About Downunda

Downunda (also known as David B) is 57 years young and lives in a suburb of Melbourne, Australia. Downunda is married with two grown up daughters and two grandchildren. He has spent the last 25 years of his working life in the Information Technology industry, and until June 2001 the previous 14 years were spent working for Digital Equipment (DEC) and later for Compaq after Compaq acquired Digital. In June 2001 Downunda got his much-awaited "golden handshake" and departed Compaq. Since then Downunda has been working as a Project Manager on Contract to Hewlett Packard.

Trail Name Origins - The name Downunda was bestowed by Recycled during a lunch break on the approach trail from Amicalola Falls to Springer Mountain (Georgia USA) on 21st March 2000. David came across Recycled (AKA retired judge Dick Menke) at this stop and they had lunch together. On departing the lunch stop Recycled said "I'll see you further on down the trail Downunda" and that's where the name came from.

Footnote: Recycled is also hiking the AT in 2002 and may again meet up with Downunda.

Previous AT Hike

Commencing on 21st March 2000 Downunda hiked the Appalachian Trail from its southern terminus at Springer Mountain Georgia, to Damascus Virginia, a total of 455 miles. During this time 1 day was spent in Franklin North Carolina, 6 days in Gatlinburg Tennessee (recovering from a shin splint injury), 1 day at Hot Springs North Carolina and 2 days at Erwin Tennessee). He left the trail on the 3rd of May after feeling that it was becoming a bit monotonous and that very little was changing from day-to-day. Downunda later discovered that this condition is commonly known as the "Virginia blues". The cure is for hikers to acknowledge it and hike on through it.

Lessons Learned - From his 2000 AT hike Downunda will apply the following "lessons learned" to his 2002 AT hike:-

Carry less weight (refer to Gear Details for more on this)
Have strategies to manage the Virginia blues or homesickness
Improve fitness level before starting out
Mix with other hikers more and spend more time smelling the roses to enhance the experience
Don't get caught up in the daily mileage trap, focus less on distance travelled each day
Most important - take enough Vegemite to see me through

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