Etiquette

Everyone out here knows the phrase “Hike Your Own Hike” but I’ve found some important limits to that statement. 

Here are my tips for being a hiker that helps the image or reputation of the AT hiker.

• Practice Leave No Trace: bury your damn poop/toilet paper, don’t just leave trash everywhere, don’t burn trash or cook in the shelters
• Be mindful of noise: sure, it’s fun to hang out at night and be social/”party” but when it’s 10 or 11 at night, don’t be up having a loud conversation in your tent (especially if you’re next to other tents) and don’t be screaming super loudly (this actually happened last night)
• Don’t steal from others: this could be stealing Jokes and passing them off as your own material, or stealing other people’s stuff and pretending you bought it. Also don’t steal from local outfitters (or any outfitter, or anywhere)
• Find some four leaf clovers and eat one just because you can
• Pet all the dogs you can (but make sure you ask first)
• DON’T FRICKIN SMOKE IN SHELTERS OR SUPER CLOSE TO A SHELTER: that’s unfair and you know it. 
• If you’re using a headlamp at night, either put it on the lowest white light setting, or use the red light mode (that’s what it’s for)
• Don’t take yourself too seriously, but also don’t underestimate the trail 
• Hang your food and smelly stuff (don’t underestimate the critters)
• Don’t frickin mention the approach trail or the stairs at Amicalola. They’re not a part of the trail, and no one really wants to listen to you complain about a choice you made that you are now regretting
• If you hike 20 mile days every day, that’s super cool and you should be proud, but so should the people who “only” hiked 10 or 12
• Be nice to people and that kindness will come back to you
• Don’t be afraid to stop and take a break, especially if it will help you be not so cranky later 
• Eat a ton of snacks, but make sure you have food for the days before your resupply. If you have extra food, maybe share it with someone who is running short (again, good trail karma)
• Never quit on a good day, and never push other hikers or yourself too far (or make them or yourself feel bad for hiking at a different pace)
• Don’t let the hiking get in the way of the hike (someone wrote this on all the signs in the smoky shelters)
• Don’t write on the walls of the shelters (use the trail register) 
• Be safe and have fun 

Zero Finances

You know what’s fun? Zero days, but they are also the most tempting things on the trail, and the ones that will drain you of your finances. From basic things like dinners and a place to stay at night, to more luxurious pleasures like massages, gear, or a dip in a hot spring (or just beer). 

Finding a way to track and manage these different expenses is tough, especially when you’re not actively working and earning money. Finding ways to zero in a town and not completely run out of funds is one of the most daunting tasks a hiker can face. Forget bears, norovirus, or other ailments, it’s figuring out “how many beers can I have without sabotaging my trip?” That will do a hiker in.

I’m so freaking greatful to be a self proclaimed “trust-fund hiker” which may be something I’ve invented out here. I have a brilliant network of sponsors who will help me pay for hotels or just buy me a salad somewhere (or a burger anywhere). Trail angels and trail magic are both key factors to a successful hike, as they’ll provide you with the finer things in life (shuttle, beer, burgers, fruit, a place to stay) without expecting anything from you. I’ve also been fortunate enough to travel and interact with the best kind of hikers, who will cover your lunch or hotel cost, knowing that you’ll repay them or buy them something down the line. 

It’s possible to get through with little funds, with work for stay, or just finding the right kind of people. Honestly trail karma is a thing, so if you put out good vibes and do acts of kindness for others, it’ll come back to you tenfold in one way or another. 

P.M.A.

Positive mental attitude is one of the most important things to pack with you on your trip. Does that sound cheesy? Good. It should, people love cheese (especially hikers) and if you can remember how great cheese is, you can remember to take care of yourself and to try to maintain a positive mental attitude. 

There’s so many different aspects of the trail that will try to break you down. Currently I’m struggling with trying to stick on the schedule I have for myself, and not tricking myself into believing that I can only do small mile days (when I’ve proven to myself that 11-15 really isn’t tough). 

Reminding myself that small progress is still progress, has gotten tougher. I’m honestly at a point where my trail legs are coming in and I’m feeling good. I want to do more and move more. 

But still, being positive and not beating yourself down, that’s 99.9% of the game. If you push yourself too much or in the wrong kind of way, the mountains will push back. Brace yourself and embrace the wave of difficulty that may or may not come your way. 

Delayed.

If you read my last post, you know that I was supposed to be heading into the Smokies today. Well, last night it snowed about 2.5 inches at the hotel I’m at. According to the news, it was more than that in the mountains, so I decided to stay here one more day and wait for things to warm up and melt a bit. It sucks, and I’m not to happy with the fact that my schedule has been held up, but with the hypothermia scare my first week, and with my exposure to that type of condition, I didn’t want to put myself at risk. The temperatures tonight are supposed to be down in the teens, so it’s probably for the best that I not be out in that.

Still learning to take it day by day, and to acknowledge that I don’t really have a set schedule or deadlines (even if that means not being at camp this summer, which would be kind of sad). Still trying to be independent and make my own decisions and be confident in those decisions.

