Getting Started

Hi all! I decided to start a new blog for my summer 2014 hiking adventures. I'm not good with keeping up with journaling or blogging, but I'm going to give it a go. Obviously my layout is extremely plain, but hey, that's not why you're reading this after all is it? It's my hope that the pictures that I take on my journey and post will be the only thing you'll want to look at anyway. 

As many of you know, I am starting out on quite the hiking expedition soon. On Friday, June 27 I will be loading my Jeep with my hiking pack and heading north to the John Muir Trail. I officially start hiking the trail on June 30th and plan on hiking 220 miles in 23 days. Yes, you may think I'm crazy. Sometimes I think so too! In all reality, it's not crazy. It's adventurous. I've always been adventurous. Always doing things that others "would never be able to" (only, I think they could if they gave themselves a chance!). 

Let's recap: My first big road trip that I drove completely was in 2004 when I drove from Pennsylvania to Florida and back. After that was my first international trip in 2005: I flew to England and explored the UK with 2 friends from high school. Then came numerous solo road trips back and forth from PA to North Carolina. A move to Okinawa, Japan in 2007 opened the door for more international travel. This included a 30 day urban backpacking trip to Taipei, New Zealand and Australia... with an 18 month old and a bun in the oven (That was the trip that most people gasp at). Add in several international flights and a couple cross country trips alone with my kids. Yeah. I've been very independent and good with travel. 

However, this is the first time I will be out in the wilderness by myself. Ever. Let alone for more than a day. More than a week. This is 3 weeks total. Yeah, I am a little nervous. I'm a little scared. I'm a little "KEIRNAN, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?!". But I'm a whole lot of excited. I know there are going to be challenges I've never faced before. I might come face to face with a bear. Hopefully not a lion (mountain lion of course). Thankfully there will be no tigers. There will be marmots who might try to eat my food when I'm not looking. I guess the JMT saying should be "Lions, marmots and bears! OH MY!" I'll be faced with personal and emotional challenges. Pushing myself when I want to quit. Finding the courage when I'm scared. Becoming comfortable with being alone when no one is around. I'm looking forward to this time of personal growth. I know I will come out of this a stronger person. And boy, will I be proud of myself when I finally take that last step and exit the trailhead in Whitney Portal. 

I can't promise many updates, as I probably won't have good reception for most of the trail. However, I'll do my best to put up some good information on my preparedness (or lack there-of?) and information about the trail. So be sure to check back often! 

Thank you so much for your encouragement and support!