, I am writing this post on the day after.

I just want to say publically that my wife, Amee, is the greatest wife in the world! I love her so much!

There are not many wives out there that would mind it if their husbands went "walking in the woods" for 4-5 months! I am a very blessed guy. Amee has been loving, gracious and very supportive to me during this whole planning process! Even, when I have been buying my gear (which isnt the cheapest...but something sparkley and expensive is in the works when I get back...just for her!) She is awesome and very godly!

We have planned that she will come out and visit me every three weeks until my brother's graduation at the end of May. That means...Hot Springs, NC; Pearisburg, VA; Harper's Ferry, WV and wherever I am right before my brother's graduation. After that, I won't see her till I finish at Mount Katahdin.

Here is the schedule. Each location is a day's drive from Lafayette, so she will drive out to the town on day one and find me that night..probably by my stench! The next day we will spend the whole day together (after taking numerous showers and washing my clothes!!) and do what ever tickles our fancy...just NO hiking! This is a ZERO day for me! Then finally Amee will head home early the next morning back to Lafayette, which will be the hardest since she knows that it will be another 3 weeks before she sees me again. And, I will begin hiking again anxiously awaiting our next rendezvous.

I think missing Amee will be the hardest part of the whole trip! I think so far in our marriage we have only been apart for one week, and here I am leaving for 5 months!! Yikes! I have a friend from work, and that is the reason she got off the trail after 1000 miles...cause she missed her husband so much. So it is a very big motivator and stubbling block.

But, I am thankful for such great friends in the career class, who I know will continue to love on her and be there for her as well! She may not even miss me after hanging out with all the ladies from the class! ;O) Plus, she received many gift cards from her whole family to pamper herself while I am away.

Well, anyway. Kudos to my wonderful wife, Amee, who I love with all my heart! She is the greatest! Love ya babe!

p.s. Amee's turning 31 in 3 more days!!! Oops...was I not suppose to tell how old she was turning! lol :O)

Flickr Test!

0212082050a.jpg, originally uploaded by Hikingfool.

This is a test, and it worked! I took this picture on my couch. I then sent it to my Flickr email account via my phone, and they automatically posted it on my blog without me doing a thing on the computer!! I can even text a message along with it! How awesome! So I will try to send some pictures while on the trail! Isnt technology great!

Unfortuntely my camera phone is VGA quality...which is the worst pixel quality you can get! I am trying to decide whether to get a new phone or not. I cant get an upgrade, so I would have to pay full price...very expensive! Anyone out there have an old cell phone with 1.3 megapixel or higher quality ... that they wouldnt mind selling??? Doesnt hurt to ask, I guess.

Also any comments about whether you can see the picture ok with the current background would be greatly appreciated. I have noticed if i scroll it up out of the mountain..it is more clearer. Is that annoying though for my readers?

Twitter & Flickr!

While hiking these 2175 miles, a lot of things can happen to a thru-hiker. But thankfully to today's technology, I can keep my family and friends aware of my health and safety as I transverse the wilderness of the Appalachian mountains! Granted it is dependent on a lot of factors such as:

battery life of my cell, reception coverage, ability to use my hands, weather, ect..

So as I hike the trail, I will be texting messages throught the day using Twitter! It is on the right hand side of the page, and will updated each time I send something. The update will be 140 characters or less. I have some practice messages up currently. If it is too hard to read let me know and I can attempt to change my background to help ease the eyes a bit. Hey, I care about the health of my readers!

So, even if I cant get to a computer to post a "real" blog...you can still see what is going on to me on the trail! How cool! So once I leave...keep checking even if I dont post a new blog entry...cause I just dont know how often I will get to a computer! I am suppose to be ROUGHING it!

Also, I am trying to figure out how to send pictures from my cell phone right to my blog. So stay tuned. I believe it is possible, just need to figure it out! Any tips will be greatly appreciated! I have set up a Flickr account, and have linked it to my blog. So I have managed to get this far! Less than 23 more days! YIKES!

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Trial Run

Well it is official. I actually spent the night out in the woods for the whole night! Well most of it anyway.

On my birthday (the day of the never ending rainstorm), I decided to do a run through with my gear, since I didn't work the next day. So, I was able to set up my tarp in the woods behind my house in the afternoon, while it was pouring down buckets! I did take me longer than I was hoping, but I managed to get it erected. Well then I spent the rest of the day with Amee, while it continued to rain and rain some more.

By the time I decided to call it a night, it was around 11:30. Had to check out Mike Prangly's weather forecast to find out how much rain to expect during the night and to see how cold it would get. I attempted to sleep out in my tarp one previous night, but in my 40 degree sleeping bag. Well, to make a long story short...I didnt make it more than 3 hours before i was a frozen popcicle...that was even with every piece of clothing on that I was planning on taking with me!

