Editor’s Note: This is the second in an ongoing series following Westbrook native Gretchen Carroll as she hikes the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine to raise money for Rippleffect, a local organization focusing on outdoor education for youth.

Hiking the Appalachian Trail is a very simple way of life. Wake up, eat, pack all belongings into one bag, then walk for miles snacking along the way. Find a campsite, set up house, cook dinner, meet new people, sing around the fire, then get some much needed sleep.

Of course there are some difficulties that can put a few kinks in the daily routine. As I begin this update I am sitting in my sleeping bag listening to snow fall on my tent. I have my water filter, batteries, and camera stuffed into my wool socks, which are also in my sleeping bag staying warm. We hung the bear bag on the first try, if you don’t include the fact that it was the third tree we tried. It was a little like the three little bears – the first tree was too high, the second was too weak, and the third was just right (or at least close enough).

So far my experience hiking the Appalachian Trail has been great. I went from snowshoeing in Maine in two feet of snow in 20-degree weather to hiking in 70 degrees in Georgia. It was surprising to be so warm! The first four days we had perfect weather followed by a cold, windy, rainy day. Fortunately we set out early enough that day across the ridge so that we missed the sleet and hail that our fellow hikers encountered.

I have met a number of people on the trail with great trail names including Electric Lizard, Smokey Bear, Chill a While, and Blue Collar. Depending upon hiking speeds some people I only meet once on the trail, others I have camped with multiple nights in a row.

I was given my trail name on Day 2, Ukalady. As you can guess I did bring a ukulele with me and enjoy singing around campfires and also when I’m alone on the trail. It’s been great to share songs around the fires at night! The two women I set out with have trail names now, too. One is known as Leap Frog because she hikes quite quickly and then stops to wait for us, so she passes others multiple times a day. My other friend is Chameleon, she is able to adapt to any situation, is willing to try anything, and always has a smile on her face. It’s fun to be renamed later in life!

Any time I am not in the best of moods I take the time to really look around. I start taking more pictures, breathing more deeply, looking at tree shapes, rocks and moss. I love being outdoors and I am always looking forward to the next part of the day. After all, I’m not sure I will ever again have the opportunity to spend six months outdoors with two great friends walking to my next destination.

To donate money for scholarships at Rippleffect, visit www.gofundme.com/GretchenAT.

To visit my blog, visit www.mtnrvr.blogspot.com.

A Closer Look:

So far, Westbrook native Gretchen Carroll has reached Fontana Dam, N.C., on her trek from Georgia to Maine along the 2,181-mile Appalachian Trail.

Days spent on the trail: 16

Miles hiked: 165

Scholarship money raised for Rippleffect: $850

Gretchen Carroll, of Westbrook, has hiked through a thin (compared with what she’s used to in Maine) covering of snow in the southern Appalachians.Gretchen Carroll, right, and her two friends, Chameleon and Leap Frog, sort through their gear. Carroll’s trail name is Ukelady, since the music lover is carrying a ukelele along with her, entertaining other hikers in camp. Most A.T. hikers assume trail names.