DONE!!!! Last Blog! Dan and I completed the full 2191miles hiking from Springer Mountain, Georgia to the summit of Katahdin Mountain, Maine in 116 days from February 27 to June 22, 2017.
Many thanks to all the Trail Angels, That picked up our spirits and allowed us to hike hard days to get here. And Angels that kept our bodies in one piece. And to my most special wife whom let me go on this adventure.
We were the 29th and 30th persons to complete the hike so far this year.
Dan gets a month to rest before Medical School. I get to be a dad for another month till my wife and I become empty nesters.
Passion, Persistence, Faith, and Finish!
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Thursday, June 22, 2017
17.3.115 AT2184.5 13mile hike
The Birches Campsite at Baxter State Park
A quick 4hr hike including a resupply for today and tomorrow's Katahdin Summit hike to complete our journey of 2191 miles hiking the Appalachian Trail in 116 days which includes 3 zero days and we averaged 18.9miles per day.
Just registered with the Park Ranger. Dan is #29 and I am #30 north bounders to summit Katahdin this year. We were #55 and #56 at Harpers Ferry.
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A quick 4hr hike including a resupply for today and tomorrow's Katahdin Summit hike to complete our journey of 2191 miles hiking the Appalachian Trail in 116 days which includes 3 zero days and we averaged 18.9miles per day.
Just registered with the Park Ranger. Dan is #29 and I am #30 north bounders to summit Katahdin this year. We were #55 and #56 at Harpers Ferry.
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17.2.114 AT3171.2. 30mile
Hurd pond lean to
Needed to get 30miles in and did it in 13 hours.
Saw 2 red squirrels that had short tails, round heads, fat and big eyes. Each one followed me as to see what I was.
Saw Katahdin. I can see why the Indians had it as a sacred mountain.
We will do 13m tomorrow and on Thursday summit Katahdin since sun is forecast.
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Needed to get 30miles in and did it in 13 hours.
Saw 2 red squirrels that had short tails, round heads, fat and big eyes. Each one followed me as to see what I was.
Saw Katahdin. I can see why the Indians had it as a sacred mountain.
We will do 13m tomorrow and on Thursday summit Katahdin since sun is forecast.
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17.1.113 AT2141.5 24m
Potahway lean to
Got up late and left at 8am and finished by 6pm. All of yesterday's raw feet issues were fixed with Vaseline and dry socks.
My exhaustion was gone so we made good time. We are pushing ourselves very hard. We'll do our 2cnd 30 miler of this adventure tomorrow. Then we'll ease up. 13,3and finally on Thursday we will do the 5mile summit of Katahdin
Falls now are at 105. Back in Pennsylvania they were 30 and I joked I would beat Scott Jurick 120 falls. I have no intention on beating that since any fall may end the great adventure.
It has rained all afternoon and it is raining tonight. Our winged trends have been trying to eat us alive since.Hanover New Hampshire.
Lot of South Bounders are going by us to Georgia. 1 in 4 will make it,
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Got up late and left at 8am and finished by 6pm. All of yesterday's raw feet issues were fixed with Vaseline and dry socks.
My exhaustion was gone so we made good time. We are pushing ourselves very hard. We'll do our 2cnd 30 miler of this adventure tomorrow. Then we'll ease up. 13,3and finally on Thursday we will do the 5mile summit of Katahdin
Falls now are at 105. Back in Pennsylvania they were 30 and I joked I would beat Scott Jurick 120 falls. I have no intention on beating that since any fall may end the great adventure.
It has rained all afternoon and it is raining tonight. Our winged trends have been trying to eat us alive since.Hanover New Hampshire.
Lot of South Bounders are going by us to Georgia. 1 in 4 will make it,
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16.7.112 AT2114.6 24m
Logan Pond Lean to
Today we hiked 24 miles on slippery rough wet hilly terrain. We had to ford 2 streams.
My falls are up to 104. A sore elbow.
Dan broke one of his poles.
Dan and my feet have raw spots from the shoes and socks getting wet.
Both of us are exhausted after a 16 hour hiking day.
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Today we hiked 24 miles on slippery rough wet hilly terrain. We had to ford 2 streams.
My falls are up to 104. A sore elbow.
Dan broke one of his poles.
Dan and my feet have raw spots from the shoes and socks getting wet.
Both of us are exhausted after a 16 hour hiking day.
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15.6.111 AT2094.5. 19m hike
Cloud Pond Lean to
Had a great breakfast at Shaw's Hostel. Had 3 eggs, 3 bacon, home fries, orange juice, coffee, and all the Maine blueberry pancakes we could eat for $9. They served 20 out of 38 hikers that stayed there.
Got to the trail by 8:30.
Up to fall 96. Fall 93 slammed the whole right side of my head onto the slate ground and bent a pole on my 3rd set of poles. No permanent damage done to either.
Billy Goat was at the Hostel and is with us tonight though he's at the Shelter and we are tented out at the pond with peepers bullfrogs and birds. Quite a racket but I like it.
Then
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Had a great breakfast at Shaw's Hostel. Had 3 eggs, 3 bacon, home fries, orange juice, coffee, and all the Maine blueberry pancakes we could eat for $9. They served 20 out of 38 hikers that stayed there.
Got to the trail by 8:30.
Up to fall 96. Fall 93 slammed the whole right side of my head onto the slate ground and bent a pole on my 3rd set of poles. No permanent damage done to either.
Billy Goat was at the Hostel and is with us tonight though he's at the Shelter and we are tented out at the pond with peepers bullfrogs and birds. Quite a racket but I like it.
Then
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Friday, June 16, 2017
15.5.110 AT2075.3 22mile
Shaw's Hostel
Day 110 5 Days left
Started Hiking at 5am and got to the Hostel by 1pm. It rained all day. Encountered a bubble of southbounder's
Looks like we are on schedule to summit katadhin on Wednesday June 21, 2017.
Forded several streams today.
94 Falls to date.
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Day 110 5 Days left
Started Hiking at 5am and got to the Hostel by 1pm. It rained all day. Encountered a bubble of southbounder's
Looks like we are on schedule to summit katadhin on Wednesday June 21, 2017.
Forded several streams today.
94 Falls to date.
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Location:Pleasant St,Monson,United States
15.4.110 AT2053.2 18.
Bald pond brook campsite
Left at 8am to catch a canoe across the Kenebuck River as part of the AT experience. Then to a hostel in catatonk to get milkshakes burgers pulled pork home made carrot cake and banana bread and soda.
Saw a bubble of south bounders at the Shelter. I was stunned. Was like looking at our group of North bounders back in Georgia. Oh they have so long to go..
Dan has figured out how to get done next Wednesday or day 115. We greatly miss our family and home.
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Left at 8am to catch a canoe across the Kenebuck River as part of the AT experience. Then to a hostel in catatonk to get milkshakes burgers pulled pork home made carrot cake and banana bread and soda.
Saw a bubble of south bounders at the Shelter. I was stunned. Was like looking at our group of North bounders back in Georgia. Oh they have so long to go..
Dan has figured out how to get done next Wednesday or day 115. We greatly miss our family and home.
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15.2.107 AT2006.7 19m hike
Horn Pond campsite
Day 107 10 days to go.
Got up late and hiked out at 7am. About 10am Dan said we were behind schedule. I picked up the pace and we got to the road to go into town an hour late. Meanwhile Dan had two offers for a ride. He gave Tom a call back and he was there in 20min to take us 5 miles into town to resupply and take us back to the trail. Tom retired from the US Coast guard after 32 years. Tom is now a Trail Angel for the AT hikers. We needed an Angel to keep us on schedule and "poof" Tom shows up. Many thanks!
87 falls. #86 was a classic. I got up from the shelter to get rid of excess fluid at 2am when I fell through the porcupine chewed through floor boards that I couldn't see in the dark.
Saw lots of toads, big and little. Cute little creatures.
Stepping up the pace tomorrow. We'll blow through the Bigalow Mountains and get closer to the Kenebuck river Ferry for the next day. A 27 mile hike for tomorrow.
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Day 107 10 days to go.
Got up late and hiked out at 7am. About 10am Dan said we were behind schedule. I picked up the pace and we got to the road to go into town an hour late. Meanwhile Dan had two offers for a ride. He gave Tom a call back and he was there in 20min to take us 5 miles into town to resupply and take us back to the trail. Tom retired from the US Coast guard after 32 years. Tom is now a Trail Angel for the AT hikers. We needed an Angel to keep us on schedule and "poof" Tom shows up. Many thanks!
87 falls. #86 was a classic. I got up from the shelter to get rid of excess fluid at 2am when I fell through the porcupine chewed through floor boards that I couldn't see in the dark.
Saw lots of toads, big and little. Cute little creatures.
Stepping up the pace tomorrow. We'll blow through the Bigalow Mountains and get closer to the Kenebuck river Ferry for the next day. A 27 mile hike for tomorrow.
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15.1.106 AT1988 19m
Spaulding Mountain Shelter
Day 106 11 days to go
Left the Farm House Inn and got on The AT at 6:10am. Left Honeybear behind. He plans on going a slower pace.
The mom an d pop owners are a hard working couple with 4 adopted kids.
We met our first true southbounder whom started from katidhin on the day it opened she is an Asian Austrian of 23years old and has already hiked the PCT.
Was sunny today. Climbed one 4K footer and 3 3k footer mountains.
85 falls to date.
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Day 106 11 days to go
Left the Farm House Inn and got on The AT at 6:10am. Left Honeybear behind. He plans on going a slower pace.
The mom an d pop owners are a hard working couple with 4 adopted kids.
We met our first true southbounder whom started from katidhin on the day it opened she is an Asian Austrian of 23years old and has already hiked the PCT.
Was sunny today. Climbed one 4K footer and 3 3k footer mountains.
85 falls to date.
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15.3.108 AT2034.6. 27.9m hike
Day 108 9 days left
Pierce Pond Shelter
We buzzed through the Bigelows Mountain range and put some extra mileage in. 14.5 hours of hiking.
Tomorrow we cross the Kenebuck river.
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Pierce Pond Shelter
We buzzed through the Bigelows Mountain range and put some extra mileage in. 14.5 hours of hiking.
Tomorrow we cross the Kenebuck river.
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Sunday, June 11, 2017
14.7.105 AT1969.4 9mile hike
Farm House Inn
Day 105 12days left
I thought somebreed of coyotes were making howling noises. Honeybear from Kansas said they were Loons which he heard in Minnesota. Since we were tented by a lake it made sense.
Going to get a water bottle, hiking poles, a sawyer water filter bag, and food
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Day 105 12days left
I thought somebreed of coyotes were making howling noises. Honeybear from Kansas said they were Loons which he heard in Minnesota. Since we were tented by a lake it made sense.
Going to get a water bottle, hiking poles, a sawyer water filter bag, and food
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14.6.104 AT1960 21mile hike
Day 104 13 days to go
The sabbath Day Shelter
The 21miles took 13 hours for Dan and myself and Honeybear showed up. We will all be hiking 9 miles to Ranglee for resupply, new poles for me, and a hostel for all of us.
We saw a spruce grouse a few days ago.They are an endangered species. I can see why. They are big and Dan had to shoo it off the trail.
Still looking to see our first Moose. The trails have had a lot of moose poop since Vermont.
Our mph has really slowed since Hanover New Hampshire. Suspect it's due to the straight up and down trails with lots of obstacles.
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The sabbath Day Shelter
The 21miles took 13 hours for Dan and myself and Honeybear showed up. We will all be hiking 9 miles to Ranglee for resupply, new poles for me, and a hostel for all of us.
We saw a spruce grouse a few days ago.They are an endangered species. I can see why. They are big and Dan had to shoo it off the trail.
Still looking to see our first Moose. The trails have had a lot of moose poop since Vermont.
Our mph has really slowed since Hanover New Hampshire. Suspect it's due to the straight up and down trails with lots of obstacles.
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14.3.101 AT1908.5. 18m hike
Carlo Col Campsite
Day 101, 16 days to Katadhin
Left the Hostel for the trail at 8:30am and got to our destination at 7:30pm
Mostly sunny dry day. Feet are wet stepping in bogs.
We are now in Maine!
Up to 79 falls. Broke my second pole. I repaired it with duck tape and splints.
Hardest 1 mile section of the AT is tomorrow and Dan says we have to hike 16.5 miles because the shelter at the 10 mile has been torn down.
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Day 101, 16 days to Katadhin
Left the Hostel for the trail at 8:30am and got to our destination at 7:30pm
Mostly sunny dry day. Feet are wet stepping in bogs.
We are now in Maine!
Up to 79 falls. Broke my second pole. I repaired it with duck tape and splints.
Hardest 1 mile section of the AT is tomorrow and Dan says we have to hike 16.5 miles because the shelter at the 10 mile has been torn down.
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14.5.103 AT1939 21m hike
Hall Mountain Shelter
Day 103 14 days to go.
Was an easy 21mile hike. Had the company of Emily Dubua from Maine who hikes 50 miles a week before work. She and her husband have hiked all the New England peaks over 4000'. Then I hiked with Hunny Bear for the next 5miles then with my son for the last 5. It made the 12.5 hours of hiking go fast.
We are staying in our tent tonight to keep away from the flesh eating gnats and blood sucking mosquitoes.
Falls at 82. Was first day hiking with no poles.
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Day 103 14 days to go.
Was an easy 21mile hike. Had the company of Emily Dubua from Maine who hikes 50 miles a week before work. She and her husband have hiked all the New England peaks over 4000'. Then I hiked with Hunny Bear for the next 5miles then with my son for the last 5. It made the 12.5 hours of hiking go fast.
We are staying in our tent tonight to keep away from the flesh eating gnats and blood sucking mosquitoes.
