An Appalachian Trail Update

It's up......but needs more work.......But It's UP!!!! YEAH!!!!!

www.pumaghostwalker.com/

The downsizing of Puma Ghostwalker……

I am leaving for the trail in March 2011, the plan is that I have a savings of 20,000 to 30,000 dollars prior to my departure.
My estimation of needed funds is about 3,000 dollars to hike the trail one way in four to six months.
A one way trip north (NOBO) starts in the state of Georgia and ends in Maine that is approximately 2,168 miles.

Depending on my health and strength, I may turn around and do what is called a Yo-Yo,
going back from Maine to Georgia.

(That’s not counting the miles to hike off trail to towns for resupplying)

(I could do it faster but I plan to stop and smell the roses)

I am doing the trail alone and no support team to follow me…..
Mail drops of food will be preplanned and mailed to towns along the trail.

On my web site…..PumaGhostwalker.com, I will blog my trip using Flickr to post my photos
My web site will have a great map that people can enlarge to great detail and follow the journey with me.
I’m hoping that I will be able to post every three to five days. Packing a camera a laptop and my black berry cell phone is a lot of dead weight,
But I really want to do this.

(I use my cell phone as a modem for only an extra 10.00 dollars a month)

I personally am hiking the trail for Diabetes, through the march of dimes I will donate one dollar per mile I hike.
My web site will have a list of charitable originations that people can contribute to in behalf of my (our) journey.

This trip is going to change me inside and out, I need one year to plan this, I’m NOT COMING BACK…..to my old life……exactly.
I will continue to come back to New York City, I can make a lot of money fast…..and my work with the Boy Scouts of America…..
And of course……My bees and the NYCBCP……..New York City Bee Conservation Project...

With the purchase of a travel trailer, I am downsizing my cost of living expenses to help save up for the trip and after my return
I don’t plan on working more than six months a year. My plan is to work and travel going on digs and studying nature.

(Like the wild orchids in the Florida Everglades)

I must give up my cats to good homes.
My orchids to people that know how to care for them.
95% of all that I own….I don’t need it

My sailboat……..I’m keeping my sextant, I still plan to sail around the world one day, and I need a bigger boat for that anyway.
My books…..I have about three hundred….About thirty of them I could never part with….. (Is any one like that with books?)……LOL!!!!!