Day 30

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4/27/13 by Vic

So it's been a while since I've updated y'all on whats going on. So here it is.

Trail Names:
"Comfy" : This name was given to Bo as this was the word he used to describe how he prefers to live. Now yellow blazing the trail (Yellow Blaze: hiking sections of the Appalachian Trail), Bo has become a great asset in the logistical aspect of our adventure. Before we get into a town for a resupply, he will befriend everyone in the community, set up a room for the night and most often do the research on transportation to and from the city. This has been working out great because he is spreading BackpackingAT's love and allows us to be very efficient with our time off the trail.

"Pundit" : This was the name given to me just as we crossed into the North Carolina, from Georgia. By definition, it's an expert in particular subject or field who is frequently called on to give opinions about it to the public. Thus when it comes to describing our BackpackingAT campaign, I usually speak for the group. This name also just happens to have the word "pun" in it. This is most noteworthy as I have been particularly quiet around the camp fires in the beginning in order to gauge what this hiking culture is all about. Well every now and then I would chime into a conversation, humoring anyone within earshot with a witty pun that currently relates to the conversation. After a while, people around the fire would say "The pundit strikes again" once a pun has been released. Good stuff.

Eric and Lauren: these two have evaded being given names for now. But don't you worry I have a feeling that should change here in the near future.

The Group: We are going strong and have found ourselves at different paces. As mentioned before Comfy, is usually one city ahead of us waiting for us to resupply, while slack packing throughout the day. I believe he plans to get some solid trail time in after the smokies as you have to pay $20 to stay overnight (1 week permit) and plus there is only 1 road, which makes logistics for him not so comfy. Eric and Lauren are about 1.5 days behind the bubble of people we are hiking with. However after being well rested I know they catch up in no time- it will be great to have them back. Me, we'll I am kinda taking advantages of both aspects. I hike fast and cover many miles in order to get to town early and rest up. This ratio of hiking/miles to rest has kept me with a pretty even pace with our hiking bubble. Keeping in mind there is no right or wrong pace to hike at, I am just referring to the bubble as the majority of the people we started with on our first day.

Terminology:
Hikers Midnight- this is usually 9pm. By this time it's completely dark out and everyone has moved to their tents

Nearo- the 24 hour virus that people have been getting in our current area. This entails in tense vomiting and diarrhea.

Fuck-me-stick - this is a smaller stick on the trails path that ends up getting kicked up high enough that it makes you trip over your own feet

Mustang - for males, pulling your shorts up to urinate

Bald - a mountain/hill top that has little to no vegetation other than grass.

Something I don't want to admit: while in Franklin NC, we got shuttled to a Walmart for a resupply after a days hike. Wearing the only clean clothes I had (leggings with shorts and a button down shirt) I was standing in the cereal isle deciding on what type of granola I was going to choose. Along comes a father and his teenage daughter walking down the isle and eventually passes me. Well after about 10 steps of passing me, they both look at each other cringe their faces and fan the air in front of their face. Yes I was a "people of Walmart". Sorry for being a dirty hiker.

Something I learned : don't have ropes hanging loosely from yourself or your backpack. They get caught on branches very easily and make you almost fall down the side of mountains.

Scary Moment: So I acquired this awesome large knife. However in the spirit of trying to cut down weight I sent it back home. Well later that day (after my little trail run) I loose my favorite little pocket knife. So now I am knife-less until I can pick up a knew one.

Audio Book: I had just finished "the adventures of Huckleberry Finn" and about to finish Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales. Let me tell you ... It weird learning That little red ridding hood was actually named little red cap. Plus I hope Disney payed these brothers lots of money because it is sooooo weird listening to the original versions of these stories.

Moment in Time Entry: At this point in time I am writing to you from a log cabin like bathroom in the parking lot of Clingmans dome. Its dry, chilly and smells urinal cakes. But he it could be worse. So this morning we woke up to the hard rain on the tin roof and the wind smacking the makeshift wall of our shelter against itself. Hearing this the other 5 people in the shelter where fairly determined to take a zero day in shelter. This was confirmed after they saw their breath in front of them once the sun was up high enough. I dress in all my layers and set out not really knowing what to expect, except rain, wind and 10ft of visibility. Of course the others in the cabin heed warning, but bull-headed and clinging to my youth and physical ability I set foot onto the trail. Needless to say I made it and I am glad I did!