Falls at 82. Was first day hiking with no poles.
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14.4.102 AT1918 10m hike
Spec Pond Shelter
102 Day 15 days till katadhin
We heard horror stories on the hardest 1 mile part of the AT trail, Mahoosuc Notch.
Some people took 4 hours. We could have been done in 25 minutes but dilly dallied with some picture taking and took 45.
This took less skill than my adventure running days with James Howard and Kenny Mckosh so I was somewhat disappointed. Maybe if the weather threw something at us but it was nice today.
Rock hopping over crevasses, swinging off trees and crawling through crevasses are easy for adventure runners.
Tomorrow we pick the pace back up to 20 mile days.
I broke my other pole today and falls are at 81 but none of that occurred at the Notch.
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102 Day 15 days till katadhin
We heard horror stories on the hardest 1 mile part of the AT trail, Mahoosuc Notch.
Some people took 4 hours. We could have been done in 25 minutes but dilly dallied with some picture taking and took 45.
This took less skill than my adventure running days with James Howard and Kenny Mckosh so I was somewhat disappointed. Maybe if the weather threw something at us but it was nice today.
Rock hopping over crevasses, swinging off trees and crawling through crevasses are easy for adventure runners.
Tomorrow we pick the pace back up to 20 mile days.
I broke my other pole today and falls are at 81 but none of that occurred at the Notch.
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Tuesday, June 6, 2017
15.2.100 AT1891.6 8m
White Mountains Lodge and Hostel
We are ready for a hostel! Resupply at Walmart with pizza coming to the Hostel.
I ate a whole pizza and onion rings. Dan ate more.
Billy Goat is here!
Up to 67 Falls.
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We are ready for a hostel! Resupply at Walmart with pizza coming to the Hostel.
I ate a whole pizza and onion rings. Dan ate more.
Billy Goat is here!
Up to 67 Falls.
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14.7.98 AT1865.7
Osgood Tent Sites
We left the Mizpah AMC hut by 6:30 and headed out through the Presidentials. The AT only hit Mt Washington and Mt Madison as well as a long rocky ridge line.
I liked Mt Madison over Mt Washington only because Mt Madison contained only cairns as evidence that man traveled there. While Mt Washington had a train, a gift shop, a snake bar etc.
There were other mountains I would have liked to climb but were bypassed by the trail.
The weather held out for us. There were lots of tourists and day hikers enjoying the trail.
We'll have the smaller "WildCats" to do tomorrow for an 18m day. We expect rain for the next 4 days.
I'm at Fall #52. .#48 was memorable in that I fell backwards with my foot in a cravass when a 15lb boulder rolled onto my stuck foot.
Im using my poles to support some of my weight before stepping downhill. The thigh mussels have taken a beating on the straight uphill and downhills of the whites.
We are in the home stretch.
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We left the Mizpah AMC hut by 6:30 and headed out through the Presidentials. The AT only hit Mt Washington and Mt Madison as well as a long rocky ridge line.
I liked Mt Madison over Mt Washington only because Mt Madison contained only cairns as evidence that man traveled there. While Mt Washington had a train, a gift shop, a snake bar etc.
There were other mountains I would have liked to climb but were bypassed by the trail.
The weather held out for us. There were lots of tourists and day hikers enjoying the trail.
We'll have the smaller "WildCats" to do tomorrow for an 18m day. We expect rain for the next 4 days.
I'm at Fall #52. .#48 was memorable in that I fell backwards with my foot in a cravass when a 15lb boulder rolled onto my stuck foot.
Im using my poles to support some of my weight before stepping downhill. The thigh mussels have taken a beating on the straight uphill and downhills of the whites.
We are in the home stretch.
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14.6.97 AT1850.8
Mispah AMC Hut
We left our tent site at 7am and found we were 1mile from an AMC so we stopped for water and they gave us cookies and a special oatmeal.
We headed out on a full stomach but as soon as we got near Mt.Webster the weather got cold and rainy again. At least we didn't have to slosh through old snow drifts like yesterday!
I am up to fall #46. Fall 45 I got blown off my feet and into a cairn. Fall 46 I fell backwards and grabbed onto the edge of the trail rocks. I was able to pull myself up and look at the little alpine pine trees that would have kept me from going farther down the mountain.
We will be working tonight to stay in the warm hut. And we'll get fed.
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We left our tent site at 7am and found we were 1mile from an AMC so we stopped for water and they gave us cookies and a special oatmeal.
We headed out on a full stomach but as soon as we got near Mt.Webster the weather got cold and rainy again. At least we didn't have to slosh through old snow drifts like yesterday!
I am up to fall #46. Fall 45 I got blown off my feet and into a cairn. Fall 46 I fell backwards and grabbed onto the edge of the trail rocks. I was able to pull myself up and look at the little alpine pine trees that would have kept me from going farther down the mountain.
We will be working tonight to stay in the warm hut. And we'll get fed.
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14.5.96 AT1835 18.5
Tented just below alpine area
We left the The Notch Hostel at 8:30am and hiked the Franconian Ridge. It was the most beautiful and awe inspiring hike yet. Mt. Lafayette was the highest peak on the ridge at over 5100'.
It did get cold and on our way off the ridge onto a wet alpine area it snowed and hailed and rain. I did get hypothermic before I finished at 8pm but Dan already had the tent set up and helped me get my gear in ready so I could pop into my sleeping bag.
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We left the The Notch Hostel at 8:30am and hiked the Franconian Ridge. It was the most beautiful and awe inspiring hike yet. Mt. Lafayette was the highest peak on the ridge at over 5100'.
It did get cold and on our way off the ridge onto a wet alpine area it snowed and hailed and rain. I did get hypothermic before I finished at 8pm but Dan already had the tent set up and helped me get my gear in ready so I could pop into my sleeping bag.
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15.1.99 AT1882 18m
IMP Shelter
We hiked through the wildcats. Not as high as the whites. The weather made hiking difficult as well as the terrain. Snowdrifts, rain, hiking in clouds, paths turned into creeks, steep rock faces, cold.
We hiked through the boreal forest mostly with some alpine regions. No pictures taken today.
Falls was a record day 15 now at 67. The worst was an ankle folding on me. I let out a scream thinking of John Knapp's 1973 football game where he planted his foot and broke his ankle. We got to see the game film forward backward and frame by frame. Luckily no damage done.
Hiked the last 2 miles in the dark to the IMP shelter.
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We hiked through the wildcats. Not as high as the whites. The weather made hiking difficult as well as the terrain. Snowdrifts, rain, hiking in clouds, paths turned into creeks, steep rock faces, cold.
We hiked through the boreal forest mostly with some alpine regions. No pictures taken today.
Falls was a record day 15 now at 67. The worst was an ankle folding on me. I let out a scream thinking of John Knapp's 1973 football game where he planted his foot and broke his ankle. We got to see the game film forward backward and frame by frame. Luckily no damage done.
Hiked the last 2 miles in the dark to the IMP shelter.
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Thursday, June 1, 2017
14.4.94 AT1816 8m
The Notch Hostel
Last night a 62year old AT Thru hiker named Story Teller told the story of the riot he set off in 1968. There were two groups of kids in his Hawaii Honolulu high school..the glue sniffers and the pot smokers. He was in neither but word got back to the head glue sniffer that he had dissed one of his mates. The head glue sniffer told him he was to meet behind the School after the bell rang so he could get his beating.
So Story Teller being a lowly freshman was looking down in the dumps that day and the head pot smoker noticed and asked him what was wrong. Story Teller told him why and they both parted. When the bell rang Story Teller went behind the high school to get his beating in front of 100 glue sniffers when lo and behold the pot smokers come around the corner and the riot breaks out. Story Teller says he was crawling through all the legs when he found an opening to his empty bus. As the bus drove off he watched the riot and the police come to break it up. The story made the paper the next day and it did single him out as the cause of the riot of '68.
We climbed a 4200 mountain today and after 5hours and 8miles later made it to The Flume Visitor center where we spent 5 quarters and 45 minutes figuring out how to use a pay phone and called The Notch Hostel where they came and picked us up and took us to the Price Chopper for a 4 day resupply. The hostel ranks with the top three that we've stayed at.
Because of the hard resupply places are few and far between our next four days will cover a lot of demanding ground.
I'm up to 40 falls. Had three today. All three landed on my butt. We rocks roots and mud. Was a great hike. Feels good to be challenged by the mountains again!
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Last night a 62year old AT Thru hiker named Story Teller told the story of the riot he set off in 1968. There were two groups of kids in his Hawaii Honolulu high school..the glue sniffers and the pot smokers. He was in neither but word got back to the head glue sniffer that he had dissed one of his mates. The head glue sniffer told him he was to meet behind the School after the bell rang so he could get his beating.
So Story Teller being a lowly freshman was looking down in the dumps that day and the head pot smoker noticed and asked him what was wrong. Story Teller told him why and they both parted. When the bell rang Story Teller went behind the high school to get his beating in front of 100 glue sniffers when lo and behold the pot smokers come around the corner and the riot breaks out. Story Teller says he was crawling through all the legs when he found an opening to his empty bus. As the bus drove off he watched the riot and the police come to break it up. The story made the paper the next day and it did single him out as the cause of the riot of '68.
We climbed a 4200 mountain today and after 5hours and 8miles later made it to The Flume Visitor center where we spent 5 quarters and 45 minutes figuring out how to use a pay phone and called The Notch Hostel where they came and picked us up and took us to the Price Chopper for a 4 day resupply. The hostel ranks with the top three that we've stayed at.
Because of the hard resupply places are few and far between our next four days will cover a lot of demanding ground.
I'm up to 40 falls. Had three today. All three landed on my butt. We rocks roots and mud. Was a great hike. Feels good to be challenged by the mountains again!
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14.3.94 AT1808 16m hike
Eliza Brooks Shelter
Got out by 6am to hike Mount Mooselake. Absolutely stunning mountain. It's one of the options given to Incoming Dartmouth College freshman to climb during orientation week. John Jr. Hiked it.
Dans legs are back 100%! He's kicking my butt on both uphills and downhills. I'm a little slow on catching up to his uptake in velocity but after the last mile I think I'm back.
The whites are different. A lot of rock hopping on wet rocks and roots to miss the mud. Steep uphills and downhills. I'm up to 39 falls. Dan is at 6.
Well 1 mile before the Shelter it thundered lightning and hailed. I took my shirt off and put rain pants on and put war paint on and ran with my backpack and spears in hand to the Shelter and did a Tarzan yell and attacked the Shelter with spears raised. Dan wasn't expecting me but had his video tape rolling.
Ahh tomorrow another adventure!
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Got out by 6am to hike Mount Mooselake. Absolutely stunning mountain. It's one of the options given to Incoming Dartmouth College freshman to climb during orientation week. John Jr. Hiked it.
Dans legs are back 100%! He's kicking my butt on both uphills and downhills. I'm a little slow on catching up to his uptake in velocity but after the last mile I think I'm back.
The whites are different. A lot of rock hopping on wet rocks and roots to miss the mud. Steep uphills and downhills. I'm up to 39 falls. Dan is at 6.
Well 1 mile before the Shelter it thundered lightning and hailed. I took my shirt off and put rain pants on and put war paint on and ran with my backpack and spears in hand to the Shelter and did a Tarzan yell and attacked the Shelter with spears raised. Dan wasn't expecting me but had his video tape rolling.
Ahh tomorrow another adventure!
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Wednesday, May 31, 2017
14.2.92 AT1792.1. 15.8
Jeffers Brook Shelter
Left at 745AM and arrived at 3:45PM.
It rained. Took an early out. We're going to go till 7pm for a 22mile.
Took my 36 fall today. Yesterday's 35 fall I broke an AT log going over a stream and fell into a shoot and grabbed on to something. I felt something go on my side and thought nothing of it. Next day my kidney hurt on every step. I thought the tick medication was doing it until I remembered the fall. I took ibprophen and the pain went away...indicating a muscle pull.
Well we are moving into the whites but much more slowly than I anticipated.
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Left at 745AM and arrived at 3:45PM.
It rained. Took an early out. We're going to go till 7pm for a 22mile.
Took my 36 fall today. Yesterday's 35 fall I broke an AT log going over a stream and fell into a shoot and grabbed on to something. I felt something go on my side and thought nothing of it. Next day my kidney hurt on every step. I thought the tick medication was doing it until I remembered the fall. I took ibprophen and the pain went away...indicating a muscle pull.
Well we are moving into the whites but much more slowly than I anticipated.
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14.1.91 AT1776.3. 0 miles
Hexacube
A Dad call...zero day. No known issues.
Dan is scheduling a 22 mile day for tomorrow.
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A Dad call...zero day. No known issues.
Dan is scheduling a 22 mile day for tomorrow.
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13.7.90 AT1776.3 18m hike
Hexacube Shelter
Dan has been needing rest lately so we got out late at 7:30am. New Hampshire has been giving us mountains to climb again so we were very slow today.
Dan did get a tick bite today. We were pulling ticks off us all day even with the bug spray applied.
I'm hoping he'll get a good night sleep in tonight and be back to his old self. His 3.1 mph dropped to below 2mph which is slower than my pace.
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Dan has been needing rest lately so we got out late at 7:30am. New Hampshire has been giving us mountains to climb again so we were very slow today.
Dan did get a tick bite today. We were pulling ticks off us all day even with the bug spray applied.
I'm hoping he'll get a good night sleep in tonight and be back to his old self. His 3.1 mph dropped to below 2mph which is slower than my pace.
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Saturday, May 27, 2017
13.6.89 AT1758.6 11 mile hike
Moose Mountain tent site
We slept in at the Days Inn at Lebanon New Hampshire. Was a great day spent in Hanover on Friday with John Jr. He also was my advocate in getting me a 14 day treatment for a bad tick bite. We are so grateful for all the help he gave us.
