The winter went by quickly, and we enjoyed taking full advantage of the fact that the Appalachian Trail requires very little planning. Other than procuring the appropriate gear, separating our food into portions, and planning which 30 post offices to send our resupply packages to, there really wasn't much to do. After a tough year for navigating on the Pacific Crest Trail, I was thrilled to know that we could just walk from one white blaze to another without even bringing a map along. It was a no-brainer and frankly, after the logistical, navigational, and strategic nightmare that the high Sierra threw at us last year, my brain needed a rest. We literally look at The A.T. Guide by David "AWOL" Miller first thing each morning, look for a shelter with a privy (of course) that is approximately 20 miles away and start walking. We don't carry a map, but The A.T. Guide has an exceptionally precise elevation profile and multiple land marks to orient yourself by.
Now I'm not saying this is the right approach. I'm just saying that the trail is well marked and that town stops are so plentiful and easy that one can get away with just winging it. The folks who read the entire book in advance, did additional research online, and made notes definitely have an advantage. We have blown right by hostels and trail angels not ever knowing of their services or convenience, while others rave for the next several days about how great that $5/bed full service hostel was.
ARTICLE OUTLINE
- Last Minute Planning
- Rough Takeoff
- Ready to Hike, Right?
- Weather
- Food
- Sunshine's Twelfth Birthday
- Favorite Gear
- Trail Names
- Active Water
- Almost to the Mason-Dixon Line
# WORDS: 3280
# PHOTOS: 10
Member Exclusive
A Premium or Unlimited Membership* is required to view the rest of this article.
* A Basic Membership is required to view Member Q&A events
Discussion
Become a member to post in the forums.
Companion forum thread to:
Sunshine in the Deep South
I just happened to be watching the "Oregon Field Guide" piece about Balls and Sunshine on the PCT.
Looks like you'll have another great trip, looking forward to the next installment.
For those wanting more detail…
Their trail journal starts at
http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=364996
Their most recent entry has them in Maine, 168 miles from Mt. Katahdin!
Go, Sunshine, go!
Sunshine and Balls,
I am pleased to see the photo of you both together, the first one in this article. I took that! We had such a nice visit while walking. Those spring beauties looked like snow covering the hillside. I asked if we could stop and get some photos. I have one of me with both of you because Balls was able to use a little plastic gadget to connect my camera to his trekking pole. Notice that Balls does not have his trekking poles with him. That is because he was kind enough to loan them to me for a few miles so that I could see what it was like to hike with poles. Yep, they are the first things I bought to prepare for my AT journey next year; a journey which Balls and Sunshine, in part, have inspired me to do.
Thank you and I feel so fortunate to have met you both. I am excited and proud of your accomplishment.
Cheryl McCormick
"Clinker"
Wow pretty crazy to see all that snow, and especially this year, where we had such mild winter action on the east coast. I had to drive to the white mountains in NH to get a real winter hike in this year! Glad to see you guys having a good time this year, should be easy until you get farther north, but even then you won't have to deal with high mountain passes and crazy elevation like you did on the west coast. Be safe and enjoy, hope to run into you guys on the trail one day!
Read about your adventures on the PCT before–
I think it's an inspiration to a lot of people with kids what you all are doing.
I've taken my daughters up into the Sierras several times backpacking but no long trips!!
Envy!!
Have a great trip–and please keep your Journal and pics coming!!
Thanks for sharing your story. I know you guys are having a great experience. I laughed about your comment about the length of time it takes to get soaked in a southern rain. I am a NW native but had the opportunity to live in Atlanta for 4 years. Even though the NW is known for its rain, I never owned an umbrella until I lived in the South; not the little ones either, you need the big diameter golf style ones.
I look forward to your future aticles on the balance of your trip.
Dennis
This is the greatest adventure, an ongoing pursuit of what will be a significant life's learning experience. It is quest most all of us have shared in our thoughts, but, unlike the rest, you have shown the gumption to get up, go out, and do it. The journey and the journal of your adventures is an inspiration. Happy Trails, my friends.
I hope there may be a future book (or two) in the offing? you guys rock –
All I know is that the two of you will have the treasure of your trail adventures together for the rest of your lives. You will laugh about stuff only that only the two of you will know why it is funny. I hope your adventures will inspire other parents to seek out this kind of adventure with their children. After all, life is for living, not getting rich or famous or having THE job.
Hopefully, I will someday meet one or both of out there.
Great to hear you guys are having a good hike. I was bummed when I figured out from your trail journal that my mom just missed you guys when she hiked cookies out to a shelter in Virginia.
I look forward to hearing of more adventures.
Thanks everyone for your Active Water donations! Over $500 was donated since this article came out! Thats awesome! With the match and only $700 more, one well will be installed! It's so great to be a part of something so big! Thanks again! I'm working on the next AT article now.
Did I miss Parts 2 & 3? I had followed their trail journal but always liked the articles Balls wrote, but just realized I never saw the next installment.
Become a member to post in the forums.