LASH Prep: How I Ruined the Shakedown

Now playing: “Eyes to the Wind” from The War on Drugs

My «whys» related to this post:

• Be a voice for fellow hikers in the section and an ally for those who need it.
• Using my LASH as a test for future long distance hikes
• To remember my first stretch of hike and how I overcame its challenges.
• To remember what it’s like to be challenged physically, mentally and emotionally, and how much I missed it.
• To “move on” and finish what I already started.
• To chase the feeling that I’m home every time I see a white glow; know that I’m supposed to be here
• See the world and meet other good people along the way.
• Embrace the blowjob and fall in love with even the worst of the AT
• To remember that the AT will always love me
• Walk under the arch at Amicalola State Park and touch the first white flare
• To reach the halfway point (in miles) and return to Pine Grove Furnace State Park to participate in the Half Gallon Challenge.
• To eat that meal after the hike, of course (hiker hunger is real, friend)

The advance

So there I was, approaching my last white flare of the trip (my first white flare of my first hiking section) painted on the «AT THE MUSEUM» sign post in the parking lot. I went out with a couple for a night walk and they took some photos of me with the llamas.

But what those photos don’t show is what happened next.

The big announcement

Well, as I’ve mentioned several times, my plan for 2026 was to do my first LASH (long section hike) now that I’ve finished most of the miles within a reasonable driving distance of my home in Greater Philadelphia. I played with a few different routes in FarOut, but one stood out so clearly that it wasn’t a very difficult decision. It was time. I was going to the southern end of the Appalachian Trail and was going to be there for an entire month – my longest hiking section by far.

The preliminary work

My friends since grade school, Charles and Catherine, ended up getting married and moving to the Atlanta, Georgia area. They contacted me a few years ago when they found out I was trying to hike the entire Appalachian Trail and told me to let them know when I planned to start from the bottom in Georgia so they could help me. Well, it was time to ask for that favor.

Then I texted my friend Melanie, who I worked with during my years at Special Olympics New Jersey. He got married and moved to the Asheville, North Carolina area and also reached out to me to help me when it was time to venture to the Hot Springs area.

Somehow, without much effort, they took me to the southern tip of Georgia via Amicalola State Park’s Approach Trail, and a trip from Hot Springs, North Carolina, making my first LASH of about 275 miles. But there was one last obstacle.

Working three part-time jobs allows me the flexibility to take more time off to hike. The downside is that I also have to coordinate free time with three different jobs. But “when you want something, the entire universe conspires to help you achieve it.” All three leadership teams were amazing in finding a way to give me a month off to continue this journey. I work in an indoor football facility and teach football to children aged 2-8 in schools, so leaving them would be difficult, both for the children and for me. But even the support of families, school principals and teachers told me this had to happen.

I booked my flight to Atlanta for April 1, with the plan to start April 3, the second anniversary weekend of my first section hike. If all went well, he would return on May 2 from Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

To quote Penny Lane (Kate Hudson) in Almost Famous (or, depending on what kind of person you are, Scheana Shay on Vanderpump Rules):

«It’s all happening.»

The birthday shakedown

As I did for my last two birthdays, I wanted to get back on the trail again to celebrate. This time, however, I would also use it as a shakedown to train for over 275 miles of trail, or almost 300 miles if we include all the blue blazes I would also hike.

Although the adventure team, Marcin, and Kaitlyn couldn’t fit it into their schedules, Pip was able to come and join me on a two-day hike on the well-known 31-mile section from Sherwood Drive outside of Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania, to Pine Grove Furnace State Park.

Day 1 of 2 (March 12)

Since I had already hiked these sections of the trail, every mile was a memory. In fact, 10 miles of the trail was my birthday hike two years prior, in preparation for my OG section hike. This time, however, he was not alone.

Okay, I cursed him. Pip had a family emergency once we got to the pizza place in Boiling Springs and had to go out of the way. “Here I go again on my own.” –White Snake

But it was good. I used my time alone to think about LASH and life. This was big for me. A month is much more than a weekend. Was he ready for this? Well, of course it was. I prepared for my section hikes with training days and prepared for my impending LASH with section hikes. And maybe one day my LASHe will prepare for a hike.

My thoughts were interrupted just before the Alec Kennedy Shelter (although the signs said «Alex»). There were two bald eagles resting right in the middle of the trail. One flew away before I could take a photo of them together, but the other stayed and then perched on a tree. Come on, birds!

I ended up staying at the shelter that night after learning that the other overnight hiker was a fellow South Jerseyan named Jackson (though his real name). That’s a sign to stay, right?

