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It’s never a good sign when you pick up your wet socks from the previous day and they are rock hard. So frozen you could use them as a hammer. Needless to say, it was a very cold night. Not only were my socks frozen, but my shoes were so stiff I could not even get my feet in then. Once I was as properly dressed as my gear would allow, I began another day trudging over the mountains and dropping to passes (gaps) on this trail. I had 21 miles to get to Fontana Dam and collect my resupply package. The hiking went by but not quickly as I was not moving very quickly. My feet were soaked, I smelled bad and I really wanted to make it to a town. For food I ate a couple bars and a whole jar of peanut butter. It was another day where I had to keep everything I needed close to my body to prevent it from freezing. Once I finally reached the road into Fontana, the slow 2 mile road walk began. Luckily I made good time and retrieved my resupply, got new batteries for my headlamp, did laundry and even found a functional shower. Whether I was supposed to use it or not is up in the air. With all my chores done I chose to head out to the Fontana Hilton AKA the nearest shelter to Fontana. Unfortunately in the dark with a light snow blowing in my face I missed the turn off on the road for the Appalachian Trail and was able to log 2 extra training miles. Finally around midnight I rolled in to my luxurious accommodations with 2 other hikers already sleeping here. I put my stuff away as quickly as possible and crawled in my sleeping bag. I cannot convey how excited I am to sleep in a dry sleeping bag tonight. Sometimes it’s the small things! #thruhikingtriplecrown #hikingtriplecrown #howtogothruhiking #calendaryeartriplecrown #backpacking #pacificcresttrail #whatisthetriplecrownofbackpacking #Appalachiantrailinthewinter #thruhikingtheat #whentohikethatAppalachiantrail #appalachiantrail #backpackingcalendaryeartriplecrown #continentaldividetrail #whohasthruhikedtheAppalachiantrailinthewinter #backpackingtriplecrown #thruhikingtheCDT #jeffgarmire #freeoutside #howmanytriplecrownersarethere #thruhikingthepct #hikingtheatinthewinter #whatisthehikingtriplecrown #whatisthecalendaryeartriplecrown #triplecrown #hiking #thruhiking #triplecrowninoneyear #whatisthruhiking

I will keep this one relatively short as I am very exhausted. I trudged through anywhere from 6-10 inches of snow all morning, and it really took its toll. Although very important, it is nearly impossible for me to keep my feet dry. The snow just seems to get right through. Once again, I ate while I walked and had most of my food for the day stashed in my pockets. The only tricky part was that I could only eat on flat terrain as I was slipping all over the place on the uphill and downhill. It was a trying day. As I neared the 16-mile mark for the day, astonishingly, I found patches of dry ground. My pace picked up immensely, and I was able to fly through a couple of miles until I got to the Nantahala outdoor center and store. I was hoping to ask about weather conditions, repair my gear, and then keep going. But unfortunately I got there 20 minutes after their closing time at 4 and only found an empty store. I hiked 8 more miles into the dark and so on until I found the next AT shelter (Sassafras Gap Shelter at trail mile 144), which is what I try to stay in. They are 3 sided structures that vary greatly in their functionality and the level of which their rodent problems exist. Tomorrow, it’s on to a few more North Carolina rolling hills and then into Fontana Dam to pick up my mail resupply. Hopefully, I can come up with a better way to keep my feet dry. I almost forgot to mention I broke my trekking pole in half to add to the brutal day. The good thing is I salvaged it, although it’s a little shorter than I would like now. #thruhikingtriplecrown #hikingtriplecrown #howtogothruhiking #calendaryeartriplecrown #backpacking #pacificcresttrail #whatisthetriplecrownofbackpacking #Appalachiantrailinthewinter #thruhikingtheat #whentohikethatAppalachiantrail #appalachiantrail #backpackingcalendaryeartriplecrown #continentaldividetrail #whohasthruhikedtheAppalachiantrailinthewinter #backpackingtriplecrown #thruhikingtheCDT #jeffgarmire #freeoutside #howmanytriplecrownersarethere #thruhikingthepct #hikingtheatinthewinter #whatisthehikingtriplecrown #whatisthecalendaryeartriplecrown #triplecrown #hiking #thruhiking #triplecrowninoneyear #whatisthruhiking

