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takeahikefm-blog · 10 years ago

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How I made it through Senior Year with Springer Fever

It was about mid-Junior year when I discovered the concept of thru-hiking. It took roughly two hours for that idea to become a full blown obsession, and the thought wasn’t going to go away any time soon. Everyday consisted of reading forums, watching YouTube hikers, and making my own list of what I needed to do because I had decided, 2016 was going to be my year. When I wasn’t making lists in a binder I had specifically deemed my Appalachian Trail binder (that also held a few notebooks inside) I was listening to Podcasts.. Let’s just say I was taking this whole thing very seriously, a good two years before I could even think about leaving for months. So with that being said, I am going to share my Top 5 things that got me through my last years of High School with a mad case of Springer Fever.

1) My first without a doubt would be Pox and Puss. For all of you who don’t know, Pox and Puss run the best podcast you could ever come across. Their wittiness and sarcasm make for just the perfect dose of hiker humor and AT knowledge to help you get through any kind of day you are having, which was mainly math classes, and Economics for me (still made A’s in class I might add). It will give you incentive to want to thru hike yourself, if even just to meet them and go to Thru hiker prom! Although you can imagine the reactions I got when I was asked “What are you listening to?” and I replied “Oh Pox and Puss.” without thinking, Oh right, they won’t get it. I can honestly say, without this show I probably would have never made it through exams.

2) Gator Miller You may or may not have heard about Mr. Gator Miller, but of all YouTube hikers he will become one of your favorites. Much like Pox and Puss he has his own style and attitude that makes him really stand out from all the others. Gator has tons of little catch phrases that just kind of get stuck in your head like, “Yessah!” Or “See ya latah bye!” (You have to hear them for yourself.). Thru hiking this year (2015), Gator took things to the next level by continuing on the International Appalachian Trail, all the way to the Canadian border! This guy is one hella rad dude, on some next level hiking, while also very entertaining. He is very informative while also really capturing the great life of a thru hiker. It’d be sinful to not check him out on YouTube after that excellent review!

3) Local Outfitters Good local outfitters honestly can make or break your pre-thru hike preparations, but I am lucky to have two excellent ones near me. Intracoastal Outfitters and Weatherford’s have made my prep a smooth one so far, while I still have quite a bit more to add to my gear, I know for a fact I will be able to get what I need at these two businesses. One of the most important aspects of a good outfitter is a friendly and knowledgeable staff, and that is one of the things I immediately loved about them both. I know, I know. Why both? Well, if you had two excellent outfitters wouldn’t you support both? All I can say is, if you’re ever in Pensacola, FL check em’ out! and mad props to Intracoastal and Weatherford’s for being so helpful and versatile, for if they weren’t around I would have no idea what I was getting myself into, and I wouldn’t have my lovely Osprey!

4) WhiteBlaze If you haven’t discovered Whitblaze yet, go now! Imagine millions of hikers conjugated into one area and you can ask and receive an answer to anything, with the occasional smart ass. I have learned so much from people on there, although I still can’t make a decision on a good quality yet lightweight sleeping bag (so if anyone has an input, comment!). Back to the topic! So, if you are a new-hiker old-hiker or kid- hiker. It doesn’t matter, go check it out and ask all the questions your heart desires!

So there you have it my lovely people who read the entire article! So, if anyone has any questions, or thoughts they’d like to share let me know and I will put it in my figurative suggestion box! Hiking straight out of high school is a bit tough even during preparation, but stick around with me and maybe it”l get easier.. Or maybe not, but all the more reason to stay for the stories!

#appalachain trail #AT #ATTHRUHIKE #2016 #forest #wilderness #hiking #hike

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takeahikefm-blog · 10 years ago

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Why I decided a gap year thru hike was for me.

As a recent high school graduate I have received more questions concerning my thru-hike than the usual thru hiker has to endure. Some are concerned with my safety (a valid concern), and others just thoroughly confused as to why I would want to walk in the woods for six months. Although, for some reason most people believe that while I am on my 2000+ mile journey every single college and university is going to disappear and I will never get my chance to get a higher education (sigh). So in honor of exactly four months until my goal start date, I have decided to write about why I decided a gap year thru-hike is the best choice for me.