Well, thank goodness this was blackmail, because I forgot my pillow. However, it was not the end of the world. I used my air mattress pump bag as a pillow and stuffed my rain suit into it. McGuyver would be proud.

I also used this shakedown to test my new quilt. Yes, that is correct. Now I’m a quilt guy. Sorry, dear sleeping bags. I love you, but you were getting too annoying. (Ugh, I sound like an ultralight). Once it went on sale, I picked up the highly reviewed and recommended Enlightened Equipment Revelation. I bought it in black and blue (Jackson Storm colors, of course) and rated at 20 degrees.

And that night at the shelter Alec Kennedy confirmed that it was not warm enough for the 26 degree night I faced. I would have to purchase a silk liner in case I faced the cold nights in the Smokies that I had been warned about for my next LASH.

Day 2 of 2 (March 13)

Unfortunately, I survived the night and finally reached Pine Grove Furnace State Park, my final point. I walked 30.9 miles in two days – a successful test for my first LASH after a cold, snowy winter. That said, I also spent the winter training at the gym, “walking” the StairMaster, and “climbing” the alpine pass feature of the treadmill. And at work or any other time of day I could find time, I would perform calf raises and split squats. I may be a section hiker, but I still know what’s up.

So there I was, approaching my last white flare of the trip (my first white flare of my first hiking section) painted on the «AT THE MUSEUM» sign post in the parking lot. I went out with a couple for a night walk and they took some photos of me with the llamas.

But what those photos don’t show is what happened next.

The “incident”

Okay, so listen up, people. Excited to finally get to my car just as my watch read 6 pm sharp, I opened the trunk of my car, without unlocking the rest of my car like I usually do first. Then I put my keys next to the trunk hinge, where they are not in but not completely out either.

I definitely thought, «Oh, if I forget to grab the keys before I close the trunk, at least the trunk won’t be able to close and I’ll be fine.»

Dude, why didn’t I just put the keys in my pocket? What’s wrong with you, Jackson Storm after the 30 mile walk? Do you have a hiker’s brain or something?

So, yes. I forgot my keys so quickly when I put my backpack in the trunk and locked the door with my keys.

It’s okay, though, because I can just jump on the trunk and bounce the car enough for it to open, right? I can get in through one of my other doors because I had opened the trunk, right? I can reach the keys and somehow press the unlock button, right?

SHIT!

I’m sorry. This will be my only bad word in this post, I promise.

SHIT!

Hey, fuck promises. I was locked out of my damn car after a damn 30 mile walk. The fucking sun is setting and the temperature is dropping like the fucking New Year’s dance in Times Square. And all my cold weather gear is in my backpack, which is locked away in my DAMN!

At least I had my cell phone with 20% battery. Oh, but there is no service. SHIT!

Path angels are real

I was able to stop a woman and her daughter, who were on their way to gather sheep. They tried calling the local police and the state park, but they also had no service. So they headed elsewhere to find service.

In the meantime, I got lucky and found a place with satellite service and sent a message about the situation in my family group chat. My brother called the local police, who contacted the park ranger to help me. Moments later, Ranger Drew and his partner, Chloe, drove from the house next door (yes, the one next door) to me in the parking lot, where they sheltered me in the heated bathrooms (the bright side).

Drew gave me his jacket and Chloe chatted with me while Drew got to work with the long reach tool and inflatable air wedge. They both seemed pretty close in age to me and actually made me feel a lot better about my mistake. And it turned out that Drew, aka “Pencil,” was a fellow long trail hiker and had completed the AT’s western sibling, the Pacific Crest Trail, in 2017. I was with my people!

Finally, Pencil’s move was successful and the sound of the door opening became my favorite sound. I hugged them both without hesitation and couldn’t stop saying thank you.

I was also able to get back in touch with Ashley, the woman who was collecting sheep with her daughter, to thank them for their efforts. (She was able to contact the police, but they told her that my brother had already contacted them.)

Thanks again to all the trail angels who were there to help me that night. The trail offers, fortunately.

Keep my eyes to the wind

Photo: Alicia Javier

Enough time has passed and now I can laugh about this whole thing. And looking back, remembering listening to the thinker song “Eyes to the Wind” by The War On Drugs while I was on this shakedown (and screwup): I think the song is appropriate for this time in my life.

Emotional resilience, transience and self-discovery: go ahead. These are all simple steps on the path to Katahdin. I love this trail and am constantly reminded that it loves me too.

Photo: Alicia Javier

Phew. Well, it’s finally time to eat my post-writing meal. I’m tired and hungry again just reliving this writing experience. Plus, my word count is once again higher than Snoop-a-loop at a Willie Nelson concert.

Next:

Ladies and gentlemen, let’s get ready for LASH!