I woke up with a thin sheet of ice covering my sleeping bag. I would later learn the overnight temperature was around 0. I put on everything I had to stay warm as quickly as possible and got moving. My hands were so cold I had to walk with them in my armpits to thaw then out. I walked through 4-6″ of snow for a few miles then was faced with the decision of what to do about my sleeping bag. I was at a road that led in to town but I did not want to waste another half day in a town. Alas, after looking at the forecast I decided to go into town quickly, throw my bag in a dryer. It worked well and I was in and out if town in a couple hours with a functional bag and a little more charge in my electronics. Back out in the snow, it seemed to get deeper and as the day turned to night it began to snow again. Not to mention my misfortune of losing one of my very helpful traction devices for my feet by losing it in the car I had hitched a ride to the trail in. In a couple days il be in the smokies where I hear they have even more snow. It should be interesting. #thruhikingtriplecrown #hikingtriplecrown #howtogothruhiking #calendaryeartriplecrown #backpacking #pacificcresttrail #whatisthetriplecrownofbackpacking #Appalachiantrailinthewinter #thruhikingtheat #whentohikethatAppalachiantrail #appalachiantrail #backpackingcalendaryeartriplecrown #continentaldividetrail #whohasthruhikedtheAppalachiantrailinthewinter #backpackingtriplecrown #thruhikingtheCDT #jeffgarmire #freeoutside #howmanytriplecrownersarethere #thruhikingthepct #hikingtheatinthewinter #whatisthehikingtriplecrown #whatisthecalendaryeartriplecrown #triplecrown #hiking #thruhiking #triplecrowninoneyear #whatisthruhiking

I woke up with my new four fellow hiking friends covered in snow. Our shelter with a makeshift tarp had failed on the edges and since I was sleeping on the edge, most my gear (including myself) was either dusted with snow or completely frozen. It was very cold, maybe below 20 and getting up and moving was very very difficult. We all laid there until at least 830 or 9 before forcing ourselves outside into the frigid air. After I finished my least favorite time of the day including packing up I said good bye for what I though was forever and began trudging through the few inches of snow. As with walking in sand, walking in snow is very tiring and slow. I could not keep my normal pace and slid all around. It wasn’t until I put Stabilicers on my feet that I began to pick up the pace. Stabilicers are a rubber sole that pulls over the top of your normal shoe and has small cleats in it that grip snow and ice better than a normal rubber sole. It is like an extremely lightweight crampon. They worked very well and I was impressed. I really doubt the day got above the low 20s so I tried to keep moving and have most my food and water available on the go. It was a constant struggle to stay warm but not to start sweating as that would make me colder in the long run. I reached the half way point for my day at a small shelter and took a good long break under its protection. As I was about to leave, one of my fellow hikers from the previous night showed up with her shivering dog. I helped warm him up a bit, made sure everything was ok and pressed on. Shortly thereafter I passed Pickles going the other way and he said he was almost done with the entire trail. He said he hiked half in 2010 and was in his last hundred miles of finishing up the other half this year. I congratulated him and moved on towards a shelter in which to spend the night. I climbed a long icy mountain to a fire tower and in the place of the shelter j hoped to stay in was a sign saying it had moved further down the trail to renovate the site. Just what I needed, more hiking in the dark. I put on some upbeat music and finished the last couple miles where I scarfed down some food and am ready for a night in the low teens temperature wise. #thruhikingtriplecrown #hikingtriplecrown #howtogothruhiking #calendaryeartriplecrown #backpacking #pacificcresttrail #whatisthetriplecrownofbackpacking #Appalachiantrailinthewinter #thruhikingtheat #whentohikethatAppalachiantrail #appalachiantrail #backpackingcalendaryeartriplecrown #continentaldividetrail #whohasthruhikedtheAppalachiantrailinthewinter #backpackingtriplecrown #thruhikingtheCDT #jeffgarmire #freeoutside #howmanytriplecrownersarethere #thruhikingthepct #hikingtheatinthewinter #whatisthehikingtriplecrown #whatisthecalendaryeartriplecrown #triplecrown #hiking #thruhiking #triplecrowninoneyear #whatisthruhiking

