I hiked my first small trail today in the pursuit of getting back in the groove. Believe me, it was short. I would estimate one and a half miles. All went well.
Hiking, even a short distance, has always had a relaxing effect on me. It also tends to allow me to reflect on many things. Today I was reflecting on the many hikes to various mountains around the Phoenix area and around the picturesque state of Arizona that I went on in my youth. My father and several of my brothers would take hiking trips in the Grand Canyon beginning when I was in the 4th grade. My first Canyon trail was the Havasupai. It was a big deal for a 9 year old! My dad, being an engineer, is a measure twice and cut once kid of guy. Planning, being careful. We even went so far as to record our hiking times so that we could compare and analyze our improvement. Pretty advanced stuff for 1977. So we would wake up early on a Saturday, grab our water bottles and head out to a local mountain before it got too hot. Sometimes it was Camelback mountain, more often it was Squaw Peak. We would hike like this many times to strengthen our legs and improve our cardio for the big trip in the future.
I was reflecting this morning how important to have a goal in mind and also the fun of expecting something in the future. Delayed gratification. It was hard to do then, but great in its own way. Definitely something I hope to teach my children as they grow. It is actually less fulfilling to get what you want right now. There is pleasure in delaying something only to see it achieved after a period of time, struggle or sacrifice. A nice metaphor for a great hike.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Good reading for planning for an Appalachian Trail journey?
Love to read...all kinds of stuff. But lately I am reading a lot of non-fiction. So I am sure I will read quite a few books and articles about the Appalachian Trail, different sections of the Appalachian Trail and historical books as well. I will also look to read up on gear. I want to pack smart and light.
I recently picked up SAS Survival Handbook by John Wiseman. Although I don't predict that I will be in a "survival" situation, there is plenty of great info in the book to learn that will be applicable for the journey.
A couple A.T. Specific books I am considering are:
How to Hike the A.T. : The Nitty-Gritty Details of a Long Distance Trek by Michelle Ray
and
Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers Companion -2010 by Robert Sylvester
If I get one or both of these books I will review them here.
Added to some of the gear yesterday. Bought a stainless steel drinking cup that can be used on a fire/heat to boil water or as a drinking cup. Should last me a lifetime.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Getting Prepared - Inventory Time
Ok...stake is in the ground.
Now I need to get ready. Personal inventory time.
Physical - Needs some work. I have time. But even from a personal level I need to get in and maintain better fitness. As I approach age 45, I recognize the need to shed 30 to 35 pounds. That will make the trip (and life) easier. Fortunately I was in great shape earlier in life so I know how to do it. Now the hard part, doing it.
On the positive side: There are many small and medium hikes within 25 miles of my house. There are larger hiking opportunities within 50-75 miles of my house so it there is plenty of opportunity.
Not sure what exactly happens but it seems as we reach our mid-forties we accumulate aches and pains. Wow. That was an uncomfortable sentence to write!
Mental/Knowledge - Good. I have been camping all my life. As a boy I used to hike and camp in the Grand Canyon. Somehow I gave it up as I developed my career, raised a family. Now I am revisiting it in my forties with my family and enjoying it immensely. My desire to make this happen is strong for several reasons. Obviously, the Appalachian Trail is breath-taking and should provide pictures and memories to last a lifetime or two. Secondly, I want the challenge and the something to strive toward. And lastly, I hope to being along some of my growing boys for a special time together.
Resources/Time - Good. We have been preparing over the last couple years as a family for camping and hiking outings. However, a big purpose of this blog is to learn from the AT community and also teach from my learnings. Because as I already understand, the AT is unlike anything I have ever done and is in a part of the country that I need to learn more about. That should be a lot of the fun. Getting time off from work should not be a huge problem. I have a lot of flexibility in my job.
Now I need to get ready. Personal inventory time.
Physical - Needs some work. I have time. But even from a personal level I need to get in and maintain better fitness. As I approach age 45, I recognize the need to shed 30 to 35 pounds. That will make the trip (and life) easier. Fortunately I was in great shape earlier in life so I know how to do it. Now the hard part, doing it.
On the positive side: There are many small and medium hikes within 25 miles of my house. There are larger hiking opportunities within 50-75 miles of my house so it there is plenty of opportunity.
Not sure what exactly happens but it seems as we reach our mid-forties we accumulate aches and pains. Wow. That was an uncomfortable sentence to write!
Mental/Knowledge - Good. I have been camping all my life. As a boy I used to hike and camp in the Grand Canyon. Somehow I gave it up as I developed my career, raised a family. Now I am revisiting it in my forties with my family and enjoying it immensely. My desire to make this happen is strong for several reasons. Obviously, the Appalachian Trail is breath-taking and should provide pictures and memories to last a lifetime or two. Secondly, I want the challenge and the something to strive toward. And lastly, I hope to being along some of my growing boys for a special time together.
Resources/Time - Good. We have been preparing over the last couple years as a family for camping and hiking outings. However, a big purpose of this blog is to learn from the AT community and also teach from my learnings. Because as I already understand, the AT is unlike anything I have ever done and is in a part of the country that I need to learn more about. That should be a lot of the fun. Getting time off from work should not be a huge problem. I have a lot of flexibility in my job.
Beginning the quest, journey, odyssey!!!
I am putting a stake in the ground and committing to hiking 10 days on the Appalachian Trail in Spring/Summer of 2014. There. I said it.
To many hikers and especially AT hikers it may not seem like much. This is a big deal for me. I am married and have 5 children. So I have commitments and responsibilities like everyone else. We are in the thick of life. However, this can also be beneficial for everyone as we all see the process unfold and the goal achieved.
I am really looking forward to seeing how this all plays out.
We plan, God laughs.
It's about the journey.
To many hikers and especially AT hikers it may not seem like much. This is a big deal for me. I am married and have 5 children. So I have commitments and responsibilities like everyone else. We are in the thick of life. However, this can also be beneficial for everyone as we all see the process unfold and the goal achieved.
I am really looking forward to seeing how this all plays out.
We plan, God laughs.
It's about the journey.
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