Wednesday, September 10, 2008

How to get involed in the Appalachian Trail Ministry

Would you like to get involved in this important, life changing ministry? There are several ways:

1. Donate money to the ministry.
~Send checks or money orders payable to Tina Sakers, care of:
~ Tina Sakers
c/o Appalachian Trail Ministry
2819 Meredith Court
Abingdon, MD 21009

Call 410-569-2443 for additional information.

2. Sign up to send mail drops to prearranged post offices and hostels along the route. These packages may be sent up to two weeks before the expected arrival date of the location. The post office/hostel will hold packages for a specific amount of time that is written on the outside of the package. Please e-mail Tina @ casakers@aol.com to sign up.

3. Bring supplies to prearranged drop off points along the trail. Take the hiker(s) to resupply or bring supplies with you. This allows the hiker to be refreshed and make contact with others off the trail, to check in with the drop off person and others at home. Please contact Tina at casakers@aol.com if you would like to help resupply hikers along the trail.

4. Hike the trail and spread the gospel to the world. You can hike for as little as a weekend, up to 6 months. Please pray about this decision. Ask the Lord to guide you in knowing how long to hike. Please contact Tina at casakers@aol.com if you would like to hike some of the trail and spread the gospel. Training time will be needed for this decision.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

FUNDING

I am estimating the entire cost of the mission’s hike to be approximately $8500. This breaks down as follows:

A. Start up cost of $1500 - $2000.
1. This covers all equipment I will be starting with on this hike. Please see the Equipment section for a more detailed description of start up equipment.

B. Travel expenses of $500 for gas, food and lodging to the start of the trail in March 2009 from Maryland to Georgia and back to Maryland from the trail end location in Maine in October 2009.

C. $1000 per month to cover the cost of health insurance, cell phone fees, shelter/hostel/motel fees, food and water supplies, postage and clothing.
I will be keeping a written record of all money spent during the Appalachian Trail mission’s hike.

I will utilize both cash and a credit/debit card for the Appalachian Trail mission’s hike. I will send out approximately 100 support cards requesting monetary donations/support for the Appalachian Trail Mission’s Hike from my family and friends. During the mission’s hike I anticipate more financial support to come in as I build relationships on the trail and share my experiences with my friends and family via the website.


The Appalachian Trail Ministry is an exciting mission that God has laid on my heart. I am not the most likely candidate for this trip, but I have been praying, fasting and heeding God’s call in order to prepare for this trip. I covet your prayers for the mission and for me during this trip. I know God is going to work through me to minister to many people in the next few months and I am ready for His direction!

TRAINING

When I leave for the mission’s trip in late March, I will have been training consistently for nine months. In June, 2008 I began walking 24 miles a week, July I increased to 40 miles a week and am currently up to 60 miles a week for August and continuing to progress into September. Beginning with my first walk I carried a back pack, varied my path to include different degrees of inclines, declines and terrain and added to the total weight of the pack. I will be taking some weekend hikes to use my gear and prepare. All of these actions are increasing my endurance and conditioning in preparation for the mission’s hike.

EQUIPMENT

All of my tools for the trail will be carried in a light weight, multi-compartment backpack with a rain sheet for cover. Initial high quality equipment to start the hike will include:
A. Tent, sleeping mat and sleeping bag rated for –20 degrees
B. Camp stove, camp cookware, cooking tools and two neoprene liter size water bottles
C. Hiking poles, compass, flash light, thermometer, whistle and pocket knife
D. Complete first aid kit, towel and hygiene products
E. Two complete changes of clothes made of nylon, polyester and polypropylene

a. Base layer and outer layer,
b. Rain/snow gear,
c. Camp shoes,
d. Five pairs of wool socks and polypropylene sock liners.

The total cost for the equipment will be between $1500 and $2000. Replacement items will be purchased or received along the way as the season’s change, as clothing wears outs or my basic needs change. All my equipment will be pre-tested at home weeks prior to the start of the mission’s hike to ensure that the equipment works properly and as expected.

FOOD AND SUPPLIES

A. My plan is to eat approximately two pounds of food a day. Research has revealed that the packaged dehydrated meals are not the best method of nourishment while hiking. Rather items such as protein bars, peanut butter, dried fruits, rice, oats, corn meal, cream of wheat, dehydrated vegetables and bagged meats like tuna and chicken are wiser choices. I will restock seven days worth of food at one time, 14 pounds at the beginning of each week. During the colder seasons I will be carrying two and a half pounds of food per day. Re-supply points are typically three to five days apart.

B. There are many streams and springs listed in trail maps that have safe water to drink and do not run the risk of being polluted. All drinking/cooking water has to be boiled for at least five minutes before use. All water replenished during the day will be treated with iodine tablets for one hour to kill bacteria.

C. Prearranged friends and family will meet me at different points along the trail or will mail packages to me at local post offices to help me re-supply. I will be receiving tracts, Our Daily Bread and pocket New Testaments along with other supplies from these supporters. This will help to keep down the cost of re-supplying in towns and I will be able to check in with people face to face.

SHELTER

A. There are shelters, (lean-tos) every 10 – 12 miles along the trail. It costs between $3.00 and $8.00 a night to stay in the shelters. These fees are for the hiking clubs that maintain the shelters. Most shelters have some type of outhouse near by and a reliable water source. I will have a tent with me in the case of a shelter being full.

B. There are some hostels, (a building with two rooms: one with bunk beds and another with running water - possibly shower facilities) close to or along the trail that cost an average of $25.00 a night.

C. Every six days, I will leave the trail and go into the nearest town for a day of rest. I will stay in a motel or a hostel for the night, so that I can do laundry, buy food and other supplies and attend to hygiene needs. I will spend as much of this day as possible in quiet solitude with God refreshing my body, mind and spirit.

