Decisions, Decisions

eighty two.

Eighty two days until I leave for the AT.  Oh shit.  A mild panic has set in. It's actually a little mind boggling.  In some ways, I still can't believe I'm doing it.  It's surreal.  Anyway, with the hike coming up so soon, I've been making some big decisions on gear, timing, and everything related to the trip.  It's definitely time to stop researching and actually buy things.  (To mom: sorry about all of the packages.)

The past few days my debit card has been hiding from me.  I think it's scared.  After a few large purchases, I've purchased nearly all of my gear minus a few tidbits here and there. Nothing a few stops to....REI...can't fix!  (I am so so sorry ellie.) Give me those points!  In order to clearly organize my gear, I've created a Lighterpack.com page that contains everything I'm bringing, including weights and quantities.  In this format it is much easier to read.  Below you can find a cool button to take you to that page.  It's still a work in progress, but it seems to be the best choices I can come up with right now.

The past few weeks have been full of constant decisions.  This or that?  1 or 3?  Do I really need that?  Maybe?  Is it heavy?  Do I reaaaaaalllly need that?   Lots of research, second guessing, and asking strangers on the internet for help.

After determining that I need to get off the trail sooner rather than later, I've decided to move up my start date to February 15th or so depending on weather.  In September I look forward to participating in an Outward Bound Instructor course in the PNW.  In order to give myself maximum recovery time, I need to be off the trail ASAP.  Decision made.  Whew!

Starting in February brings new challenges, including the possibility for snow, ice, and frigid temperatures.  In order to combat the cold, I will be bring extra warmth and gear to begin the trail.  Somewhere around Virginia or before I will begin dumping winter gear in favor for warm weather gear.  This will easily save me pounds of weight off of my back, something critically important when you are carrying everything up and down mountains for months.

Things are finally coming together.