We got back on the trail at 1pm after a 4.5 mile walk to the trailhead.
The ticks are worse than anything else on the trail. If I had known how bad they were going to be on The AT I would have reconsidered this quest. Lyme disease is a serious illness.
So Armed with deet and sunscreen to prevent burns from the sun due to the tick medication on what little skin I have exposed, hands, face, neck, we headed out to the trail.
I caught a big tick climbing on my feet sprayed sock and Dan pulled one that was just starting to bury itself in my feet sprayed skin.
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We slept in at the Days Inn at Lebanon New Hampshire. Was a great day spent in Hanover on Friday with John Jr. He also was my advocate in getting me a 14 day treatment for a bad tick bite. We are so grateful for all the help he gave us.
We got back on the trail at 1pm after a 4.5 mile walk to the trailhead.
The ticks are worse than anything else on the trail. If I had known how bad they were going to be on The AT I would have reconsidered this quest. Lyme disease is a serious illness.
So Armed with deet and sunscreen to prevent burns from the sun due to the tick medication on what little skin I have exposed, hands, face, neck, we headed out to the trail.
I caught a big tick climbing on my feet sprayed sock and Dan pulled one that was just starting to bury itself in my feet sprayed skin.
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Location:Appalachian National Scenic Trl,Hanover,United States
Friday, May 26, 2017
13.5.89 AT1743 15m
Days Inn
Dan got up an hour early but not two hours early when I tried to wake him up. So he told me before the start of the hike that I had to average 2.5 miles per hour over the 15 miles so we could meet Dr. John Mattimore Jr in Hanover New Hampshire. Ok I got the message....I am normally a 2.2 mph hiker. But I had no food to weigh me down and something for the old man to prove so I took off past him and never looked back. I broke my record and did 3.33 mph and beat him by 15 minutes...though I didn't tell him it was a race. How he puts up with me I'll never know.
We stopped at Lou's Diner where John Jr came up from Boston to see us at his old college Dartmouth. We then took his two westies for a walk, got settled in at the Days Inn and off for a resupply at wal mart , and Eastern Mountain sports for new hiking shoes and to dinner at Jessie's Steak house.
As we said our goodbyes at the Inn and John drove off he soon got a call. I found a tick buried in my groin. He came back and took me to the ER at The Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital. 14 days of dioxcylene. off to CVS and then back to the Inn to finally drop Dan and I off.
Thank god for my great sons!
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Dan got up an hour early but not two hours early when I tried to wake him up. So he told me before the start of the hike that I had to average 2.5 miles per hour over the 15 miles so we could meet Dr. John Mattimore Jr in Hanover New Hampshire. Ok I got the message....I am normally a 2.2 mph hiker. But I had no food to weigh me down and something for the old man to prove so I took off past him and never looked back. I broke my record and did 3.33 mph and beat him by 15 minutes...though I didn't tell him it was a race. How he puts up with me I'll never know.
We stopped at Lou's Diner where John Jr came up from Boston to see us at his old college Dartmouth. We then took his two westies for a walk, got settled in at the Days Inn and off for a resupply at wal mart , and Eastern Mountain sports for new hiking shoes and to dinner at Jessie's Steak house.
As we said our goodbyes at the Inn and John drove off he soon got a call. I found a tick buried in my groin. He came back and took me to the ER at The Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital. 14 days of dioxcylene. off to CVS and then back to the Inn to finally drop Dan and I off.
Thank god for my great sons!
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Location:I-89 S,Lebanon,United States
13.4.88 AT1733 21m hike
Thistle hill Shelter
Cool day then rain. Lot of hill work. Going into Hanover New Hampshire tomorrow to meet my son Dr John Jr. Then to lou,s for breakfast and to the dirt cowboy for coffee and to Ben and Jerrys and to the pizza place.
Two Texans in their mid 50s doing 300 miles of the AT. Fun to chat Vermont.
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Cool day then rain. Lot of hill work. Going into Hanover New Hampshire tomorrow to meet my son Dr John Jr. Then to lou,s for breakfast and to the dirt cowboy for coffee and to Ben and Jerrys and to the pizza place.
Two Texans in their mid 50s doing 300 miles of the AT. Fun to chat Vermont.
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Location:N Main St,Hanover,United States
13.3.87 AT1710.8 20mile
Stony Brook Shelter
Left the Shelter at 6:30am. All the old farts had left already. Two north bound flip floppers one thrasher (a thrasher is a guy whom quits the trail then starts back up where he quit). We won't see them again since none were hiking this far today.
Stopped at the Killington Deli for a 3 day resupply at mile 14 and some deli sandwiches and drinks...$103. Also stopped at the outfitters where Dan got socks.
Serena Williams, a disabled vet whom started in January is here. He plans on doing the PCT next year.
I'm excited about hitting the whites. I'm the slow man so I got to give 100 percent. As far as in shape goes this is at good as it gets at 61. Just have to keep moving forward as efficiently as possible without taking breaks until the top of the hill is reached and those breaks are not for rest but to refuel with water and food.
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Left the Shelter at 6:30am. All the old farts had left already. Two north bound flip floppers one thrasher (a thrasher is a guy whom quits the trail then starts back up where he quit). We won't see them again since none were hiking this far today.
Stopped at the Killington Deli for a 3 day resupply at mile 14 and some deli sandwiches and drinks...$103. Also stopped at the outfitters where Dan got socks.
Serena Williams, a disabled vet whom started in January is here. He plans on doing the PCT next year.
I'm excited about hitting the whites. I'm the slow man so I got to give 100 percent. As far as in shape goes this is at good as it gets at 61. Just have to keep moving forward as efficiently as possible without taking breaks until the top of the hill is reached and those breaks are not for rest but to refuel with water and food.
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Wednesday, May 24, 2017
13.2.86 AT1690.2. 23m hike
Governor Clement Shelter
Dan, Billy Goat and I hiked out at 6:30am.
I was able to keep up with them for the first two hours then caught back up to them at mile 16 where they had been eating lunch for 25 minutes and Billy Goat was catching a ride to a hostel.
The walk was great. Pine forests, mountain streams, a big owl and a nice rock climb.
Tomorrow we climb Killington mountain and resupply in town. We'll hit Hanover New Hampshire on Friday. We will stay at our first hotel since I can't remember. Dan will try and get a required series of shots that are remaining requirements for his medical school.
We are down to 500 miles to go...less than 5 weeks.
44 percent of the work is in New Hampshire and Maine. We are ready and will give it our all.
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Location:Route 4,Killington,United States
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
13.1.85 AT1667.2 19.3 mile
Big Branch Shelter
Left our 27 mile hike out of the blog yesterday...to late to write.
With Billy Goat for the second day. We get a lot of chatter in on our hikes making the time go by faster.
We have been climbing 3 to almost 4K feet mountains each day.
Seeing a lot of moose poop. Apparently we are not the only ones using the trail.
Was cool yesterday and cooler and rainy today.
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Left our 27 mile hike out of the blog yesterday...to late to write.
With Billy Goat for the second day. We get a lot of chatter in on our hikes making the time go by faster.
We have been climbing 3 to almost 4K feet mountains each day.
Seeing a lot of moose poop. Apparently we are not the only ones using the trail.
Was cool yesterday and cooler and rainy today.
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Location:Appalachian National Scenic Trl,Clarendon,United States
Saturday, May 20, 2017
12.6.84 AT1620,7 27mile
Godard Shelter
Coyotes we're gathered 30 feet from the tent calling each other at 3am
Got on the trail at 6am. We are now in Vermont. We got to our tent site at 7:30pm.
Every night we do a tick check and usually spot a tic.
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Coyotes we're gathered 30 feet from the tent calling each other at 3am
Got on the trail at 6am. We are now in Vermont. We got to our tent site at 7:30pm.
Every night we do a tick check and usually spot a tic.
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Location:Appalachian National Scenic Trl,Glastenbury,United States
12.5.82 AT1593.8 25m hike
2.5 miles from Vermont border. We did a 6 day resupply at the stop and shop..$150.
Had my happy dance shoes on the last 2,1 mile rock hopping downhill. Even sprinted on the stretch points. Waited 7 min for Dan a very very rare event.
A very nice stroll through the Berkshires will end today as we pick up on the Green mountains of Vermont tomorrow.
Had a heck of a thunderstorm and lightning show for at least 5 hours last night as we were in the tent. Powerful winds too.
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Had my happy dance shoes on the last 2,1 mile rock hopping downhill. Even sprinted on the stretch points. Waited 7 min for Dan a very very rare event.
A very nice stroll through the Berkshires will end today as we pick up on the Green mountains of Vermont tomorrow.
Had a heck of a thunderstorm and lightning show for at least 5 hours last night as we were in the tent. Powerful winds too.
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Thursday, May 18, 2017
12.4.81 AT1573
Crystal Camping Campsite
Getting out at 5:15am to hike 25miles and got subs and ice cream in Dalton.
The toads are jumping out of the way of our steps. I hope the toads hurry up and get fat on gnats and mosquitoes which are unbearable at times.
Massachusetts is different terrain than other states. More pine and rounded mountains. Glacial ponds, swamps, and swamps turned back into ponds by beavers.
We are both getting used to the heat. The key is drinking more water than you think you need and drinking often. That slows us down so it puts in for a longer day.. 13 hours.
Moose has been spotted in this area. And we saw the scat on the trail.
I'm up to 23 falls so far...maybe I'll break Scott Jerrick's record of 120. Dan is at 5.
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Getting out at 5:15am to hike 25miles and got subs and ice cream in Dalton.
The toads are jumping out of the way of our steps. I hope the toads hurry up and get fat on gnats and mosquitoes which are unbearable at times.
Massachusetts is different terrain than other states. More pine and rounded mountains. Glacial ponds, swamps, and swamps turned back into ponds by beavers.
We are both getting used to the heat. The key is drinking more water than you think you need and drinking often. That slows us down so it puts in for a longer day.. 13 hours.
Moose has been spotted in this area. And we saw the scat on the trail.
I'm up to 23 falls so far...maybe I'll break Scott Jerrick's record of 120. Dan is at 5.
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Location:Dalton,United States
12.3.80 AT1548,3 21m
Upper Goose Pond Shelter
Watched a big porcupine make gruff snorting sounds as he waddled past our tent at 2 am to climb a 25 foot tree to the very top branches that overhanged a. 40 foot cliff and start munching on branches in the moonlight.
We hiked out at 6am and by 9am it was in the 70s and soon rose above 80. Dan was not happy with the heat.
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Watched a big porcupine make gruff snorting sounds as he waddled past our tent at 2 am to climb a 25 foot tree to the very top branches that overhanged a. 40 foot cliff and start munching on branches in the moonlight.
We hiked out at 6am and by 9am it was in the 70s and soon rose above 80. Dan was not happy with the heat.
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Location:Appalachian National Scenic Trl,Hinsdale,United States
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
12.2.79 AT1527 23m 664m to go
Tom Leonard Shelter
Got a nice tent site with a great view of the valley, mountain stream and bird songs.
We did great the first 6 hours then slowed the last four seemingly running out of energy in the heat of the day.
We'll fix that by getting up at 5 am and getting 7 good hours in.
Dan got a good video of getting a porcupine off the AT trail.
We are in Massachusetts and like the influx of tall pine trees, smooth rock ridges, scrub pine on the mountain tops.
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Got a nice tent site with a great view of the valley, mountain stream and bird songs.
We did great the first 6 hours then slowed the last four seemingly running out of energy in the heat of the day.
We'll fix that by getting up at 5 am and getting 7 good hours in.
Dan got a good video of getting a porcupine off the AT trail.
We are in Massachusetts and like the influx of tall pine trees, smooth rock ridges, scrub pine on the mountain tops.
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Location:Great Barrington,United States
Monday, May 15, 2017
12.1.78 AT1504 20.1
Brassie Brook Shelter
Just Dan and me. Did pass a cluster of YALE'ies in shorts on the edge of a cliff. They were studying the habits of lemmings . I don't think we'll see them again.
Was a 10 mile hike to the powerful falls of the housitanic river. Then to an upscale grocery store where we got a good quality resupply at record price for a 3 day resupply of $173. That included two $10 foot long great subs.
We'll hit Massachusetts Tomorrow.
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Just Dan and me. Did pass a cluster of YALE'ies in shorts on the edge of a cliff. They were studying the habits of lemmings . I don't think we'll see them again.
Was a 10 mile hike to the powerful falls of the housitanic river. Then to an upscale grocery store where we got a good quality resupply at record price for a 3 day resupply of $173. That included two $10 foot long great subs.
We'll hit Massachusetts Tomorrow.
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Location:Appalachian National Scenic Trl,Salisbury,United States
Sunday, May 14, 2017
11.7.77 AT1482.2. 25 mile hike
Pine Swamp Shelter
Hiked with Billy Goat for.maybe the last time. He got a ride to the hostel at the 21 mile mark.
Got to the Shelter and it was overrun by Yale students. Shouldn't they have summer jobs? We tented out. Luckily the forecast for 5pm rains didn't hold.
Connecticut has shown us nice glacier lakes, swamps, birds, toads, trout streams, and lesser elevation mountain with big long well worn rock exposure on the ridges.
One more day in Connecticut.
We are also checking for ticks. Both Dan and I had one on us today.
Weather was cool and nice for hiking.
We've hiked 67 miles in 3 days.
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Hiked with Billy Goat for.maybe the last time. He got a ride to the hostel at the 21 mile mark.
Got to the Shelter and it was overrun by Yale students. Shouldn't they have summer jobs? We tented out. Luckily the forecast for 5pm rains didn't hold.
