Post Backpacking Expedition Blog

I hope you are all recovering from your experience backpacking on the AT. I also hope that you have had some time to think about your experience and share it with someone else, as this sometimes helps to process.

For this blog entry, please simply write about your experience on the AT. Although I have a few various thoughts and questions that I would like you to consider and write about, please try to write your responses in a narrative format rather than using numbered and fragmented partial sentences. As you write, consider the following:

• Reread your expectations that you posted on the blog entry before the trip.
• How did your actual experience compare to your expectations?
• What can you learn from this difference or similarity between expectation and experience?
• Re-visit the following web site and read how John Gookin defines EB:
  http://www.nols.edu/alumni/leader/06summer/expedition_behavior.shtml
• What are the actions you took to model good EB? What did you do that did not contribute to good EB? Comment on how incorporating these behaviors into your every-day routine could impact your life.
• How do you feel you performed physically?
• What factors contributed to your performance?
• What could you do to allow you to perform better next time?
• Describe how well you thought did with food planning. What were challenges you faced? Did you bring enough food? Too much food? The right kinds of food? What would you do different next time? What did you learn?
• Comment on how you thought you did with packing and loading your packs. Did you discover an efficient system? Did your packing become more efficient each time you packed? What did you learn?
• Comment on how comfortable you were during this experience. What were some strategies you learned and used to keep warm - both during the day and at night?
• Was there a moment (or moments) when you felt like you weren't having "fun"? Describe them and how you got through them.
• What things will you do differently when you prepare for and participate in the winter expedition on Katahdin?  What will you do the same?
• Finally, comment on how incorporating what you learned from this experience into your every-day routine could impact your life - both professionally and personally.

Please post your entry by 9:00 am on Friday, November 18.  As always, I look forward to your posts.

Pre-Backpacking Trip Blog Post

As we prepare for our AT backpacking trip, keep yourself updated on the weather forecast for Millinocket at the NOAA website. Also reference the equipment checklist you have received for the backpacking trip.

After viewing these two pieces of information, address the following items in your blog:

1. Comment on the weather forecast for this weekend.
2. I would like to you to look specifically at the clothing requirements of the Personal Gear List section and list out the pieces of clothing that you are bringing with you, and identify which pieces of clothing
   
   you are bringing.
3. Consider the term "expedition behavior" or "EB" for short. Visit the following web site and read how John Gookin defines EB:
   http://www.nols.edu/alumni/leader/06summer/expedition_behavior.shtml . What are the actions you are going to take to model good EB?

    4. Share your expectations for this trip. Comment on the following:

• What are your personal goals for the trip?

• How do you think you will perform?
   
• Is there anything you are anxious or nervous about?
   
• Identify some strategies you will use to stay warm and dry
   
• Do you feel "prepared"?

 As always, I look forward to reading your posts.  This post is due by 6:00 am on Friday morning.