I've never written a blog nor had the desire to, but I think this is the best way to keep everyone I love updated about my adventure! I'm actually on the way out the door to go to Ellijay, GA today. Tomorrow I start northbound on the Appalachian Trail. No turning back now.
I have ten minutes until we leave so this will be a short intro (I completed my gear list earlier this week)
My mom started section hiking the trail 11 years ago. She has about 500 miles left. Go mom! I've gone on several trips with her, totaling ~265 miles on the AT. The plan is now to skip these sections during my thru hike.
I've lived in Boone, NC. for the last 3 years where I was obtaining a Masters' in Appalachian Studies. I graduated last August after completing a thesis on the five signs listed in Mark:16 in the bible, focusing on the practice of serpent handling in the region of Appalachia.
Almost immediately after graduating I started looking for a dog. I found a Catahoula rescue based in Tennessee (Blackjack Rescue). I saw Radley (then Delta) online and went to meet her the next week in Telford, TN. Within 5 minutes of meeting her she was in my car on the way back to Boone.
1st step was the dog, next step was the money.
I obtained a job at a coffee shop to save up some money. The original plan was to work there for a year and to thru hike in 2017. 1) I couldn't wait any longer 2) my parents told me to go for it and they'd support my decision
I worked at Bald Guy Brew in Boone for about 7 months. It was the best job I've ever had. Best boss, best coworkers, best coffee.
Next step was to sublease my apartment. This was difficult for me personally because it meant that the AT was really (finally) happening and I love Boone, I didn't want to leave. But I wanted the AT more. It was subleased within 3 days.
I guess I'm really doing this.
Home to Franklin, TN. For the month of March.
Lists, lists, more lists. Walking everyday. Train Radley. See friends. Another trip to REI.
Sold my car. I love this car. But I don't need it on the AT and I really need money.
Its already March 20th. I have 3 days. Where did March go?
Now I'm driving to Ellijay, GA. Tomorrow we start trail.
Stay tuned.
IG: @Melanieharsha @Radleyhikes
Gear List
I have ten minutes until we leave so this will be a short intro (I completed my gear list earlier this week)
My mom started section hiking the trail 11 years ago. She has about 500 miles left. Go mom! I've gone on several trips with her, totaling ~265 miles on the AT. The plan is now to skip these sections during my thru hike.
I've lived in Boone, NC. for the last 3 years where I was obtaining a Masters' in Appalachian Studies. I graduated last August after completing a thesis on the five signs listed in Mark:16 in the bible, focusing on the practice of serpent handling in the region of Appalachia.
Almost immediately after graduating I started looking for a dog. I found a Catahoula rescue based in Tennessee (Blackjack Rescue). I saw Radley (then Delta) online and went to meet her the next week in Telford, TN. Within 5 minutes of meeting her she was in my car on the way back to Boone.
1st step was the dog, next step was the money.
I obtained a job at a coffee shop to save up some money. The original plan was to work there for a year and to thru hike in 2017. 1) I couldn't wait any longer 2) my parents told me to go for it and they'd support my decision
I worked at Bald Guy Brew in Boone for about 7 months. It was the best job I've ever had. Best boss, best coworkers, best coffee.
Next step was to sublease my apartment. This was difficult for me personally because it meant that the AT was really (finally) happening and I love Boone, I didn't want to leave. But I wanted the AT more. It was subleased within 3 days.
I guess I'm really doing this.
Home to Franklin, TN. For the month of March.
Lists, lists, more lists. Walking everyday. Train Radley. See friends. Another trip to REI.
Sold my car. I love this car. But I don't need it on the AT and I really need money.
Its already March 20th. I have 3 days. Where did March go?
Now I'm driving to Ellijay, GA. Tomorrow we start trail.
Stay tuned.
IG: @Melanieharsha @Radleyhikes
Gear List
- The Pack
- REI Flash 58
- I love this pack. I've already put 200+ miles on it on the AT. It took awhile to get it to fit just right, but that's my error for not getting it fitted correctly.
- Gear two front waist pockets
- One
- Headlamp
- Chapstick
- 2
- Case Pocketknife
- Pepperspray (so my dad can sleep at night)
- One
- On outside of Pack
- Cup
- Purrell
- AT 2016 tag (not pictured)
- Paracord
- Thermarest Z-lite - I've already put a couple hundred miles on this sleeping bad. It's light, it's cheap, it gets the job done.
- Thermarest Z-lite cut in half (For Radley)
- REI Carbon Poles - I actually haven't used these too much yet. I had a pair of poles (cannot remember the brand) that I really did not like. Hopefully these will work out.
Water
- 2 Nalgenes (64 oz)
- 1 Vapur (.7 L) (For Radley)
- Winter Clothing (in 13 Litre Sea to Summit Dry bag)
- Northface Jacket - Helata Triclimate
- La Sportiva FC 4.0 GTX Hiking Boots
- OR Gloves
- Darn Tough Socks (x3)
- Injinji Liners (x2)
- 1 fleece Buff
- 2 regular Buffs
- 2 ExOfficio Sport Mesh Hipkini Briefs
- Underwear is the devil. Hate wearing them. But when you go 10 days without a shower it's probably a good idea to wear them. At least these are the most comfortable things that have ever been on my body.