The weather forecast looked favorable, so I broke out my 15 degree sleeping bag and pad and ground sheet and headed out to the woods in the rain. A surprise was waiting for me when I arrived. Due to the heavy rains and saturated ground, a large puddle had formed on the back right side of my tarp. This wasnt there earlier! This was not good.

So, I read in a book that the best thing to do is try to dig a trench around your tarp with a stick to help channel the water away from the sleeping area. Well on paper this seemed pretty easy while sitting in my house, but at 11:45 pm in the middle of the night in a pouring rain...lets just say it didnt go as planned. I was really trying to use only the stuff I would have on my trek, since my garage would be a few hundred miles away.

So, I started with a stick I found on the ground, and tried to dig a trench around my tarp. Well, while trying to hold my mini flashlight in my mouth, all i was doing was throwing mud all over the bottom of my gym pants and shoes. I was like AAAGGGGGHHH! These are what I had planned to sleep in...I can't have mud all over them and get into my sleeping bag!

So, then being the manly mountain man...i gave up the idea of using only stuff on the trail! I went and grabbed my shovel and started digging a large trench around my tarp. Even with the shovel, it was extremely difficult to channel that water away...and I was still getting more and more mud on my pants and shoes! And to top it all off...my flashlight went dead! So, I had to get out my large Maglite flashlight in order to see!

Finally, I channeled the water away from my sleeping area, and washed as much of the mud off my pants and shoes as possible. I headed back to get my sleeping area set up, and I ended up finally crawling into my bag well after 12:30 in the morning!

After much tossing and turning throughout the night, i managed to sleep till 7 AM. So, all in all, the night went very well. My tarp DIDNT LEAK and my sleeping bag remained dry! YEAH!!!

I am so ready for this trip! Bring it on! ;O)

AT Shelters

Well here are some pictures of 2 different shelters along the Appalachian Trail. These are spaced throughout the trail to where they avg about one every 9 miles. They are basically 3 sided structures ... either made of stone or wood, depending on which state you are in. They usually have a tin roof, which you hope doesnt leak! Some of the more upscale ones have 2 stories, picnic tables and even a fireplace!

The only bad thing about shelters are that the animals have learned... where there are humans....there usually is food! Which means, shelter usually have mice infestations. Then that leads to snakes coming in to dine on the mice...which is good thing because the mice tend to chew through your pack and destroy your gear. Some hikers have reported mice running over their head while sleeping! Now that is a way to be jostled out of a restful sleep!

Also you have spiders to deal with (which Amee hates with a vengence...even thought Amee is a million times larger than they are!). Then if you are real lucky...usually in the smokey mountains...you could get a BEAR to visit you and your food sack (which you really need to hang in a tree!). I really want to see a bear and a moose!

Usually the shelter has a water source near by whether it be a mountain spring or running brook. Also they usually have a privy (basically an outhouse!) to do your business...and if your really lucky...they will have TP in them! This definetly beats digging a hole out in the woods! The funny thing is that there is a privy that i read about in a journal that doesnt have any walls....because the 360 degree views are too breathtaking not to see! I am anxious to see that one...hopefully not having to use it!

These shelters are just another option to stay in for the night if the weather is too severe to sleep in my tarp, and they usually house anywhere from 4 to 20 hikers at a time. The thing is that not only do thru-hikers use them but also overnight hikers, boy scouts, and the occasional drunken teenager get togethers! So they can be very noisy and busy!

Makes you wonder!

I found that the US Forest Service took a survey in 1998 regarding how they could improve the wilderness experience for us city folks and here is what some people suggested!

1. Too many bugs and spiders. Please spray the area to get rid of these pests.
2. Trail needs to be reconstructed. Please avoid building trails that go uphill.
3. Chairlifts are needed so we can get to the wonderful views without having to hike to them.
4. A McDonald's would be nice at trailhead.
5. Too many rocks in the mountains.
6. The coyotes made too much noise last night and kept me awake. Please eradicate these annoying animals.

Unreal eh! You just have to shake your head and wonder what were these people smoking!? I guess people will never stop surprising me!

"The Backpacker with No Name"

Hello all,

Only 38 more days remaining, which seems like an eternity. To pass the time, I have been reading journals of previous AT thru-hikers. I stumbled across a journal of a man, who hiked the AT trail in 1983 (when i was 6 years old!). Since there are no TV's, books, X-Box's, Rock Band, etc... there is a lot of time to think and read the trail registers!

You may wonder what are the trail registers? Well they are your form of entertainment along the trail (like your magazines in the bathroom!). Each shelter has one, and thru-hikers sign there names if they stay there. Also you can post information on trial conditions, or you can be creative and put down stories, comic strip drawings or say hi to fellow thru-hiking friends that maybe arriving later. A thru-hiker usually stops at the shelters, takes a break and reads through the registers.

