I have decided.....I am going to hike the Appalachian Trail north... as far as I can go....

I will be hiking north from Springer Mountain, GA on the Appalachian Trail this April if all goes well. The question is "Will I make it to Maine?"

For those who know me this may seem out of the blue. Just trust that I have my reasons for wanting to go and I can't begin to list them all here. There are things I must get done before then, both to put my life in order and to prepare. I will have to finish spring classes (they end April 15th, but I may be able to sneak away slightly earlier. I will need to finalize my sons plans for my absence. Oh, and I will need to make sure that we have enough money in the bank to keep us going until I return (my husband will be working and will be responsible for the bills in my absence).

I have already begun to prepare. I am going over backpacking books and other hiker's stores, try to determine what items I will need and what I can live with out. I have created a basic list I will adjust over the next 4 months. I will need:

• a pack
• a tent or tarp
• a sleeping bag
• a sleeping pad
• a stove and fuel
• a pot
• a mug
• a spork
• water storage
• a water filter
• shoes/boots
• clothing - yet to be determined
• trekking poles
• head lamp
• etc.........

Needless to say I need to be prepared, but pack light. I have my work cut out for me. Oh if anyone has recommendations please feel free to comment.