- 2 Convertible Pants (1 Marmot, 1 Mountain Hardwear)
- 2 Base layer leggings
- Patagonia Capilene Thermal Weight Bottom
- Under Armor Base 2.0 Leggings
- 2 Base layer shirts
- Patagonia Midweight Crew Top
- 2 biking t-shirts (off brand, who knows)
- Food (in 13 Litre Sea to Summit Dry bag)
- 1 REI stuff sack (eventually to be used for trash)
- 5+ Days worth of food
- Breakfast
- Instant Oatmeal
- Instant coffee - For those of you who know me, you know that I am not a fun person nor a productive person without it. Gotta have it
- Lunch/Snacks
- Trail Mix
- Dried Mangoes
- Cliff Bars
- Turkey Jerky
- Chocolate Bars
- Dinner
- Ramen (various brands and flavors)
- 2 pounds of Radley’s Fromm Dog Food (Radley will also carry two, totalling 7.5 days worth of food)
- Cooking Bag (in 4 liter Sea to Summit dry bag)
- Tinder - not the creepy dating app
- 1 collapsable bowl
- 2 fuels
- 1 spork
- 1 cooking pot bowl thing
- Stove (Snow Peak Gigapower) - look how tiny!
- Winter Sleeping Bag
- Kelty Women’s Cosmic Down 32 Degree
- Tent
- REI Quarter Dome Two
- Footprint
- I love love love this tent. My parents bought me this for graduation (what better present than a whole house?) It's perfect for Radley and I, because it's a two person and we both like to spread out when we sleep.
So that's everything in the main part of my pack. Positioned/Packed like so:
- Anti Gravity Gear Maps - I love these maps. They're light and they show everything I need to know. Nuff said
- “Survival Kit” (in Dog Medical Kit Bag)
- I've combined my first aid kit and Radley's
- 2 packs of Matches
- Extra Headlamp
- Nail Clippers
- Bandages (for Radley and I)
- Iodine Tablets (water treatment)
- 2 pairs of tweezers (One for Radley, one for me)
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Ben's Insect repellant - With Deet (I'm sorry Earth, but I have to be selfish here - Radley and I cannot afford to get Lyme disease or any other insect borne diseases)
- Mole Skin
- Mini Scissors
- Advil
- Band Aids
- Alcohol pads
- Antihistamine for Radley
- Camp Shoes
- Long lead for Radley - for camp and such
- REI 60 liter pack cover
- “Wallet” / MISC Bag (in 2 liter Sea to Summit Dry bag)
- Credit card
- ID
- Cash
- Watch Charger
- Phone charger
- Watch Garmin Fenix 2
- Toiletries (in 2 liter Sea to Summit dry bag)
- Contact case
- Extra pair of contacts
- Wet Ones
- Tissues
- Babypowder
- Compact hairbrush
- Glasses (plus soft case)
- Floss
- Extra chapstick
- Lotion
- Tampons (natracare) - I love these because they have no applicator, cheap, and super super light weight. Tried the diva cup and it's not for me.
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrush cut in half
Radley!
Radley is my 1 year old Catahoula/Aussie/Beagle/Hyena/Who knows what mix.
Here is her gear list.
Her pack weight is about 5 pounds, 3 pounds under her suggested carrying weight.
Her pack: Groundbird Gear. We love this pack. It is custom made just for Radley. The saddle bags come up to leave a harness. Super adjustable and I love the handles on top just in case I need to lift her over rocks and such. It's American made and a very good looking pack.
Radley is my 1 year old Catahoula/Aussie/Beagle/Hyena/Who knows what mix.
Here is her gear list.
Her pack weight is about 5 pounds, 3 pounds under her suggested carrying weight.
Her pack: Groundbird Gear. We love this pack. It is custom made just for Radley. The saddle bags come up to leave a harness. Super adjustable and I love the handles on top just in case I need to lift her over rocks and such. It's American made and a very good looking pack.
- Collar
- Leather - More durable
- 1 hanging tag - Not durable so I got:
- 1 attached to collar- Metal from Foster&Smith. It was 2 dollars and its fastened securely to her collar
- Also she is microchipped
- Saddle Bag 1
- 1 pound of food (in 2 liter Sea to Summit dry bag)
- 2 collapsable bowls
- Saddle Bag 2
- 1 pound of food (in 2 liter Sea to Summit dry bag)
- Treats
- Barlean’s Greens (vitamins)
- Kong Cozie squeaky toy - she loves toys, we couldn't go without it.
- Towel
- Bravecto Flea and Tick monthly
- Iverhart Heartworm monthly
- Musher’s secret (paw protection)
- 1 mosquito/tick repellant bandana - fashionable and functional
- Ruffwear flashing light - because night and dark