Connecticut has shown us nice glacier lakes, swamps, birds, toads, trout streams, and lesser elevation mountain with big long well worn rock exposure on the ridges.
One more day in Connecticut.
We are also checking for ticks. Both Dan and I had one on us today.
Weather was cool and nice for hiking.
We've hiked 67 miles in 3 days.
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Location:Sharon,United States
11.6.76 AT1458 20mile hike
10 Mile River Shelter
Welcome to Connecticut the gateway to New England.
Big NorEastern storm is now battering our Shelter with rain.
The Shelter holds 6. A young couple out for the weekend, Dan and I and Billy Goat, and 3 section hikers...1 is sleeping in a hammock outside....
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Welcome to Connecticut the gateway to New England.
Big NorEastern storm is now battering our Shelter with rain.
The Shelter holds 6. A young couple out for the weekend, Dan and I and Billy Goat, and 3 section hikers...1 is sleeping in a hammock outside....
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Friday, May 12, 2017
11.5.75 AT1438 27m
Shelter
Nice hike on The AT Hudson trail. Long 12 hour 27 mile hike. Only New Jersey John a 58 year old section hiker is with us. Quite a funny hard working construction guy with a wife and 3 grand kids back home.
Going to be a big storm tomorrow and we'll be hiking 20 miles.
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Nice hike on The AT Hudson trail. Long 12 hour 27 mile hike. Only New Jersey John a 58 year old section hiker is with us. Quite a funny hard working construction guy with a wife and 3 grand kids back home.
Going to be a big storm tomorrow and we'll be hiking 20 miles.
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Location:Appalachian National Scenic Trail,Beekman,United States
Thursday, May 11, 2017
11.3.73 AT1388.9 27m hike
Traveled through NY. Was tough to find white blazes due to random crisscrossing of trails.
Was exhausted and went to bed at the Shelter. Other than seeing a male and female turkey happy with the views nothing special.
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Was exhausted and went to bed at the Shelter. Other than seeing a male and female turkey happy with the views nothing special.
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11.4.74 AT1409.9 20mile hike
Graymoor Spiritual Life Center
Had a full Shelter last ER night. Professor T is 65year old just retired university of Vermont Elec. Engineering professor
Firecracker is graduating from Moravian College And will be getting off the trail in June to do that. Snap was there also as well as a billy goat a physical therapist who got the okay from his employer to hike the trail. He lives on Raleigh North Carolina.
Dan said we are now averaging 19 miles a day. He's now shooting for finishing July 3 or earlier.
We hiked 3 mountains today. Bear mountain was my favorite. The monument at the top was named for an old Department of Public works guy. The steps up the mountain were made from the mountain to fit the mountain and to make it easy to climb a tough mountain and enjoy the view rather than watching where to step.
We hiked through an old zoo though the red foxes were a very dull red compared to the vibrant red fox I saw 2 days before in the wild.
We are staying at a monks community and tenting out not too far from the trail.
Tomorrow some heavy rains from the south are
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Had a full Shelter last ER night. Professor T is 65year old just retired university of Vermont Elec. Engineering professor
Firecracker is graduating from Moravian College And will be getting off the trail in June to do that. Snap was there also as well as a billy goat a physical therapist who got the okay from his employer to hike the trail. He lives on Raleigh North Carolina.
Dan said we are now averaging 19 miles a day. He's now shooting for finishing July 3 or earlier.
We hiked 3 mountains today. Bear mountain was my favorite. The monument at the top was named for an old Department of Public works guy. The steps up the mountain were made from the mountain to fit the mountain and to make it easy to climb a tough mountain and enjoy the view rather than watching where to step.
We hiked through an old zoo though the red foxes were a very dull red compared to the vibrant red fox I saw 2 days before in the wild.
We are staying at a monks community and tenting out not too far from the trail.
Tomorrow some heavy rains from the south are
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Location:Philipstown,United States
Tuesday, May 9, 2017
11.2.71 AT1361.9 24mile
Waywayyonder Shelter
Was a quick resupply in town day.
Had to pay cash $158.40 for 5 days of food. Almost beat The Citgo gas station record which was $164. Give me Dollar General!
Hiked by swamp land that was converted to agricultural land that was reconverted back to swamp land as a wild life preserve.
Saw blue bird, terns, red wing blackbirds, gray cat birds.
Then to the AT New Jersey boardwalk through a natural swamp. Saw my first red fox by before the swamp.
Climbed the "Stairway to Heaven" and saw a beautiful view of the Jersey countryside.
We are staying with "Snap" for the 3rd Shelter night. She's from Houston Texas and meeting up with her boyfriend and will spend 3 days hiking with him soon. He will be deployed to Afghanistan soon.
Downwind, Tenacious D, and Johnny Sunami have not caught up to us.
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Was a quick resupply in town day.
Had to pay cash $158.40 for 5 days of food. Almost beat The Citgo gas station record which was $164. Give me Dollar General!
Hiked by swamp land that was converted to agricultural land that was reconverted back to swamp land as a wild life preserve.
Saw blue bird, terns, red wing blackbirds, gray cat birds.
Then to the AT New Jersey boardwalk through a natural swamp. Saw my first red fox by before the swamp.
Climbed the "Stairway to Heaven" and saw a beautiful view of the Jersey countryside.
We are staying with "Snap" for the 3rd Shelter night. She's from Houston Texas and meeting up with her boyfriend and will spend 3 days hiking with him soon. He will be deployed to Afghanistan soon.
Downwind, Tenacious D, and Johnny Sunami have not caught up to us.
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Location:Appalachian National Scenic Trl,Vernon,United States
Monday, May 8, 2017
10.1.71 AT1339.7 19m
High Point Shelter
Didn't get a good night sleep listening to a girl toss and turn on a very noisy air mattress. Ok tonight the girl showed up at this Shelter. This time I'm wearing earplugs and the heck with porcupines skunks bears or raccoons...I will not defend this Shelter from attack.
The day was in the low to mid 40's and mostly cloudy. Perfect hiking weather for me.
I got asked if we got any health issues. No we have none. We are both in 100percent great health. Our initial health issues were mainly with shoes not fitting or right for our feet and the initial weight of our packs. We fixed most of that at the outfitters 32 miles in at Neal's Gap, Georgia.
Ponce de Leon may not have found the fountain of youth but that is because he never hiked the Appalachian Trail. Where else can a 61 year old man hike 19miles a day for 71 days , shed all his baby fat and weigh what he did in his junior year in high school, and eat anything and everything he want? This is the fountain of youth.
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Didn't get a good night sleep listening to a girl toss and turn on a very noisy air mattress. Ok tonight the girl showed up at this Shelter. This time I'm wearing earplugs and the heck with porcupines skunks bears or raccoons...I will not defend this Shelter from attack.
The day was in the low to mid 40's and mostly cloudy. Perfect hiking weather for me.
I got asked if we got any health issues. No we have none. We are both in 100percent great health. Our initial health issues were mainly with shoes not fitting or right for our feet and the initial weight of our packs. We fixed most of that at the outfitters 32 miles in at Neal's Gap, Georgia.
Ponce de Leon may not have found the fountain of youth but that is because he never hiked the Appalachian Trail. Where else can a 61 year old man hike 19miles a day for 71 days , shed all his baby fat and weigh what he did in his junior year in high school, and eat anything and everything he want? This is the fountain of youth.
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Location:Wantage,United States
Sunday, May 7, 2017
10.7.70 AT1318.3 19.5 mile hike
Brink Road Shelter
Left at 8:30am from our tent site near sunfish pond. The Jersey landscape is pretty. More blueberry shrubs and smaller trees.
Dan fell on the rocks once and me 3 times. No damage done. Drisselled all day.
Got another North bounder staying at this Shelter. She started in mid February. We've passed at least 5 nobo's since Harpers Ferry. Have had no March people pass us.
Got a father son team section hiking that is staying here too.
Dan has started doing my tarahamarra running style when I catch up to him so now he's uncatchable and I'm left sucking his dust. I guess I'll have to try something new.
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Left at 8:30am from our tent site near sunfish pond. The Jersey landscape is pretty. More blueberry shrubs and smaller trees.
Dan fell on the rocks once and me 3 times. No damage done. Drisselled all day.
Got another North bounder staying at this Shelter. She started in mid February. We've passed at least 5 nobo's since Harpers Ferry. Have had no March people pass us.
Got a father son team section hiking that is staying here too.
Dan has started doing my tarahamarra running style when I catch up to him so now he's uncatchable and I'm left sucking his dust. I guess I'll have to try something new.
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Location:Shay Rd,Sandyston,United States
10.6.69 AT1198.3 24mile
Hiked 20 miles to the Delaware Water Gap. Had pizza and then stopped at an ice cream shop. TD and Downwind are staying at a church Shelter in town.
We hiked 4 more miles out of town and out of Pennsylvania to New Jersey to a nice tenting spot on a ridge with frog and bird songs in the background.
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We hiked 4 more miles out of town and out of Pennsylvania to New Jersey to a nice tenting spot on a ridge with frog and bird songs in the background.
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Friday, May 5, 2017
Porcupine Shelter Attack
Leroy A, Smith Shelter
Was attacked at 10pm tonight by a living land mine, a porcupine! This pin cushion was aggressively trying to reduce the Shelter to wood chips. No sleep could be had.with his incessant gnawing of the front steps and I had to use those steps
Used my friends going away present to scare the critter off. The porcupine ran backwards into the forest with all quills in defensive position. Like my furry little friends Hannah Gracie and Dr Flynn TD and L,E, Bean would have done I promptly marked my territory, Porky won't be back.
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Was attacked at 10pm tonight by a living land mine, a porcupine! This pin cushion was aggressively trying to reduce the Shelter to wood chips. No sleep could be had.with his incessant gnawing of the front steps and I had to use those steps
Used my friends going away present to scare the critter off. The porcupine ran backwards into the forest with all quills in defensive position. Like my furry little friends Hannah Gracie and Dr Flynn TD and L,E, Bean would have done I promptly marked my territory, Porky won't be back.
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Location:Bushkill,United States
10.5.68 AT1273.5 16.5m
Leroy A. Smith Shelter
Rain when we got up. Stayed in bed for 13 hours. The rain did not stop so we left at 9am. Hiked over a bridge and climbed up a Rocky Mountain and through a zinc superfund site. Saw the remnants of the steel industry below and a mile long pile of coal.
Staying with Downwind and tenacious D . TD is from Atlanta. All are NoBo's
Pennsylvania has not lived up to what many have called Rockslyvania. Been a quick hike through.
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Rain when we got up. Stayed in bed for 13 hours. The rain did not stop so we left at 9am. Hiked over a bridge and climbed up a Rocky Mountain and through a zinc superfund site. Saw the remnants of the steel industry below and a mile long pile of coal.
Staying with Downwind and tenacious D . TD is from Atlanta. All are NoBo's
Pennsylvania has not lived up to what many have called Rockslyvania. Been a quick hike through.
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Location:Bushkill,United States
Thursday, May 4, 2017
10.4.67 AT1257.1 13miles
Tent site.
Wow. My Cousin Mike Hirsch picked us up where Rt. 309 intersects The AT at 5pm yesterday. Then it was laundry, shower, pick up dinner at Boston Market, resupply at the Giant grocery store, play with Zoe an exuberant lab mix and Bear a bishon poodle mix. Then Dan went off to the computer room to print out college forms that are due soon. I don't know how the Hirsch family coordinated all this but they did a fantastic job. And in the morning a freshly baked breakfast cheese bread was ready with coffee and fresh strawberries. This all in the middle of their busy work week. I love them all including all their furry little friends! Thanks so Much!
It was tough leaving such great people and getting back on the trail. We went slower today but with great memories of yesterday. We will be out of Pennsylvania and New Jersey and into New York in 6 days when we get our next resupply.
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Wow. My Cousin Mike Hirsch picked us up where Rt. 309 intersects The AT at 5pm yesterday. Then it was laundry, shower, pick up dinner at Boston Market, resupply at the Giant grocery store, play with Zoe an exuberant lab mix and Bear a bishon poodle mix. Then Dan went off to the computer room to print out college forms that are due soon. I don't know how the Hirsch family coordinated all this but they did a fantastic job. And in the morning a freshly baked breakfast cheese bread was ready with coffee and fresh strawberries. This all in the middle of their busy work week. I love them all including all their furry little friends! Thanks so Much!
It was tough leaving such great people and getting back on the trail. We went slower today but with great memories of yesterday. We will be out of Pennsylvania and New Jersey and into New York in 6 days when we get our next resupply.
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Location:Pine St,Slatington,United States
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
10.3.66 AT1144.7. 24mile hike
Last night we had a young Texan thru hiker whom started on February 14 set up camp next to us. He expects to be done by mid July.
Dan and I were up at 5am and hiking by 6am. We were cooking! I kept up with Dan on all downhills, flats and some uphills.
We have been motivated for our 2 day 46mile push to see my Cousin Michael and his family.
Dan avoided stepping on a nice sized rattle snake. No scream from him. Guess he didn't inherit my gene.
Dans got us scheduled for 6 days of hiking before a resupply. I would suspect we'll be through most of PA.
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Dan and I were up at 5am and hiking by 6am. We were cooking! I kept up with Dan on all downhills, flats and some uphills.
We have been motivated for our 2 day 46mile push to see my Cousin Michael and his family.
Dan avoided stepping on a nice sized rattle snake. No scream from him. Guess he didn't inherit my gene.
Dans got us scheduled for 6 days of hiking before a resupply. I would suspect we'll be through most of PA.
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Location:Route 309,Lynn,United States
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
10,2.65 AT1220.7 22mile hike
Tent campsite
Was a thunderous night! Got a late start in the morning. Rains had stopped and tent had dried.
