It’s crazy to think that in a week (May 3rd) I will be starting my thru hike down in Georgia. It’s finally setting in that I am actually doing this and I am so pumped for the opportunity that’s about to come. I spent the last 6 weeks exploring Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Timor-leste and feel so lucky to be able to have such amazing experiences, but now I have switched my focus, turned on the no bullshit mentality, and am ready to crush the Appalachian Trail.

At this point, I’ve had enough of watching videos of other people and am ready to just go out there and live it myself. I have all my gear ready to go and feel like I have a good idea on how to use it (some people supposedly have gotten onto the trail and have never even set up their tent). I know there will be many trials and tribulations on this trek, but I feel like that’s what it’s all about for me. I think about Charles Darwin when he said

“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.”

Am I going to give up when life gets hard or am I going to adapt to my surroundings and fight for my goal that I have set for myself?

Months and months of research have led me to this moment and I couldn’t be happier with what I am about to do. I feel excited, confident, and anxious all in one, but I am ready for the A.T. and all that is has to offer.