I’ve always loved stories that begin with a map. A good map is like an invitation into another world; few things can spark curiosity and engage imagination so quickly and thoroughly. So today I begin my story with a map of the Appalachian Trail.
The AT is said to be the longest hiking trail in the world, stretching roughly 2,189 miles over what are thought to be the oldest mountains on Earth. As you can probably tell, there is some controversy about these claims, but the facts are that the Trail is very long at 2,000+ miles and the Appalachian Mountains are older than the Atlantic Ocean. Beginning at Springer Mountain in Georgia the AT traverses fourteen states before finally arriving at the legendary Mount Katahdin in Maine.
In the Spring of 2016 I will set out on the adventure of a lifetime: attempting to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. “Attempt” is the right word to use, as 70% of hikers who begin in Georgia never make it to Katahdin. In his book A Walk In The Woods, Bill Bryson writes that 20% drop out in the first week, mostly claiming that it wasn’t what they expected. There are some who say that it’s better to not consider failure an option, but I think keeping the difficulty in mind helps me prepare for the challenges ahead. Besides, if you are going to fail at something, it might as well be something spectacular.
But I do not intend to fail. I plan to pass every white blaze, walk every step, and have the adventure of a lifetime.
For the map lovers among you, here are a couple more detailed maps of the AT:
Station on the Appalachian Trail 