The road to Millinocket

Barreling down the highway in a greyhound, taking in the scenery. The fear has subsided and i am ready. I had such an amazing day/night in Boston; mentally i broke down 7 times but my good friend Adam was there to motivate me, just as he did before on our nols course 2 years ago when we first met. He understands my America! politics cannot and won't distract us from being modern day explorers pushing the limits other so willingly pass up. My America is nature and its beautiful

Back to the greyhound we continue north to Bangor; I met two other southbound thru hikers on here and Im so excited to have company. i wanted isolation but now i understand isolation is the trail and the company of others is to be cherished which i certainly am doing now.

Tomorrow at 7 am eastern time I leave to summit mt.katadhin and reach Baxter peak. I leave my backpack at the ranger station and plan on jogging up to the summit. call me crazy but i already know Im a bit crazy,but then again isn't everyone?
 

In Your Honor

This adventure/journey is dedicated to:  Mariana Ayala; a loving mother, an amazing human being whos life was taken 1/3/13. We were practically family, and I'm so glad I was blessed to have her in my life for 20 years. I know it will be hard for baby Luke and Eva growing up with out there mother.

My main point is before I go I'd like to some how to use this trip to help raise money for Luke and Eva's future. Any money raised at all would NOT go to me. All proceeds would go to a Trust Fund for Eva and Luke which has been established. For those wishing to contribute, checks may be made out to: TRUST FUND FOR MASSARA CHILDREN then mailed to: Family of Mariana Ayala c/o Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home 12800 Westheimer Rd Houston, Texas 77077

This is an excellent cause and I'm willing to dedicate 6 months of my life to help raise money for Eva and Lukes future.

Prepairing for Adventure, Isolation, and the Pursuit of my American Dream.

.
First off my name is: Erik Kjell Grundvig, I am the youngest sibiling of 3: Ashley & Peter. I have two wonderful parents: Alma & Frank Grundvig; who have equally shaped me into the 22 year old I am today.Before I forget to mention.. I have a son well actually its my pet cat Scout! He is my life, and it hurts me to leave him. I'm an Outdoor Educator for backpacking &rock climbing. also a certified LNT trainer. I was taught by NOLS at there South West branch.
This is something that must be done.Ive always been engulfed in Nature, Wilderness, backcountry whatever you choose to call it is fine by me. Here is some related Irony. When I was born, as i was being removed from my mums stomach my father noticed that there was more hair on my back than on my head. So he gave me the nick name wolf at that moment and today i am still adressed at home as Wolf, and or Wolfie.The irony too me is that im doing this thru hike solo. I am a lone wolf i suppose.

My Gear I have :                  
.Gregory Palisides 80 Backpack
.Asolo Goretex Boots
.Multi Colored Asics (camp shoes)
.Big Agnes Down Sleeping Bag
.Thermarest Sleeping Pad
.Dry compression sack
.Backpackers solo tent (weight 3.5 lbs)
.Light weight Tarp (exact weight not known at the moment)
.Hamock (just incase i want to sleep in a tree)
.Stainless Steel Pot
. Spork /Spatula
.Two tuppleware bowls for eating
.Lots of free coffee from hotels across the U.S in the past year.
.Head Lamp
. 550 paracord /assorted home made cordage from shoelaces
.Rain Jacket / Rain pants
.Base layer thermals for lower & upper torso
. 3 moisture wicking shirts
.2 pairs of shorts.
.wind pants & jacket
. Fleece jacket
.synthetic wool socks 3 pairs
.underwear

That appears to be 80 % of the gear just off the top of my head.
In excitment i packed it all up in my Pack and dont feel like unpacking my fantastic packing job.My Pack is half full leaving plenty of room for food.

My planned departure is 6/26/13 A flight from Houston, TX to Bangor, Maine. Next a 99 mile hike north to Mt. Katahdin. Then a climb to Baxter Peak which will be my start of the Applachian Trail.

The start of Adventure, Isolation, and the Pursuit of my American Dream