It’s about 5 weeks until I start my hike. I am getting pretty excited and would leave today if it was an option. I have been keeping super busy so as to not become overwhelmed with the excitement. After graduation I went out west for few weeks with some friends and attempted a few 14ers in Colorado and did some hiking/snowshoeing in some of the Western National Parks like Tetons and Badlands. I failed on all the 14ers, but not do to anything in my control, weather just got the better of us. Since getting back I have been working in Michigan Tech’s Entomology lab and trying to stay outside as much as I can. I have been skiing quite a bit and started ice climbing.
My friend Belinda has offered to take me to the trailhead, which is amazing and I can’t express my gratitude enough. It’s about 24 hours of driving from here so this is just phenomenal. Another forester who graduated with me will also be hiking this summer so he is going to ride down with us but we won’t be hiking together. So it looks like my official start date will be around March 23rd.
Between then and now I have quite a bit to do. I have to keep working, move out of my house, finish a few last minute gear details, and a bunch of other little things like taxes and what not. On top of all of this I have decided to apply to the Peace Corps so when I finish the trail I will have some kind of plan. I have an interview with them next Wednesday so hopefully I will be accepted and can leave on another adventure after the trail.
