I noticed in the latest issue of AT Journeys, the magazine of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, that the new A.T. Thru-Hike Planner is now on sale.

AT thru-hiker wannabees will certainly be interested in this helpful guide, and many of the other trail publications that the ATC makes available.

A caveat: You can overwhelm yourself with too much information. Especially when it comes to a major untaking such as an AT thru-hike. And that can lead to frustration and maybe questioning yourself and your motives.

So be careful.

If you aspire to hike the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine, all 2,150 miles of it, that's tremendous.

But be easy on yourself.

It's important not to let the details get in the way of your dream.

You might, even now, be thinking,"I've always wanted to do it, now would be a good time, but it's already late February. How can I possibly get ready in time for a late March or early April start?"

See, you're overwhelmed already.

Relax.

Buy the AT Planner, the Data Book and the trail maps and call it good. Get your gear together. Then go.

That's the important thing, the going part.

But first you have to make up your mind.

Commit yourself!

After that all else will happen as it should. I promise. You'll truly be on your way to fulfilling your life's dream of hiking the AT. Not next year, but now, this spring. And you'll feel so good about it.

Read the following quote. Then read it again. And again.

And believe.

Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans; that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never have otherwise occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way. I have learned a deep respect for one of Geothe’s couplets:
"Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.”
--W.H. Murray

Still uneasy?

I can fix that.

Call me. We'll go for a couple of drafts (you're buying, of course) and I'll sketch the whole AT trek out on a cocktail napkin (where most great adventures are born anyway). Everything from mail drops to equipment lists. A trail pep talk like you've never heard. I swear it's not that big a deal to make it happen.

Stop dreaming. Go do.

And in a handful of frenetic but satisfying weeks you'll be standing on the top of Springer Mountain, on a classic warm and sunny Georgia spring afternoon, ready to hike north with the seasons. North through your dreams. Which will no longer be dreams, but reality.

Sure, at that point, a bit nervous and unsure, you may ask yourself, "What the hell have I got myself into?"

But that's only natural. And thankfully it's too late by then.

Breathe deep. Smile. Take your first steps forward on the grand AT. Don't look back.

It's gonna be a heckuva an adventure!

Be sure to send me a postcard, OK?!

The dream. Hiking the entire AT.

The goal: Katahdin, a good, long, life-altering walk from Springer Mountain, Georgia.