Well this gentleman, George Steffanos, came up with this ongoing story of the "Backpacker with No Name.", and placed them in the trail registers on his 1983 hike. Since it is the 25th Anniversery of his hike, I would like to share one with you.

"The Backpacker with No Name" by George Steffanos.

The midday sun beat down mercilessly on the Moreland Gap Shelter as I strolled in, leading my faithful mule. Oddly the place was full of emaciated backpackers. They watched with guarded expressions as I dropped my pack and started to prepare my lunch.

A skeletal boy edged timidly over and sat down next to me. Greedy eyes surveyed my Tang and peanut butter crackers. "Want some?" I asked.

"Oh, it is no use, Mister," he said in a curious, flat monotone. "Ramone will be the only one to feast on those crackers."

I reached my hand inside my faded, old serape, fished around in my pockets, and finally pulled out the half-smoked stump of an old cigar. "I don't know who this Ramone is, " I said. "But, nobody is enjoying this roughage but me."

Oh, you mustn't talk like that, Mister!" the boy cried. The other backpackers stared at me, fear and despair haunting their hollow eyes. Those nearest to me stood up and shuffled to the other end of the shelter. I shrugged calmly, pulled my hat brim down a little lower over my eyes, leaned back, and munched a saltine.

"I'll take the rest of those crackers, americano," said a harsh, flat voice from behind me.

I turned slowly, carefully removing the cigar stump from the corner of my mouth to spit out a stray shred of tobacco. Facing me across the shelter was the biggest, ugliest woods rat I have ever seen -- more than eight feet tall, with a huge, round beer belly. I pulled out a match and struck it against the stone of the shelter's foundation. With cool deliberation, I lit my cigar and exhaled a long, slow tendril of smoke.

"I am Ramone," he said, his lips moving a little out of sync with his words. "This is my shelter, and any food that comes into it is mine!"

I gave him my trademark dubious sneer and dropped my cigar butt down on the ground, crushing it slowly out with my boot. I picked up a saltine, calmly spread peanut butter on it, and popped it into my mouth.

"Now you die, filthy americano!" he snarled, a full half-second before his lips began to move. He lunged for his rifle.

"Mphmrmph!" I replied, spitting out cracker crumbs. I flipped the right side of my serape over my right shoulder for faster access to my right hip. He quickly lifted his rifle, but I pumped three quick shots into him before he could fire. A weird, Spanish-sounding music was playing in the background as he slumped to the ground, his eyes filled with horrified amazement.

"Who are you," he groaned.

"A backpacker," I said.

His eyes rolled over and he said no more. I strolled leisurely out into the blistering heat, wondering where the heck those bells and trumpets playing in the background were coming from.

The other backpackers came running from the shelter, laughing and shouting. The boy ran up to me and tugged at the corner of my serape. "Hey, Mister, who are you?" he asked.

I smiled, flipped him a granola bar and headed up the next ridge.

Home Sweet Home

Well the Webster's dictionary defines a home as: one's place of residence. So, that means that my 1 lb. GoLite Tarp will be my home away from home for the 4-5 months on the trail.

It doesn't look all to bad and check out these perks!

1. It has 3 stable sides (as long as my tree limbs hold up)

2. So far it hasn't leaked on me yet (all though i haven't really tested it in a severe storm yet.)

3. I have a picturesque view out of my front door to take all the beautiful sights of the woods

4. I can pet any animal that may come up to my entrance way...another way to reconnect with nature!

5. And check out the square footage in that place! Man, there must be atleast 60-70 sq feet there! What am i going to do with all that room!

6. No dusting, sweeping or moping needed!

7. Finally, I can cook, eat, bathe, change clothes, do laundry and sleep all in the same spot! Now how is that for being efficient!

So as you can see, this place is well worth the dough i spent...and i didn't even have to get an adjustable rate morgage for it! I feel blessed!

Ahhh. Home Sweet Home.

"Eye of the Tiger"

Hello all,

I have been putting music on my 1 gig Zen (not Zune...Mark) music player. I have lots of praise and worship CD's on it such as PC&D, Casting Crown, Michael W. Smith, ect... Also as i have been raise up on Country, I have some classic songs that usually have something to do with someone's girlfriend leaving them or their dog dying or visiting their mama in prison!

But i was also wanting to get some classic motivational songs to help me climb to the tops of each of the many mountains i will be transversing. So, I will definelty be downloading "Eye of the Tiger"! Just hearing the name of the song, my mind starts singing the signature beat of the song, and my body soon follows, with me shadow boxing the air as I try to imitate Rocky. I am sure you are doing the same just now!

So, I was wondering if anyone had more ideas of classic motivational songs that i might seek to download to help me with the hike! Much appreciated!

