Flight 220

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So I’m starting a new trend. Every September I subconsciously put myself in unique situations that tests my knowledge, mental state and physical alertness. Last year it was a 7.6 magnitude earthquack in the costal regions of Costa Rica (http://www.helpingturtles.com/2012/09/day-67-day-earth-stood-still.html).

This year it’s being a passenger on a plane which makes an emergency landing with one engine.

This past week I joined some friends in the OBX (Outer Banks, North Carolina). After an extended weekend of various pool activities, building sand mermaids on the beach, stuffing my face with crabs, it was time to head home – or at least back to the Midwest.

 

My best friend and I head to Raleigh/Durham International Airport (RDU) where we have an evening flight to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). The skies are clear and the outside air is humid. Inside the airplane’s cabin, the cold, dry non-circulated air hits the top of my head. Like any other flight, once the flight doors are closed, and the cabin pressure is equalized, my sleepiness kicks in. As we taxi to the runway, I fall in and out of a neck snapping napping state.

The take off for me is always the best part. Like my high school friends that had the tuned up, faster cars, the feeling of acceleration always was a unique, welcomed experience. The engines are in full thrust, and the brakes have been released. Your  head is being thrown back into the plane’s seat as you use your neck muscles pry your face around the person sitting next to the window, just so you can get a glimpse and perspective on how fast you are actually going.

BAM……GLUNK…GLUNK….GLUNK…..half way down the runway with the front wheels now off the ground. Smell of engine smoke (without the sight of it) fills the plane’s cabin. Like a horribly tuned choir, a single high note escapes out of most mouths and everyone looks around to see what has happened. The plane is now fully in flight with this awful repetitive loud “GLUNK” sound being felt on the floor boards. For the most part everyone remains calm. The sound finally stops and the plane slowly increases in altitude.

After what seems like a half an hour (more like 3 minutes), a flight attendance comes over the PA and announces a very unreassuringly statement of how the pilots are currently looking into something’s and will give us an update when they have things settled. Finally a pilot comes over the PA and announces that he believes a bird flew into one of our engines (pilots side – left side sitting in the cabin) and we are now currently flying on one engine. The next step is to prepare an emergency landing back at RDU. The pilot was very calm, professional and confident in their abilities to perform such a task as they have trained for this type of scenario.

Shortly after the flight attendants go over the emergency procedures and prepare for the landing. We circle back to the airport and begin the descent. They instruct us that as we land, we should put our heads in our laps and brace ourselves if there should be any type of impact. Right before landing the crew chants “HEAD DOWN, STAY DOWN, HEAD DOWN, STAY DOWN, HEAD DOWN, STAY DOWN, HEAD DOWN, STAY DOWN, HEAD DOWN, STAY DOWN, HEAD DOWN, STAY DOWN, HEAD DOWN, STAY DOWN, HEAD DOWN, STAY DOWN, HEAD DOWN, STAY DOWN, HEAD DOWN, STAY DOWN, HEAD DOWN, STAY DOWN, HEAD DOWN, STAY DOWN, HEAD DOWN, STAY DOWN”

We land.

This had to be one of the smoothest landings ever, even with only 1 engine. Props to the pilots. Fire trucks come and check out the plane. After no immediate threat was detected we taxied over to the gate, where we deed and waited to hear what was next.

WOW. What an experience. One can often day dream about the “what if” scenarios as you lead your day to day life. Anything can happen at anytime. Most think events are inevitable while others blame luck. However, it’s not the problem that defines the moment, it’s how you and everyone else reacts. Clearly in this situation I had no way of changing the odds. It was up to greater powers to determine my fate.

When I was smelling the smoke, listening to that GLUNK and feeling that repetitive vibrations come from below, like everyone else’s, my mind was playing out the most obscure, theatrical scenarios that could come of this. This would only continue to play out as we were updated with our actual scenario and possible outcomes as the plane attempts to make an emergency landing. I feel that during these moments, you have your “reflection time” with yourself and really have that one-on-one talk to catch up. Are you happy with your life? Did you accomplish what you wanted? Do you have regrets?  You can see it on everyone’s face as they are gazing out the window, praying in their laps, attempting to text their loved ones, hiding their tears or just starring blankly at the seat in front of them.

Me? I’m happy. Knowing that I made some life changing moves over the last couple years and really followed my heart, has been exciting. Granted I’m on the brink of having a zero balance in the bank, I have learned and experienced so much that there really has not been enough room for regret or FOMO (fear of missing out) to set in. This especially stands true as I already have future plans for “epic-ness”. Now I’m not just talking about one day I want or plan on doing X, Y and  Z. No, I mean I actually am in the middle of hiking the Appalachian Trail and perusing my next adventure at the same time. Life is wonderful! So much to look forward to: great relationships with family/friends, promising career and excellent health!

