March 8, 2000 Response to Tim Hudson
Tim Hudson wrote:

> Greg,

> Please tell us about this up coming trip. It seems it involves a
> "bivy tent." Sounds interesting. Sounds like you might be some
> kind of Jon Krakauer (of the Into Thin Air fame). Give us the full
> story!!!

> Tim

Well, Tim, since you ask...

The bivy-tent, a Walrus Micro-Swift (3 pounds!), turns out to be not too claustrophobic, as long as I lay on my back and keep my eyes shut. With a peak height of only 28 inches, taking off or putting on a shirt involved some contortions I'm not particularly proud of. And I can't figure out a way to enter the thing other than crawling backward, feet-first.

The trip in question does not involve any high altitude or oxygen deprivation. My plan is to, along with 2000 or so other idiots, spend the next 6 months attempting a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. I have quit my job (for the second time) and am currently trying to acquire lightweight replacements for some of my gear, thus the new tent.

Trying to walk away from your life for 6 months is more complicated than you might think, but I am beginning to nail down some of the details regarding bills and the maintenance of my house. Jeanette and Don have both already offered to help me with mail-drops, so I'm sure someone can keep you apprised of my progress. (i.e.. "Day 3: Greg slips on wet rock. Trip over. Total miles covered: 17 out of 2167.")

I actually am thinking about breaking with the traditional Georgia-to-Maine, Northbounder route. Instead I might approach the trip as two consecutive section-hikes: Southbound from Harpers Ferry, W.VA to Springer Mountain in Georgia, then a bus back to Harpers Ferry and Northbound the rest of the way to Katahdin in Maine. This is mostly to avoid what I perceive as the appalling crowds of thru hikers all beginning at Springer Mtn. within a 3 to 4 week period. By the time I, going the opposite direction, start crossing paths with them, the totally unprepared, the injured, and the broke will have dropped out. And the remaining pack will be more spread out by the time I flip-flop and join them heading North at the thousand mile mark.

But that's probably more than you wanted to know, and it distracts from the main subject of this forum: World Conquest!

Cheers,