Birthday: Wooo I'm physically 28, mentally 30, emotionally 22 and looking 24. Life is great. For my birthday, I preformed the "three S's" inside, used the Internet for 3 hours, washed my clothes in a machine, and cooked for 15+ people over a metal grill. I received a bed to sleep in from Bo, a mini pocket knife from "cat", cold beer from other hikers and red velvet piece of cake. To top of the day, I soaked in a hot mineral hot springs for an hour. Success. Thanks to all of you for your calls, texts, posts and thoughts from afar. Miss ya! XO

Day 20

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By Bo

Had such an amazing time in franklin and met Memphis aka colin and spencer aka papa smurf played disc golf with them and saw an amazing river. Met some locals named eric who drove us back into town he was a chill ass dude that had been living there for a few years. The thunder storm hit right as we walked into the hotel and we posted up and enjoyed being out of the nasty grasp of nature. Met up with homeward bound and his buddy so we shared a room and at 9 the cali crew hit the shuttle to winding stair gap hit 13 miles in to liglog camp site. Met up with spence and colin and planned out noc and Fontana that night I'm chilln at noc now with Jimmy Johnson aka Florida and machete and pac man enjoying the river and meeting new peeps cat and I saw 22 and push up at the general store. Got a lift into Fontana dam and met a few locals at the restaurant that told me about the tail of the dragon which is a road that turns 300 times in 13 miles. People come from all over to drive it and ride it.

Day 19

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By Lauren

Time hangs in the air like a hammock. It offers rest and rejuvenation OR a stuff sack in your pack and a good long climb to the next camp site. It is indifferent to your choices. You may add another 5 miles to your trek and reach the next shelter, or you may take that time and that hammock to stand still and take a 'Nearo Day'.. Let hedonism get the best of you. Granted, hedonism on the trail is what most enjoy daily where I'm from. A warm shower, a bed with pillows, the choice to NOT walking 15 miles today... And that choice is not an easy one to make when you are not used to being sweaty, filthy, hungry, and frankly sick and tired of walking all-day-long. Ive actually grown accustomed to sleeping-in in my tent (though sleeping-in on the trail is only around 8:30am) just to add more rest time to my day. Time, though.. Time is a tricky illusion. When hiking;  it seems to just hang there.. Like an endless hike, like an eternity of the decision made. When hiking there is no waiting for the next road, the next shelter, the next hill, the next tree even. Everything takes place in the moment. As tiring, sweaty, and filthy a moment it may be.. ;) it's still in the moment... and because of this I have noticed I am happiest on the trail where the satisfaction lies in sticking to plan, of moving forward. The time will move forward regardless. It's your choice what to do with it. 

In saying this I have still opted to finish the day in this lovely cabin that Bo has rented for us. LOL! Well you can't have the sweet without the sour, right?! In this case which is the sweet? The trail with all of its sweat, tears, yet fulfillment and beauty.. OR the warm and comfy cabin complete with a full kitchen and steamy shower? I suppose both our equally lovely and equally essential to our growth and contentment, at least in moderation. Is this even making sense? Hah!  Perhaps the trail is getting to me. Have I mentioned it's only been two weeks and three days? Oh dear.. Anyways.. On with my day. 