I woke up in the cold and was on the trail by 8. Everyday the temperature has seemed to drop even more. The projection is single digits tomorrow night. It should be a good test for my gear. As I started on the trail at 8 the miles began to fly by. I soon had my shirt off and was flying up the hills. Then the snow came. It wasn’t a lot but it required me to pack my pack in a way to keep everything dry. It was a hassle and the blowing wind was not pleasant. I got to Dicks gap and took a quick trip into Hiawassee to get some more duct tape. Once in and out of the town thanks to two great trail Angels I was onward to the Georgia border. I passed into North Carolina in the fading daylight and continued in the pounding wind, snow and cold. It got so cold my water on the side of my pack froze so I had to put it in my pocket while finishing out my day. I arrived at Muskrat shelter (roughly mile 82) to find 4 other thru hikers with a tarp over the front of the shelter already prepared for the frigid night. We told stories and laughed all night. Wish I could hike with them longer. #thruhikingtriplecrown #hikingtriplecrown #howtogothruhiking #calendaryeartriplecrown #backpacking #pacificcresttrail #whatisthetriplecrownofbackpacking #Appalachiantrailinthewinter #thruhikingtheat #whentohikethatAppalachiantrail #appalachiantrail #backpackingcalendaryeartriplecrown #continentaldividetrail #whohasthruhikedtheAppalachiantrailinthewinter #backpackingtriplecrown #thruhikingtheCDT #jeffgarmire #freeoutside #howmanytriplecrownersarethere #thruhikingthepct #hikingtheatinthewinter #whatisthehikingtriplecrown #whatisthecalendaryeartriplecrown #triplecrown #hiking #thruhiking #triplecrowninoneyear #whatisthruhiking

The morning was cold, windy and uninviting. I made the mistake of not checking my maps before going to bed and the two towns I was choosing between to watch the super bowl in were over 27 miles away. Although I have no doubt I could walk that far, it was not an inviting challenge in day 3 as I have already been struggling to let my feet and legs rest up enough. I chose to cop out and take the road into town at about mile 12 for the day. There were a few things I really needed. So I visited the town of Helen. I found a food special, charged up my phone and headed back into the woods with the plan of listening to the game. Luckily, I had no trouble finding the game on the radio. I put in 6 miles in the dark for just under another 20 mile day. Today was supposed to be an easy recovery day of less than 12 miles but I decided to go ahead and keep walking. Tomorrow I should finish my first state of the trip (Georgia) and will be in North Carolina. It is very cold tonight and supposed to snow so we will see what Mother Nature brings. For those wondering how I deal with the cold (less than 20 degree). I just try to stay dry and reduce transition time and time where I am standing around. I sleep with my water, food, electronics and most my belongings in my sleeping bag with me. Some nights it gets very cramped in there. Also, the Appalachian trail (AT) has shelters roughly every 10 miles that are 3 sided structures, sometimes with mice as greeters! I will use them in the cold and use my tent as a wind block on the open side and try to set up in a cozy corner. Warm days are definitely welcome but cold weather is the reality. #thruhikingtriplecrown #hikingtriplecrown #howtogothruhiking #calendaryeartriplecrown #backpacking #pacificcresttrail #whatisthetriplecrownofbackpacking #Appalachiantrailinthewinter #thruhikingtheat #whentohikethatAppalachiantrail #appalachiantrail #backpackingcalendaryeartriplecrown #continentaldividetrail #whohasthruhikedtheAppalachiantrailinthewinter #backpackingtriplecrown #thruhikingtheCDT #jeffgarmire #freeoutside #howmanytriplecrownersarethere #thruhikingthepct #hikingtheatinthewinter #whatisthehikingtriplecrown #whatisthecalendaryeartriplecrown #triplecrown #hiking #thruhiking #triplecrowninoneyear #whatisthruhiking

