Hello all,,,

Back in 1996 my mother and I had planned to make the thru hike of the AT in 2000 but she passed away in '98. Since then I had lost my drive to go it alone. She and my cousin hiked a bit of it in '94 and she had told me that she wanted to go and do the whole trail but with me.
Here it is '07 and my wife told me it was time. Not knowing what to do or how to get started I am sitting here planning to make the trip in '08. At the moment I have absolutely no gear and only the drive to fulfill a promise I made to my Mother at her funeral.
Over the next few years I plan on hiking all the major trails that my mother wanted us to travel.
I do know one thing and that is that I need a wall poster of the AT for my wife to place stick pins in ans I make the trip.
My children are all for this trip and my wife is behind me 100%. So if anyone can give me any kind of advice I would be most greatful.