As I am writing a thru-hiker just passed me of name of Bubblehead (I THINK that was his name.. trail names are a little harder for me to remember than names that we've grown up with and are accustomed to learning). I covered my mouth as we said our hellos, as I was in the middle of consuming a hand full of dried fruit. He laughed and said, "Don't worry, there ain't no use for manners out here." Goodness, he's right. There happens to be about 10-15 men to every woman. I suppose that in the mind of a man this means that he can behave as if he is a sailor or in a fraternity or whatever all-men organizations that tend to bring out the BOY in the man. Suddenly there is no "excuse me" after burps, farts, really any disgusting habit that boys are actually weirdly proud of. Not only do they not say "excuse me" but they have little fart games and have found clever ways to actually ANNOUNCE the fact that they just did whatever gross thing they just did. Forgive me.. I did not grow up with brothers so I am learned a great deal (too much) now. Strangely when you throw a man out into the wilderness suddenly social norms seem to have all but entirely disappeared in this regard. Not that this specifically bothers me.. I just thought it weird enough to mention. Lol! The eating habits of most of these men has been one habit that HAS affected me negatively. Perhaps I shouldn't blame the guys. It should not be there concern how their choices are effecting my diet.. Certainly not! It is actually my poor will power and to be fair, there simply is not many healthy options for health conscious individuals on the trail. At the very most you may find an apple and banana in the local general store. Other than that the healthiest option I found today while purchasing food for the next three days on the trail was V-8 juice and strawberry flavored pop-tarts. Eric, however, had no problem finding a frozen pizza and cheerwine (similar to cherry coke) for dinner in the cabin tonight. It's true that we need to keep our calorie intake incredibly high, as we are burning an ungodly number of calories per day.. And pizza and soda really does sound AMAZING after trekking up 17 miles (okay-we happened to slack-pack today- which means hiking without our full packs) but still.. 17 miles is 17 miles no matter which way you slice it. Even with the poor diet I am losing weight like crazy. I have not seen my tummy this small since I was 15 years old and my clothes seem to be hanging on me. I realize this could just be my active imagination since its been a mere 2 1/2 weeks on the trail.. But I notice a difference in Eric as well. So I suppose.. Bring on the pizza?? ...but I must be conscious of finding healthy options as well.. Perhaps order food from an outside source? Still debating. I've never felt better than when I was drinking fresh vegetable juice very morning. I wish there was a way to make that happen. 

Oh dear.. I smell pizza! :D

-Memorable creature sightings from the last couple of days: 6-foot dark snake (didn't look dangerous), chipmunk eating a nut, 4-5 squirrels, 2 lizards, MANY prehistoric size insects and bees

Day 11

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4/8/13 by Vic

Well if I learned anything from lasts night sleep, it's that you don't set up your tent on a hill. At the time of finding a site and setting up my Big Agnes (2 person) tent I thought everything was level. Well after crawling into my tent for the night and my muscles relaxed, I slowly rolled to right side of my tent. Ohh boy. Well in efforts to still salvage a good nights sleep, I actually slept on the foot of my tent and used my sleeping pad as a barrier to stop rolling to the side of my tent. Ahh innovation of the tired and sleepy.

This morning we all roll out of our tents Round 7:30am and slowly cook breakfast and take down our site. With some great company of friends (of which we bonded with the night before) we continue the banter from which we ended and all part ways ( heading in the same direction, but at various intervals as we all take off at our own pace).

A this point in our journey I have learned that I am a fast hiker. It's something about the uphills that I just want to conquer. Once I feel these muscles start to burn, and beads of sweat roll down my face and dive off my brow, nose or chin, I get into my competitive mode. It's sort of like working out or when your on a treadmill. You know there is an end to your strenuous activity, so you just keep going till you reach your mark, or summit of the hill - just to do it all over again in another half mile. I have also realized that I use much of my arms when going up hill. Using my Leki poles, I dig them into the ground just behind me and to my side and push myself up the hill giving me quads a break from all the work. I find this to be very advantageous for me as my swimmers build gives me some of the upper body strength I need to flow steadily up the ascents.

Knowing all of this, I have now started hiking on my own and have been meeting up with the rest of the crew in the evening hours. This allows me to prepare the bag line, fire pit, clothes line and check out the nearby water (if any) all before they arrive.

During today's hike I started listening to my audio books from LibriVox. If you don't know what this is, it's a online site where you can download audio recordings of books that are in the public domain (mainly older books that have been out for over 20 years and several renditions of the book can be found). Anywho, I started listening to "The adventures of Tom Sawyer" by Mark Twain. I thought this would be appropriate due to my current occupation. Additionally I have deprived myself of childhood stories such as this due to my lack of interest in reading as a much younger youth (and even now). Well let me tell you, today's 11.7 mile hike went by so quickly ( 28 chapters later). Don't worry though I only keep one ear on plugged in while the other senses are still fully looking for the dangers within the AT.

I have come to realize there are all sorts of people on the trail and they come from all "walks" of life. You find this out in your "elevator" speech as you leap frog each other in the trail or perhaps over the evening camp fire. Of course there are some people you click with and others you would just rather hide in your tent instead of interacting with. This same thing could be said if you took a sample of people in your office building or grocery store. With that said you easily find commonalities with everyone. Mine is usually a connection to where they live (Michigan, Chicago, San Fran, and LA). However if there is not a connection there you can always fall back on... Hiking the the Appalachian Trail.

