Why Hike The AT

There seems to be more of an understanding of my wanting to write the book than my desire to hike the Trail. I am still being asked "Why hike now?" Maybe this will help clarify.

People ask how the idea to hike the Appalachian Trail at 65, married, and part owner of a business, ever originated. While my explanation seems perfectly reasonable to other married individuals especially the married men, it does seem to leave the singles clueless. I guess that just has to do with the maturity one develops through the years of shared life experiences in a Venus-Mars, Ying-Yang sort of way.

Ideas do not just happen. They develop over time waiting for a trigger to set them off. And for that I have Rosemarie, my wife, to thank. She said “Take a Hike” and it all came to be. Actually she claims she said “Retire and do something else”. Retire – Take a Hike …. But of course.

Let me explain something about my wife. Rosemarie is an elementary school special ed teacher with a Masters in Special Education - Behavioral Problems. Our families, friends, and neighbors recognize that after 39 years of marriage to me she has earned a Practical Doctorate in Behavioral Problems, if such existed. Besides, everyone knows that a great teacher motivates the student to make his own proper decisions. So we all know that she was leading me to the only conclusion I could make…Retire – Take A Hike.

I always wanted to hike the AT and especially to do it with my family. But life in general, raising kids, job demands consumed our focus. Even though we were outdoors people hiking / camping was not really big when faced with the demands of three women with high sanitary standards. Sailing, swimming, even snow skiing were ok because restrooms were close by; but, in the woods?? Only now are my girls into camping, so the chance to hike with them makes this decision even more exciting. And besides they can explain it better to Rosemarie who is still trying to understand how “Retire” became “Take a hike”!

TAPG Conference - Things I Learned

Recently, I attended the Association of Experiential Educators' Therapeutic Adventure Professionals Group's Best Practices Conference in Columbus, OH. In attendance were therapists, psychologists, social workers, university professors, researchers, as well as undergraduate and graduate students considering this field as a career. Additionally, I met program operators from across the country including as far away as Alaska. This is a group of very dedicated people sharing information, techniques and concerns regarding the therapeutic use of adventure. As a group they defined therapeutic as "moving toward healthy change with intentional interventions."

One of the workshops I attended was on trauma. I learned that the degree of trauma that a child experiences can be reduced or increased based on the reactions of the adults caring for the child. For example if the adults react minimally the effects of the trauma can be reduced, but if the adults are running around, screaming, acting frantic then the child will realize or internalize a greater degree of psychological trauma.

Another issue regarding trauma is Survivor Guilt. A child that witnesses abuse of another, like the mom being abused by the father, may initially hide from the abuser. At the same time, the child may feel compelled to help stop the abuse. But being unable to do so will often times cause the child to feel a greater degree of guilt and thus traumatized to a greater degree than the person actually receiving the abuse.

Over the years, my factories have held sales meetings to teach us how to properly use their new products. These were basically hands-on training sessions or in some instances maybe some role-playing as to how to properly present and sell the product to the buyer. But I have never attended a meeting so focused on play activities in order to bring about change. As I participated in what initially appeared to be "just kid games" I began to see how effective such a tool can be in getting people to respond. A big part of therapy is the ability of the participant(s) to process the experience. As someone mentioned in the conference. we don't learn by the experience, but by the ability to intentionally do something different the next time. In other words, if we do the same thing over and over the same way each time, we've never really learned anything different. However, if we have an experience that shows us a different and better way of doing the same thing, we must internalize that difference and use it in that process in order for it to be considered learned.

I also attended a workshop that reviewed a group of students that participated in a 10 day hike basically 25 years ago. The researchers were able to connect with four of the 20 children that participated in those hikes. There was general agreement that it was a great benefit and that even their children should participate and enjoy such an experience. But at the same time each person internalize the experience different than the others. For one it was the sense of accomplishment. While for another, it was specifically standing on top of a rock looking out over the night sky and thinking he could touch the stars. For another it was journaling during the trip, and then using it in later years.

Also, I heard the history of how the Alaskan natives were forced to give up their language and with it their culture. How whole generations were not allowed to speak in their native tongue and perform their rituals. Now that is being corrected. Slowly language and culture are being restored. The hard part is that much was never written down so it is up to the elders that are left to pass this along. Language and culture very important to who one is.

