Adventure Possible

How to Live a Modern Life of Adventure

15 Steps to Live a Life of Adventure
  • Life of Adventure
  • Books
  • Sponsorships
  • Weekend Adventures
  • Appalachian Trail
  • Bike America
  • RV’ing
  • The Kelleys
You are here: Home / Adventure Trip / Trail Name Wayward – AT Thru-Hike Day 23

Trail Name Wayward – AT Thru-Hike Day 23

July 19, 2013 by Mark Kelley Leave a Comment

Share adventure with others

  • Tweet

Location: Unnamed Shelter

July has come and I am three weeks into my trip. Today I’ll say that I’m done with cigarettes. I’ve visited two towns, drank beer three nights and been around smokers each of those nights, and I have resisted temptation. In The Forks, ME, I didn’t even crave nicotine. This hike has already proven its worth because I’ve quit smoking.

With three weeks completed, my mentality has changed. Today my attitude towards the trail became more serious. Whether because of my small daily mileage average or of the dreams of family and home I enjoyed last night, today I pushed myself harder on the trail. I banged out over 17 miles. Now, at the end of the day, I’m feeling quite well. My knees and ankles hurt no more than usual, and I’m not too tired. Even with a late start this morning, I managed to finish the day at 6:00, three hours before dark. I will and did still take time to enjoy the sights and sounds, but to finish this trail I’ll have to start pushing myself a little farther each day. The sooner I get south, the sooner friends and family will join me on the trail or meet me in a town.

Last night I decided a trail name. Since I have not acquired one through chance or circumstance, I’ve given myself a name. ‘Wayward Angler’ I’ve decided suits me well. I have little hiking experience and therefore am quite lost out here, and I frequently lose the trail when I push to remote places to fish. The name can be considered on several levels, and we’ll see how many and which ones are revealed on this hike. I think the name fits me well. Those I meet call me Wayward, and one man called me W.A. for short.

Once I got to the shelter tonight, I met Wolfman Duke, a 50 year old retired Navy officer on the trail to finish his thru-hike. He blew out his knee last fall in Rangeley, ME on his way north. He offered good advice on the trail ahead, suggesting I get lighter shoes so I don’t wear my legs and body out, and that I change my stove from propane to alcohol. He also said I’ll burn up in NY and NJ in my 0F sleeping bag. I should buy a lighter bag and then have my current one shipped to me in the late fall.

Share adventure with others

  • Tweet

More adventure, please!

Filed Under: Adventure Trip, Backpacking, Maine hiking, Mark's Appalachian Trail Thru Hike Tagged With: Hiking, Maine Wilderness

Share your comments... Cancel reply

Click to Buy eBook

Buy This eBook from AdventurePossible.com ($4.99)

Based on the actual adventure and transformation of Mark Kelley, publisher of this website, who struggled mightily on his hike through the rugged and remote 100 Mile Wilderness on the Appalachian Trail.

Amazon Top 20 Best Seller for Adventure Travel eBooks.

Buy It Now. Support Adventure Possible. ($4.99)

Meet the Adventure Possible Family

kelley family photo

Hi, My Name is Katie and I Married an Adventurer.

Quitting My Job

How can we afford to quit work and to travel for a year?

Are we investing for the future while we travel long term?

How much does it cost to RV around America for a year?

Adventure Possible in the News

Live a Life of Adventure in 15 Steps

Our family has adopted an approach to modern life that builds adventure into life's trajectory. We call it the Adventure Possible … Read More

Adventure in NC

  • Life of Adventure
  • Books
  • Sponsorships
  • Weekend Adventures
  • Appalachian Trail
  • Bike America
  • RV’ing
  • The Kelleys

Dream Big

  • Live a Life of Adventure
  • RV across America
  • Bike across America
  • Hike the AT

Resources

  • Checklists & Tools
  • Adventure Sponsorships
  • Weekend Adventures

Shop

  • Shop
  • Cart
  • Checkout
  • My Account

Get Involved

  • Contributing Writers
  • Buy our Books
  • About The Site
  • Meet the Kelleys

Social

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Search

© 2013-2016 ProTrack Marketing LLC. Raleigh, North Carolina. Google+ Publisher.