TOTALS
Pooped in the woods: 7
Wildlife: Squirrel, Birds, Catapiller, Black flies, Beatle, Ants, spiders
Miles Hiked: 90.7
Don't want to admit: It has taken me many tries to light a fire VS my 1 match it usually takes.
Lesson learned: It's great not be the first person on the trail in the morning. Let other people walk through the spider webs first.
Hiking Quote: God made dirt and dirt don't hurt.
Trail names I have came across: grey beard, just, pro tip, wild man, homeward bound, mammoth, squirrel, 22, machete
Food: Instant Mashes potatoes and SeaBear smoked salmon
Blisters: 0

Day 3 -11

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3/31 - 4/8 by Lauren

I'd like to preface by saying that a LOT has changed since I wrote my first entry on the evening of day two. I wish I could say that what I refer to as 'changed' in the last couple of weeks is that they've been extremely eventful and exciting.. Lol.. Okay, it's been lovely in many ways, its just that the speed at which I am accepting this new lifestyle is not quite as propelling as I'd hoped. I'm not sure if I expected to assimilate automatically as much as I just didn't really think about it all that much. You may think that it might be crazy to make a decision to leave your life for 5 months without really thinking.. And I must admit I don't really have a rebuttal. The things I know: I love hiking. I needed a monumental change. So I suppose this equaled: Appalachian Trail?!

Well instead of over analyzing my thoughts I will just jump into the highlights of the last 2 weeks. ;) Day 3: I woke up refreshed and feeling quite wonderful. We heard that a storm might be headed our way so we packed in a way that left our rain gear accessible. After hiking 2-3 miles it did in fact start to rain so we stopped at a shelter to reassess. Bo decided to take the day off from hiking and set up camp right then and there. Vic, Eric, and I decided to cover ourselves in our rain shells and truck on.

The best thing about Gor-tex rain gear is that it DOES keep that rain out. The not so great= it causes you to sweat and squeak and feel like you are looking at the outside world through a plastic rain-proof bubble. :p ..By the end of the hike all of the previous feelings of bliss, energy, and oneness with my surroundings was GONE.. Rudely replaced with aching muscles, lack of breath, and an enormous yearning for a nice hot bath and the newest episode of Grey's Anatomy.

By the time we reached the highest peak of the day's mileage I literally could not place one foot in front of the other. To this moment I cannot fathom what changed so much in one day; how I could go from so happy and free to a wet crippled mess. The boys could certainly see how much pain I was in. It would've been obvious to anyone. I'm almost certain that they were only able to recognize me from my purple rain jacket and not the angry, sputtering, hunched old Gollum like creature that was huffing up the last steps of the hill.

Eric seemed worried (or perhaps scared) so he offered to set up camp right there on the top of the peak. At that point I really should have dove into my tent and prayed for sleep but instead I decided I would read a little to take my mind off the exhausting day. As soon as my book mentioned how often trees fall over and crush campers (poor choice of reading material- I know) I was wide awake and counting all of the many trees surrounding our tent, complete with muddy, sopping ground, which to me meant muddy soppy trees roots ready to let go of all that was life. Oh goodness, that was a hard night. The next day I awoke FAR from refreshed and we continued our hike after a couple of hours of sun-drying our gear.

It really was a miraculous view to wake up to. Eric and Vic had selected quite the spot. I only wish I could have been in the state of mind to appreciate such a thing. The hike that day (or should I say my mood) pretty much mirrored the day prior. My strength had been replaced by muscles that didn't even feel sore, they felt INJURED. Now I am aware that I am not actually injured, however I really wish someone could tell the pain signals to my brain. Would this rude awakening happen to anyone who is suddenly carrying a cement block and hiking about 6 hours a day MORE than my favorite Palos Verdes day hike? Well, perhaps.. But Eric and Vic seem FINE. Better than fine even. Elated, happy, joyful.. Joking and playing around every chance they get.. Hmm. ;)

