And just like that, seven months have passed by like a breath – and I am finally traveling east on the road to the Appalachian Trail toward the approach trail in Dawsonville, Georgia.

On the Road to the Appalachian Trail

This past summer when I decided on the idea to hike the full 2,200 miles of the Appalachian Trail just seven months later, it feels just as wild and just as exciting now as it did then. With each passing week, and decision, and hour spent researching, I am closer and closer to the reality. And yet it feels just as unreal and far away as ever.

This past week specifically has been a wild ride. Cleaning and packing and a whirlwind of seemingly endless decisions being made left and right. It has me excited, and a little nervous. And mostly just ready to start.

Endless Decisions Around Every Corner

One of the most exhausting aspects of planning for this trip has certainly been the sheer amount of decisions that had to be made. Decision Fatigue is absolutely real and I struggle with it frequently. There came a point in most days, especially when researching gear to buy, when I had to just stop and put down my laptop and simply stop thinking about it for a while. 

Only Hours Remain

And now that mere hours, and not weeks or months, remain until I step foot on the trail – I feel prepared and ready. The forecast shows fairly favorable conditions for the most part. The highs for the next 10 days are mostly in the mid-50’s – my favorite hiking temperatures. And nights are in the 20’s and 30’s, which is colder than I’d prefer. But I am confident my gear is up for it.