So I leave you with this…very fitting.

State of Mountain Address

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Hello followers, fans and fanatics of BackpackingAT. As you have noticed over the past couple weeks, there has been a lack of updates, uploads and uplifting photos and quirky comments. Well it's all my fault (Victor aka Pundit)...here's why

To give you an unfortunate update and statistic - there are no representatives of BackpackingAT currently on the Appalachian Trail. As we speak Bo (Comfy) is hopping on a plane to Africa where he will be meeting his family to help out with some mission work and do a little site seeing. Bo, known to be hiking a very different hike, originally got off the trail to pursue his future entrepreneurs - I'll let him explain that in the near future. However, if we are lucky, the AT might see him one last time this year...

Eric (Rango/Hangry) and Lauren (successfully did not receive a trail name) are now back in Redondo Beach after seeing most of the highlighted parts of AT in the Northern section of the trail. They made a wise/smart decision to jump off the trail before their finances completely diminished and are now trying to figure out what path they should take next.

Then there is me... I secretly (for the most part) got off the trail a couple weeks ago and ended up in Chicago. I decided not to rush the last 400 miles of my hike, in order to make the deadline of finishing the trail by September 1st so I could attend the Wedding I am standing up in Sept 7th. After hearing about the beauty of the "Whites", tales of Mount Washington and the epic 100 mile stretch of wilderness, since Georgia, I knew I did not want to blaze past some of the most iconic sections. Since getting off the trail I have been a recluse. Healing my sore body, over indulging on non trail food (even though I still love my Instant Carnation in the morning), and setting up my next EPIC adventure. For as much as I would LOVE to elude to what's next, I have to keep this one close to chest for reason you will understand later. Fear not I will make sure to keep ALL of you informed as I plan to include you in my futures adventures.

What is next? Well the trail has not seen the last of me! I have my flight booked for the middle of September, back to Manchester, NH. I will jump on a shuttle (or perhaps hitch a ride) to Hanover NH and pick up where I left off on the Appalachian Trail. With a month left before Baxter State Park (Mt. Katahdin) closes, I will be able to complete the 400+ miles remaining of my hike. Granted the weather will drastically be different (cold and perhaps some snow), and the miles ahead of me are no easy walk in the park (elevations peak at 5-6,000 and dip back down to the 1,000ft in the coarse of a day) there will be many challenges ahead of me. Luckily for you, this shall be entertaining. For me I suppose I would describe it as something different. I'll let you know when I get there.

SOOO until I get back on the trail, I will continue to enjoy the rest of a Chicago/Detroit (where I will be spending my time) summer. I'll keep myself in semi-shape by walking steps and runs every now and then. I'll update some of my equipment, and hopefully gain a couple more followers as my BackpackingAT stamper finds it way around the city. I'll also be sharing some information on other hikers/adventurers I have been following all along and who have been providing some awesome advice. And of course, strategically continue to plan my next adventure.

Thanks again for your patience during this intermittence. I appreciate all your comments, likes and support as this past 1800 miles have truly been life changing!

Love,
Pundit

Day 129 - The Plot Thickens

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I'm gonna let you in on a marketing secret... Like the middle child (myself excluded) no one really remembers what happens in the middle. As with our our adventure there has been lacking of some posts during this middle portion. But I tell myself that's okay. People will remember your story as they recall you preparing for your hike by purchasing and posting pictures of you huddling up in a sleeping bag in the middle of REI for that epic picture you took naked at the top of Mt. Katahdin..

.

So now begins our last couple legs of our trip. With one month to go and 500 miles to hike, one can soon realize the plot that starting to take shape. Ohh yeah every good story needs a plot, so here is how things are shaping up. 

 Fact 1) I'm a loner. With Eric and Lauren now South bounding (skipping to Mt. Katahdin and walking south) there is no chance of them meeting up with me, except for that single day hen we pass each other on the trail granted. Bo on the other hand has left the trail for a while to pursue an Africa Safari adventure with his family and hopefully returning to the trail in order to see Baxter State Park before the summit closes October 15. 

Fact 2) I'm on a Time Crunch. The entire reason for me to finish by September 1st is so that I can get to Detroit in time in order to stand up in one of my best friends (since elementary school) wedding. Should I not finish the trail by this time, I fear I will not make it back to Maine to finish as my lack of funds and real world glutinous ways would have got me too "comfy" to head back out for a couple of weeks. 

Fact 3) at this moment we need to hike an average of 16 miles a day for the next 31 days in order to make this work to finish on time. Now keeping in mind there this calculation does not include any "zero days" ( days where you do not hike any miles) nor accounts for the harder sections of the trail where we are forced to hike only 10 miles in a day due to great elevations we will have to climb and descend. 

