Appalachian Trail

I have done a couple of day hikes on the Appalachian Trail with family members. I have even been lost on it around Harper’s Ferry where only a “stupidest grandpa” could miss the trail marker. Despite my fear of heights and an unsteadiness that leads to rib injuries, I have always shared my brother’s fascination with the idea of being a thru-hiker and doing the entire 2,190 miles. Besides the fact that I am allergic to camping out, I figured that hiking 15-20 miles a day with a big pack would take me four or five months. I would be far too haunted by the sadness such an absence would cause my wife. However, I have been encouraged by the people who keep lowering the time for completing the trek through all 14 states. Karl Meltzer, age 48, just finished in a record 45 days, 22 hours, and 38 minutes. When they get the time under thirty days, I am definitely going to hike that sucker.