Appalachian Trail Hike Update Continued:
July 3, 2003
We arrived in Andover, ME, solo (Jerry), yesterday. As expected, our pace has quickened, and we have left the group we were traveling a day or two behind, and have caught up to most of the people who passed me in the beginning.
We have done several 15+ and 1 or 2 20+ days over some of Maine's highest mountain ranges (Bigelow, Saddleback).
Our next stop will be Gorham, NH; which should come in about 3 days. There we will meet up with my dear friend Ramananda Das, who plans to hike for the next month with us. He's young and on the raw diet, so will adapt quickly I am sure. I will make sure he does not repeat my heavy pack mistakes. He went raw about 1 1/2 years ago, and healed from suicidal depression and bad acne. Now he is blissed-out with happiness!
For those who are interested, here is my daily diet:
BREAKFAST (sunrise)- H2O (about 1 1/2 quarts) I let it soak in for a few minutes then have Pure Planet wheatgrass, barleygrass, or spirulina. To purchase Pure Planet products, call 1-800-452-6884x207 or go to Arnold's Way where he keeps a good supply.
Before my hike is when I do my self-massage, yoga, and meditation - then I chant with almost every step to keep focused.
MID-MORNING - I might have some dried fruit if the hike is a tough one - otherwise I don't eat until I am done hiking in the afternoon or evening - I don't like to be digesting while hiking. I take more wheatgrass etc if I don't eat fruit. The greens digest very quickly.
UPON ARRIVAL @ CAMP - Now I feast on various foods - primarily my calories come from the amazing NHU FOOD (1-877-815-6904) meal bars (14 different nut, seed, and fruit, flavors; and worth their weight in gold)- I eat 2 of them a day while Jerry eats 1 (400-700 calories each!); but I also eat raw yams, garlic, dried coconut, Activated Barley (Pure Planet), other nuts, seeds, dried fruit. I try to keep my dinners simple (less than 5 ingredients).
I drink at least 2 gallons of H2O a day. With rest, water, and greens, my energy stays high and focused all day!
For those who are interested and get NY radio, I will be on 1600am, at 1pm today, telling my story and representing Pure Planet. I have been in the health food/supplement world for more than 10 years, and have never found anything that comes close to their products. They are powerful and pure foods, and are minimally processed. This is why they have a glow that eventually transfers onto the individual!
Tuesday July 15th, 2003
Just got to North Woodstock, NH, after finishing all its alpine mountain ranges. We are pooped and will be here for the next day and a half.
Ramananda Das joined in at Gorham, progressed quickly as expected, until he twisted both ankles and a knee coming down the extremely steep descent down Wildcat Mountain on the third day. It was one of the steepest I have seen. Nonetheless, we were very disappointed; him especially until he quickly healed and was notified that they reopened Kundalini training so he could go to be certified.
Later that day I entered the Presidential Mountain Range and sprained my left ankle just 200 feet from the hut (it was a 14 mile day). It made a pop after I rolled on a boulder. It hurt so bad it made my eyes water. I lost my focus because I became self conscious when the hut's tenants and crew enjoyed my descent while eating dinner. Nevertheless, somehow it healed after 1 1/2 days rest at Madison Hut. A storm hit the next day while we rested. I had to keep Jerry warm with their wool blankets because he wasn't allowed in until bedtime.
I should be in the Delaware Water Gap mid to late August for those who would
like to join in at a convenient location.
Pictures
I am in Gorham, NH now, and will probably be leaving tomorrow before noon for the White Mountains.
Saturday July 26th, 2003
Jerry and I arrived in Hanover, NH, July 20th, after completing my first 30 mile day! We stayed with a few kind Dartmouth students for two nights. We are about halfway done Vermont as I write this email. Yesterday, Jerry sprained his left front leg, so I am taking a zero mile day today. I hitchhiked into Rutland, Vt to use the library computer. We are really starting to cruise, so should be in the Del. Water Gap within 2-3 weeks. I hope you can join in for a couple days of camping! I will send out another email as I approach. We will be home in Wenonah for a couple of days after the Water Gap; so if you would like to get together, either email me or call and leave a message at 609-634-7086.
