Q) Is this the Appalachian Trail?
A) No, it’s the Mountains-to-Sea Trail which runs across North Carolina from the Tennessee border to the Outerbanks. Here's a great interactive map of the entire trail: https://mountainstoseatrail.org/the-trail/map/
Q) You’re walking across the state?!
A) Yes, and no. We’re hiking from the western terminus at Clingman's Dome to Raleigh. Then we’ll canoe the Neuse River from Raleigh to just past New Bern. From there we’ll finish the coastal portion on bikes to Jockey’s Ridge.
Q) Are you crazy? WHY are you doing this?
A) I think Jeff answers that very well here: https://rezelimst.blogspot.com/2018/07/why-when-we-tell-most-people-about-our.html
Q) How big is the group you are going with?
A) There is no group. It is just us. But we could not do this without the support of our family, friends, and the great volunteers and staff of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail!
Q) How long is the trail?
A) The MST is almost 1,200 miles, depending on the exact route. We will hike 668 miles, paddle 216 miles, and bike 150 miles.
Q) How long will it take?
A) Approximately 75 days, if all goes as planned!
Q) How did you get that much time off from work?
A) We asked for it. And we both have super supportive employers!
Q) What will you eat?
A) Lots of instant stuff like oatmeal, granola, mashed potatoes, and ramen with some protein and dehydrated veggies/fruits/nuts mixed in – to make it healthy, of course! And when we pass through a town, we’ll gorge ourselves on fresh food.
Q) Where will you sleep?
A) Most nights will be spent in a tent under the stars, with no rain hopefully. We will occasionally splurge on a hotel or bed and breakfast. And we have some great friends and family helping across the state who will thankfully house us a few nights.
Q) How will you entertain yourselves and not get annoyed with each other?
A) That's a fair question at any time actually. Let's see, Debra talks a lot and will narrate the entire trip. And Jeff will be his usual quiet self until he chimes in with the most amazing, insightful thought ever.
Q) How much does your pack weigh?
A) Debra’s should be around 28 lbs. and Jeff’s will be about 35 lbs. with food and some water. So the weight will vary on our backs as it goes into our bellies!
Q) What will you do if it rains?
A) Get wet.
Q) Where do you get drinking water?
A) We pump/filter it from sources like creeks and springs. So the rain is actually a good thing!
Q) When/where will you bathe?
A) Mostly, we won't unless we're in a fancy campground or hotel. Another reason to be thankful for the rain...
Q) Are you afraid of bears, snakes, lightning, ticks, getting lost, etc…?
A) Of course, aren’t we all!
Q) Have you ever done anything like this?
A) Well, we do something like this most every weekend and vacation. Now we'll just have to string all the days together...
Q) How did you prepare for this adventure?
A) Lots of work acquiring food, upgrading gear, and many spreadsheets for organizing it all – including this one which gives our day by day plans: https://rezelimst.blogspot.com/2018/07/in-beginning.html
Q) How can I follow along or help?
A) We'll hopefully post our updates to Facebook and this blog as we have internet connection. When we need help, we'll ask with specifics. And you can track us here: http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=012ZP6X92nWYyt85Rh0Pc3R0D6z1rV1YE