The morning sun revealed a body sore from the previous day's exertion, a testament to the physical toll of pushing oneself. Attempting a simple stretch, I found my flexibility limited, my body both sore and stiff. Taking my time to get sorted, I hit the trail around 9:45, not the early start I aimed for but a deliberate choice to ease into the day's substantial walking. Midday, I encountered an older hiker to whom I happily bestowed a trail name. The trail unfolded, introducing me to a diverse array of fellow trekkers, each with their own journey. Approaching Blood Mountain, the crowd shifted, becoming younger and more aligned with my age group. The 2.5-mile hike to the summit revealed a decent-sized group, all making the ascent on this particular day. A much-needed break brought a mashed-potato-based lunch, though barely edible, it fueled my next leg of the journey. Changing socks and pressing forward, I reached Neel's Gap. Gear needs surfaced, yet the outfitter on site lacked the specific items I sought. Undeterred, I continued, eyeing Low Gap shelter as my camping spot, strategically positioning myself for a Super Bowl rendezvous in Helen, Georgia. Upon reaching Low Gap, I found friendly weekend hikers and a few curious mice exploring the shelter's surroundings. Nightfall came swiftly, signaling bedtime as I prepared for a challenging day ahead — aiming to cover 20 miles before catching the Super Bowl action. The trail's trials and the promise of a celebratory Super Bowl added a unique twist. 🏞️🥾 #TrailLife #HikingAdventure #SuperBowlOnTheTrail

Today marks the official beginning of my journey as I awoke atop Springer Mountain, ready to embark on my northward trek towards North Carolina. The night preceding this momentous day was cold and windy, leaving me with minimal sleep. However, the weariness from two consecutive sleep-deprived nights was overshadowed by the adrenaline surging through me as I anticipated covering "real" miles on foot. As I strolled through the brisk morning, the sun gradually warmed everything around me, allowing me to shed layers until I was comfortably navigating in just a shirt and shorts. The Georgia sun brought the day's temperature to the high 40s, providing a refreshing start to my adventure. During the day's journey, I encountered fellow hikers, including Copperhead and Psycho (trail names), who were engaged in trail work alongside Captain Red Beard. The latter, true to his name, sported a distinctive appearance. Despite sharing the Appalachian Trail (AT) thru-hiking goal for the year, Captain Red Beard was taking a leisurely pace to commence his own adventure. My 21-mile day passed swiftly, and before I knew it, I reached Woody Gap, feeling genuinely fatigued. Making a pragmatic decision, I opted to trek an additional 2 miles down the road to treat myself to a hot meal, specifically, pizza. This pit stop allowed me to not only refuel but also attend to the well-being of my feet—a crucial aspect of long-distance hiking. At the hostel near Woody Gap, I met a very opinionated fellow hiker who had section-hiked much of the rest of the trail. He had some good information as well as opinions to offer. At the end of day 1 I am exhausted with only about 250 more days like it ahead!

