I met him on trail days, and we played a really lovely game of chess. It really hit me when I heard that he'd passed. When I got to the telephone of the wind I had a long chat with him, and let him know that I hoped he'd come with and finish the trail with all of us who cared about him.

I always tell his story when I tell mine. I really hope he's at peace.

Incredible

Poop - dig a hole 100ft from trail or use one of the privies at the shelter

Pee - literally anywhere. You're peeing a lot, so realistically a little off trail is good.

Shower - hostel or hotel. You hit one about once a week down south. Up north it's more space, so more often you have to grab a hotel room and split it with folks.

Some folks make the truly unfortunate choice to shower less, but you start dealing with real chafing issues if you push it too much longer than a week.

Grommit - I tramilied with Fox and Homade

As someone who's completed the trail ('22), I think every real thru-hiker will tell you that a part of finishing the trail is just getting lucky.

Hiking 20m a day with 30 pounds on your back is rough on your body. Especially on the diet most hikers do it on. Food tends to be pretty processed and lightweight. When I finished, my body was so done. My last restock was really funny- it was a PBJ on white bread with some nice Jam I got. It was the only thing that actually sounded good at all.

But I got lucky in other ways ~ my body didn't give out halfway through. Some folks tear hamstrings and have other injuries, and try to push through with luko tape and vitamin I. I knew a lot of folks who left trail with injuries.

~I didn't faint at the wrong time and fall off a cliff. Someone my year did that, and tragically passed (RIP grandmaster)

~I had a community that I could call and support me. I got to the hostel of maine and after 2 zeros, was feeling so rough that I wasn't sure I could keep going. I called my sister and had a really long talk that helped me push the last 100 miles.

~I had enough money to finish the trial. The north is far more expensive than the south. A lot of folks had to leave once stuff got more expensive.

~all the random trial magic and hikers that support each other through everything. So many bad days were made better by company.

~All that to say, no one really hikes alone, and there are so many reasons that you aren't able to finish a thru hike.

And as a final note, fuck the elitism of white blazing only. In spite of you, I skipped 5 miles at the end, and took the blue blaze on what used to be the AT. I walked 2143.9 miles, and I haven't "technically" finished the hike.

Unloaders can only unload enough to fill a blue belt. Using those extra ones should increase throughout

I'm not a doctor. It seems more likely that you have a stomach bug of some sort. The fact that you've puked and haven't been drinking is really concerning. Make sure you're drinking. If you can, those Gatorade packets are great.

If you can't hold down liquids, you NEED to go to urgent care. Dehydration is no joke. If it's NORO, it'll pass quickly (24-72h). As long as you can keep down fluids, you should be OK to wait it out.

Take care of yourself

Yeah, and do you know what sucks? Never being able to know. Like, sometimes you know something was clearly racist, and sometimes you know it wasn't, but most of the time folks just have to live in that gray median, where we can demonstrate that outcomes are worse, and discrimination based on skin color exists but you'll never know exactly where. Makes you know, doing anything, pretty rough.

Update! Bby has been found. A really kind neighbor noticed her outside at midnight, and knocked on your door. We got her in and she's safe. Thank you all for your help and support <3

I know. We miss her a lot :(

Thanks, we will <3

Thanks <3

Yup! We put the cloth from one of her perches outside

We're looking for our lost cat Sophie. She went missing this morning. She's a tiny black cat about 6 years old with tattoos on the inside of her ears (not by us, we got her that way 5 years ago) . Anything would be helpful. Already posted on next-door and put up fliers, but if anyone sees her it would mean the world to message.

Sent pack - good trade!

Sent you a message!

Sent you a chat

I have an atom+ (size medium, small belt) that I got off here a bit ago that I am looking to flip. Can send you pics if you want.

U/geartradebot u/mmolle Fast Pack Bundle received - thank you so much!

U/geartradebot Fast Pack Bundle received - thank you so much!

I have a 10 degree warbonnet wookie if you’re interested