We reached Neels Gap the night and opted for a cabin. One day to reenergize lifted my outlook incredibly. The next morning we took our backpacks down to the local store to once and for all find out the weight we've actually been lugging around with us. Keep in mind this is after we've dropped quite a bit of weight through a bounce box and simply sending items back home. Vic's pack= 44 pounds. Eric's pack 49 pounds. My pack= 42 pounds. FORTY-TWO pounds??!!! How is it possible that my pack is only 7 pounds lighter than my boyfriend, Eric's pack, who is 60 pounds heavier than me? As a small female at 108 pounds, I was instantly, and some might say unwarrantedly, ANGRY. In my mind I started blaming all the extra weight on Eric's over eating (he does NOT over eat as much as I tend to under eat- I was obviously being irrational) and furiously charged ahead on that days hike for the first couple of hours until the anger wore off and I could actually discuss it with him like a normal person. lol! That night, however, I went to sleep in a much better state of mind. Vic found a lovely spot on top of hill and lookout point. We made a huge fire and although it was cold and windy the fire and movement kept us warm until bed time. I fell asleep with the intention of healed aches and pains and a new start.

We awoke to .. an ice storm. I keep making fun of Eric when he describes it as this, as it sounds so melodramatic, but this really was what it was. Eric and I huddled in our tent for an hour or so debating on whether or not to leave our cozy sleeping bags. Finally Eric decided there was no way that we could venture out in the freezing sleeting storm. He momentarily stepped out to talk with Vic, saying the weather outside was as bad as it seemed, and then coming back 2 minutes later saying Vic was already packed up and there was no turning back. I had already mentally prepared myself for the worst so I bravely stepped outside the tent's protective shelter.

It was not AS bad.. It was much worse. Picture the scene from Forest Gump when Lieutenant Dan is egging on the storm with all its wind, rain, and furry.. but now picture ice. OKAY.. I may be reaching, but it FELT like that to ME. I happen to be a California girl and am accustomed scarves and gloves on a 70 degree day, if I must tell the truth. Eric and Vic broke down the tent in record time and we were off into the freezing wind of the A.T. Instead of going over every moment of the day's hike, I will just say that it was filled with a lot of cursing (at the weather), slipping, and miserable energy. This time it was not just me, but Eric as well, and I must admit that it made me feel better that we were both finally on the same page! Haha! At one point I could have sworn I had frostbite on my fingers (my gloves had completely soaked through) and I'm pretty sure I heard Eric mutter, "I think my shoulder is broken". The misery of that day actually kept us together, while Vic gallivanted off like it was 80 degrees at the Spring Fair.

We ended up finding Vic at a shelter about 7 miles down the trail, happily drinking a hot spicy concoction he had cooked over his camp stove. So far it seems weather just does not affect him? Eric and I jumped into our tent as fast as it was up but not before learning some helpful tips from some fellow hikers like using socks for hand gloves in desperation, and setting up the entire tent in the shelter and then picking it up to move it outside in the rain. Now I realize that this day could've been anything I wanted it to be and I really am coming to terms with not allowing pain and the cold reflect how I'm feeling. Even in the harsh reality of pushing myself as hard and as fast as I could hike in a very uncomfortable environment, it really was a very beautiful day. Ice was frozen to every tree of the forest and gave the woods a very surreal beauty.

The next morning was beautiful and sunny. Eric and I slept in a bit and spent hours hang drying our wet clothes, mats, and gear. The air was chilly but the sun raised our spirits 100%. We sped through our hike with seemingly endless energy. It was a wonderful day. After clouds there really is sunshine. I literally had the song running through my head, "the sun will come out tomorrow.. Lalala"! Funny how weather can affect one's mood so exponentially. Or perhaps it was mostly the comparison of the two days. Whatever it was, it was wonderful. This outlook has seemed to stick. It has been a beautiful last couple of days and I have enjoyed them to there fullest. Sure, my muscles still ache. My energy tops off at around 7 miles and I start to completely lose it (emotionally and physically) but I feel that I am getting stronger. I know I have not developed my 'trail legs' YET and that everyday will have many challenges but will also include a stronger version of myself. Well.. Here's to hoping.. ;)

Day 10

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4/7/13 - by Bo

I jumped off the trail to get into neels gap and had to avoid the storm. Everyone will meet me at the cabins later to get outa the rain. Getty sleep and enjoyn the simple things in life. Ganna try and ditch about 20 lbs tomorrow so I can be lighter. My pack has a broken strap so it's tougher to walk and readjust before I head back out.

