December 15 marks exactly 100 days until I begin my thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail on March 25, 2018 at Springer Mountain in Georgia. This is significant because my goal is to complete the entire 2200-mile trail in 100 days (or less!), meaning that with each passing minute there is less time remaining until I start than the number of days I will spend on the trail.
While I have not been writing much about my preparation, there has been a lot going on behind the scenes. While I do appreciate the spontaneity and freedom that the AT provides, I’m a planner at heart and can’t help but do all I can to prepare. I have spent countless hours researching and testing gear, planning my itinerary and logistics, and reading articles. Along the way, I’ve also published a few posts on TheTrek.co, including a series on “Thru-Hiker Nutrition” that I’m particularly proud of.
While this post is more of an update than an article in itself, I do have several others in the queue that I plan to publish with regards to my preparation. Subjects include:
- How I saved over 50% on my gear
- Leveraging rewards programs to save $2,000 on hotels
- My gear list and pack weight
- Food and nutrition planning
Stay tuned!
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Brandon Chase is a writer, endurance athlete, and guide based in Maine. He is a former Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State and spent nearly a decade overseas serving at embassies in Egypt, Cyprus, and Pakistan.
Along with a 98-day thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, he has summited Mt. Kilimanjaro, hiked the West Highland Way, fastpacked in the Himalayas, and trekked around New Zealand and South Africa. He also regularly competes in ultramarathons at the 50k, 50-mile, and 100-mile distances. He is a Lead Guide for Andrew Skurka Adventures and the New England Outdoor Center.