As the clock struck 6 am, I found myself in Atlanta, ready to kick off my long-anticipated Appalachian Trail adventure. After securing my backpack, I hopped on public transportation, bound for the northern destination where my first trail angel awaited to usher me to the trailhead, the starting point at Springer Mountain. While awaiting my ride, I used the time wisely to gather the last few essentials, ensuring I was fully equipped for the trail ahead, including water and stove alcohol. Eager to soak in the last bit of civilization, I stumbled upon J Christopher’s, a delightful spot for coffee. The warmth of the place matched the friendliness of its people, making me feel right at home. It was here that I managed to charge up all my electronics, adding a final touch to my preparations. Enter Rick, my trail angel, whom I'd met in Denver over New Years. His offer to accompany me to the Appalachian Trail, which happened to be not far from his home, sparked an immediate connection. As we embarked on the hour-long journey from a North Atlanta suburb to Amicalola State Park, we shared stories and snapped a few pictures, solidifying the camaraderie. Arriving at Amicalola State Park, I faced the daunting ascent of the 600-step staircase to Amicalola Falls, a challenging but exhilarating start to my trek. From there, I forged ahead, covering the next 8.5 miles that would lead me to the pinnacle of Springer Mountain. The trail buzzed with activity, fellow hikers contributing to the vibrant atmosphere on that beautiful, cloudless day. Setting up camp right at the outset of the Appalachian Trail, I opted for a shelter, choosing to forego my tent and sleep beneath the open sky. As the clock neared 5 pm, the evening chill set in, hinting at a potentially cold night. Tomorrow holds the promise of the true Day 1, and with a mix of excitement and anticipation, I prepare to embrace the challenges and wonders that the Appalachian Trail has in store for me. Follow along as I embark on this incredible journey, one step at a time.

Today I begin my trip out into the great unknown. As I sit in the Portland airport for the first of two flights, I am just hoping that my backpack makes it to Atlanta. The thought of a lost bag along with rushed nature of the packing job that I did means there is plenty of room for forgotten necessities which is never a good sign when walking out into potential snow storms for the next few months. Worry aside, it is a huge relief to be beginning my journey. I have planned for this for what seems like forever. The dehydrator has constantly been running. On top of working full time I have been working on the planning aspect of this hike. It has truly been an exhausting process and I could not be happier that it is all finally coming to fruition. In just the past two weeks I have changed my mind multiple time on different strategies, seen the East Coast (where I am headed) be hit by snow, sleet and pounding rain, and also driven 23 hours straight from Denver to Portland through two snow storms. Getting started on this hike truly has not been the easiest. I cannot echo enough how excited I am to have nothing on my agenda other than walking. I have promised multiple times in the past to post every day but being that this is the beginning of my trip, and I have always been diligent in posting daily, now is when I finally keep that promise. I hope you enjoy this adventure as much as I am looking to. Feel free to follow my Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram for added content too! #thruhikingtriplecrown #hikingtriplecrown #howtogothruhiking #calendaryeartriplecrown #backpacking #pacificcresttrail #whatisthetriplecrownofbackpacking #thruhikingtheat #appalachiantrail #backpackingcalendaryeartriplecrown #continentaldividetrail #backpackingtriplecrown #thruhikingtheCDT #jeffgarmire #freeoutside #howmanytriplecrownersarethere #thruhikingthepct #whatisthehikingtriplecrown #whatisthecalendaryeartriplecrown #triplecrown #hiking #thruhiking #triplecrowninoneyear #whatisthruhiking