We got dropped off at dicks creek gap amd put In 10 miles and enjoyed some great comrodery around the camp fire, kinda reminds me of why I'm Doin this... Vic is determined and it helps keep motivated, but I need to relax and remember this is by choice. Meet some likeminded people form all over. Enjoying the excercise and friendships the most outa this experience so far. Ps everything hurts!

Got off the trail a ill early so I could get a massage and the crew will hike in tomorrow, micro hotel is nicer than Safire or budget, but no hikers... To meet people go to Safire plus u get the free ride from the shuttle .

Now at Safire with Eric and the crew and going to Mexican while doin laundry and enjoyn the simple things like running water electricity and a toilet,

Day 4,5 & 6

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4/5 by Vic

4/2/13 Woke up in an actual bed. Up to this point I have been somewhat of a gypsy for the past month sleeping on living room floors, couches, futons and of course my sleeping bag. You see, when I left California over a month ago I went to work with my previous marketing companies. This entailed putting on several hats, all of which fit just fine. Well, thanks to my Great Friends (mainly the two who man my "command center" - AR & BF, I know have a little earned cash in my pocket to spend on jerky, mashed potatoes and 4oz canisters of fuel. The point is, it feels great to wake up in a bed.

After a slow start to the morning (nothing unusual to this group) and a Starbucks Via packet blended with hot cocoa powder (yum), we begin to reevaluate our gear in our packs, reset our minds and decide to take a zero day.

Zero Day: a day of not hiking and nor accumulating miles toward your goal or destination.

When I first left the Hikers Hostel five days ago my pack weighed just over 50lbs (with food and water). It's time to trim the fat. Now that we really got to experience what the next 5 months are going to be like, we are able to make semi sound decision on what we shoulda send home and what we should bounce to ourselves in the near future.

Bounce Box: Supplies you send yourself down further along the trail. This usually resupplies certain toiletries, medicine, food or weather regulated clothing.

I ended up sending home: Belt - too thick and cuts into my hips when wearing with a heavy backpack GoPro2 - I lent Bo this, but as it turns out, out his phone seems to me more functional Fleece Jacket - it was between this and my hoody. I'll miss you Nalgeen - A while back ago someone advised me to bring 1L smart water bottles instead. This was good advice as it is very sturdy, light weight and collapses easily. Other: GoPro accessories, extra toiletries, compression strap, data book,

All the others sent home items of the same caliber. Mainly repetitious items or gear they could easily downsize in weight with a new purchase from the outfitters store in Neels Gap.

Bo joins us in the afternoon as he has taking a liking to slack packing and will most likely choose this method for the rest of the trip.

Slackpacking/Yellow blazing: A form of hiking that allows you to hike but still enables you to spend the night indoors. Usually you bring a 7-15lb mini backpack or enlarged fannypack and hike the trails. You end up near a hostel/B&B/hotel or are picked up near a road intersection and brought to lodging for the night.

Bo also brought us some delicious snacks and meat for dinner. What a little trial angel he can end up being. Sounds like it could be a win win for everyone. The rest of the afternoon is spent catching up and planning for the next week. We get to the Mountain Crossings store ( food, outfitter, etc) before it closes and mail our combined 21 lb of goods home. A small box was "bounced" but that just contained hammocks and some of our toiletries.

We finish the evening with homemade hamburgers (with all the fixings), cold beer and a warm fireplace. Sleep

4/3/13 Woke up for the 2nd night in a row in a bed -I know I can't get used to this. We start moving around at 6am but don't actually get out the door until 11am. With a fresh pair of legs we start our days hike. Very scenic views from the tops of several of the summits we hiked. We starting to learn the people within our bubble

Bubble: The group of individuals you hike along with as you leapfrog each other on the trail as each group takes their own breaks, lunches and breathers at various locations on the trail.

About 3/4 through our hike for the day we come across a group of trail angels. They are from a baptist church, outside Atlanta and are here as a mission trip for their congregation. We dine on hotdogs and chips.

Trail Angels: These can be groups or individuals that help hikers in any shape or form. More often than not, they appear next to road access points near the trail and have hot food, drinks and a place for you to sit. They often encourage you to take a couple snacks for the road as well. Sometimes these angels will be a large cooler on the trail with refreshments and work by the honest system - only take what you need.