Tomorrow, I roll out of here. No matter what. 

NORO NOBO

So fun fact about the Smokies, Norovirus is apparently “running rampant” through that section of the trail. The most frustrating part of this announcement is that reports from the park have been inconsistent in regards to how prominent the norovirus actually is up there. I’ve heard some share horror stories of hikers puking in shelters and pooping right outside of the shelters (presumably due to the inability to make it to the privy). There have been two med-evacs from the Smokies, but I’ve been unable to find any information confirming that this was due to the norovirus. 

So what do I do? My two traveling partners have decided to bypass the Smokies until later in the season to avoid the hiker bubble and the sickness & I’ve spoken with others who plan to do the same. The Smokies are notorious for being not so thru-hiker friendly, as they mandate that thru-hikers give up their shelter spaces to day/weekend hikers who have made shelter reservations. That’s probably for the best, as the virus spreads much more quickly in small spaces from what I’ve read. They’ve allowed for hikers to tent near the shelters, but only if no space is available in the shelter.

I had my mum send me soap, more hand sanitizer, and medicine to help in case I do get sick (anti-nausea, anti-diarrhea, vitamin C, and electrolyte tablets). Plus, I only ever cook for myself and don’t share water or food with people in general (mostly because I’m always starving) and I’ve been adamant about following LNT principles. So with all this in mind, do I risk traveling into the Smokies? Or do I bypass and come back? 

It’s been a tough back and forth. I would have until next March to complete these 70 miles and still be considered a “thru-hiker” but I also don’t know if I would feel right climbing Katahdin without having faced the Smokies. I think my uncertainty stems more from the fear of hiking alone after having been with Mama and FX for a week (which in trail time seems like a month). The miles should only take me 5 days to complete. Actually, according to the permit, I have to be out of the Smokies in 5 days. 

Well the other concern is weather. Every forecast I see is saying that the days will only be in the mid to high 40’s with the nights dropping below that, and from what I hear, the Smokies can be as unpredictable as New England weather. I’m thankful to have warm layers, a dry sleeping bag, and hand warmers courtesy of a care package from my high school softball coach/mentor. So maybe I’ll lie like Elsa and say that the cold never bothers me, but really I’m still cautious from my first week, when I almost got hypothermia during that surprise snow storm. Maybe this is my opportunity for a re-do? To show myself that I can handle cold temperatures and utilize the advice that I’ve received from fellow hikers about how to stay warm. I have more cold weather gear now than I did originally, including a sleeping bag liner. Maybe the cold will kill off the bacteria or whatever that causes noro? 

If you’ve read down to this part, congratulations. I applaud you for reading my train of thought (choo-choo) and want you to know that I’ve decided to go for it. I had made that decision prior to writing this post, but wanted to be sure, so I left this initial part as a trail of decision-making red tape. I’m not out here to be a fair weather hiker, I’m out here to test myself and see what I’m capable of. So, here goes. 

Trail Beauty

Okay, so before I get started with this post, I just want to say that I am doing well & that I’m not writing this post to elicit comments pertaining to the observations and things I’ve experienced that will be mentioned in the following paragraphs, or my reactions to these things. Anyways, here goes.

I’m about to start my third week on the trail, and what I’ve learned is that it’s hard to completely distance yourself from the standards and norms of our society (as well as the influence of social media, and just technology in general). I’ve found myself comparing my perception of my looks and image to those of the women around me (especially day hikers who come out with full faces of makeup or brushed hair, or just not smelly and covered in dirt).

It’s tough, because when I’m out completing miles and sweating out all that’s within me, I feel fierce and tough as nails, which tends to accompany a sense of strong beauty and pride in my accomplishment. But it’s hard to feel pretty/beautiful/etc. when you haven’t showered in a week, you’re questioning “is this dirt or a tan?” And when your body is covered in bruises, bumps, or sore spots from where your pack rubbed you. It’s hard to feel feminine in the way that I’m comfortable with, when I haven’t shaved, or worn deodorant. 

I guess that’s what it boils down to, comfort. It’s been uncomfortable letting a routine that I’ve grown accustomed to slip away, and replacing it with the aforementioned side effects of a long-distance backpacking trip. I’m not used to the face that I see when I do finally see a mirror. I almost bought mascara the other day, just so I wouldn’t feel like such an outsider in the resturant I went to with my trail family the other night. It’s not a great feeling to only have a t-shirt, thermal leggings, and crocs to wear in to town and have non-trail people stare at you, or just looking clean and put together.

But the reality of this experience is that my body is doing some beautiful things. Each bruise is a reminder to lift your feet or watch out for stumps you might bump your shins on. The calloused on my feet is my skins way of saying “yeah we found some weak spots before, but now we’ve got you covered fam”. My untamed hair is growing, and just doing its own thing, just like I am with this trip. I have muscles waking up after years of being dormant, which has resulted in me being able to lift my 40lb (okay it might be closer to 35) pack and carry it for miles much more easily than two weeks ago. I’m losing weight, gaining stamina, and for the most part, feeling pretty awesome.