Fairly cool day. Paths were fairly rocky but mainly flat.
Saw two northbounders slack packing south. And met one new northbounder named downwind. All 3 hikers started in early Feb.
Saw a black and a garter snake both that I almost stepped on and both got the same scream. Statistically I'll almost step on 15 more snakes, Fall 16 more times, and get hit in the head by a tree 4 more times. I'm only worried about tangling with a rattle snake. So far I avoided stepping on 1 rattle snake. So far I haven't had to add bears to my stats.
Got trail magic from a 77 year old man at a trail crossing. Root beer grape juice cape cod cheese puffs a box of trail bars. That got me through my 22 mile day! Very kind Trail Angels out here.
24 miles tomorrow and we'll meet up with my cousin Mike Hirsch!
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Was a thunderous night! Got a late start in the morning. Rains had stopped and tent had dried.
Fairly cool day. Paths were fairly rocky but mainly flat.
Saw two northbounders slack packing south. And met one new northbounder named downwind. All 3 hikers started in early Feb.
Saw a black and a garter snake both that I almost stepped on and both got the same scream. Statistically I'll almost step on 15 more snakes, Fall 16 more times, and get hit in the head by a tree 4 more times. I'm only worried about tangling with a rattle snake. So far I avoided stepping on 1 rattle snake. So far I haven't had to add bears to my stats.
Got trail magic from a 77 year old man at a trail crossing. Root beer grape juice cape cod cheese puffs a box of trail bars. That got me through my 22 mile day! Very kind Trail Angels out here.
24 miles tomorrow and we'll meet up with my cousin Mike Hirsch!
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Location:Lowland Rd,Tilden,United States
Monday, May 1, 2017
10.1.64 AT1198.7 23m hike
Hert line campsite
Gave my Texas handshake to my new Texas friends Charlie and John Francis.
Also left Johnny Sunami behind. He was planning on hiking 33m today but as of 7:30pm our tent is adjacent to the AT and he hasn't passed by. Tornado warnings, hail and severe thunderstorms predicted from 7pm to 7am.
Saw no true thru hikers on the trail. Saw one old (old refers to anyone 62 or older-I'm still a youngster at 61...obviously when I turn 62 then 63 will be the new old..etc.
That old guy had gone from Georgia to Maryland and then stopped home for a weekend tripped on the stairs and tore his clavicle needing surgery and 4 months of rehab. So he's back this year starting where he left off. Yep I don't make these stories up.
Saw three old Germans 2 male and a female in full hiking gear.
Day was cool. Terrain was mostly flat. Hiked through an abandoned coal community that once had 1000 people there. Saw no evidence of people living there except an abandoned coal mine that was flooded and a sign pointing to a cemetery. There were slag heaps covered by vegetation.
I did try out my Fred Astaire dance moves combined with a marching band leader moves and baton twirling moves with my poles across the rocks. Dan was throughly entertained.
Though I found out he entertains himself by seeing if I would hit a similar low hanging fallen oak tree like I did yesterday. I didn't but I did look up and saw him clapping.
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Gave my Texas handshake to my new Texas friends Charlie and John Francis.
Also left Johnny Sunami behind. He was planning on hiking 33m today but as of 7:30pm our tent is adjacent to the AT and he hasn't passed by. Tornado warnings, hail and severe thunderstorms predicted from 7pm to 7am.
Saw no true thru hikers on the trail. Saw one old (old refers to anyone 62 or older-I'm still a youngster at 61...obviously when I turn 62 then 63 will be the new old..etc.
That old guy had gone from Georgia to Maryland and then stopped home for a weekend tripped on the stairs and tore his clavicle needing surgery and 4 months of rehab. So he's back this year starting where he left off. Yep I don't make these stories up.
Saw three old Germans 2 male and a female in full hiking gear.
Day was cool. Terrain was mostly flat. Hiked through an abandoned coal community that once had 1000 people there. Saw no evidence of people living there except an abandoned coal mine that was flooded and a sign pointing to a cemetery. There were slag heaps covered by vegetation.
I did try out my Fred Astaire dance moves combined with a marching band leader moves and baton twirling moves with my poles across the rocks. Dan was throughly entertained.
Though I found out he entertains himself by seeing if I would hit a similar low hanging fallen oak tree like I did yesterday. I didn't but I did look up and saw him clapping.
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Location:Appalachian National Scenic Trl,Bethel,United States
9.10.63 AT1176 18m hike
Rausch Gap Shelter
Got up with a headache left over from the collision with the low hanging fallen oak tree. Turns out all 3 people over 6"1" got knocked down by this tree. I don't feel like a clutz.
Staying with Johnny Sunami and two old guys from Houston and Austin Texas. The old guys had beans.
Had fun talking with the old guys. One is a retired community banker the other is a financial advisor.
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Got up with a headache left over from the collision with the low hanging fallen oak tree. Turns out all 3 people over 6"1" got knocked down by this tree. I don't feel like a clutz.
Staying with Johnny Sunami and two old guys from Houston and Austin Texas. The old guys had beans.
Had fun talking with the old guys. One is a retired community banker the other is a financial advisor.
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Saturday, April 29, 2017
9.6.62 AT1158.3 9mile hike
Peters Mountain Shelter
Stayed at a hotel with the home team in a Harrisburg hotel last night. Got our hair cut, Laundry, ate at 5 guys hamburger;Dan got new shoes and hat. I got two pair of pants since I put holes in my old ones with the 15+ falls I have had. And homemade cookies and bread.
We got dropped off back on the trail in Duncannon where the locals blocked off Main Street for the 8th annual 64' car show..with rock bands. That worked out well for us. No one seemed interested in trying to run us over. It was an easy walk out of town and back up to the mountain ridge lines.
Dan must have thought there was a zombie army following him. First there was the 4' black snake I almost stepped on. Dan thought I had stepped on a nail from the scream. Then there was the fallen tree 5' high level across the path. The top of my forehead hit that head on full hiking stride. And there I was flat on my backpack. This time a yelp of pain and a choice word.
The sad part is I'm just over halfway done and statistically I'm going to fall 15+ more times and slam my head into a tree 6 more times. Ahh well.
We are at the new Shelter with Johnny Sunami whom is wearing a Hawaiian lay from the Duncannon car party and about 6 day hikers.
Dan had to hike Half a mile down a hill and back and was all hot when he got back up.
I told him I'd get the water at the next Shelter. ( I got a source that says it's right at the Shelter). Yes Dan is much nicer than his Dad.
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Stayed at a hotel with the home team in a Harrisburg hotel last night. Got our hair cut, Laundry, ate at 5 guys hamburger;Dan got new shoes and hat. I got two pair of pants since I put holes in my old ones with the 15+ falls I have had. And homemade cookies and bread.
We got dropped off back on the trail in Duncannon where the locals blocked off Main Street for the 8th annual 64' car show..with rock bands. That worked out well for us. No one seemed interested in trying to run us over. It was an easy walk out of town and back up to the mountain ridge lines.
Dan must have thought there was a zombie army following him. First there was the 4' black snake I almost stepped on. Dan thought I had stepped on a nail from the scream. Then there was the fallen tree 5' high level across the path. The top of my forehead hit that head on full hiking stride. And there I was flat on my backpack. This time a yelp of pain and a choice word.
The sad part is I'm just over halfway done and statistically I'm going to fall 15+ more times and slam my head into a tree 6 more times. Ahh well.
We are at the new Shelter with Johnny Sunami whom is wearing a Hawaiian lay from the Duncannon car party and about 6 day hikers.
Dan had to hike Half a mile down a hill and back and was all hot when he got back up.
I told him I'd get the water at the next Shelter. ( I got a source that says it's right at the Shelter). Yes Dan is much nicer than his Dad.
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Friday, April 28, 2017
9.5.61 AT1148.7 9m
Rained last night but tent was nearly dry by morning. Did hear the coyotes a few hours before dawn.
We started the ridge work...rocks were not too bad. Best case is you have the tap dancing feet of Fred Astaire...Worst case you have the feet of Charlie Chaplin doing a drunken sailor dance over the rocks. I am excellent at the Charlie Chaplin dance!
Got into Dunccannon Pennsylvania and shared a pizza with Dan. Then to the Market for a resupply where Dan pulled me off the side of the road so I wouldn't get run over by a tractor trailer truck that cut the corner too close. Ahh almost... Almost got run over again when walking through the crosswalk with the white hand still up on the sign. A man in another truck was laughing hysterically about that. It was then I suspected this was some special "Duncannon Pennsylvania" game for AT hikers. Now that I know we are the sport we'll take better precautions in PA. We've already crossed many roads in Pa .. not nearly as safe here as the previous states.
Tomorrow we head back to the trail to start a 5 day hike before resupply.
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We started the ridge work...rocks were not too bad. Best case is you have the tap dancing feet of Fred Astaire...Worst case you have the feet of Charlie Chaplin doing a drunken sailor dance over the rocks. I am excellent at the Charlie Chaplin dance!
Got into Dunccannon Pennsylvania and shared a pizza with Dan. Then to the Market for a resupply where Dan pulled me off the side of the road so I wouldn't get run over by a tractor trailer truck that cut the corner too close. Ahh almost... Almost got run over again when walking through the crosswalk with the white hand still up on the sign. A man in another truck was laughing hysterically about that. It was then I suspected this was some special "Duncannon Pennsylvania" game for AT hikers. Now that I know we are the sport we'll take better precautions in PA. We've already crossed many roads in Pa .. not nearly as safe here as the previous states.
Tomorrow we head back to the trail to start a 5 day hike before resupply.
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9.4.60 AT1139.6 26.7m hike
Tent site by stream
Heard coywolfs this morning. Had more of a higher pitched howls than wolfs.
Traveled through the flat farmers land today, clear streams, and one small town.
Took a picture of a baby raccoon or possum whooo wasn't to happy being left in a nest in a tree.
Saw a young lady in her 20s with long straight auburn hair, nice sunglasses, blue blouse, and fitted white jeans walking in sandals in the opposite direction we were headed. Unusual in that she was walking on The AT Trail, 5 miles from anywhere and seemingly ill fitted for a walk on The AT. Haven't seen that till now. I had to confirm my vision with Dan.
Been warned by hikers that have traversed Pennsylvania that we'll be hitting Rockslyvania soon. Just hiking on ridges that are full of rubble and will tear a pair of shoes apart. We will see.
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Heard coywolfs this morning. Had more of a higher pitched howls than wolfs.
Traveled through the flat farmers land today, clear streams, and one small town.
Took a picture of a baby raccoon or possum whooo wasn't to happy being left in a nest in a tree.
Saw a young lady in her 20s with long straight auburn hair, nice sunglasses, blue blouse, and fitted white jeans walking in sandals in the opposite direction we were headed. Unusual in that she was walking on The AT Trail, 5 miles from anywhere and seemingly ill fitted for a walk on The AT. Haven't seen that till now. I had to confirm my vision with Dan.
Been warned by hikers that have traversed Pennsylvania that we'll be hitting Rockslyvania soon. Just hiking on ridges that are full of rubble and will tear a pair of shoes apart. We will see.
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Thursday, April 27, 2017
9.3.59 AT1114.5 28.4m
Camping area with stream
No need for rain gear. We left Johnny Sunami behind. Maybe we'll see him again. He did pick our spirits up. Hands-to-mouth a wise and knowledgeable thru hiker whom will work to get back to the trail to relive and relish what the trail gives. We won't see him again but he also will.be missed.
Saw a young girl in her twenties go south sporting a Mohawk. I told her I wanted to get one.
Later saw an old couple with two shnowzers Mack and Jack whooo were wearing their dog packs. They were headed to the Shelter we had left.
Saw several frogs hop into a stream as I walked by.
We made it to the Pine Furnace Grove park where a few years back I took my buddy George Ehlers and our dogs Gracie and Hannah for a walk (I took him to the wrong park over 100 miles off course).
We stopped at the Closed General Store to eat on the outdoor tables and to recharge our phones and to get 2 cherry cokes from the machine. Just before we were leaving a nice lady opened the store to get it ready for opening tomorrow. She said we could buy supplies if we wanted and she even had quarts of ice cream to do the ice cream challenge which they do for Thru hikers. But before I could say yes Dan said Thanks but we are just heading out..
Well the frogs are singing and got to get up for a 29mile hike tomorrow. Should be a nice night in the tent..No rain expected.
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9.2.58 AT1085.1m. 25m +2.1m
Quarry Gap Shelter
Got a great nights sleep in at the Shelter..
The rain and wind were strong and the feeling of "Thank God we're protected from the rain". If it rains for 2 days then everything gets wet.
We hiked all day through the rain and hiked 2.1m to the Waynesburro Pennsylvania WalMart for a resupply..$76.
We had fattened ourselves on a bag each of our favorite granola with fresh blueberries and raspberries and milk and Dan called uber $7.25 go a ride back. A retired fed worker drove us back to the trail. Way cool my 1st uber ride.
Then it was time to put in the miles. At about mile 20 "Johnny Sunami " showed up. We had met him at the Shelter before Harpers Ferry. Well Dan connected with the upbeat kid seeing him again got both our spirits up. For the next 3 downhill miles I was able to keep up with the young men and listen to all their Star Wars talk on books they read and movies.
Johnny's got music playing and chatting with another guy at the Shelter about the AT and it's stories. Johnny's hooked on the trail life. He'll finish the AT..work..Finish the El Camino trail..work...go onto the next trail.
Got a 27 and 29 day coming up.
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Got a great nights sleep in at the Shelter..
The rain and wind were strong and the feeling of "Thank God we're protected from the rain". If it rains for 2 days then everything gets wet.
