Greg's 2022 AT Journey

Pointless Up and Downs (PUD) are the 515,000 reasons the AT is harder than the PCT. That's the total feet of elevation change in 2190 miles. So you'd better pack some fun! Here's mine... Eärendil ( ɛ a rɛ́n dil) My trail companion... named after the starlight given to Frodo by Galadriel in LOTR for safe passage in times of darkness. Fellow AT travellers say there are lots of those!   It's already shared many trails in the NH White Mts with my niece, Alana and her staff, Ceridwen (Celtic godess of poetry).  I added my head ornament (eat your heart out Gandalf) but the original was a gift from my great friend Jerry (shown below with his lovely wife Lee) during their visit to the White Mts in Oct '21.

 Not even on the AT yet and already enjoying an awesome experience called Trail Magic (aka free food)! All these goodies were mailed to me by my favorite oldest sister Dawn... who is officially awarded the title "First Trail Angel" Dawn and husband Paul enjoying best sunset and fall foliage ever!  (Foss Mt, NH, Oct '19)

What my friends think will happen on my hike... What my daughters think will happen... What society thinks... What day-hikers think... What I think will happen... ... and the reality that awaits!!!

  Obviously I'm crazy! Why else at 61 would I leave Cindy, my gorgeous wife of 34 years and spend 150 days living in a tent and eating trail food? Okay, maybe I do love mountains and want to see stunning views like McAfee Knob above. But after preparing 8 months to accomplish this life goal, people who have done it say the AT is more about meeting people than seeing things. Please pray I focus on being relational and imaging Christ... not high mileage. Now the real question you all want to know is...