The time is very near now for me to Take A Hike!

There has been a lot of planning, preparations and arrangements made to make this journey happen… food boxes, mail drops, trip itinerary, gear purchases, numerous trips testing gear, 1000’s of miles and of course, the slightly over obsessive urge to be consumed by, and share with everyone (whether they liked it or not), everything about the Appalachian Trail.

If you’d like more information on the Appalachian Trail itself, you can visit the Appalachian Trail Conservancy

I am so thankful and grateful for all of the support and help I have received, not only as I have prepared for this journey, but for the ongoing support I will have while I am out on the trail.

First, my amazing girlfriend Leanna… she is my best friend, my RCBG, my Strawberry Festival branding, my Waffle House happy dance. She is the one I open my eyes to every morning, my lunchtime text I can’t wait to read and the one I hold so tight when I close my eyes at the end of the day. She is my anchor and my rock, my wild sexy sunflower and she gives me the wings to fly like a butterfly. She is my everything. And while she won’t be doing the whole trail with me, I am so thankful that we will  be starting this journey together by hiking the approach trail from Amicalola Falls to the top of Springer Mountain and the first mile of the Appalachian Trail, and she will also be there to meet me at the end so we can climb Mount Katahdin together.

Second, my bosses Ricky and Heidi at Anytime Fitness… I have such an incredible opportunity to work for not only an amazing company, but also two amazing people. I am so thankful and grateful to be able to take 4-5 months off and still come back and have not just a job, but a place there, doing what I love. Not many businesses would allow that (even if it was Ricky that got me addicted to hiking, lol).

I also want to thank all of my family, friends and members of the gym (especially those who will be returning north and live near the trail ) who have helped out and offered to help out while I am on the trail with shuttle services, food, hot showers, clean laundry and a bed from time to time. I am truly grateful for the trail angels I already have.

So, all that being said, my last day of work is Thursday, April 26. We head out very early the next morning, April 27th, and arrive in Amicalola Falls, where we will be starting the Approach Trail. And on April 28th, we will be taking out first step of 6,242,914 (give or take a few) as we leave Springer Mountain, Georgia and make our way toward our destination of Mount Katahdin, 2190 miles away, on the Appalachian Trail.

Be sure to check out my Appalachian Trail Thru Hike Announcement video.