We hiked all day through the rain and hiked 2.1m to the Waynesburro Pennsylvania WalMart for a resupply..$76.
We had fattened ourselves on a bag each of our favorite granola with fresh blueberries and raspberries and milk and Dan called uber $7.25 go a ride back. A retired fed worker drove us back to the trail. Way cool my 1st uber ride.
Then it was time to put in the miles. At about mile 20 "Johnny Sunami " showed up. We had met him at the Shelter before Harpers Ferry. Well Dan connected with the upbeat kid seeing him again got both our spirits up. For the next 3 downhill miles I was able to keep up with the young men and listen to all their Star Wars talk on books they read and movies.
Johnny's got music playing and chatting with another guy at the Shelter about the AT and it's stories. Johnny's hooked on the trail life. He'll finish the AT..work..Finish the El Camino trail..work...go onto the next trail.
Got a 27 and 29 day coming up.
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Monday, April 24, 2017
9.1.57 AT1059.1 25m hike
Raven Rock Shelter
Hiked out at dawn with our rain gear on. Stepped up our pace to 2.64mph. Dan says 10hr day is his limit so to get more mileage in I got to work on stepping up the pace. So I'm in training. Much better than the 2.0mph days.
Maryland is much easier than the previous states.
Tomorrow is a 26 mile and a resupply day in Waynesburro PA.
Staying in the Shelter tonight due to heavy rains. 3 old guys vying to get close to the stairs on the second floor due to excessive trips to pee. Comical. At least they announced that they are leaving the Shelter to pee. No bottles!
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Hiked out at dawn with our rain gear on. Stepped up our pace to 2.64mph. Dan says 10hr day is his limit so to get more mileage in I got to work on stepping up the pace. So I'm in training. Much better than the 2.0mph days.
Maryland is much easier than the previous states.
Tomorrow is a 26 mile and a resupply day in Waynesburro PA.
Staying in the Shelter tonight due to heavy rains. 3 old guys vying to get close to the stairs on the second floor due to excessive trips to pee. Comical. At least they announced that they are leaving the Shelter to pee. No bottles!
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Sunday, April 23, 2017
8.7.56 AT1033 19.7m
Crampton Shelter
We hiked a quick 9 miles into Harpers Ferry. A historic town where the Shenandoah River and the Potomac River meet.
We stopped in the Appalachian Conservatory and got our pictures taken for the book. We were the 55th and 56th North bound through hikers in. I left my hat there but by the time I figured that out it was getting late so we headed back to the trail.
We stopped for lunch and then to the outfitter for new hiking poles and shoes.
Finally we head for the ice cream shop. I got a two scoop black cherry ice cream cone that was so big the guy also handed me a pint sized cup and spoon.
Then hiked another 10miles into Maryland to our new tent site.
It was a cool sunny day. No real hard trails.
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We hiked a quick 9 miles into Harpers Ferry. A historic town where the Shenandoah River and the Potomac River meet.
We stopped in the Appalachian Conservatory and got our pictures taken for the book. We were the 55th and 56th North bound through hikers in. I left my hat there but by the time I figured that out it was getting late so we headed back to the trail.
We stopped for lunch and then to the outfitter for new hiking poles and shoes.
Finally we head for the ice cream shop. I got a two scoop black cherry ice cream cone that was so big the guy also handed me a pint sized cup and spoon.
Then hiked another 10miles into Maryland to our new tent site.
It was a cool sunny day. No real hard trails.
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Location:Middletown,United States
Saturday, April 22, 2017
8.6.55 AT1014 21m hike to West Virginia
David Lessor Shelter
Got a great sleep in our tent by the mountain stream. As soon as we finished eating breakfast the rains came and lasted all day until we got to our new shelter. The place is in total chaos with 2 full boy-scout troops and day hikers. We found a tent spot ate and found some water had gotten in our sleeping bags. Tomorrow should be no rain.
Virginia closed with a 13 mile hike through "The Rollercoaster" up down around and through rocky terrain.
Tomorrow is a 9 mile hike into Harpers Ferry. We'll go to the AT Conservatory to get our picture taken. This town is considered the half way marker. Though the trail gets longer every passing year. The official AT Thru hike for 2017 is 2191 miles. That's 3 miles longer than 2016.
The AT "Green Tunnel" is finally showing itself! Spring is finally here. We are getting excited about moving out of the south to the more familiar Northern States.
It's been a great adventure!
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Got a great sleep in our tent by the mountain stream. As soon as we finished eating breakfast the rains came and lasted all day until we got to our new shelter. The place is in total chaos with 2 full boy-scout troops and day hikers. We found a tent spot ate and found some water had gotten in our sleeping bags. Tomorrow should be no rain.
Virginia closed with a 13 mile hike through "The Rollercoaster" up down around and through rocky terrain.
Tomorrow is a 9 mile hike into Harpers Ferry. We'll go to the AT Conservatory to get our picture taken. This town is considered the half way marker. Though the trail gets longer every passing year. The official AT Thru hike for 2017 is 2191 miles. That's 3 miles longer than 2016.
The AT "Green Tunnel" is finally showing itself! Spring is finally here. We are getting excited about moving out of the south to the more familiar Northern States.
It's been a great adventure!
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Location:Purcellville,United States
Friday, April 21, 2017
8.5 AT993.3 19m hike
Got woken up repeatedly by an old man that battled with emptying his bladder contents into his urine container system which failed him multiple times due to the amount of swearing. At one point he even got an involuntary bowell movement. I'm not sure what he was using to wipe things up from his sleeping bag but it was failing to do the job. To Old people whom find hiking the AT a better option than the nursing home your living at....at least bring the depends with you.
I got Dan (he wears earplugs) up at 2:30am and we hiked 19miles to Rods Hut. I wanted to go 10 miles further but he wasn't in a talkative mood so We have been in a hot tent since 1pm..drinking water. Ok I got what's coming to me.
I think dealing with the heat on The AT now that we are and will be at the lower altitudes will need be dealt with.
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I got Dan (he wears earplugs) up at 2:30am and we hiked 19miles to Rods Hut. I wanted to go 10 miles further but he wasn't in a talkative mood so We have been in a hot tent since 1pm..drinking water. Ok I got what's coming to me.
I think dealing with the heat on The AT now that we are and will be at the lower altitudes will need be dealt with.
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Thursday, April 20, 2017
8.4 AT974.9. 18.6m
Jim and Molly Denton Shelter
Started hiking at 7:30am. My left ankle that I had bent in Georgia had been getting worse the last three days. Today it was better.
It was a resupply day. Got lucky and got the 3 mile ride into town by a lady whom was giving out Trail Magic at the road into town which the AT crossed.
We ate 27 dollars worth of McD's. Spent $153 at Save A Lot.
As we were leaving the parking lot s tattooed man in his mid 30s in a truck offered to give us a ride to the trail. We took his offer.
Nice day...easy terrain.
Did break a hiking pole by doing a trip and a complete Olympic 10 front flip with a side twist right on my hiking pole.
Staying in the Shelter. With an old man whom looked at us and said "Cats in the Cradle". I said Dan and I are avoiding that.
A 54 year man is here. He's from California and started on Jan 1. He gets off the trail and works and gets back on the trail.
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Started hiking at 7:30am. My left ankle that I had bent in Georgia had been getting worse the last three days. Today it was better.
It was a resupply day. Got lucky and got the 3 mile ride into town by a lady whom was giving out Trail Magic at the road into town which the AT crossed.
We ate 27 dollars worth of McD's. Spent $153 at Save A Lot.
As we were leaving the parking lot s tattooed man in his mid 30s in a truck offered to give us a ride to the trail. We took his offer.
Nice day...easy terrain.
Did break a hiking pole by doing a trip and a complete Olympic 10 front flip with a side twist right on my hiking pole.
Staying in the Shelter. With an old man whom looked at us and said "Cats in the Cradle". I said Dan and I are avoiding that.
A 54 year man is here. He's from California and started on Jan 1. He gets off the trail and works and gets back on the trail.
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8.2 AT927.3 23m The Canuck Socialist
Rock Spring Hut
Slept well and hiked out at 5am. Would have got to Rock spring by 4pm but we I found Dan talking to an Atheist, Socialist, save the planet, college professor from Quebec, who loves Obama, hates Trump, But likes Trumps bombing of Syria and thinks the Texas Bible Belt people are crazy. Then he tells me how he only worked for 29 years and got leave for 6 years as a Canadian government paid college professor and somehow he made a deal to pay into his own government pension for those 6 years he didn't work so he could collect a full pension.
Yes it is great to be a Socialist as a government worker and scam the system.
I'm not sure how the Canadian private sector worker and taxpayer would feel about that. Thank God for Texas! Need I say more.
Met a 64 retired lawyer from Kentucky. He was originally from Montana and remembers breaking the ice on the pond in June so he could go swimming.
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Slept well and hiked out at 5am. Would have got to Rock spring by 4pm but we I found Dan talking to an Atheist, Socialist, save the planet, college professor from Quebec, who loves Obama, hates Trump, But likes Trumps bombing of Syria and thinks the Texas Bible Belt people are crazy. Then he tells me how he only worked for 29 years and got leave for 6 years as a Canadian government paid college professor and somehow he made a deal to pay into his own government pension for those 6 years he didn't work so he could collect a full pension.
Yes it is great to be a Socialist as a government worker and scam the system.
I'm not sure how the Canadian private sector worker and taxpayer would feel about that. Thank God for Texas! Need I say more.
Met a 64 retired lawyer from Kentucky. He was originally from Montana and remembers breaking the ice on the pond in June so he could go swimming.
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8.3 AT955.3 28m day
Gravel Spring Hut
Started hiking at 4am. Had rain gear on most of the day. Was cold and windy.
Spooked a perigreen falcon from its roost overlooking the valley. Then a mile latter saw a sign that said the perigreen falcons were reintroduced to the area. success!
Long day.
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Started hiking at 4am. Had rain gear on most of the day. Was cold and windy.
Spooked a perigreen falcon from its roost overlooking the valley. Then a mile latter saw a sign that said the perigreen falcons were reintroduced to the area. success!
Long day.
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Monday, April 17, 2017
8.1 AT903 21.4
Hill Top Hut
Last night before I dosed off in the hut I talked to a flip flop hiker, Britany. She spent 3 years after college teaching native Inuit kids for 10months a year at a boarding school in the Alaskan interior. She said she got tired of eating moose. The northern lights were awesome. She was talked into going on a cold survival week since the men instructors needed a female chaperone. She said it was brutally cold. They spent their time making Shelter and melting snow into water. She said she never got warm.
Then she joined the peace corps and was assigned to Kusco a new country that formed out of Serbia for Albanians.
I asked her what she was going to do next.
She says she has a boyfriend in Minnesota and may start a traditional life.
Then as I am well into my morning hike I am flagged down by "Next Step" who had talked to Dan and said how great it was that we were hiking. Well it turns out he had just finished 2 years in the peace corps and will be getting his Masters in Business with an emphasis on the business case for environmental sustainability. This guy seems to be headed towards his passion and no doubt will succeed. I told him to talk to Britany at the next hut.
We got to the Hill Top Hut at 5pm. Found our first thru hiker whom started on February 12th. A lot of section and holiday week hikers.
Rained till about 2pm today. Kind of went into zone mode. Dan had us go a mile off the trail to stop at a way stop where we bought expensive tasteless food. But it was nice to get out of the rain.
Dan has us hiking 23m tomorrow
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Last night before I dosed off in the hut I talked to a flip flop hiker, Britany. She spent 3 years after college teaching native Inuit kids for 10months a year at a boarding school in the Alaskan interior. She said she got tired of eating moose. The northern lights were awesome. She was talked into going on a cold survival week since the men instructors needed a female chaperone. She said it was brutally cold. They spent their time making Shelter and melting snow into water. She said she never got warm.
Then she joined the peace corps and was assigned to Kusco a new country that formed out of Serbia for Albanians.
I asked her what she was going to do next.
She says she has a boyfriend in Minnesota and may start a traditional life.
Then as I am well into my morning hike I am flagged down by "Next Step" who had talked to Dan and said how great it was that we were hiking. Well it turns out he had just finished 2 years in the peace corps and will be getting his Masters in Business with an emphasis on the business case for environmental sustainability. This guy seems to be headed towards his passion and no doubt will succeed. I told him to talk to Britany at the next hut.
We got to the Hill Top Hut at 5pm. Found our first thru hiker whom started on February 12th. A lot of section and holiday week hikers.
Rained till about 2pm today. Kind of went into zone mode. Dan had us go a mile off the trail to stop at a way stop where we bought expensive tasteless food. But it was nice to get out of the rain.
Dan has us hiking 23m tomorrow
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Location:Elkton,United States
7.7 AT886m 19m
Black Rock Hut
Nice hike through the Shenandoah Mountains.
I'm listening to a through hiker who's an ex police officer .Earl, who is 75 years old and is smoking and drinking bourbon and wants to hike a 30mile day but his younger buddies don't seem thrilled.
I asked him what sports he played in high school. He said he played soccer and loved running around the field. He said his son ran the Boston Marathon and came in 3200 place the first time and 200 the second time and he's running for the 3rd time this year. Ok now I know the 75year old passed on a good copy of his genes to his son.
You do meet incredible anomalies on The AT Trail.
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Nice hike through the Shenandoah Mountains.
I'm listening to a through hiker who's an ex police officer .Earl, who is 75 years old and is smoking and drinking bourbon and wants to hike a 30mile day but his younger buddies don't seem thrilled.
I asked him what sports he played in high school. He said he played soccer and loved running around the field. He said his son ran the Boston Marathon and came in 3200 place the first time and 200 the second time and he's running for the 3rd time this year. Ok now I know the 75year old passed on a good copy of his genes to his son.