The term seems to have found its way in to common lingo between the popularization from the book and movie “Wild” about thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail as well as Bill Bryson’s book about hiking the Appalachian Trail, “A Walk in the Woods.” The ironic fact is that it can be argued that although the aspirations of thru-hiking existed, neither of these authors truly completed a thru hike. The fact is that this happens to the majority of those that set out on a thru-hike. Between the emotional struggles, physical injuries, as well as the unknown adversity completing an entire thru-hike is no walk in the park Thru-hiking is the hiking a long-distance trail from end to end. Although the term refers most commonly to the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail, it applies nearly across the board to any long trail. Generally a thru hike involves multiple resupplies along the way, as it is too far to be able to carry all your food from the beginning. The act of thru-hiking has become increasingly popular as well, with restrictions being enacted on the PCT to allow only 50 hikers to begin their hike each day from the southern terminus (Mexican Border). Those that do not fit the thru-hiker mold can be grouped into other categories. A section hiker is someone that hikes a large chunk, or section, of the trail but does not complete the entire thru hike. A common way to hike an entire long trail is to complete a different section each year until you have completed every section of the trail. This is especially common for those that do not have the same ability I do of leaving everything behind to go hike. The other categories are day hikers, overnight hikers, weekend hikers, and trail runners. I am sure if we wanted to we could separate each of these down even further too. A quick story on the types of hikers to leave you with: during my third day of thru hiking ever (while my pack still weighed over 55 pounds) I began the day hiking with other thru hikers, then as we split up due to treating water or a standard break I was passed by a trail runner. Slowly more and more trail runners began to pass me and I soon realized I was in the middle of an ultra-marathon. I felt bad taking up the trail with my giant pack and slow steps, but then I was taken aback by how courteous and supportive the runners were. The course was an out and back course which meant that I saw each runner twice. As they came towards me they would all move off the trail to let me pass and say something like “This is your trail you are doing great.” I was especially surprised because I wasn’t the one that had a set schedule, race, distance, or even cut off that I had to make but still these ultra-marathon runners treated me as though they were guests on the trail. The hospitality did not stop there. As I passed through the aid stations for the race I was called over by the volunteers and handed a bag full of snacks and food that they had put together for me. The trails exist for use by all types of people and in this circumstance it was pretty amazing to see how great a relationship and interaction it was between the many types of trail users! #thruhikingtriplecrown #hikingtriplecrown #howtogothruhiking #calendaryeartriplecrown #backpacking #pacificcresttrail #whatisthetriplecrownofbackpacking #thruhikingtheat #appalachiantrail #backpackingcalendaryeartriplecrown #continentaldividetrail #backpackingtriplecrown #thruhikingtheCDT #jeffgarmire #freeoutside #howmanytriplecrownersarethere #thruhikingthepct #whatisthehikingtriplecrown #whatisthecalendaryeartriplecrown #triplecrown #hiking #thruhiking #triplecrowninoneyear #whatisthruhiking

Embarking on a journey that spans thousands of miles over the next nine months, sustaining my body becomes a meticulous undertaking, marked by something I've never done before—scrupulously counting calories. Hiking over 30 miles per day demands a strategic approach to food, and in my quest to find a happy medium, I've turned to scrutinizing every calorie. In a bid to make every ounce count, my diet predominantly revolves around bean and noodle-centered meals, with a special focus on no-cook options. The decision to avoid cooking for at least two out of my three major daily meals is not just a matter of convenience but a calculated effort to streamline the hiking experience. There will be days where cooking becomes an afterthought, replaced by no-cook meals that require only water and time. The preparation involves constant activity with my trusty Nesco dehydrator, meticulously extracting water from a mix of beans or spaghetti. Once dehydrated, the meals are elevated with the addition of carefully chosen ingredients. Here are a few staples that will grace my menu in the coming months: 1. Dehydrated Spaghetti with Parmesan Cheese and TVP (Textured Vegetable Protein): A concoction that adds both calories and protein without compromising on weight. 2. Seasoned Beans with Chips: Rehydrated beans meet the satisfying crunch of chips, transforming the initially slimy mix into a textured delight. 3. Hummus with Pita Chips: Hummus, a reliable spread, rehydrates easily and packs the necessary calories per ounce, though I anticipate a hummus overload by the journey's end. 4. Mashed Potatoes with Multiple Additions: Basic mashed potatoes become a hearty meal with the addition of whole milk powder, gravy packets, and further enhancements like TVP, couscous, or jerky. 5. Bean-Based Meals: Dehydrated beans, spiced and combined with various grains, TVP, noodles, bulgur, or other calorie-rich carbohydrate additives. These meals, while sustaining, are bound to wear on my palate over time. However, the anticipation of enjoying diverse meals in towns along the trail serves as a beacon of culinary relief. As the journey unfolds, each calorie meticulously counted becomes a vital building block for the challenges and triumphs that lie ahead.