Getting ready to climb the AT: the emotional roller coaster

First counting the months.

Then counting the weeks.

Then counting the days.

Now counting the hours.

There are 72 hours left to cross that arc. After 10 years of planning my 2026 NOBO Appalachian Trail hike (I’ll explain the “10 years” part in a minute), it’s here. Cue the butterflies. Start clenching your fists and grinding your teeth. Here come the short breaths.

It really is an emotional roller coaster.

Last week I was doing a brisk walk and an older gentleman who passed me in the other direction said, «training for something?» We stopped and I told him about my upcoming AT-thru hike. He asked if it has been emotional preparing. I hadn’t thought much about it, but this is what I said:

EXCITEMENT

I have been planning this hike for 10 years.

I didn’t expect to plan it for 10 years. But kids, colleges, sports, renovations, funerals, and weddings seemed determined to keep me going year after year.

But when 2026 approached, I decided that was the year.

For the 10 years of my planning, it has been pure excitement. I read all the books, watched dozens of YouTube vlogs, read hundreds of Trek blogs, watched all the documentaries, and talked to dozens and dozens of hikers.

Darwin, Bigfoot, Spielberg, Handstand, RTK, Early Riser, Scoutmaster, Nahamsha, Justin Outdoors, Dixie and many more.

I tested gear, researched shelters, and tried trail food.

Pure emotion.

DISBELIEF

In the last 3 or 4 weeks leading up to my hike, I began to feel disbelief. Mini out-of-body experiences like I’m looking at myself in disbelief and saying “this is really here” and “this is really happening.” I am a university professor when I am not on excursions. In mid-January, the spring 2026 semester began without me for the first time in 17 years.

Disbelief.

ANXIETY

I would be lying if I didn’t say that I have my moments of anxiety and nervousness.

Small attacks of hyperventilation. Followed by long, slow, controlled breaths.

I don’t think it’s fear. I’ve been preparing for 10 years. I have done test walks. I have tested all my equipment repeatedly. I have learned from dozens of experienced hikers. I have asked all the questions. 10 times. I have watched all of the “5 Things I Wish I Knew Before My Hike” videos. 10 times.

But it’s still a 2,197.9 mile hike. I haven’t done that yet.

Anxiety.

That’s how I responded to that nice older gentleman. That’s my answer and I stick to it.

My favorite part of this roller coaster? Which is a roller coaster. (I actually like roller coasters!) After any moment of disbelief or anxiety, some element of my planning or preparation plunges me back into pure excitement.

It’s a wild ride. Safely. But I just call it part of the journey!

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