My first experiment with a tuna can alcohol stove earlier this week was a bust.

My first experiment with a tuna can alcohol stove earlier this week was a bust. The WikiHow instructions directed sixteen 1/8" holes in the sides, but the fire snuffed out when I put the GSI boiler on. Tonight I redrilled the holes with a 1/4" bit and am now enjoying two cups of hot tea from my boiler. I'll need some practice to estimate how much alcohol to use, but at least I know it works!

I need to update my AT prep updates more frequently, but I haven't gotten into the social media habit, yet.

I need to update my AT prep updates more frequently, but I haven't gotten into the social media habit, yet. I plan to post more background, but here is a brief catch up on many of my recent activities.

Been hiking and walking more, and climbing stairs at work to get back in trim. Attended a "Hiking the AT" session at the local REI store. Setup automatic payments for utilities and local taxes. Updated my glasses and sunglasses for the hike with new progressive prescriptions, the glasses with a Crizal coating (repels water and fingerprints, antireflective/antiglare and UV protection). Upgraded from limited minutes/data to the T-Mobile ONE Unlimited 55 phone plan. Made reservations at the hostel in Harpers Ferry. Made an alcohol stove from a tuna can. Purchased a tick removal key and GSI Outdoors 1.1L anodized aluminum boiler and plastic spoon/fork from REI. Purchased the "AT Passport" to collect stamps from participating organizations/businesses along the way.

I'm not inclined to cook on the trail, but I'm giving myself the option. I plan to test the alcohol stove and boiler this week.

"a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" - Laozi, Tao Te Ching

"a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" - Laozi, Tao Te Ching

This is the first post about my 2,190 mile thru-hike on the #AppalachianTrail, which I will begin in April 2018 from Harpers Ferry WV to Mt Katahdin in Maine. I will complete the southern portion of the trail between Harpers Ferry and Springer Mountain Georgia by November 2018. This is known as a "flip-flop" hike (see link).

Hikers use trail names to identify themselves, either self-assigned or given by other hikers. I went through several for myself ("Geo" for Geof and my degree in Geography, "Napkins" as I can't throw away extra paper napkins from fast-food restaurants, and others), but I ended up with "Happy Hermit" as it describes me reasonably well. I'll see if it sticks.

I will follow-up with posts about my personal background, inspirations, equipment decisions, and reference books later, but I am an accomplished procrastinator, as well.

Thanks for following!
http://www.appalachiantrail.org/home/explore-the-trail/thru-hiking/alternative