About Armchair Hiker
It's Time to Start Your Adventures... here is how my adventure began...
In 2016, my son, Tim, announced that he planned to hike the Appalachian Trail following his college graduation. My response was “Are you crazy?” I could not imagine spending months hiking with only a backpack. My “mom brain” went into overdrive with worries about his safety. After several months of reading about the AT and learning about Hiker Trash, thru-hiking, Trail Angels, hostels and trail names I began to understand the lure of this adventure. Hiker vlogs certainly helped. Thanks to Dixie and Bigfoot and Darwin and so many others, I learned about equipment and the importance of preparation for a thru hike.
In 2017 Tim began his hike and became Aquaman. In August, i had surgery to replace both knees. Tim wanted to come home but I encouraged him to remain on trail. Meanwhile as I recovered first in a rehab unit and later sitting in my purchased for post surgery recovery -armchair, I realized that I had fallen in the love with the beauty of the trail and and the spirit of the AT thru-hiking community. After Tim returned home I told him I wanted to hike the trail. Others might have scoffed or doubted but Tim encouraged me. So this year I am hiking the trail. At 67 with two new knees and hand surgery I’m hiking, and vloging and experiencing new adventures.
Of Backpacking and Backpacks
Backpacks are awfully small. There is a common bit of wisdom - you pack your fears. I don't like being cold. i have had to rethink the layers I need vs the twenty layers I want to bring. This is not a fashion show... oh by the way How do you attach things to the outside of your pack?? and how much can you carry? Oh where oh where should the bear canister go??
Hiking Tips
There are some great websites and videos that help with learning...but as research has shown just because you see it in a video.. you are not an expert, nor have you mastered a skill. Don't let your first time setting your tent be on the trail!
Take Time to Enjoy
Living on a river, it never ceases to amaze me when people zoom by in a boat and "don't see anything." Yes there are gators and otters and snakes and all manner of birds...but you miss them when you zoom by. I want to savor the beauty of the trail by looking for the small things along the way.
When it Rains and is cold and wet
remember this to shall pass.
We see things not as they are but as we are.
Author Unknown
Alone?? Really??
I have spent many a hike trying to keep up with folks who were in better shape of had longer legs or both. Usually they took off down the trail while yours truly trailed behind. I would catch up when they took a break. However by the time I caught up they were ready to go….hiking torture.
- Your time...your hike!
- Hike your OWN hike.
- Stop and see the scenery and breathe!
My goals for this hike is to be the hiker who:
- Commits to leave no trace principals.
- Practices kindness and thanks all who maintain the trails or helps to make the AT wonderful.
-
Respects nature and remembers we are visitors the trail is home plants and animals.
Never forgets how fortunate I am to have this opportunity!
