January 15

Day 1

Left Atlanta on a bus, got dropped off 7 miles from trailhead and had to walk in some seriously freezing rain to get to the start.

Day 2

Left Springer around 10:30, hiked 7.8 miles in the first 5 hours with Rachel. Nobody else on trail. We averaged 1.58 m/h. Body was only 2 of 10 sore. Toe slightly rubbing in new shoes. Broke my walking stick already. Ran out of quinoa already. Forgot spices and mushrooms. Drank mush coffee. Practiced tarp & tent, solo stove. Pack little dry wood or charcoal in future. Phone was down to 20% already. Battery pack depleted after 1 charge. Light wasnt charging either, even when keeping in sleeping bag.

I feel like running but know that won’t go over well. Need to set a pace and work out the gear issues. This time, I decide to be nice and take it easy. I’ve learned in the past that it’s well worth the happy company to slow down, finish as a team, together.

So I came up with a team name.

Nice & Easy.

It’s a reminder to take it slow and treat it like a workout. There’s no rush. I have to remember to stay in the moment and let go of my ego. This is no race. I need to take care of this woman and put my wilderness guide skills to use. It’s going to be an interesting winter but hopefully fun.

Day 10

I’ve been carrying most of the weight. I get up early. I cook breakfast and make coffee/coco for Rachel. She’s getting into shape. Losing a bit of weight. Having fun, taking it slow. We probably won’t finish at this pace. We’ve been taking at least a zero every few days but it’s cold, and freezes at night. We have the right gear and can dry off to get warm each night.

Day 20

The trail offers some good views as the leaves have fallen off the trees. There’s no snakes, ticks or spiders. Rachel’s feet hurt so we have to stop and rest often, taking nice little soaks in the cold creeks to soothe inflammation.

UPDATE: Made some videos.

Day 45

We’ve been through some shit. Feels like I live out here now. But every once in a while my tenants send me a text. Wish I had good ones, but had to take the opportunity to do this hike regardless. Patellar tendon constant shooting pain on the downhills but getting better. Metabolism and healing is through the roof. I wish I had a fitness tracker. Lost my awesome hiking stick that said “Take me to Maine.” so I picked up a stick and have continued using it to exercise my arms.

UPDATE: 80+ days into hike. Time to get off trail.

Had some great moments, as well as some hard times. Smokey Mountains were magical. I will add some pictures later but my upload speeds are rediculously slow and my phone screen is painfully small.

We had most of the shelters to ourselves through Georgia, Tennessee, N/S Carolina and now Virginia, but people are starting to catch up and pass us. We still don’t have trail names but have only met a handful of people.

Rachel and I are getting into good shape, getting our legs. I’m in better shape now than when I was in the army at age 22. My quads, legs and core are immense, I’ve put on 15 lbs of pure muscle yet my waste went down 2″ and I’ve lost 3% body fat. I can run all day through the mountains when I take my pack off. This is probably the pinnacle. I cannot believe it’s like this in my 40’s. Hopefully I can maintain.

Personal thoughts: I would LOVE to continue but COVID is setting in and trail commission is closing down trail. Not having good luck. I’ve decided to go back to Alaska. Time to take care of some business. I have issues with the contractor working on my rental property, and tenants are complaining. I have to take care of my grandma. Also having issues in my relationship.

My girlfriend seems no longer interested in making it work, testing me to see if I care by pulling away. I’m in no spirit to fight to keep up a relationship with someone who doesn’t value me either. Time to be good to myself. The past 5 years have been brutal.

In sensing my distance, she seems indifferent to close the gap or help create any trust or bond between us. Without that, long distance is not going to work. She’s talking to her dudes back home, tell them how much she misses and loves them. She’s never directed that kind of love toward me, so I can’t say I didn’t foresee it happening. I just ignored my instincts, so I have only myself to blame. Hopefully I had a positive influence. She’s come along way but she is a long way off from appreciating a guy like me. I’ve given the last of my reserve, now numb.

It’s been nice having company but I must go my way. She seems lost. But so am I at this point, just hoping she meets someone who treats her good.

video 1

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SzpeVq9L244" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

video 2

video 3