There you have it. We shall see what everything pans out. But dont worry as long as i have my health to keep me hiking, food to keep me energized and a Verizon Wireless Signal to keep posting everything should work out just fine! Now back to hiking...

Day 90 - Changes, Updates & Reflections

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Instead of looking back on the last 1000+ miles, I am taking a different perspective. I am looking down. Remembering an early picture I took from the begging of this hike,  I look at my shoes, feet and all the other surrounding characteristics and detail from the picture . In the picture you can see me shorts, legs, socks, shoes, trekking poles and the trail.

Now when compared to my recent photo I took today, you see many of the same objects. However if you look closer you the differences in details tell a story all by themselves. Legs: thick and more muscular. I didn't think it was possible. Socks: little did I know that I wore my socks inside out for the first couple of weeks. Gators: Dirty Girls is the name brand and keeping dirt out is the plan. Who would have thought that you kick up so much dirt inside your own shoe! Shoes: yes they are different. My last pair just "blew out"from walking so much and grappling rocks. I just hope the wears in process of these new shoes don't kill my feet. Trekking Poles: the bottom halves have been replaced  (due to a trail running incident) and are now adorned with Ken and Barbie decapitated heads. Trail: sure it looks the same but you notice many of the old leaves are now in smaller pieces and there is a couple greenish brown newer leaves scattered about .

So what does this mean? Well I see it as just a state of progression, like most things in life. You obviously learn from your simple mistakes (socks). You see growth in your strengths (legs). You replace the limiting factors of your success (shoes). You repair things you damage along the way (poles). You update your tools to protect yourself (gators). You display knick-knacks to keep memories and promote conversation (heads).You witness seasons change (leaves). Ohhh yeah you also learn to double knot your shoes! 

P.s. all of ththis was written from my Verizon Wireless phone... god bless the speech to text feature!

Day 88 - 2nd Semester

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Remember that first day of college when your parents drop you off at the dorms with all your stuff and you don't know anyone, you feel like your in a foreign land and you have faintest remembrance of how to academically study... Well that's what I feel like for me right now. Especially when my parents (BackpackingAT friends : Eric, Lauren and Bo), foreign land (new part of the Appalachian Trail) and study (general hiking practices and  mindset) are all preparing me for what's to come. Not to mention it costs too much to drop out half way through!

After a SOLID week of male bonding, acting silly and floating down a river (winter/summer break) its time to get back into the groove for my second semester as freshman on the trail. 

With a couple heart warming "see you soon" exchanged, I am dropped back off on the trail. 

Slowly warming my thought process to nothing less of Bear Grylls, I realize that i need to be cautious of my new shoes, where I reorganized my belongings in my backpack and.....ohhhh shit.... I forgot to get gas for my stove! 

Walking a mile into the trail, I mentally calm myself down knowing that I will be passing through a town within the next couple of days that should have gas for me. Meanwhile I just have to build a small fire like I would have, had I not brought my gas burner. No Big Deal.

But what is that? A hot sensation coming from the left side of my left foot. Is my pinky toe already being irritated by the new shoes? Perhaps I should walk on it a little bit further as the shoe has time to loosen up.... Right? Well after a stopping every couple miles to readjust, I think I might be able to live with it. 

Now it's getting dark...I'm in between shelters and not looking to hike in the dark. I hear the tops of the trees move in the distance like static on a broken TV getting louder and louder. With the sudden drop in temperature and the smell of humidity in the air, you know it's about to rain. So I find a small open area (with minimal rocks covering the flat spots) and set up my tent as fast possible. As soon as my last stake was forced into the rooty soil, rain drops start bouncing off my tensioned vestibules walls. Enter the thunderstorm which sets the tone for a mental horror story...

Now here I am; Alone, Without gas and friends. 

Luckily It's not that dramatic (but it is when your in my shoes and not behind a computer in your house/work) and I have my good friend Mr. Technology to keep me company. All of a sudden being sent to my room by Mother Nature is not so bad. Having all the Verizon 4G service my phone's battery can use, I pass the time writing thoughts out like this (or actually being lazy and using the speaking-2-text feature), uploading the days pictures and catching up for a hot minute with friends and family. I'm no longer alone. It's nice to know that even in the absence of most comforts, technology somehow has/is a remedy. GenY for life.

Day 74 - Breakfast and Entertainment

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Both of these areas are very important to me simply because I love to eat and I constantly have to be entertained. 