Sponsor - Fed Ex

As it is impossible to carry all that one needs for the entire hike it becomes important to plan resupply points along the way. You can buy locally, beg (which is known on the Trail as "Yogi Bear") and/or you can have the family back home ship packages to you at predetermined spots along the way. It is not unusual to have 20 to 30 or more resupply shipments.

There are plenty of places that will hold resupply packs for you: post offices (general delivery), outfitter stores, YMCA's, hostels and hotels, even country stores.

Also, many hikers use a "bounce box" to push ahead of themselves items not needed daily but often or later. For example, extra pair of boots, or if they started with a light weight sleeping bag and, because of the weather, bought a warmer one they may bounce the lighter one ahead to about where th weather will be more agreeable.

All in all that can be a large expenditure over the five to six months on the Trail.

The Foundation is pleased that Fed Ex stepped up as a sponsor to cover the cost and handling of the packages. Shipments have been timely and on-line process is a snap.

Fed Ex seems to be a very community oriented company. The Memphis Catholic high schools were closed under the previous archbishop. Then Mr Smith, President of Fed Ex, offered to help the schools reopen because he knew the education received there would provide his company with the properly educated workers needed to do the job.

Like-wise the lady who is coordinating our involvement spends one week a year at a camp for kids in Colorado. It's all about giving back.

Thanks again to Fed EX and please consider using them for your shipping and office needs.

Best Practices Conference this weekend.

In my travels, it was suggested that I attend the Association for Experiential Educators' Best Practices Conference. It is being held in Columbus, Oh, this weekend. It will give me a chance to continue my networking with folks in the know about troubled kids in the Wilderness.

In attendance will be both hands-on operators / field instructors of programs as well as consultants, researchers and professional educators from various colleges and universities. In fact the keynote speaker is Dr. Lee Gillis of Georgia College and State University. Danielle studied with Lee and his wife, Dr. Jude Hirsch, while working on her masters.

Also presenting is Dr. Sandy Newes who I interviewed while in Asheville, NC. She is a Clinical First Responder which is a relatively new field. It is designed to provide the clinical expertise to field staff operations.

On another issue I have been asked not to announce in advance when I will be at a particular school. This is for privacy and security reasons. Thus as I head back out to visit a school/camp/program I will only be telling you were I was and not where I am going or am at presently. When programs are in the field they strive to be "alone." After all it is the wilderness that they are trying to experience.

What I learned about hiking the AT

Pack Weight:

Ultralight thru-hikers carry 18 pounds or less including food and water

Regular hikers should carry no more than 30 - 35 pounds including food and water

Shoes:

Full leather boots are not necessary on the AT unless you have really weak ankles and, in time, they will get stronger allowing you to switch

High or low cut soft sided hiking boots are fine on the AT and easy to break-in

Trail runner type sneakers work on the AT as well

WaldiesTM Clogs protect the toes from being stubbed and are light-weight and cushioned

Foot Care:

Carry three pairs of SmartwoolTM or comparable hiking socks:

Use two pairs to switch during the day to keep feet dry

Keep third pair as dry for use on a cold night in sleeping bag.

At first sign of a sore point stop and treat (duct tape) before blister develops

Also salt bath works well at hostel

Jury is still out on liners

Stoves:

Nothing boils water faster than a Jetboil Stove

Nothing weights less than a alcohol stove but nothing slower boiling water

Water:

Carry two liters and refill often

Gravity feed filter bladders & pump filters connected to a bladder are slick

Sources are amply available along the trail just manage your supply

Community:

There is a whole world of long distance hikers reconnecting along the trail each year

Even without cell phones word travels fast on the trail

Mountain Crossings Outfitters @ Neels Gap is a great source of help for Northbounders as it is the first outfitter and only outfitter the Trail passes through

Ms. Janet is a real pro at running a hostel and offering insights of the hike, make sure to stop at her place. In 2010 she ran the hostel at Mt. Crossings at Neels Gap or she maybe back home in Erwin, TN

Bears:

Are very resourceful at acquiring your food bag if you

• hang it too low to the ground,
• too close to the tree trunk
• too open in the back of your truck
• leave food/candy in your tent or pack

Are known to run away unless you come between a cub and it's mother. Also, based on wind direction, bear spray maybe unless or possibly spray back at you, and it weights a lot.

The fences in front of the shelters are being torn down as folks were feeding the bears through the links. Naturally that drew the bears back each night for an encore. In the words of Jerry Lee Lewis, there was "a whole lot of shaking going on."