Final Gear Check

Well only 48 more days till I seek to abuse my body beyond belief. I had my final gear check with my friend, Bill, who has hiked the whole thing in 2002. So far I have managed to keep my base pack weight to 12.05 lbs. along with 3.96 lbs. of stuff that i will wear, which includes my shoes. He definelty helped me prune some unneeded stuff such as deo...who needs it while on the trail. We are all going to stink! But dont worry i will have Amee bring some when she comes and visits, I mean come on, I do want to stay married!

One item I plan on taking (that I knew Bill would laugh at me) is an ultralight umbrella, as recommended by Ray Jardine and a couple of other hikers I have read about. An umbrella for hiking? Well it is a very multifunctional piece of gear. Not only will it keep you dry, but you can use it as a wind screen when it is windy and as some needed shade when the sun is beating down! But, Bill still thinks I should forgo it for some lightweight rain gear. I will definetly give it some thought and let ya all know what i decide.

Well here is a quick video of my gear. Hope you enjoy!

Good Eats.....AT style!

Howdy all,

Only 50 more days left to the big hike! Still have a final gear check with a friend who has hiked the whole Appalachian Trail back in 2002 (Bill Tilt...aka Yossarian). He definelty has helped me immensely with advice on what to buy and take for the trail, and for encouragment along the way. Thanks Bill!

Well back to the main point of the blog...cooking! You may wonder what do hikers do for food along the trail, since you obviously can't carry 4-6 months of food with you! Well you basically take 5-6 days of food with you and then resupply on the trail at different trail towns. You can either buy food at grocery stores (which i will do) or have family at home mail you "mail drops", which the post office will hold for you till you pick them up. They are basically just big boxes of food and extra gear that you may need. Then if you don't need all the items in the box, you simply mail them further ahead on the trail to another trail town (now it is called a "bounce box").

Some of the most popular foods eaten on the trail are (in no particular order):

1. Poptarts
2. Instant Oatmeal
3. Trail Mix
4. Beef Jerky and Summer Sausages
5. Peanut Butter
6. Cheese and Crackers
7. Snicker bars or other candy bars
8. Dried or fresh fruit
9. Power bars
10. Mac and Cheese
11. Instant potatoes
12. Instant Rice or Ramen Noodles.
13. Ben and Jerry Ice Cream (probably the most sought after item in towns!)
14. AYCE restraunts (All You Can Eat Buffets... when you are in a trail town)

Yummy eh! Plus i have found a website (freezerbagcooking.com), which gives recipes to make certain dishes with dehydrated and instant food products stored in freezer bags. Just add 1-2 cups of boiling water to the package, let sit for 5-15 mins. and then dig in! This is what i will do for the most part for dinner.

Finally, here is a video of my cooking system that i will be using on the trail. It weighs only 3.5 oz (not counting the fuel). Hope you enjoy! Good Eats!

Grandma Gatewood

Lately, I have been devouring a book called "Beyond Backpacking: A guide to lightweight hiking," by Ray Jardine. It is an great book for someone who is thinking of going lightweight. It is out of print, but thankfully a great guy (Ben from California) allowed me to buy the book from him at what he paid for it many years ago ($15)...one one condition that if I ever decided to sell it... I had to sell it at cost and to an aspiring hiker! If you check on Amazon.com, the cheapest one used is $75 - $300.

Well, now onto Grandma Gatewood, who you probably never had heard of. Here is her amazing story, from Ray Jardine's "Beyond Backpacking".

Emma "Grandma" Gatewood (1888-1975) did not look like much of a hiker, but sometimes looks can be deceiving. During an illustrious hiking career that spanned 18 years, she thru-hiked the Appalachian Trial --- not once, but twice --- and she section-hiked it a third time!

Grandma Gatewood started hiking at an age when most people retire to their armchairs. And even then her accomplishments were outstanding. During her second AT thru-hike, she took no rest days, and completed the rugged journey in only 4 1/2 months, finishing just a few days before her 70th birthday. Her secret? "I had always lived on a farm and was used to hard work," she told one reporter. "I was in good physical condition, so I decided to hike that trail, and I just started out." And in her spunky style she quipped, "Most people are pantywaists. Exercise is good for you."

What set Grandma apart was her equipment. Backpackers wore sturdy boots to protect their feet; Grandma wore Keds sneakers. They used expensive parkas and "lightweight" bug-proof tents. She used a rain cape and a plastic shower curtain. They carried expensive frame packs that distributed their heavy loads evenly. Grandma didn't carry a heavy load. Her items of extra clothing and gear were few, and she carried them, along with her food, in a home-made bag simply draped over one shoulder!


Wow, how amazing eh. Reminds me of a certain verse in the bible. 1 Cor. 1:27 states,

" but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong."

Well, if she can do it...certainly anyone can!