You do meet incredible anomalies on The AT Trail.
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Saturday, April 15, 2017
7.6 AT867 7mile hike Drifter II
We tented out last night near a mountain stream. We got up at 4am to hike to Waynesburro Virginia. When we got off the trail their was a sign of AT driver volunteers phone numbers ( a list of over 25 names). So Dan called "Yellow Truck" At 7:30am YT showed up to pick us up. He was a former town console man and had a day job working at the tourist info booth. He said he had given over 600 free rides last year.
He showed us all over town before he dropped us of at Weesies for breakfast.
Then we went to the Y to shower and then to the library so Dan could get more Medical School paper work done. Then to krogers then to the laundry Matt. Then..
Drifter II story
Well in a recent blog I talked about a classification of drifters on The AT. .,
Story starts when Dan and I get out of the dollar store. We open up our packs. Go through our bags of groceries and are removing The packaging we don't need and start sorting out what goes in Dans food dry sack and what goes in mine.
While we're doing this a compact car with two young Hispanic women and a 6 year old girl slow down and stop in the road. The driver asks us where we are going. Dan said Maine. The lady in the passenger seat hops out of the car and is coming to me with a LOT of cash in her hand. We both said in unison that thank so much your so kind but we don't need the money.
I suspect she thought we were Drifters in need of cash to get to Maine. We never did get to explain to her that we were hiking the AT.
And "Yellow Truck" came to pick us up and drop us off back to the AT.
We are now a few miles into the Shenandoah mountains in our tent for the night.
Waynesburro Virginia is another great hospitality town. The people are wonderful.
Story 2
So Dan was asking me if I bought enough food for me all week. I think he expected me to run out. Well with some help of trail magic I didn't run out and even managed to have 1 extra tortilla and tuna fish packet than he had and I let him know.
So tonight he asks me for my bear bag...I ask him how many bear bags can you put in the tree? He says yours and mine. I said we'll can you put that extra blue bear bag with the food I couldn't fit in my bag? He says.. How much you got? I think..We'll maybe a couple of those rice packs you got me for dinner. Then we go look at my extra food... He says you got six pounds of extra food. Yep I do.
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He showed us all over town before he dropped us of at Weesies for breakfast.
Then we went to the Y to shower and then to the library so Dan could get more Medical School paper work done. Then to krogers then to the laundry Matt. Then..
Drifter II story
Well in a recent blog I talked about a classification of drifters on The AT. .,
Story starts when Dan and I get out of the dollar store. We open up our packs. Go through our bags of groceries and are removing The packaging we don't need and start sorting out what goes in Dans food dry sack and what goes in mine.
While we're doing this a compact car with two young Hispanic women and a 6 year old girl slow down and stop in the road. The driver asks us where we are going. Dan said Maine. The lady in the passenger seat hops out of the car and is coming to me with a LOT of cash in her hand. We both said in unison that thank so much your so kind but we don't need the money.
I suspect she thought we were Drifters in need of cash to get to Maine. We never did get to explain to her that we were hiking the AT.
And "Yellow Truck" came to pick us up and drop us off back to the AT.
We are now a few miles into the Shenandoah mountains in our tent for the night.
Waynesburro Virginia is another great hospitality town. The people are wonderful.
Story 2
So Dan was asking me if I bought enough food for me all week. I think he expected me to run out. Well with some help of trail magic I didn't run out and even managed to have 1 extra tortilla and tuna fish packet than he had and I let him know.
So tonight he asks me for my bear bag...I ask him how many bear bags can you put in the tree? He says yours and mine. I said we'll can you put that extra blue bear bag with the food I couldn't fit in my bag? He says.. How much you got? I think..We'll maybe a couple of those rice packs you got me for dinner. Then we go look at my extra food... He says you got six pounds of extra food. Yep I do.
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Location:I-64 W,Waynesboro,United States
7.5 AT856.3 22m Drifters
Hall C. Wolfe Shelter
I have run into a handfull of drifters. These people get on the trail rather than assimilate in society, pay rent, hold a steady job. One works and then gets back on the trail or on any trail wherever part of the country he finds interesting to explore. He has thru hiked the AT in 2014. Now he is hiking from Harpers Ferry to Springer Mountain. Then he'll go to key west Florida and work with a friend. Another hiked in 10miles and slept for two days at the same Shelter. He seemed to live on any Trail and claimed to find $50/hr roofing jobs to cover his food costs. He has been on the trail for 2 weeks and is planning to go to Arizona and get on a trail there.
Another young man spent 3 years traveling around the country after he graduated from college. He got hired as a math teacher and is section hiking the trail over spring break. He had signed up for his masters but his advisor talked him into doing a PHD math program cause its cheaper. I don't understand...another of life's drifters. No real plan in place..For some reason it bothers me.
I met retired couple on the trail for a day hike. They were happy and had traveled the country after they worked and raised their children. They gave me a homemade chocolate Easter egg and Dan a package of Gouda cheese. We enjoy talking to people on the trail and on our resupplies. It cuts into our time on the trail. But we learn from them and they from us.
It was a good day. Though we stopped 2miles short of our goal we picked up a great tent sight by a big babbling mountain stream.
Dan and I are working hard and enjoying the once in a lifetime trip.
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I have run into a handfull of drifters. These people get on the trail rather than assimilate in society, pay rent, hold a steady job. One works and then gets back on the trail or on any trail wherever part of the country he finds interesting to explore. He has thru hiked the AT in 2014. Now he is hiking from Harpers Ferry to Springer Mountain. Then he'll go to key west Florida and work with a friend. Another hiked in 10miles and slept for two days at the same Shelter. He seemed to live on any Trail and claimed to find $50/hr roofing jobs to cover his food costs. He has been on the trail for 2 weeks and is planning to go to Arizona and get on a trail there.
Another young man spent 3 years traveling around the country after he graduated from college. He got hired as a math teacher and is section hiking the trail over spring break. He had signed up for his masters but his advisor talked him into doing a PHD math program cause its cheaper. I don't understand...another of life's drifters. No real plan in place..For some reason it bothers me.
I met retired couple on the trail for a day hike. They were happy and had traveled the country after they worked and raised their children. They gave me a homemade chocolate Easter egg and Dan a package of Gouda cheese. We enjoy talking to people on the trail and on our resupplies. It cuts into our time on the trail. But we learn from them and they from us.
It was a good day. Though we stopped 2miles short of our goal we picked up a great tent sight by a big babbling mountain stream.
Dan and I are working hard and enjoying the once in a lifetime trip.
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7.4 AT834.3 30.0mile hike
Harpurs Creek
Ok. We did it! Piece of cake. First 30mile hike. 4am to 5pm. 13hours. Haven't seen a north bound or south bound thru hiker in a week.
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Ok. We did it! Piece of cake. First 30mile hike. 4am to 5pm. 13hours. Haven't seen a north bound or south bound thru hiker in a week.
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7.3. AT804.1 18.6m
Browns Shelter
Very slow day for me. Dan stopped well short of the 27m.
Ok now I know how we do this. I leave at 4am and hike for 15 hours or less...whatever gets us 30miles. I do not like missing goals.
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Very slow day for me. Dan stopped well short of the 27m.
Ok now I know how we do this. I leave at 4am and hike for 15 hours or less...whatever gets us 30miles. I do not like missing goals.
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Wednesday, April 12, 2017
7.2 AT786.6 27m hike
John Hollows Shelter
Slept like a baby next to a mountain stream. Then got up before sunrise to start on our 27 mile hike.
The hike started on a 9.5 mile uphill by mountain streams to hill tops. The mountain flowers are all in bloom.
Saw about 14 day hikers on the way. I particularly liked this old couple from Australia who talked about their 4 month tour through all of the US. They have seen more than I have even after We finish the AT.
The trails took a more western look, long switchbacks and going from mountain to mountain. At one point Dan hollered from one mountain to me on the other. I asked him where the zip line was cause that would be easier than having to get there by Trail.
I saw a sign on The At that said "James River foot bridge in 5 miles. It is illegal to jump off the bridge and there are things under the surface that can be hazardous."
I might add that the shock of hitting that mountain spring fed water might do something too.
We made it across the foot bridge. But after I finished hiking that 27 miles I went down to the mountain stream took off my shirt, cleaned it and myself. Wow did that feel good.
Since I keep passing Dan's mileage marks he's talking about doing 3 more 27mile days. Ok Dan lets see what the Ole Dad can do. Bring it on!
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Slept like a baby next to a mountain stream. Then got up before sunrise to start on our 27 mile hike.
The hike started on a 9.5 mile uphill by mountain streams to hill tops. The mountain flowers are all in bloom.
Saw about 14 day hikers on the way. I particularly liked this old couple from Australia who talked about their 4 month tour through all of the US. They have seen more than I have even after We finish the AT.
The trails took a more western look, long switchbacks and going from mountain to mountain. At one point Dan hollered from one mountain to me on the other. I asked him where the zip line was cause that would be easier than having to get there by Trail.
I saw a sign on The At that said "James River foot bridge in 5 miles. It is illegal to jump off the bridge and there are things under the surface that can be hazardous."
I might add that the shock of hitting that mountain spring fed water might do something too.
We made it across the foot bridge. But after I finished hiking that 27 miles I went down to the mountain stream took off my shirt, cleaned it and myself. Wow did that feel good.
Since I keep passing Dan's mileage marks he's talking about doing 3 more 27mile days. Ok Dan lets see what the Ole Dad can do. Bring it on!
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7.1 AT759.5 20.8m hike Rattled!
Bryant Ridge Shelter
Started hiking before dawn. Started and finished with a tshirt. Nice day.
I met a 63 year old retired navy man who was resting on a log. His wife had past but he perked up when he started talking about his grandkids. His California grandson wrote him a letter asking if he'd like to hike the PCT that goes by his house.
He said he jumped to the phone and called him.
Dan got some more reading time in while I was getting uphill time in.
Well about 3pm we got finished getting water from the Creek and Dan headed off while I was still adjusting my pack straps.
I get on the trail and my bison sized feet spook out what I think is a big black snake.
I jump and scream and move on. A mile later Dan is waiting for me. I ask him about the black snake. He said "Yes it was black but it rattled at me before it took off and I couldn't get a video of it. So I saw my First rattle snake.
Staying at this Shelter with a Lawyer and a phsycotherapist. They are section hiking together. I asked him about the bird call I kept hearing all last night. Whip-0-wee! Well the physiotherapist is also a bird watcher and he says it's a Whiperill. Apparently it does that during matting season.
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Started hiking before dawn. Started and finished with a tshirt. Nice day.
I met a 63 year old retired navy man who was resting on a log. His wife had past but he perked up when he started talking about his grandkids. His California grandson wrote him a letter asking if he'd like to hike the PCT that goes by his house.
He said he jumped to the phone and called him.
Dan got some more reading time in while I was getting uphill time in.
Well about 3pm we got finished getting water from the Creek and Dan headed off while I was still adjusting my pack straps.
I get on the trail and my bison sized feet spook out what I think is a big black snake.
I jump and scream and move on. A mile later Dan is waiting for me. I ask him about the black snake. He said "Yes it was black but it rattled at me before it took off and I couldn't get a video of it. So I saw my First rattle snake.
Staying at this Shelter with a Lawyer and a phsycotherapist. They are section hiking together. I asked him about the bird call I kept hearing all last night. Whip-0-wee! Well the physiotherapist is also a bird watcher and he says it's a Whiperill. Apparently it does that during matting season.
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Sunday, April 9, 2017
6.7 AT737m 20.8m
We hiked out this morning at 6am. In ten miles we got to Dalevile Virginia.
I talked Dan into skipping McD's for Country Cooking. We both ate like Michael Phelps! Steak, and an endless vegetable and desert buffet. Here I am 61years old and my clepto right hand went for everything and my stomach wouldn't say no.
For a while after we left I thought Bushmeat (Dan) was going to change my trail name, Spearchucker to upchucker. I kept it in and after we resupplied we hiked another 10 miles. We ate dinner and I'm still hungry.
So all you old folk out there. You can eat like a teenager if you hike the AT doing a 17.4m per day average and still manage to lose 30lbs in 6 weeks.
We got a flip flopped staying here at the Shelter. Hudson to Harrisburg and Virginia to Springer then...ok I'm lost.
Just had 3 "just got back on the trail after two weeks off and are now nighthiking" ok I can't follow that either.
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I talked Dan into skipping McD's for Country Cooking. We both ate like Michael Phelps! Steak, and an endless vegetable and desert buffet. Here I am 61years old and my clepto right hand went for everything and my stomach wouldn't say no.
For a while after we left I thought Bushmeat (Dan) was going to change my trail name, Spearchucker to upchucker. I kept it in and after we resupplied we hiked another 10 miles. We ate dinner and I'm still hungry.
So all you old folk out there. You can eat like a teenager if you hike the AT doing a 17.4m per day average and still manage to lose 30lbs in 6 weeks.
We got a flip flopped staying here at the Shelter. Hudson to Harrisburg and Virginia to Springer then...ok I'm lost.
Just had 3 "just got back on the trail after two weeks off and are now nighthiking" ok I can't follow that either.
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Location:Lee Hwy,Buchanan,United States
6.6 AT717.8 23milehikr
Campsite just past Lambert's Meadow Shelter.
Hiked out at 7am and said goodby to Joe, Nope, Butterfeet, and Chocolate Rain.
Dan almost stepped on a Turkey Vulture and both were scared half to death.
The flowers and butterflies are out as well as the reptiles: snakes and lizards.
Climbed three Mountains today:Dragon's Tooth, McAfee Knob, Tinker Cliff.
The trails were flooded with "section hikers" and day hikers. I suspect they will disappear soon.
