Two Big Announcements

I have two big announcements.

Announcement 1: March 3, 2020 was my last day in General Motors (GM). I refuse to say that I am retiring. But certainly, I am not joining any other company. Leaving GM at the age of 60 is a giant leap of faith. Thanks to Anjali (my wife), I depend on the health insurance from her employer until the age of 65, when government insurance will begin. It was a fantastic journey with GM, truly a great employer.

Announcement 2: I will be traversing the entire 2,192 miles (3,527 km) Appalachian Trail (AT) by myself starting in April-2021. This trail through mountains and jungles spans 14 states from Georgia to Maine on the east coast of USA. It will take me grueling 7 months to complete this journey. I will carry all my gear and food in my backpack weighing approx. 30 lbs. (15 kg). The numbers are daunting. Every day, I will burn as much as 4,000 Cal walking 8+ hours on the trail. Trekkers lose on an average 30-45 lb. on AT climbing 98 vertical miles during the traverse. This is a fricking mental and physical endurance test, day in and day out in rain or shine (or snow). To prepare for such an insane task, I have developed a severe daily physical regimen. Besides, I plan to do several treks in the USA, India, and New Zealand (totaling 84 days) before the actual trail. I will also do an 8-day Wilderness First Responder course organized by NOLS.

As Alex Honnold (check out Oscar winning documentary “Free Solo”) says, we should not confuse risks with consequences. So, let me highlight some of the risks and associated consequences of traversing AT:

• Low risk, high consequences: Another heart attack (yes, I already had one in Dec-2018)
• Low risk, medium consequences: Pain in fully replaced metal left knee, bears, snakes and other animals, flooding, hailstorms, hurricanes, lightning strikes etc.
• Medium risk, medium consequences: Long list of diseases, including Lyme disease due to tick bites

This is a very very difficult decision for Anjali to support me in this endeavor. I have promised her that safety will be my highest priority and I will work very hard during my preparation to minimize the risks. I owe her big time! Really, really, big time!

I went on a 20 kms walking pilgrimage recently in Mumbai from Cuffe Parade to Babulnath (temple) to Mahalaxmi (temple) to Haji Ali (mosque) to Siddhi Vinayak (temple) in Mumbai, all of which are well-known iconic places of worship in Mumbai. But I also need your blessings desperately so that I can prep myself well. It would be awesome if you could join me for a few days on the trail (Tejas and Aarti are joining separately for one week each), or at least feed me when I am closer to your home near AT. I am willing to deviate to nearby or distant motorable roads for overnight hot showers and hot food. In return, I will share some crazy stories.

Woooohooo! the biggest challenge of my life begins NOW. Stay tuned for a regular Marathi and English blog.

Nitin (Dadhi) Anturkar (March 5, 2020)