T -1 Day

4/24/15

I start hiking in about 20 hours!  I sit in a Hampton Inn in Durango Colorado unable to even nap. Despite doing two long hikes already I find myself full of anixity. I haven’t slept worth a shit for days. It took the motion of a car to almost put me down.  Nothing a few 20 mile days won’t fix (and also show me how else I’m human).  None of this is evident if you were to see me. You’d have no idea I was going hiking if it wasn’t for the beard or hair. 

My posts will start all the same. Here is a guide:

Day #, Date, elevation 

Starting point – finishing point

Miles hiked that day, total trip miles

Weather and temp

Push ups, total push ups / plank time, total plank time

I’m going to challenge those of you at home following from your couch or computer chair. I will be doing Planks one day and push ups the next. Let’s see who can match my numbers. 

Falls on Red Mountain Pass, Ouray,CO

I might even bring back the “Word of the Day” , (AT 2001). Just one word to describe my mood or surroundings or just my day in general.  OLAY!!!!

Once again I’ll keep a “Critter Count” of the animals I see. I have a feeling I’ll spend a lot of time alone this go around. Oddly I don’t feel like I’m about to go hiking for the next 4.5 months. It’s only when I look in the mirror or touch me face I remember. 

I’m looking forward to the Gila River which I have to cross 220 times, San Juan Mountains, Rocky Mountain National Park, Wind River Range in Wyoming, Bob Marshall Wilderness and last but not least Glacier National Park. 

View on the drive to border.

I will miss pizza, beer, friends, Chipolte, my bikes, my pillow, chairs, daily showers, a certain special someone but they all will have to wait. This is for me. This journey started 30 years ago in September 1985 on top of Mt. Katahdin in Baxter State Park. It will end in September of 2015. 

It will not be the last as the fire in my heart is not one easily put out. I dream too much and the desire to explore and see what’s around the corner is too strong. I already know what the next dream is but that adventure is not one I will be sharing with the world. 

I hope you enjoy following along once more. The best way to follow is either Instagram, 01scatman or sign up for my newsletter at my site. It’s on the right side. Enter your email, enter the code, then look for an email with a confirmation link.

Tomorrow it begins…

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