M a r c h 2 0 1 6 • M a r i e m o n t, O h i o • Vo l u m e X L , N o .
6
All the Way Through An Appalachian Trail Adventure By Joan Welsh Does walking 2190 miles on your own two feet sound like a good idea? Those hikers who travel the entire length of the Appalachian Trail pass through 14 states , eight different national forests, six national park units and numerous state parks, forests, and game lands with approximately 464,500’ gain/loss in elevation. Mariemont resident Bryan Georgilis did just that last summer as he hiked from Georgia to Maine. Completing the entire 2,190 miles of the Appalachian Trail (AT) in one trip is a mammoth undertaking. Each year, thousands of hikers attempt a thru-hike; only about one in four makes it all the way. A typical thru-hiker takes 5 to 7 months to hike the entire trail. Trekking the full AT is no easy feat, so you have to be sure you are well prepared. In addition to planning your route and supplies, physical and mental preparations become important factors in a successful thru-hike. Bryan, 24, was graduating from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA. He wanted to take this opportunity to use the 6 month hike as a time for some self reflection on his next step in life and to “cleanse his body and mind.” Bryan and a college buddy, Nate, decided to ‘do’ the AT. They remained together for the entire hike. Upon reflection, Bryan recommends each hiker has to “hike their own hike” and sometimes
Bryan Georgilis still had a long way to go. hiking with others interferes with your objectives. Bryan’s first day on the Trail in Springer Mountain, GA was March 7. He ended his thru-hike on September 25 at the granite Mt. Katahdin, Maine. Walking through the change of seasons was thrilling: from the barren tones of March, through the blossoms of springtime, the greens of summer, to hints of autumn gold. To prepare for a thru-hike there are many outfitter stores, blogs, websites and books to assist a potential hiker. You also have to be sure you are in good physical shape with the right Th e
Vo i c e
o f
t h e
Vi l l a g e
equipment. On the AT, hiking weight is all important. Everything you bear on your back weighs you down so each item you carry must be analyzed carefully. The biggest mistake most hikers make is taking too much with them. Substantial hiking boots are the first priority. Your backpack will carry everything you need such as your tent/ tarp, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, cell phone, clothing, stove, cooking utensils, water (and treatments for making water sanitary), a credit card and food. Bryan’s past experiences as a Boy Scout and other outdoor endeavors helped (cont'd on page 21)