My goal for the next two weeks is to just remind myself that I’m still adjusting. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll be taking advantage of the toiletries that hotels and hostels provide, but still, I’ll be adjusting. I need to redefine beauty for myself as well as my perception of my own self-image and beauty. I know that my worth is not defined by my appearance, but when you’re a 24 year old woman living in a very visual society it’s still something that is tied into your life, even if you live in the woods with other stinky nomads. 

GOOOOOAAALL

So, if you’ve read the SMART Goals post, than you know that it was my goal to make it to Fontana Dam by Friday (today). Well guess what, we did it! We hiked every day this week, with no zeroes & even hiked our biggest day, 15.2 miles.

That’s right, 15.2 miles. Which to some of these mythical creatures on the trail, is nothing, but to me, it’s a big step in the right direction (literally). Of course the day that we pushed for big miles was also the day of the “Jacob’s Ladder” which was a wicked steep uphill that completely tested our limits, but we pushed back harder and climbed it. The worst part about the whole endevour was that all of the water sources marked in the guide, were non-existent. Unfortunately this has been the case for most of North Carolina right now, which isn’t great when you’re prone to dehydration & carrying the weight of a small child up a steep incline all day. But still, we did it. I’m so proud of the both of us for not giving up, and for channeling our anger and frustration into cursing the mountain while also motivating each other to keep going.

We met our goals, we even stuck to our smaller goal of stretching every morning before leaving camp, and boy did that make a difference. 

Morale

I have to be honest, I’m feeling pretty good. Sure, my knees are swelling from tough terrain and unexpected slipping, and sure there have been moments where I’ve felt close to broken (literally, not even being dramatic), but I’m feeling good. 

I’m learning to put more and more into perspective, and realizing that I’m already experiencing tremendous growth. As a good friend told me today, “Everyone has to start somewhere. This is just where you decided to start. On like level 9 of hardcore mode. And honestly you are killing it”. And to be honest, I do feel like I’m killing it. I’m 2 days ahead of my projected schedule and doing more miles per day than I thought I would be. This is tough, but I’ve faced tougher (or at least different types of tough), and I’m stronger for it. 

I feel like I’m carrying a community of people on my shoulders (in a great way) and want to keep going so that I can keep sharing my experiences with all of you. I’m thankful for every comment, every FaceTime session, every care package and positive vibe sent my way. It’s honestly a mental game & right now I feel mentally and (for the most part) physically strong enough to keep going. 

I just have to keep remembering to stretch, hydrate, breathe, and keep in mind that small progress (even just a few steps up a steep slope) is still progress. 

Namaste? Nah, imma go. 

So Long, Solo

In 3 days I will be at Fontana Dam, which is exciting because I’ll have met my SMART goal. It’s also bittersweet because in 3 days, I’ll be parting with my hiking partner, as she heads home to see her husband before he deploys to Germany. 

It’s been fantastic having a constant companion to help me overcome the tough terrain and keep my spirits high, and we have bonded an obscene amount in the 4 days that we’ve known each other.

So I will be heading in to the Smokies on my own (well, at least without a set hiking partner) which is something that I’ve known was going to happen, but didn’t want to admit until now. It’ll be tough, it’ll be interesting, and it will be my first real solo challenge. 

Amanda (who now has the trail name “FX” because of her tendency to describe things with sounds instead of words) is hoping to reconnect with her mother and meet me after the Smokies, so hopefully we can reunite, but with Mama getting her heart tested (and all sorts of other tests) I’m not too sure.

So I am off to face the scary Smokies on my own. Maybe being solo for this part will help me avoid the gross sickness that is running rampant there? Who knows. 

Onward and upward (and then back down and then up again to about 6,000ft)

M v F

As some of you know, I am a part of the Appalachian Trail Women’s Group, which is cool because it connects female hikers together. It can be nice because we are a minority, but some of the postings by women in the group fall into the stereotypical man-hating “feminist” (putting that in quotation marks, because they’re not embodying the actual theories or beliefs of that movement).

Well, long story short, the women who have posted these things have not yet head out on the trail. They only have the idea of what to expect in their heads, and seem to only be fearful of the “bad bad men” that non-hikers have told them exist on the AT. Well, I can’t say that all the men on the AT are angels or that there isn’t a creep out there (I haven’t met them all), but I can say that when you are out here, it doesn’t matter if you’re a male or female.

You are a part of this community from the moment you step on the trail, or from the day after your first night in a shelter or campsite. There is an infinite amount of wisdom on the trail, and if you shut out one gender or the other, you are missing out on information that could be life saving, or just make your hike more manageable and fun.

This community turns into a family pretty darn quick, and even though you might not speak with every hiker, chances are they’re still looking out for you. To shut out one side, is like chopping off your non-dominant arm. Sure, you might not benefit from or use it all the time, but it stinks to only have one arm. Also, when you’re out here it can be great to have support, even if it’s just some jokester at camp. It can be tough out here, so why make it harder for yourself?

Not to sound too philosophical or preachy but the woods and the mountains don’t care if you’re a guy or a girl. They don’t care, and they won’t treat you any differently.