Breakfast

I know that most people out there do not share my same opinions but, I dislike breakfast foods. If I had it my way, I would eat lunch and dinner items for every meal! Regardless, I know that there is some importance in eating a healthy breakfast. So as a hiker, trying to make the most of my morning before rushing out of the camp site, I have gotten into a new routine. Boil 2 cups of water and add 2 packets of oatmeal and pouch of Carnation Instant Breakfast. This powdered packet is the key ingredient to my breakfast in which I attribute my first 10 miles of hiking each day. What's so good about them? Well they provide a poop load of nutrition which I believe your body is craving after making it hike a marathon each day. Secondly they come in 3 different flavors (chocolate, vanilla and strawberry). I like to think of the vanilla packets as my milk powder substitute. It makes my oatmeal (any flavor) taste that much creamier. Chocolate I add to my Starbucks Via Packets when I want to spoil myself in the morning. As for strawberry... It's a wild card. It goes well with many of the oatmeals (blueberry, banana, original, strawberry and even apply) but just have to plan ahead. That's all. To be honest I plan on carrying on this Carnation Instant Breakfast habit to "my real life" once I get of the trail . I am that stoked this goodness!

Entertainment

Listening to nature is great, don't get me wrong... but I do get bored starring at the same scenery sometime. Coming from a very active childhood and even busier adolescent, I sometimes feel that I am wasting my time as I am not efficiently using my time wisely.  Enter "Ted Talks". Ted Talks are informational speeches from leaders in their prospective fields. These talks are usually in regards to new technology or ideas that are slightly radical at first, but once they explain the process you end up saying to yourself, " that makes to much sense ". Listening to these 12 minute lectures really gets your brain thinking. In my case, I reflect on the conversation and have a mental brainstorm to see if this concept or adjacent ideas applies to anything in my life/future. Right now my favorite talk was from a person who turned his curb into a garden for people in his community to pick in hopes to combats bad diets and fast foods. He is making gardening "gangster" to appeal to  new demographics. 

Day 71 - Trail Days & Technology

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Alright I know it's been a while... Well almost a month to be exact. However i have been updating Facebook on the regular.  In fact i am outsourcing some amazing talent to help me redesign the flow of the website in order be more reader friendly. Luckily for you I have decided to get back on the hoarse and bring you updates in various aspects of our adventure... Piece by piece. Today's topic: Trail Days and Technology!

Trail Days

What happens when 15,000 hikers enter a small town of nearly 1000 people for a weekend? Trail Days.

For those of you that don't know Trail Days is a weekend festival for hikers and the community of Damascus. Throughout the town, church groups, vendors and the local vendors provide (cheap to free)'services for hikers. All the while, the hikers invade this small town and enjoy all the pleasures of a town (restaurants, bars and grocery stores) while wearing loud thrift shift clothes as their own clothes are being washed 2x in hopes to get the 2 month hiker funk smell out. 

Unfortunately a tragic event occurred this weekend as well. During the hiker parade (current and previous hikers walk in succession of the years they hiked) a gentlemen in his car parked on a side road, had a heart attack and ran over 5-6 people. In the end no one was severally injured ( just a couple broken bones and scrapes) but you can imagine at that point in time everyone was going crazy - even from 100ft away (where we were walking).

On a lighter note... BackpackingAT had a huge presence at this festival mostly due to our very own Bo Comfy. He was able to secure a 40x40 ft tent near tent village, where 75% of the hikers hang for the weekend. Underneath our tent we were able to provide free wifi (Thanks to Verizon Wireless), entertain hikers with a folk band ( again thanks to Bo), and provide a safe heaven for those sweet enough to melt in the rain. In fact we even held a wedding underneath our tent on Saturday - who would have thought! During the evening hours next to our tent, an uber large fire was built in which hundreds of hikers would dance around  the fire and engage in a drum circle. This would last late into the night, far past my time. 

Technology

America's most reliable 4G network is my backbone for our BackpackingAT adventure. From pictures to video to uploading to blogging to responding to logistics to talking to loved ones, Verizon Wireless makes all this possible. I am fortunate enough to have been chosen to be an official Verizon Wireless Blogger throughout my 6 months on the Appalachian Trail. My area, of course,  is fitness centric. Hiking 2184 miles is no easy task. Nearly hiking up and down a marathon of trail each day is a very physical demanding activity. 

Sure it helps that I have spent the last 4 years of my life helping to develop and market for Verizon Wireless. Using this technology and array of devices, this is nothing foreign to me. So when it comes to incorporating the newest technology into an otherwise minimalistic environment I am able to share so much of my everyday experiences with the rest of the world. Who knows, this may encourage those on the edge to fall off their seats and strap on some boots - I could only hope! 

Not to be tutting the horn more than I should, but I really enjoy ( for whatever reason ) love when people as to use my phone at shelters. I always ask, "What service do you have ? Ohhhh I see, well I have Verizon and I have service....". Granted there are some dead zones, but more often than not, I am able to continue walking a quarter mile and get at least 3G signal.