A healing Appalachian trail journey
Donation protected
My name is Phillip and I Am hiking the Appalachian trail. I am starting my hike on February 27, 2017. I was diagnosed with PTSD a few years ago and have been fighting and struggling with my own personal battles since. For me this has been a debilitating time and I have decided to make a plan and set a start date for adventure. I have decided to hike the Appalachian trail.
I am planning this as a thru hike, completing the whole 2,190.3 miles in one full experience from start to finish. This for me and for many is a huge undertaking, and one for me I feel will help me with my PTSD. For starters even being able to plan this trip has been a huge accomplishment for myself (even though lots more to go) and has enabled me to break through some of those barriers that keep me from doing or accomplishing things I want to. From the waxing and waning of anxiety and depression debilitating me from doing everyday things. To the pain inducing nightmares and migraine robbing days. The appetite lost perpetuating the issue, the inability to leave the house or to work. Disability becomes the norm, the need for help and not knowing how or being able to ask. I have refrained thus far on my road from claiming disability (for me a crippling thing) I am determined to and will overcome any struggles I have.
This trip will be very healing for me. I will be blogging and writing about my experience and psychological wanderings, (westenthewind.com) maybe they will help someone else who is going through similar things. I will also be making videos (from my phone for now) so that I can share the hiking experience with others whom maybe are unable to do such things. A chance for me to discover and share my process with others. (my uncle is wheelchair bound and I hope that the videos will help him to see things he normally cannot get to.) Maybe HP or GOPRO will answer my emails about helping me with equipment so I can make better videos.
Upon my journey to begin this trip, obtain the right equipment, and prepare enough food, I as many, am diligently planning and researching everything. Every ounce counts when your carrying it on you back for 5 or more months. And so does every penny. The Average thru hiker spends around $1,000 per month of hiking for supplies and food and lodging. I will lower this cost by taking rest days on the trail and staying in hotels or hostels as little as possible. I am also preparing most of my food and meals at home before I go. Dehydrating and vacuum sealing meals for easy cooking on the trail. And because my amazing parents are willing to help by mailing me restock packages along the way. Thank you Mom and Dad!!! I am so lucky to have my parents and their support, they have been my rocks throughout this time. Helping me through my initial diagnosis, (debilitating PTSD, anxiety and depression) to the life changing traumatic events, that seem to cascade after, from compounding circumstance to explosive events, a road of recovery to rolling my car to almost loosing my hand, a dislocated shoulder in multiple places to a broken patella, to assisting with hours of therapy both physical and mental. I would not have even reached this point without them.
As my time narrows down and my start date gets closer, a few final pieces of equipment to get, and some more food to prepare, things are starting to come together and this trip is becoming more and more a reality. At least as of now I will be fully prepared to hike sans a proper backpack (I can just use some wheelie luggage right?), just not sure how to fund the actual hiking and the getting to the start of the trail. For me it is easiest and best if I drive (I don't do well at airports or busses or trains). And There are the occasional times where I will want a hot meal, a bowl of ice cream, a hot shower, or need some supplies or replacement gear. Like paints and sketchbooks. (phillipwesten.com)
I am in need of Help. I will be doing this trip no matter what, it would just be a lot nicer with food and the right equipment. A little financial backup will help with some of the anxiety and panic attacks surrounding this. I need help. I need your help to make this a magical experience. I need help to have this experience to share this experience. thank you.
I am planning this as a thru hike, completing the whole 2,190.3 miles in one full experience from start to finish. This for me and for many is a huge undertaking, and one for me I feel will help me with my PTSD. For starters even being able to plan this trip has been a huge accomplishment for myself (even though lots more to go) and has enabled me to break through some of those barriers that keep me from doing or accomplishing things I want to. From the waxing and waning of anxiety and depression debilitating me from doing everyday things. To the pain inducing nightmares and migraine robbing days. The appetite lost perpetuating the issue, the inability to leave the house or to work. Disability becomes the norm, the need for help and not knowing how or being able to ask. I have refrained thus far on my road from claiming disability (for me a crippling thing) I am determined to and will overcome any struggles I have.
This trip will be very healing for me. I will be blogging and writing about my experience and psychological wanderings, (westenthewind.com) maybe they will help someone else who is going through similar things. I will also be making videos (from my phone for now) so that I can share the hiking experience with others whom maybe are unable to do such things. A chance for me to discover and share my process with others. (my uncle is wheelchair bound and I hope that the videos will help him to see things he normally cannot get to.) Maybe HP or GOPRO will answer my emails about helping me with equipment so I can make better videos.
Upon my journey to begin this trip, obtain the right equipment, and prepare enough food, I as many, am diligently planning and researching everything. Every ounce counts when your carrying it on you back for 5 or more months. And so does every penny. The Average thru hiker spends around $1,000 per month of hiking for supplies and food and lodging. I will lower this cost by taking rest days on the trail and staying in hotels or hostels as little as possible. I am also preparing most of my food and meals at home before I go. Dehydrating and vacuum sealing meals for easy cooking on the trail. And because my amazing parents are willing to help by mailing me restock packages along the way. Thank you Mom and Dad!!! I am so lucky to have my parents and their support, they have been my rocks throughout this time. Helping me through my initial diagnosis, (debilitating PTSD, anxiety and depression) to the life changing traumatic events, that seem to cascade after, from compounding circumstance to explosive events, a road of recovery to rolling my car to almost loosing my hand, a dislocated shoulder in multiple places to a broken patella, to assisting with hours of therapy both physical and mental. I would not have even reached this point without them.
As my time narrows down and my start date gets closer, a few final pieces of equipment to get, and some more food to prepare, things are starting to come together and this trip is becoming more and more a reality. At least as of now I will be fully prepared to hike sans a proper backpack (I can just use some wheelie luggage right?), just not sure how to fund the actual hiking and the getting to the start of the trail. For me it is easiest and best if I drive (I don't do well at airports or busses or trains). And There are the occasional times where I will want a hot meal, a bowl of ice cream, a hot shower, or need some supplies or replacement gear. Like paints and sketchbooks. (phillipwesten.com)
I am in need of Help. I will be doing this trip no matter what, it would just be a lot nicer with food and the right equipment. A little financial backup will help with some of the anxiety and panic attacks surrounding this. I need help. I need your help to make this a magical experience. I need help to have this experience to share this experience. thank you.
Organizer
Phillip Westen
Organizer
Santa Fe, NM
