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Clarity on an AT thru-hike
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The videos playing alright for you guys?
And thank you!www.appalachiantrailclarity.com - Life on the A.T.
Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of nowhere, and sometimes in the middle of nowhere, you find yourself. -
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twistwrist wrote:
The videos playing alright for you guys?
And thank you!
Lost in the right direction. -
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twistwrist wrote:
Thanks! It was fun taking y'all along!
Lest we forget.....
SSgt Ray Rangel - USAF
SrA Elizabeth Loncki - USAF
PFC Adam Harris - USA
MSgt Eden Pearl - USMC -
ok, i know i posted this in another thread, but after looking at it...
i think this is twistwrist...
[IMG:http://images.redbox.com/Images/EPC/Kiosk/8934.jpg]2,000 miler -
max.patch wrote:
ok, i know i posted this in another thread, but after looking at it...
i think this is twistwrist...
[IMG:http://images.redbox.com/Images/EPC/Kiosk/8934.jpg]
Lest we forget.....
SSgt Ray Rangel - USAF
SrA Elizabeth Loncki - USAF
PFC Adam Harris - USA
MSgt Eden Pearl - USMC -
Dan76 wrote:
max.patch wrote:
ok, i know i posted this in another thread, but after looking at it...
i think this is twistwrist...
[IMG:http://images.redbox.com/Images/EPC/Kiosk/8934.jpg]
2,000 miler -
Dan76 wrote:
max.patch wrote:
ok, i know i posted this in another thread, but after looking at it...
i think this is twistwrist...
[IMG:http://images.redbox.com/Images/EPC/Kiosk/8934.jpg]
Besides, I follow bears. They don't follow me.
youtube.com/watch?v=VrR04VCNWoc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yReS8jY9_5Iwww.appalachiantrailclarity.com - Life on the A.T.
Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of nowhere, and sometimes in the middle of nowhere, you find yourself. -
Part 3 of Clarity on the AT. It was really difficult to sum up New Hampshire and Maine in just 14.5 minutes! You guys enjoy!
smilebox.com/playBlog/4e444d30…d44413d0d0a&blogview=truewww.appalachiantrailclarity.com - Life on the A.T.
Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of nowhere, and sometimes in the middle of nowhere, you find yourself. -
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2,100 mile journal entry – Lessons of Clarity
The main purpose of my undertaking in attempting what only 790 people accomplished last year has always been in search of clarity…open-minded and eager for the trail to teach me anything and steer the lessons in any direction. The cloudy years leading up to my pilgrimage required a large dose of sunshine to burn off the fog and provide clarity, the ability to see things clearly. Upon learning the story behind my trail name, people often ask me if I have found clarity on my journey. Every single day, a resounding yes. Everyday living out of only the contents of a backpack, physically exerting oneself and pushing harder mentally than ever before, exercising mind over matter every step, spending every hour of every day for six months nomadically residing in the forest of the humbling Appalachian Mountains, breathing deliciously clean mountain air, drinking from pure mountain springs, and associating with others who all have purposes of their own…every moment is significant and brings bits of clarity if you simply take the time to notice and reflect on them. Here they are…a few of my bits of “Clarity” on the Appalachian Trail:
- Very quickly I understood pure happiness and felt a sense of home on the trail. This was a place I could be me; in whatever mood I found myself, never did I have to cover up how I was really feeling. I was accepted for exactly who I am without judgement by other wanderers on trail. With only 35 pounds of belongings, having very few luxuries, I felt happier than ever before. Finally internalizing the true difference between wants and needs is happiness. Often people buy “stuff” to give them a brief, passing feeling of something resembling happiness, however, it is the realization of just how small we are, and how insignificant lots of stuff is, and the joy of experiencing the moment within oneself that brings happiness. The great “I am”.
- Postponing living until retirement is a flawed way of thinking. Yes, planning and saving are of high importance, but there’s a fine line between working to live and living to work. Remedy? Find a way to make money doing something that makes me feel alive! Ideas are in the works…
- Nature, in all its glory and in all its fury, is peace defined. The music in its silence and in its dancing creeks…The rhythm of nature pelting tiny ice crystals as if it’s playing darts and one’s tent is the bullseye. Or the din of wind so loud it leaves no room to hear anything else. Nature’s ever-changing moods bring stillness of mind and sharpness of thought. Stress is suspended and days of the week forgotten. Peace. Defined.
- People are still kind. For a few years, my faith in caring, benevolent souls was shaken. The piece of clarity most valuable to me, the lesson drilled into my head in each and every repeated instance, was that people are good. Random acts of kindness do still exist out there! It was refreshing to experience so many people, strangers and not, who readily stepped in to help bring a little comfort to a weary, bedraggled thru-hiker, for no other purpose than to make someone’s day.
- It is not possible to move forward if continuously gazing in the rearview mirror. A painful crash is inevitable if one looks back for too long. It is also possible to look too far ahead and lose sight of right now. As I set out on my journey on June 5, my brother’s final words to me were, “One step at a time, Ally. Just take it one step at a time.” This exact moment, this current step, are all we have and the only things that ever really matter.
- It’s not always about getting there fast. Experiences and moments more easily become lasting memories when savored. Quality over quantity.
- A sunrise or sunset is always worth it. “It”, here, is defined as absolutely anything.
- I may not be able to move mountains out of my way, no matter how badly I might want to. But I have learned that I can absolutely move myself across them. Don’t fight the mountains, work through them. Learn their lessons.
- When we really exercise mind over matter, humans are capable of much more than we realize.
www.appalachiantrailclarity.com - Life on the A.T.
Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of nowhere, and sometimes in the middle of nowhere, you find yourself.The post was edited 1 time, last by twistwrist ().
