Trail Map

Appalachian Trail Map

If you want to follow along as I hike each state, click on the above link and it will take you to the National Park Service full map of the trail.  If you want to print it out, make sure you change your settings to "print to tile" and it will print out in 6 pages.

Hike For Mental Health

My Hike For Mental Health

I have decided to use my hike as an opportunity to help raise money for a cause I believe in.  If you know me personally you know how this is a professional as well as a personal issue for me.  Please click on the link above to check out my fundraising page and think about donating even a small amount.  None of this money will go to me.  It will all go to the HFMH and the AT.

What I learned at the AT kickoff (ATKO)

Things I learned at the ATKO:
1. Rehydrating food is harder than it would seem. I either added too much water or not enough. Too much makes soup. Not enough makes glop.
2. I love my hammock and my Underground Quilts quilts. They are so well made and comfy and warm.
3. My backpack was a disorganized mess. I need to learn how to pack it efficiently to maximize volume and to remember where everything is so I don't have to dump it all out to find something.
4. I love falling asleep next to a stream. It is a beautiful sound.
5. I got a huge wake up call just hiking the .9 mile hike up to Springer. My lungs didn't like the up and my legs didn't like the down. I fell on the way down when my right ankle rolled. Came down hard on a rock on my right knee. Nothing serious, BUT it showed me how important it is to hike with my poles. I didn't have them with me.
6. I learned that the bottle I will use to collect water doesn't work well with my Steripen. It's too deep. I will have to find something different or use a different water purification system.
7. I was reminded of how important and emotional this journey is for me. I cried as I watched hikers sign the register on Springer and take pictures at the first white blaze. I was really unexpectedly overcome with emotion.
8. I learned that hikers become friends very easily. I met so many awesome people that opened their hearts and lives to me and offered to help in any way.
9. I learned how to layer and unlayer my clothing effectively. I'm a Florida girl so we don't usually have to layer much. This lesson taught me I can stay warm and comfortable most of the time.
10. I think I really got an understanding of the phrase "Hike Your Own Hike" as I began to see how I will approach situations and gear differently than some but it makes no difference at all. It's all good.