Thursday August 7th, 2003
Jerry and I arrived in Tyringham, Massachusetts yesterday, August 6th. We got caught in the middle of a wicked thunderstorm, so decided to hitchhike into town with Walt, a new hiker/musician/friend from Tennessee. There we called a childhood buddy of mine, Eric, who resides outside Springfield with his wife Heather, about 45 minutes away. After spending the night, and resupplying, we are heading back to the trail later this morning. We are about a day and a half from Connecticut.
The terrain is getting substantially easier, allowing for consistent hikes exceeding 20 miles. "They" say once a hiker finishes Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, they have done 25% of the miles, but over 80% of its difficulty. I don't know if I completely buy it, but it sounds good.
Thanks to donations made by many, the hike continues, and we get stronger with every passing day.
For those who know me well, they know I am hardly perfect, and openly filled with many vices. Although our progress has been more than adequate, many will be suprised at how much it will improve as I divorce myself from these vices during the coming month, and for the duration of the hike.
I aim to show that if Nature is revisited, not only does the body heal itself, but maximizes. During transition to the hiking lifestyle, I have hung onto many limiting habits; but now is the time to go to another level. Although we will not break any speed records (many carry much less weight than I), we will definately be cruising at a higher rate.
Cleanse-Heal-Maximize
Book available soon after the hike has a new name:
"HOLY SH*T!"
Monday August 18th, 2003
I just arrived in Vernon, NJ, which is about 60 miles, about 4 days, from the Delaware Water Gap. Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York were beautiful, lush, and full of wildlife (turkeys, deer, reptiles, etc). Jerry and I spent much of our time hiking and camping with Synapse (Walt).
We finally started hitting the blueberries, huckleberries, and blackberries. Picking and eating delayed our hiking but made for great breaks!
Friday August 29th, 2003
Last Thursday, August 21st, I arrived at the Delaware Water Gap, where my mom picked exhausted me and Jerry up for a 5 day break at home. I got to hang out with many friends at parties, and relatives at the Philadelphia Folk Fest for a night. Subsequently, my rest was very limited.
Tuesday, August 26th, our friend David drove me and Jerry to Arnold's house in Lansdale, where we were joined by friend, raw-foodist, dance, and Yamuna Body Rolling instructor, Michelle. Arnold, Michelle, Jerry, and myself drove to the DWG and spent two days hiking in the beautiful PA forest.
They both did a great job hiking the 6 miles to and from the lean-to. And I must say, Arnold has transformed his body in a very short time. H e looked rather buff doing his Tai Chi in the morning, while I did massage, YBR and Yoga, and Michelle Danced and body rolled. During our hike back to the Gap, we ran into several hiking friends; and were joined by one, Maude, for a swim in the Delaware. Maude and her hiking partner Harold, hiked much of Maine with me, Jerry, D-Bone, and Squirrel.
I spent the night in the DWG hostel with Harold and Maude and another hiker, Stringer and his dog Daisy. Jerry is the only dog that she seems to like.
It was great having you there guys! Michelle teaches YBR and can be contacted at Arnold's Way (215-361-0116). It is an integration of massage, yoga, and chiropractic, and is extremely empowering and liberating.
Yesterday, we hiked 21.5 miles, from Wind Gap, PA to Palmerton, PA. It was very rocky and treacherous at the end; but we made it to the hiker-friendly, working village on the Lehigh River. We will probably be heading home for a day or two when we arrive in Port Clinton (about 3 days). My ankles need some quality rest-time to strengthen, and I have to address some financial issues.
While I am on the topic, if anyone would like to donate to the hike-fund, something we definately need to happen in order to finish the remaining 1300 miles, make check payable to Matt Goodman and mail to:
Matt Goodman c/o:
Elaine Goodman
PO Box 91
Wenonah, NJ 08090
Palmerton is symbolically a passageway to a new hike for me. As I leave, I intend on implementing all of the tools with purity (without major vice), for the remainder of the hike. Watch out, I might turn into light!
More
Call 609-634-7086 or email mattg95@excite.com for details.
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