As the day darkens, Lauren, Eric and myself keep an eye open for an "epic" camping spot (such as our 3rd night we camped at the summit of a mountain with a great view of the sunrise and mountain valley. We find a location not "too epic" but it had to do as a night and a storm was approaching. Rookie mistake. You should never camp on a ridge line when you know a storm is coming as it very windy from all the wind rushing up the side mountain and channels over the crest at this location. Well we soon find this out later that night as we are awoken by the howling winds and icy rain pounding our tents.

Well as Lauren was preparing the fire for the evening I decide to give her a hand collect some firewood. In doing so I came across this large dead tree which I wanted to take some branches from. Well needless to say, the tree fought back and now I have a large gash in the side of my cheek. After the blood stopped dripping from my face, we were able to wipe it down with alcohol, schmer Neosporin, place butterfly bandages and cover it was a large, very large bandage. Rookie mistake...

4/4/13 With the Wind still howling and icyrain semi slowing down I check the weather (using my Verizon 4G Android Motorola Droid Razr Maxx), and learn that the weather is supposed to pick up in the next hour. I wake up Eric and Lauren and we begin to break down camp in the icy rain - fun. We grab a couple granola bars and put them in our side pockets as there was no way we would have had time to make something hot (oatmeal) before the thick of the rain set in.

Much of the hike this day was done along a ridge line. Freezing rain on and off, we are layered thick with under layers, thermal layers and rain shells. Usually as we ascend one of the ridges, our hoods and gloves come off in hopes to cool down with out takin off all our layers. Our goal for the day was to get to Blue Mountain Shelter. We have been averaging 9 miles a day. The last 2 miles of our hike follows the ridge line as well, but its completely made up of large (slippery) boulders. Very beautiful with the moss growing on them, but not for traversing over.

I hike ahead of the group and make it to the shelter 20 mins before they do. I scout out if there is any room in the shelter but it was already full with hikers getting warm. I make some soup (bouillon cubs, hot sauce, minced garlic and herbs) and wait for Eric and Lauren to arrive. After they warm up with some Ramen noodles, we pitch tents in the rain and take an afternoon nap.

I wake up and most the cam is still asleep. I cook myself some Lipton's red beans & Rice along with some SeaBear Ready to eat Sockeye Salmon. Yumm. With that I rinse out my pot and head back into my cozy yet rain moistened tent and write this recap. Sleep.

TOTALS Pooped in the woods: 4 Wildlife: Squirrel, Chipmunk, Birds Miles Hiked: 50.5 Don't want to admit: I lost my FitBit (pedometer) hiking today Lesson learned: Sleeping on ridge lines are only epic If its nice out Hiking Quote: Hike your own hike.

Day 1 & 2

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3/30 - by Lauren

Today was a slow start. Reading and coffee (made by Eric) slowly woke me.. Still getting used to waking at 7am. The boys took there time with social media and cooking breakfast. All three of these guys are so completely different from one another; I rather enjoy having them around. Vic spends quite some time with his "office" as he calls it. He is some what of a marketing wizard, if that's not too nerdy a word. ;) It is obvious that he loves what he does and is extremely good at it. Alternatively from his passion for his career I find him very even-keel and mellow. He is very helpful, a sure-paced and lively hiker, and generally in great spirits. I don't think I've heard him complain once.. About anything (might I add-unlike the rest of us). As for Eric...I don't think anyone would argue if I called Eric a wealth of knowledge. I keep suggesting his "trail name" be "trail guide" or "the teacher". I'm uncertain if he likes these names or is slight perturbed by them. We lightly bicker from time to time but I keep thinking that we are actually just getting to know each other better. For those who do not know, Eric is my boyfriend of almost four years, yet we rarely obtain the opportunity to spend more than a couple of days together at a time. Up until recently I worked two jobs, one full time, and one 3-4 days a week, and he was a full timer (but tiredlessly put in more than a full days work). I half-jokingly told my girlfriends that I didn't know how jumping head first into a five month 24/7 relationship would treat us but we actually seem to slowly passing it's tests. -That is to say no argument has lasted more than a few minutes and I constantly want to race back over and give him a kiss immediately after. :) Eric brings a strong head and witty energy to the group. The boys are constantly joking and makes ridiculous puns which im almost certain that only they find funny but the laughter is infectuous. The third male of the group, the last one to join, but certainly enthusiastic and well welcomed, is inherently fun to be around, is Bo. Continuously good natured, even his complaining is somehow jovial. He is not the quickest hiker of the group but he somehow keeps trucking (with his WAYoversized backpack- might I add) and has a hilarious and witty outlook on himself and really this whole experience.

