Any others out there? I'm 54, have had a life long dream of hiking the AT. Well, actually since I found out about it in college, which was a long, long time ago! I also have Multiple Sclerosis. Since I don't know what the future holds for me I don't want to wait any longer. I don't want to get to the end of my life and have the regret of never having attempted it. I may not make it out of GA but at least I will have tried! So I'm going for it. I'm trying to get in shape, researching gear and reading everything I can. I've read so many books and journals I feel like an armchair expert, but that's the only kind of expert, lol! I've done a little backpacking and a lot of camping. I'd love to know other women who are hiking next year. Oh, and Butterfly isn't my trail name. I don't have one. I'll just let the trail give me one, however that happens. I just absolutely love Monarch butterflies and have studied and "grown" them. So that's the reason for my profile name.