COMMUNICATION

A. I will have a cell phone for the duration of the trip. I will send information home and have a friend upload information to my personal web-site so that everyone involved in this ministry may track my progress along the trail. For safety reasons all of the information posted on the web-site will be at least three weeks old, so as not to list my exact current location on the trail. On this web-site I will be sharing stories about the people I meet and minister to on the trail and in local towns. It will be exciting to see how God works through me during this mission’s trip!

B. In addition to checking in with my family at least weekly. I will be able to hand write letters as time allows.

C. I will sign into the trail logs provided along the way, so that in the event of an emergency with my family or friends, I can be located through these logs.

SAFETY

Most hazards are related to weather conditions, human error, plants, animals, and diseases encountered along the trail. In the last ten years, only two people have been injured by another human being on the Appalachian Trail, (source: Appalachian Trail Conservancy, 2007, http://www.appalachiantrail.org).
The three most common reasons people leave the trail are:
Improper foot care
Improper equipment and
Dehydration
To address these hazards and safety concerns I will:

A. Carry a cell phone with for the duration of the trip. It will not always have reception, but will be useful when in range. Due to the limited electrical availability the cell phone will be charged using a battery operated charger or a hand cranked charger. I will never tell anyone that I am walking alone, always saying “we” instead of “I” and using common sense. I will be leaving my itinerary with my family and checking in as often as possible, but minimally on a weekly basis.

B. As I am walking along the trail, I will be making noise to deter animals from coming along my path. I will have a whistle to scare animals away if they get to close. I will be tying my food at least ten feet up and ten feet out on a limb of a tree to keep animals from eating it while I am sleeping. I will be careful to check shelters for rodents before entering them. If I find evidence of rodents, I will take care to clean the area before setting up camp.

C. Weather conditions like rain, lightening, extreme heat, cold weather, ice, snow and hazardous hiking conditions can be a concern if they are not properly thought out and prepared for. During extreme heat I need to remember to take plenty of breaks, drink large amounts of water, use sun block, wear UV blocking clothing, hats and keep up energy with small meals. Getting wet is a part of hiking and can be worked through by wearing the proper rain gear. When lightening is present I should stay out of clearings, away from tall trees and flag poles, off of solitary rocks and open hill tops. The safest place is inside a car or building. Since these are not available to me, taking shelter in a stand of small tress or the forest is best. If I get caught out in the open during a storm with lightening, I should crouch down on my pack or sleeping pad, roll into a ball and avoid standing water. A cold rain can be the most dangerous of all, causing hypothermia or exposure. Hypothermia can be avoided by dressing in layers of synthetic clothing, eating well, staying hydrated and knowing when to hole up in a warm sleeping bag in a tent or shelter. When there is cold weather, I will layer my clothing, take breaks while hiking, drink plenty of water and eat small meals to keep up energy. While walking through snow, ice and hazardous hiking conditions, an evaluation of the path needs to be done and hiking should be done with caution and the use of hiking poles. Planning is a key element for success while hiking; however it is best to be flexible with scheduling in order to make smart decisions along the trail.

D. The proper equipment is essential for hiking success. I have spent many hours researching and asking questions of other hikers, to find the proper equipment for this trip. All of the equipment that I have purchased is high quality, tested and dependable. I have designated people to send me care packages to restock or change out equipment as the seasons change such as: rain/snow gear, base layers (under garments), wool socks, hat, gloves and replacement boots. Items that need to be replenished on a more frequent basis like cooking fuel, blister and foot care and hygiene products may be purchased in towns close to the trail.

E. Common diseases along the Appalachian Trail include Lyme Disease and Hantavirus. Lyme Disease is best avoided by using insect repellent, checking your body for ticks daily and minimizing skin exposure. I have purchased 100% deet to deter ticks and other insects from biting my skin. Hantavirus is a disease that comes from rodent’s droppings. There was a case of this disease on the Appalachian Trail in 1993. This disease can be avoided by checking shelters for rodents before entering. If rodents or evidence of rodents is present, then the shelter should be cleaned and the rodents removed before sleeping in the shelter. Closed shelters should be aired out for an hour before entering and you should never sleep on rodent droppings. Hand washing is a must to encourage disease control. Cases of foxes, raccoons, and other small animals with rabies have been reported on the trail. Bites from rabid animals are rare on the trail. In the event of a bite, the bite should be taken seriously and treated immediately.

F. Feet must be properly cared for and maintained to ensure a safe hike. The most common foot issue is blisters. Moles skin is the most commonly used treatment to prevent and care for blisters. Once a blister has occurred it must be broken, cleansed and covered to prevent infection. Mole skin may then be placed over the blister to protect the skin from further rubbing; this also helps to keep the skin free of debris. Feet should be allowed to breathe when taking breaks during the day. Boots should be removed and socks changed to keep feet dry. Wearing thick wool socks with polypropylene sock liners help to cushion feet, while the liner wicks away moisture it also adds protection to blisters. Ace bandages are included in the first aid kit to aid with foot and ankle care as needed.

G. Plant hazards include poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, vines and tree roots. All poisons can and should be avoided. While hiking, looking for a camp site and a place to attend to personal needs, looking for poison is imperative. I have been studying the different types of poison: what they look like, where/how they grow and how they can cause a skin reaction. Vines and tree roots can be a hiking trip hazard. The best way to avoid these is to stay alert while hiking.

*The source of the information in the safety section is from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, 2007, http://www.appalachiantrail.org.

Appalachain Trail Ministry Purpose

My goal as I hike the Appalachian Trail is to demonstrate and share my faith in God and the gospel of Jesus Christ. I will accomplish this by building relationships, helping other hikers in need and when appropriate I will hand out tracks, Our Daily Bread or pocket New Testaments.