Being a nineteen year old from a small Florida town it is obvious that my one and only dream growing up was to get out into the world and see what else was out there. Sure, I have been to NYC, Philadelphia, etc but there was always a feeling of wanting something else when it came to visiting new places. Now don’t get me wrong, I am in love with city life, Philadelphia especially but I always felt like there was another side of travelling that I wanted to know about. One day during my Sophomore year of high school I discovered the concept of thru hiking and was immediately in love, obsessed, and all sorts of other emotions I can’t explain. I was instantly sure that I had to do this, but where? So I continued my research and on top of discovering thru hiking I also found a forum titled “Thru Hikers Georgia to Maine” and I was like ‘whaat? I have found my people!’. You can only imagine a mothers reaction when her sophomore comes to her and says ‘so in 2016 I have decided I am going to go hiking for six months’

There are many reasons on top of wanderlust that make me want to take on this challenge, but one of the most important reasons is for mental clarity. Dealing with anxiety and depression is nothing new to me, but spending six months with nature personally sounds like the best thing I could do for myself as a newbie in the adult world. I want to be confident, and sure of myself before I am truly on my own. Lets be honest, nature is the most healing power there is, it’s 100 times more effective than therapy, and to be honest it’s a hell of a lot cheaper too. Thinking about letting myself open up for nature to do it’s magic sounds like ultimate peace to me, and I believe the best thing you could ever do for yourself is to find yourself, love yourself, and understand that learning to love yourself is so important to live life beautifully. I’m not there yet, but I will be soon.

Another very important reason I am thru hiking the Appalachian Trail, is for my grandfather. Thru-hiking the AT is something he has always wanted to do, but never had the chance due to enlisting into the military, family, etc. My granddad is my one of my biggest inspirations hands down, he has lived his life and will tell you exactly that. Although he lived his life amazingly, he still never got the chance to hike the Appalachian Trail and I feel like while yes it is going to be my own journey, I am without a doubt also doing it for him.

My thru hike has so many purposes, and I can honestly say it is the best decision I have ever made for myself and I haven’t even begun yet. I know it is going to be especially rough, and I am going to discover so much about myself that I don’t know about yet, but I am ready to take those steps towards self confidence. I am excited to experience trail life, meet amazing people, make memories, and find myself. So for anyone asking, I am gap year thru-hiking because life is so incredibly short, and if we only did what society told us was “normal” for the rest of our lives, are we truly living life to the fullest? One thing that really stuck with me growing up is that I do not want to be sixty years old and look back on life and say “I always wanted to ____.” the idea of those words coming from my mouth terrifies me. I could go on and on about why I am taking a gap year to thru hike but it would just end up sound like more of a rant than it already does. To everyone who supports my hike thank you, and to anyone who doesn’t I hope this article cleared things up!

End of rant.

#at #appalachiantrail #thru hike #georgia to maine #GAtoME #nature #forest #hiking #hike

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takeahikefm-blog · 10 years ago

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10/23/15 (Short and sweet Post)

There are so many reasons I can’t wait to get my feet onto the fresh dirt, breathing fresh air.

but on a very real level I am ready to let nature heal me. That sounds so cliche but ya know what? Oh well! I have dealt with anxiety and depression and I am prepared to fully give myself up to nature and let it run it’s course.

All in all, nature is more healing than therapy!

Cheaper too!

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takeahikefm-blog · 10 years ago

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Hiatus Nomore!

After a while off of the blog I return with info!

We went on a sort of day hike in Ponce de Leon, Florida and it was beautiful and relieved a bit of trail fever!

Also! Lily got another piece of gear.

Water filter system : Sawyer Mini

#water filter #gear #at thru hike #love #outdoors #appalachian trail #hiking #hike #nature #blog #walk #therapy #nobo

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