Health Insurance and the Appalachian Trail

Yes, at some point we all have to ask ourselves the tough question.  What kind (if any) of health insurance should I get?  I have been putting this off for far too long, thinking it will naturally solve itself.  This one is tough, there is no way I want to risk not having any health insurance, in case of a fall, contracting some sort of disease (Giardia from untreated water, Lyme Disease which seems to be so prevalent on the trail, West Nile Virus from those damn skeeters), getting mauled by a dance-happy moose, bit by a snake, etc.  There are a lot of dangers on the Appalachian Trail!  Since I have had my history of injuries (torn rotator cuff, 2 spinal compression fractures, surgery on left ankle, eye surgery) and seem to come down with all types of the colds flus that go around, all the better reason to get health insurance.

I looked into the possibility of trip insurance, I have read other bloggers that have gotten this, and said it covered medical emergencies for the entire trip (6 months in their case).  However, my parents did not think this to be enough, and were willing to help me get better coverage.  I looked into Obamacare, went into the healthcare.gov website and applied.  This was not as scary or hard as I have been told.  After doing some research, I found the platinum health care held the plans I wanted.  I cross referenced the plans they had on healthcare.gov with the plans that Blue Cross Blue Shield offers and found them to be the same exact price.  I ended up just calling Blue Cross and getting the plan through them.  I had to go through the state I was living in (Arizona) AZblue.com, and asked if I would be covered in all states.  I CAN be covered in all states as long as the plan didn’t have the word select or alliance in it.  I ended up going with a plan called Co Pay Complete 20.  Basically any doctors/hospitals/Urgent Cares that take Blue Cross I will be accepted at IN NETWORK.  Gangster.  It took a weekend of reading but it had its rewards.  The cost is great, but it will be worth it in the long run.

I wanted to post this in case anyone had any similar questions on health insurance.  I would be more than willing to help answer what I can about it.  I seem to be the only one of my friends who has visited healthcare.gov and came out alive.  The trip starts in 6 weeks and I am fully covered!  Starting to sleep easier 🙂

Hiker Hostel booked!

Alright, I leave in 35 days to drive across country arriving in Andover, MA.  Hanging out/preparing until I fly to Georgia March 9.  I have been emailing with a new Appalachian Trail friend also hiking this year and have received good advice as to where to start the trip.  I found http://www.hikerhostel.com to be ‘A great place to start’.  I researched this on trip advisor, 18 reviews, all 18 were excellent.  Intriguing.  4000 sq. feet, a bunk, a shuttle from North Marta Station to the hostel, BREAKFAST, and 8 ounces of fuel (canister is $3.99 as Revid has provided in the comments), and a ride to either the Approach trail or Springer Mt. parking lot.  All for $80?  http://giphy.com/gifs/7ND8xzTlR5b8s (Thru-hiker special).  Wow.  Plus, this place looks dope.  Look at that porch! 

On another note, I have been doing some research (I typed things into google) on what I can and cannot bring on my flight to Georgia.  Apparently I can check everything except for a fuel canister (I won’t even risk bringing an empty one) which does not worry me because this hiker hostel offers an 8 ounce on for the aforementioned $3.99 price.  Has anyone packed hiking poles and are they a hassle at the airport?  These will be checked and likely tossed around potentially broken by my favorite airline employees.  (I have a friend who calls a day a “no hitter” when he does not have to touch a luggage bag.)

Anyways, 35 days until I am in my car with my nuts dog well on my way to the fine state of Massachusetts!  Looking forward to it!

2 Month countdown!

Wow, everything has been flying by.  With Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, work and the amount of other crap I keep myself preoccupied with, I find myself here, 2 months til I land in Georgia.  Mentally, I’m prepared (I read a great book ‘Appalachian Trials’ by Zach Davis, that I think hit a lot of points that were missing in the other books I have read, I have almost all the gear I need, I am missing a couple key things but have the plan to collect shortly.  I purchased a new pair of trail runners – Salomon Xa Pro 3D, I have heard good things and it is a great company.  I’ve tried them out on a couple short day hikes with my dog, and I have decided I like them.  But we will see how they last.

The only things left to purchase really are a cozy light weight down jacket that will double as my pillow, and a couple hiking shirts.  Other than that, I’m ready to start.  I’ve become increasingly excited and I guess anxious, as one would expect.  I am going to leave everything I know, the comforts of home and technology on demand, and attempt a 2200 mile backpacking trip with a dropout rate of 70%.  I’m so excited to be back out in the woods, feel the fresh mountain air, not report to a boss every day, go at my own pace, take in the scenery, and increasingly be in the best cardiovascular shape of my life.  My friends have been asking questions ranging from ‘Are you taking a gun’ (No I’m not, but people in Arizona rarely travel without one, even to work), to ‘Are you insane?’.  I believe a lot of them are excited for me and would like to do something like this of their own if they had the time/funds.  Life is what you choose!

My journey begins shortly after my 30th birthday, February 23, which I will then pack up and drive myself and my dog Shwayze across country to Massachusetts where I grew up.  My dog does not do well in the car..  So if any of you have any tips of how to road trip with a dog without going insane, let me know :).  I will arrive in MA sometime around March 1, staying at my parents house until I depart the morning of March 9 for Atlanta.  I have yet to arrange a pickup/hostel stay that night, but I have had some good advice from a new found friend that will also be hiking the trail starting March 12.  And then it is GAME ON!  I can’t wait!  I look forward to blogging about this adventure as well, so keep checking in!

Enjoy the day!