Warm up completed!

My warm up trip has been completed successfully. I knew that it would be hard and that I would hurt...but I didn't know how much or how bad!! I had the most amazing time being out in the "wild" of the trail and sure feel like I tested my abilities. I found that my pack was too heavy and I was carrying things I didn't need. Checklists' are great but not everything is necessary for everyone. I learned so much and hiked through the pain of my pack. I think it motivated me to move forward because every time I took the pack off to rest or eat, I had to then put it back on! Every step forward was a step towards taking it off and leaving it off until I could unload the things I didn't need and lighten the load. I think I can shed up to 5 lbs, which is sooooo much in a backpack. For one...Nalgene bottles are great but they are heavy! A Smartwater water bottle is lighter and does the trick just fine. You can replace them in towns if they get beat up too much, I saw a lot of these. I had too much food, just wasn't as hungry as I thought and snacks were best for lunches and breaks. I did make it a day early, but I still had several dinners I carried around for nothing:(
I got to be a trail angel for a young Sobo hiker named One ton (his starting pack weight was 65lbs!). I met him at Caledonia State Park and like most hikers, he smiled and stopped to talk with me about my hike. We visited for some time and I found out that he was low on food and needed to get into town, either hitching or hiking 5 miles one way which would be tough with low supplies. I had too much food so this was an easy fix! He was my trail angel also because losing some weight in my bear canister was a total blessing! I loved how other hikers (and me) look out for each other. You don't know each other at all, but somehow being out there gives you a sense of friendship and family. It's a beautiful thing and gave me a feeling of peace. I loved just being me and not having the typical societal pressures on how to be or look. Kinda funny to say that not showering for days was a great thing, but it was a great thing!!  I can't wait to get out there and start my big trip, doing the side hikes,  and taking in the scenic views. I enjoyed the warm up very much but feel like I rushed right through because of my circumstances. I will relish every last minute of the mountains, the views, the shelters and hostels, the people, and the towns. I will be lightening my pack and am better prepared for 2 of the 3 hardest states to hike on the AT. Bring on the trail!!