How do you feel about starting?

[pattydivins]

I am close to starting, I intend to hit the trail on the 27th. I feel very manic about beginning this journey. A lot of my thoughts are about how difficult the trail will be: difficulty to adjust, difficulty to accept my situation, and the like. But then in another instant, I will be extremely pumped up and excited about the opportunity to start. It is a bag of mixed emotions.

I think my biggest obstacle will be to overcome the apprehension of starting the trail. Once I get in the shuttle, I am sure I will freak out about what I am about to do, but once I take the first few steps I should be good to go.

So how do all of you feel?

[johnnyblisters]

I wished I picked an earlier start date, 4/6 seems like its never going to get here!

[walkin' wally]

I wished I picked an earlier start date, 4/6 seems like its never going to get here!

I've been waiting 15 years to do this and I thought that wouldn't get here too.

[walkin' wally]

I am close to starting, I intend to hit the trail on the 27th. I feel very manic about beginning this journey. A lot of my thoughts are about how difficult the trail will be: difficulty to adjust, difficulty to accept my situation, and the like. But then in another instant, I will be extremely pumped up and excited about the opportunity to start. It is a bag of mixed emotions.

I think my biggest obstacle will be to overcome the apprehension of starting the trail. Once I get in the shuttle, I am sure I will freak out about what I am about to do, but once I take the first few steps I should be good to go.

So how do all of you feel?

It's all good

How many people out there would like to do what you are going to do?

I have all kinds of energy to go do this. I am leaving for Atlanta on the 12th of March and will be on the Approach Trail the morning of the 14th. I am so anxious to get going.
For me , wanting to do the AT for so long, will cancel out any of the apprehension. One day at a time and see what you see...

[crazystick]

I've been waiting 15 years to do this and I thought that wouldn't get here too.

Well your trail journal is one of the ones I have my eye on!

[Old Hiker]

370 days until the "official" start. Started planning in 1989 (?). I understand! I checked out the slideshow and video from 2010 and got even MORE worried and excited, if that's possible.

Good luck on your thru.

[Turtle Feet]

I am close to starting, I intend to hit the trail on the 27th. I feel very manic about beginning this journey. A lot of my thoughts are about how difficult the trail will be: difficulty to adjust, difficulty to accept my situation, and the like. But then in another instant, I will be extremely pumped up and excited about the opportunity to start. It is a bag of mixed emotions.

I think my biggest obstacle will be to overcome the apprehension of starting the trail. Once I get in the shuttle, I am sure I will freak out about what I am about to do, but once I take the first few steps I should be good to go.

So how do all of you feel?

Sounds about right!!!

[warpzilla]

the waiting is the hardest part

[Old Hiker]

the waiting is the hardest part

Alex, I'll take Tom Petty lyrics for $300, please.

[jesse]

I wished I picked an earlier start date, 4/6 seems like its never going to get here!

You have a good start date.

[snifur]

i am stoked! packed and ready. less than 1 month to go for me now. my wife keeps asking where the plan and itinerary is for this 6 month trip. it helps to have the great support of her. but unfortunately, there is no plan or itinerary. i just plan on walking...and walking...and then when i think i have walked far enough...walk some more.

[johnnyblisters]

You have a good start date.

I think so as well, but I have to be able to get back to western MD by May 21st for my GF's graduation. I may push back my date a week so I can get to Roanoke in time for a bus. Sound plausible?

[FritztheCat]

I'm ready. Getting anxious. Not really worried (don't know if that point will come or not). I'm taking the unbound AT guide with me and bought another bound one for the wife to keep. That way when I call, I can tell her "I got through page 15 and am now about halfway through page 16." She can look in her book and follow along with me. Heh!

I have one more "shake down" hike schedule for the weekend of March 11th before I set off on April 1st for the thru. Gonna be a great time!

[d.o.c]

kinda werid for me dnt really kno how to describe the feeling but just think of it as a bunch of week long hikes it sorta helps to look at it tht way. tht is with anxiety for a 6 month hike.

[d.o.c]

I think so as well, but I have to be able to get back to western MD by May 21st for my GF's graduation. I may push back my date a week so I can get to Roanoke in time for a bus. Sound plausible?

thts probly pushing it to get from start to roanoke in tht time id say but when u get here from the trail to roanoke isnt tht far. so shouldnt be hard to get to the bus station. i make tht drive alot.

[johnnyblisters]

thts probly pushing it to get from start to roanoke in tht time id say but when u get here from the trail to roanoke isnt tht far. so shouldnt be hard to get to the bus station. i make tht drive alot.

That's what I was thinking. I could give myself an extra week by leaving 3/30 and my average would be around 14 mpd.

[bulldog49]

the waiting is the hardest part

My favorite Tom Petty song.

[Speakeasy TN]

That's what I was thinking. I could give myself an extra week by leaving 3/30 and my average would be around 14 mpd.

WHEW! That's still a tough way to go in the Georgia mountains.

[TheChop]

Been packing up my house to put everything in storage and begin the period of my life known as almosthomeless.

I was up until 4:30 last night officially freaking the **** out.

[Turtle Feet]

Been packing up my house to put everything in storage and begin the period of my life known as almosthomeless.

I was up until 4:30 last night officially freaking the **** out.

Do you get a little short of breath when you start thinking about actually setting foot on the trail? It's almost hard to believe for me!

I just (I mean, like 20 mins ago) sold a Chevy cargo van that I've been wanting to get rid of. I'm thrilled, one less thing to think about while I'm out there...

Can you say "Van Gough"?.... hehe