- Very quickly I understood pure happiness and felt a sense of home on the trail. This was a place I could be me; in whatever mood I found myself, never did I have to cover up how I was really feeling. I was accepted for exactly who I am without judgement by other wanderers on trail. With only 35 pounds of belongings, having very few luxuries, I felt happier than ever before. Finally internalizing the true difference between wants and needs is happiness. Often people buy “stuff” to give them a brief, passing feeling of something resembling happiness, however, it is the realization of just how small we are, and how insignificant lots of stuff is, and the joy of experiencing the moment within oneself that brings happiness. The great “I am”.
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Part 5 of Clarity on the AT - TN, NC, GA
http://www.smilebox.com/playBlog/4e444d304e4459774e54413d0d0a&blogview=truewww.appalachiantrailclarity.com - Life on the A.T.
Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of nowhere, and sometimes in the middle of nowhere, you find yourself. -
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OzJacko wrote:
Memories came flooding back with your pics.
Something has got into my eyes.
Thank you.
How about the Bib one day?
600 miles and lots of kangaroos and beaches.
max.patch wrote:
does your brother have any interest in a thru of his own?
www.appalachiantrailclarity.com - Life on the A.T.
Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of nowhere, and sometimes in the middle of nowhere, you find yourself. -
twistwrist wrote:
Part 5 of Clarity on the AT - TN, NC, GA
http://www.smilebox.com/playBlog/4e444d304e4459774e54413d0d0a&blogview=true
I may grow old but I'll never grow up. -
Thanks! It's inspired me. I think I'll go walk the trail again.
Seriously, I kinda want to. But maybe another trail would satisfy me better.www.appalachiantrailclarity.com - Life on the A.T.
Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of nowhere, and sometimes in the middle of nowhere, you find yourself. -
twistwrist wrote:
Thanks! It's inspired me. I think I'll go walk the trail again.
Seriously, I kinda want to. But maybe another trail would satisfy me better.
Lest we forget.....
SSgt Ray Rangel - USAF
SrA Elizabeth Loncki - USAF
PFC Adam Harris - USA
MSgt Eden Pearl - USMC -
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twistwrist wrote:
Thanks! It's inspired me. I think I'll go walk the trail again.
Seriously, I kinda want to. But maybe another trail would satisfy me better.
bacon can solve most any problem. -
twistwrist wrote:
Thanks! It's inspired me. I think I'll go walk the trail again.
Seriously, I kinda want to. But maybe another trail would satisfy me better.
I may grow old but I'll never grow up. -
twistwrist wrote:
Thanks! It's inspired me. I think I'll go walk the trail again.
Seriously, I kinda want to. But maybe another trail would satisfy me better.
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Mountain-Mike wrote:
twistwrist wrote:
Thanks! It's inspired me. I think I'll go walk the trail again.
Seriously, I kinda want to. But maybe another trail would satisfy me better.
The road to glory cannot be followed with much baggage.
Richard Ewell, CSA General -
Thank you for the nice card, Clarity...love it!Lost in the right direction.
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Hey guys! Guess what? The Beer Advocate magazine has shown interest in possible 1200 word article about beer on the AT.
Trying to decide what kind of spin to put on it. Thinking of trying to sum up all beer experiences on the AT from trail magic to breweries, to trail town pubs and even hobo drinking when none of the above is available. I want to try to write a humorous yet factual piece. Pretty psyched, but not going to stress. If I play with words and make something happen, cool! If not, that's ok too. This will be a first for me...writing for a wide audience feels different than writing for myself and then sharing with people.
Any ideas for other places that might be interested in some writing about the AT?www.appalachiantrailclarity.com - Life on the A.T.
Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of nowhere, and sometimes in the middle of nowhere, you find yourself. -
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Oh sweet!www.appalachiantrailclarity.com - Life on the A.T.
Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of nowhere, and sometimes in the middle of nowhere, you find yourself. -
I drank a lot but made no notes.
My only contribution is that I found Coors Light to be the staple of thruhikers.
I call it the McDonalds of beers. No one's favorite but inoffensive to all.
(Actually I liked it. No hangovers. Much weaker than our staples over here.)
Resident Australian, proving being a grumpy old man is not just an American trait. -
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LIhikers wrote:
While I haven't done a thru hike, the best beer I've had between Harper's Ferry and southern Maine was the Guinness that the Inn At The Long Trail had on tap.
We stayed 2 nights though and they were great after you adjusted over the first few.Resident Australian, proving being a grumpy old man is not just an American trait. -
Sorry to change the current topic, but I was wondering if Clarity will post an updated gear list.
I'd like to compare what you thought you needed vs what you ended up needing.Lost in the right direction. -
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OzJacko wrote:
I snuck a look in the women's thread.
Don't bother with the pee thingy....
Lost in the right direction. -
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CoachLou wrote:
I know two Lashers that made a study of the subject.....Oz & JimmyJam.........youz guyz can consult for accuracy.
I may grow old but I'll never grow up. -
TrafficJam wrote:
Sorry to change the current topic, but I was wondering if Clarity will post an updated gear list.
I'd like to compare what you thought you needed vs what you ended up needing.
LIhikers wrote:
Hey twistwrist.......
if you do publish anything about your hike make sure to let us know.
I like the way you write and, if possible, would like to read what you have to say.
www.appalachiantrailclarity.com - Life on the A.T.
Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of nowhere, and sometimes in the middle of nowhere, you find yourself. -
Drybones wrote:
CoachLou wrote:
I know two Lashers that made a study of the subject.....Oz & JimmyJam.........youz guyz can consult for accuracy.
"Dazed and Confused"
Recycle, re-use, re-purpose
Plant a tree
Take a kid hiking
Make a difference
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