As for myself, I am not one to put myself in a category and have no idea of my place here. From the beginning I have intended this as a somewhat of a spiritual journey and I really believe that one gets out what one puts into something. I am certainly not the catalyst of this adventure.. all three of the boys have put in infinitely more planning and preparation in the trip than have I, but emotionally I am sure I am in at the very least, the same page. I can't be completely sure of the boys emotions simply because they are men... and men don't tend to open up quite as much about feelings as women (or perhaps not quite as much as an emotional female as myself-lol).

For the first time today I felt strong. Like really STRONG. I may have been fleeting, but the memory stays with me like an adrenaline high. I must admit that yesterday several difficult realizations shockingly hit me like slap across the face. I haven't know whether to hysterically laugh or seriously take a doubtful moment to myself. Let me preface this with the fact that I have no intention to quit the trail at any point, nor do I expect to have any negative thoughts; however.. My backpack is.. heavy. ...And I mean h.e.a.v.y. I have not a clue of its actual weight as we have chosen not to weigh our packs quite yet, but it feels as if a practical joker may have replaced my soft fluffy sleeping bag and sleeping pad with 30 pound cement bricks. I found that the most difficult part of this is wrapping my head around the fact that this cement/asphalt/ perhaps-mixed-with-pain-and-memories-from-past-lives-and-relationships backpack is NOT-GOING-ANYWHERE. This is not a fun two day hike where we are merely hiking to camp, hiking back out, and then retiring to a heated cabin with a cozy fireplace and a warm bath. Heck, this isn't even a month hike to jar up the spirit and break up the mundaneness of the daily grind. This backpack, as separate and foreign to me as it may seem, is here to stay. For the next five months of my life, this pack is a part of me. Yesterday this idea was very difficult to accept. I did nearly zero training for this journey (unless you count running up and down the stairs of Ocean Bar-lol) and I am nowhere near adapt to a pack of this size. It seems that huge mass, very separate to myself is constantly pressing me down and backwards into the uneven, rocky ground. The hiking poles are of no help. As Eric jokingly put it, "your poles are flaling about in very haphazard way, baby".

Today.. it is different. I feel very strong. I'm not insinuating that my joints, muscles and bones are not unbearably sore. It's my spirit. Suddenly my soul is starting to float, as my dad would put it, as high as an eagle. I expected this feeling on this trip but maybe not so soon. Granted, it came very infrequently and left almost as instantly as they came, but they were real and intense. I caught myself laughing to myself as I sped down a hill with most of my group far behind me. My pack, for the first time (while not weightless) felt like a part of me. A part of me that is an extra 40 pounds, but a PART of me. My poles were even on board. Instead of being these cranky little sticks that seem adhered to my tired fingers, they worked in unison with each other and with myself. I thought I was being witty as I joked to Eric about the giraffes from Broadway's Lion King, comparing them to my shaking poles and arms. I started singing the opening credits theme song and while it received little to no laughs, I am glad I thought of it. I have begun to think of the poles as an extension of myself. Although Eric suggested this idea earlier, it is much easier said than done and our minds tend to work very differently. He should have said, "Use the poles like lanky giraffe legs" -lol, yes I know Eric would never say that.. I have a very odd brain and I've come to terms with it ;) - On the opposite spectrum, I must say that at more than one time today I have pictured the scene from Seinfeld when George is in the wheelchair race with the angry elderly gentlemen (reference for Mandi and Alicia- ha!) and the scene is so exciting yet so slooow. At one point I started laughing to myself or would have had the heart to if my breath hadn't been completely lost any my heart alarmingly pounding in my ears) to the thought of how slow we were walking up this damn hill. Gasping and stumbling and puttering for breath to step two more feet really is quite hilarious when you think about it. I hope I'll still think so when the reality of this "slow speed race" starts to really sink. Today has already been worth it. Those minuscule moments of bliss is why I came up here.