February 14, 2005- I've decided that I will leave on March 28 and am hoping that I doesn't put time pressures on the other end. I really should be back in Louisville by the last week of September. I have my ground transportation lined up, or at least I think I do. My daughter has agreed to drive me to Amicalola and perhaps hike for a couple of days or so before she returns home.
There isn't too much to be done in the actual planning department as I was basically satisfied with my planning from 2003. I did obtain a 2005 edition of the Thru-Hikers Handbook by Dan Bruce. The handbook lists many major landmarks and their mileage points, making it easier to keep track of where you are. It also gives the locations of water sources and trail shelters and lists the trail towns and services available in those towns. In short, it ells you nearly everything you need in order to function on the trail.
My next chore is to gather and check my equipment. Since I've done quite a bit of camping over the past 2 years some of my stuff has gotten a little scattered but I'm sure that I will be able to pull it all back together in a day or so. I am basically happy with my gear and am not planning many if any replacements. I did replace my hydration bladder with a smaller one. The 2 liter one I was using was too large to fit easily in my pack. I replace it with a 1 liter bladder. I realize that I have less water carrying capacity but then again I never completely filled it the last time out.
2005 02 14 17:21:54