This is our second update. We are now only about 3 weeks from our trek, and we'll have more updates for you by e-mail. Past updates (like Update #1 if you missed it)are posted to our e-mail archive page.
One of the tenets of our National Strategy for Homeland Security is developing a culture of preparedness. Our March 2016 experience in the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Valley will help each of us to be better prepared -- individually and collectively -- for whatever we face together in the future. There are almost 30 of us planning to go so far, and we are all in our prep time! If you know of someone who has not yet registered, please encourage them to do so to get these emails. In our last update we provided some thoughts on the five things you are responsible for, here are some more quick thoughts: - Shelter -- be prepared for cold wet weather as well as beautiful spring weather.
- Food and water -- plan to carry no more than 10,000 calories. Carry more water inside your body than in your pack.
- Mobility -- Make sure your boot-sock combination is well broken in. Now is the time to start walking about 5 miles a day in your boot-sock combination. Don't buy new boots 2 weeks before the trek; toughen up your feet now.
- Hygiene -- plan to pack out whatever you packed in...except for those 10,000 calories and a little toothpaste and toilet paper. Bring a gallon-size zip-lock bag to hold all your trash. Don't make more trash than will fit inside that bag.
- Leadership -- Study the environment and the history of the area. We call your attention to two handy links to read:
"We need to drink less, read more, and PT smarter. "
Gen Robert Neller USMC
Some have asked for a gear list to help with these five responsibilities. We don't prescribe gear lists because it tends to cause participants to become dependent on others (the publishers of the list) instead learning to develop their own ability to decide what to bring. For this adventure though, we thought it might be instructive for us to share with you what we have brought in the past You can download an excel spreadsheet from the following link to see what Eric Carlson, J.D. Baker, and Dr. Joe Thomas brought on past treks. Then you can decide what you want to bring. The three of us have organized differently, and you'll see there are lighter, moderate, and heavier options for you to choose from. We recommend you download the spreadsheet and then make your own gear list! Here's the link: Remember you'll be able to stow part of this gear in one bag in a vehicle; you'll carry what you think you'll need on the trail each day in a day-pack, so total weight on your back will be about 1/2 of the list. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. Dr. Thomas and CDR Jorg Nommensen are in Luce Hall, or you can reply to this email to contact J.D. Baker or Eric Carlson. We can help you with all your preparations for this trip. Until our next update, plan and prepare well! | 
