Welcome. You're about to hop on the Appalachian Trail and become part of the 2009 thru-hike of Chris Hennig, whose trail name was "Feed Bag." While Feed Bag took in all the personal benefits of spending hours alone in the woods (getting in better shape, crying, pondering the meaning of life), there is a purpose greater than that for which he hiked: to make the world a better place for children. And you can be a part of this journey starting now...and help make a difference!

Start Date: 3/29/09 End Date: 9/5/09



Top 6 lists with 600 miles to go!

Filed under: Blog Posts — chrishennig @ 7:41 am August 1, 2009

In honor of having around 600 miles left I thought I would create a few Top 6 lists about all things hiking, adventure, the trail, etc. Feel free to leave your own Top 6 anything in the comments, just as long as they aren’t funnier than mine! 😉

Top 6 Reasons to Hike the Appalachian Trail
6. You meet a lot of interesting people.
5. Sometimes it’s pretty.
4. Visit states you’ve previously never been to (VT, NH, and ME for me).
3. You can decide where you never want to live or settle down.
2. The same reason anyone likes running: there comes a point when you get to stop.
1. You get to eat whatever you want and still lose weight.

Top 6 Reasons NOT To Hike the Appalachian Trail
6. You must walk in the rain.
5. The bugs are terrible.
4. Mountains are more pretty to look at than climb.
3. Dirt gets everywhere. EVERYWHERE…
2. When it rains on dirt it turns into mud. EVERYWHERE…
1. Because cars can go faster than 3 mph.

Top 6 Things I Would Have Done Differently In Preparing For My Hike
6. Go backpacking at least once to see if I really enjoy it.
5. Experiment with different recipes.
4. Save more money and plan for more time.
3. Determine the best fitting shoes and buy several pair, including one size bigger than normal.
2. Get in the best shape possible before leaving.
1. Have a hiking partner the whole way 🙁

Top 6 Things I Miss About Everyday Life
6. Everything in Franklin, TN.
5. Being in church.
4. I miss driving. I love driving (4 or 2 wheels…)
3. Playing music.
2. STARBUCKS.
1. Seeing my friends/family.

Top 6 Reasons to Sponsor A Child
6. The need still exists…today. 26,000 kids died today and will tomorrow.
5. You’re allowed to feel good about sponsoring. Not boast, but feel good!
4. You get to have an international pen-pal and learn about a different culture.
3. Your sponsored child will draw you pictures!
2. I’m asking you too, please 🙂
1. $1 day has a large impact! World Vision’s work affects tens-of-millions of people every year.

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Top 6 Reasons NOT To Sponsor A Child
6. You already sponsor more than you can keep up with.
5. You’re adopting a child from a developing country.
4. You don’t agree with World Vision’s practices (please tell me, if so).
3. You’d rather make large one-time donations and build things like wells!
2. You are in unavoidable debt and can’t get out.
1. You and your family already go to bed hungry every night.

I’ll be back
when the week is new,
and I’ll have another blog for you.
And you’ll have things you’ll want to talk about…
and I…will…too!

Trail Report:
7/9 15.9 miles. Rocky climb out of Leigh Gap. It’s a Superfund site. Scary.
7/10 20.2 miles. Didn’t find the money I hid in Wind Gap last fall. I will return.
7/11 10.5 miles. Sad to say goodbye to “Mostly” today. Huge bear came through camp tonight.
7/12 20.9 miles. Saw the same bear this morning up on a ridge. Hiked in flip-flops because my boots hurt.
7/13 20.1 miles. Another bear this AM. Staying at “The Mayor’s House” hostel. Awesome, free.
7/14 11.9 miles. Staying at a hostel in Vernon. There’s a Starbucks in the local grocery store!
7/15 5.1 miles. More Starbucks today before leaving town. Looking forward to seeing Andy tomorrow.
7/16 22 miles. Andy came and hiked 12 of the miles with me; he did great! They were tough, too.
7/17 0 miles NYC
7/18 0 miles NYC
7/19 0 miles NYC/back to Greenwood Lake. Decided to stay one more night instead of hiking out late.
7/20 20.8 miles. Didn’t make it as far as I wanted today. No worries.
5/21 23 miles. Had to stop and work on my water filter today. Everything is so wet. Tired of being tired. Prayed for strength.
7/22 25.5 miles. Chaffing, ouch. All the powder in the world isn’t combating this rain.
7/23 19.7 miles. Resupplied in Kent, CT. Bought new filter. Didn’t rain until I got to shelter. Listening to HeartSong Live. AMAZING! But everything is wet and smells terrible.
7/24 18.2 miles. Needed trail magic…and a trail Angel picked me up in Falls Village, CT, and took me home. Clean laundry, showered, and not tenting in the rain!!!!!! Soooo thankful. Thanks Thin Ice Skater 🙂
7/25 21.7 miles. Lots of crying at the end of the day. Great start, though. Beautiful end to CT (scenery, not the crying).
7/26 19.6 miles. Cried on and off all morning. Listened to music all day. Thankfully people at the shelter tonight.
7/27 24.6 miles. Right knee hurts. Rigged my tent in the shelter to keep the bugs off. So much mud and bugs.
7/28 20.7 miles. Trail magic in Dalton, MA. Pressed on to Cheshire, MA, and stayed at the Catholic hostel.
7/29 0 MILES! Much needed zero. Unfortunately phone service is terrible and internet is slooooow.

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