Dan is picking up the pace for the next 3 days. To bed I go.
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Hiked out at 7am and said goodby to Joe, Nope, Butterfeet, and Chocolate Rain.
Dan almost stepped on a Turkey Vulture and both were scared half to death.
The flowers and butterflies are out as well as the reptiles: snakes and lizards.
Climbed three Mountains today:Dragon's Tooth, McAfee Knob, Tinker Cliff.
The trails were flooded with "section hikers" and day hikers. I suspect they will disappear soon.
Dan is picking up the pace for the next 3 days. To bed I go.
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Saturday, April 8, 2017
6.5 AT696m 22.8m 9.5hr hike
Pickles Knob Shelter
Woke up to snow on our tent. We were the first to leave and the first to get to this Shelter. Joe, whom finished 9 years in Afghanistan is here as well as 41year old Nope a recovered drug addiction whom got clean, got a good job and gave his money to his stock broker. A few years later his stock broker calls and tells him he doesn't have to work any more. And Chocolate rain made it. He's a big guy from central PA whom finished his 4year college business degree but wants to hike before he decides what to do next.
The rest of last nights shelter crew didn't make it here.
The hike itself hit the river valleys, through hilly farm land. We hiked through a herd of beef cattle and their calfs.
We ran lols of ridge lines.
We found Trail Magic. A cooler of coke, orange crush, Mountain Dew still on ice.
Nice!
Saw the oldest oak tree in Virginia, over 18' in diameter.
Also stopped at a monument to the most decorated Ww2 vet.
All in all a great day.
I've got some pictures I'll post when I get service.
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Woke up to snow on our tent. We were the first to leave and the first to get to this Shelter. Joe, whom finished 9 years in Afghanistan is here as well as 41year old Nope a recovered drug addiction whom got clean, got a good job and gave his money to his stock broker. A few years later his stock broker calls and tells him he doesn't have to work any more. And Chocolate rain made it. He's a big guy from central PA whom finished his 4year college business degree but wants to hike before he decides what to do next.
The rest of last nights shelter crew didn't make it here.
The hike itself hit the river valleys, through hilly farm land. We hiked through a herd of beef cattle and their calfs.
We ran lols of ridge lines.
We found Trail Magic. A cooler of coke, orange crush, Mountain Dew still on ice.
Nice!
Saw the oldest oak tree in Virginia, over 18' in diameter.
Also stopped at a monument to the most decorated Ww2 vet.
All in all a great day.
I've got some pictures I'll post when I get service.
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6.4 AT673.2. 16.1 mile hike
Laurel Creek Shelter
Dan got his Medical School immunization tests completed at 9:30am. There was a new crowd of 8 people and 2 very good dogs at the Hostel. They all decided to stay another day because of expected rain and cold weather. Hey grow a pair! This is the AT not the bassinets.
Chris stayed behind because SMU was to call him about a PHD spot for him in Physics. I expect to see Chris again.
An old couple pulled up on road that I was crossing high up on The AT. They were SomeShines parents. I talked to them for 5 minutes. They said some shine was an hour behind me. I new all about them from hiking with someshine for a day. Again I hope Someshine makes good choices in the coming months. She is an extremely smart girl that is making life choices. You just hope they make the right choice. Some people never make it off the AT. Then you wonder if they made the right choice.
We caught up to PetesDragon group of 5 people they are a hard working young group of all ex military and one girl. They all get along and a lot of laughter. The girl did all but Virginia last year. She'll be headed off to a small college in Oregon this fall. They are all asleep in the Shelter.
Dan and I are in our tent.
The Angels Rest Hikers Haven was great. I met a retired coal miner from Kentucky whom had a lot to share of his experience on the AT. I got to know "The Natural" whom offered me ice cream when I needed it the most.
Tomorrow it will be below freezing when we get up and it is already cold now with a steady supply of sleet.
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Dan got his Medical School immunization tests completed at 9:30am. There was a new crowd of 8 people and 2 very good dogs at the Hostel. They all decided to stay another day because of expected rain and cold weather. Hey grow a pair! This is the AT not the bassinets.
Chris stayed behind because SMU was to call him about a PHD spot for him in Physics. I expect to see Chris again.
An old couple pulled up on road that I was crossing high up on The AT. They were SomeShines parents. I talked to them for 5 minutes. They said some shine was an hour behind me. I new all about them from hiking with someshine for a day. Again I hope Someshine makes good choices in the coming months. She is an extremely smart girl that is making life choices. You just hope they make the right choice. Some people never make it off the AT. Then you wonder if they made the right choice.
We caught up to PetesDragon group of 5 people they are a hard working young group of all ex military and one girl. They all get along and a lot of laughter. The girl did all but Virginia last year. She'll be headed off to a small college in Oregon this fall. They are all asleep in the Shelter.
Dan and I are in our tent.
The Angels Rest Hikers Haven was great. I met a retired coal miner from Kentucky whom had a lot to share of his experience on the AT. I got to know "The Natural" whom offered me ice cream when I needed it the most.
Tomorrow it will be below freezing when we get up and it is already cold now with a steady supply of sleet.
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Wednesday, April 5, 2017
6.3 AT657.8 22.8m slack hike 7.5hrs
Angels Rest hikers haven Hostel
Dan had to get some immunizations for school and have records sent out. That done we had 7,5hrs to get 22.8 miles in.
We got a shuttle ride out to 22.8 miles North of where we go off the trail so we could hike South back to the hostel. One of Dan's immunization tests required him to come back to have it looked at so he had to return to the clinic tomorrow.
Dan got ahead of me as usual. Turns out he can consistently do 3miles per hour. I can only do 2.2m since the uphills slow me down considerably. I figured since I've already lost 30lbs and was carrying a small pack of maybe 10lbs, that I would take the lead by running for 3 hours straight and wait for Dan to catch up. The plan worked and after 3 Hours I only had to wait 10 minutes for Dan the hiker to catch up to me, the runner. The last hour I used a combination of run and hike to keep up with him and we got off the trail just before nightfall.
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Dan had to get some immunizations for school and have records sent out. That done we had 7,5hrs to get 22.8 miles in.
We got a shuttle ride out to 22.8 miles North of where we go off the trail so we could hike South back to the hostel. One of Dan's immunization tests required him to come back to have it looked at so he had to return to the clinic tomorrow.
Dan got ahead of me as usual. Turns out he can consistently do 3miles per hour. I can only do 2.2m since the uphills slow me down considerably. I figured since I've already lost 30lbs and was carrying a small pack of maybe 10lbs, that I would take the lead by running for 3 hours straight and wait for Dan to catch up. The plan worked and after 3 Hours I only had to wait 10 minutes for Dan the hiker to catch up to me, the runner. The last hour I used a combination of run and hike to keep up with him and we got off the trail just before nightfall.
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Location:Douglas Ln,Pearisburg,United States
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
6.2 AT635. 0miles
Angels Rest hikers Haven Hostel
We will leave here Thursday at noon.
All the guys we passed by caught up to us today and will be gone by tomorrow.
Dan is getting all his immunizations done for Medical School deadline of June 30th. I stopped at a health clinic to get an irritant taken care of that was slowing me down.
Tomorrow we will get shuttled out 20miles and hike back here so Dan can finish his immunization. Then Thursday at noon we will get shuttled out to the 20m point.
In the meantime we are eating and eating.
Will be nice to start getting these disappearing bodies working again and putting in more miles again.
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We will leave here Thursday at noon.
All the guys we passed by caught up to us today and will be gone by tomorrow.
Dan is getting all his immunizations done for Medical School deadline of June 30th. I stopped at a health clinic to get an irritant taken care of that was slowing me down.
Tomorrow we will get shuttled out 20miles and hike back here so Dan can finish his immunization. Then Thursday at noon we will get shuttled out to the 20m point.
In the meantime we are eating and eating.
Will be nice to start getting these disappearing bodies working again and putting in more miles again.
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Location:Douglas Ln,Pearisburg,United States
Monday, April 3, 2017
6.1 AT635m 10m hike
Angels Landing Hostel
We got on the trail at 7am and hiked a quick 10 miles to Parisburg, Virginia. The Angels Landing shuttle pulled over and asked if we wanted a ride into town. He was ready to drop us off where we requested till I asked him where his Hostel was. It was right across the street from the Plaza Hotel where we intended on staying for 60 and his place was 43 including laundry.
We unpacked our stuff in the new bunkhouse with only the 2 of us in there.
We went to the main house. Did our laundry and took our showers and left for a day on the town. Dan's first stop was Pappas Pizza where we shared an 18" sausage, spinach and green pepper pizza. It contained fresh high quality ingredients and Dan and I devoured it. Dan also devoured a foot long chicken sub and then asked me where we were going for dinner.
When I saw that crazed look in his eye when he asked that I said any where you want. The poor guy weighed in at 165 (down 16lbs) today. I had weighed in at 200 (down 30lbs) today.
We then went to the pharmacy to get bandaids for his foot where his big toenail finally fell off today. The damage was done probably the first week on the trail by his boots that we replaced after the second week.
Then off to the Food Lion where we purchased 151 dollars in groceries.
Tonight for dinner I'm having a fresh pint of blueberries and a pint of raspberries and a pint of cherry Garcia ice cream.
Dans off to the health clinic to get a TB test needed before he can get into med school. then to the library computer to see what else he needs to do for med school.
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We got on the trail at 7am and hiked a quick 10 miles to Parisburg, Virginia. The Angels Landing shuttle pulled over and asked if we wanted a ride into town. He was ready to drop us off where we requested till I asked him where his Hostel was. It was right across the street from the Plaza Hotel where we intended on staying for 60 and his place was 43 including laundry.
We unpacked our stuff in the new bunkhouse with only the 2 of us in there.
We went to the main house. Did our laundry and took our showers and left for a day on the town. Dan's first stop was Pappas Pizza where we shared an 18" sausage, spinach and green pepper pizza. It contained fresh high quality ingredients and Dan and I devoured it. Dan also devoured a foot long chicken sub and then asked me where we were going for dinner.
When I saw that crazed look in his eye when he asked that I said any where you want. The poor guy weighed in at 165 (down 16lbs) today. I had weighed in at 200 (down 30lbs) today.
We then went to the pharmacy to get bandaids for his foot where his big toenail finally fell off today. The damage was done probably the first week on the trail by his boots that we replaced after the second week.
Then off to the Food Lion where we purchased 151 dollars in groceries.
Tonight for dinner I'm having a fresh pint of blueberries and a pint of raspberries and a pint of cherry Garcia ice cream.
Dans off to the health clinic to get a TB test needed before he can get into med school. then to the library computer to see what else he needs to do for med school.
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Location:Douglas Ln,Pearisburg,United States
5.7 AT625m 24m hike
Docs knob Shelter
We hiked to Trents Gas station with "SomeShine" a smart girl in he 20s working on figuring out life. I hope she figures it out soon.
Dan and. I had a double cheeseburger and fries. I also had a pint of black raspberry ice cream and a pint of strawberry milk. I was celibrating my loss of all my baby fat that I've carried around for 61 years.
Was a lot of mountain stream crossings and hiking through the green tunnel and some ridges. A sunny but cool day.
I was hampered a bit by an unusual problem which.slowed me down for the first 20 miles. Dan is at his prime. He's been great about my dealings. Hopefully I'll be back in full soon.
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We hiked to Trents Gas station with "SomeShine" a smart girl in he 20s working on figuring out life. I hope she figures it out soon.
Dan and. I had a double cheeseburger and fries. I also had a pint of black raspberry ice cream and a pint of strawberry milk. I was celibrating my loss of all my baby fat that I've carried around for 61 years.
Was a lot of mountain stream crossings and hiking through the green tunnel and some ridges. A sunny but cool day.
I was hampered a bit by an unusual problem which.slowed me down for the first 20 miles. Dan is at his prime. He's been great about my dealings. Hopefully I'll be back in full soon.
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5.6 AT601.9 19mile hike
Jenny knob Shelter
Slept by a stream. Peaceful night. Woke up to wet cloud covering. Day was cloudy and cool. Plugged through a 19m day. I seemed to be singing Irish songs since we were on the ridge lines and there were green pastures down below.
Will be 125m ahead of schedule by weeks end.
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Slept by a stream. Peaceful night. Woke up to wet cloud covering. Day was cloudy and cool. Plugged through a 19m day. I seemed to be singing Irish songs since we were on the ridge lines and there were green pastures down below.
Will be 125m ahead of schedule by weeks end.
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Saturday, April 1, 2017
5.5 AT583 24m hike
Laurel Creek Campsite
Last night through early morning was a lot of rain. I also heard a coyote which caused the year old huskey that was with a young couple in a tent to huff and puff.
The huskey did not pick up on the 2am footsteps that went by our Shelter in the rain. Sounded like a persons footsteps except it was off the trail so it had to be something else.
We had a wet day hiking and had to improvise to get across swollen streams.
There was a number of ridges that we hiked along as well as hiking through mountain pastures.
I did create a new AT game... Bushmeat (Dan) and Spearchucker (me). It began when I finally started to catch up to on the downhill using my usual "Tarahamara" style of running with my 2 spears (hiking poles). Dan started trash talking on how slow I am so I called him Bushmeat and said I'd chuck my spears at him. I chased him down the mountain falling twice while Bushmeat fell once. I caught up to him at the turn and notified him that he was within spear chucking range. Bushmeat turned back into a gazelle and was gone.
Ahh things the Mattimore Clan does on The AT Trail to pass the time.
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Last night through early morning was a lot of rain. I also heard a coyote which caused the year old huskey that was with a young couple in a tent to huff and puff.
The huskey did not pick up on the 2am footsteps that went by our Shelter in the rain. Sounded like a persons footsteps except it was off the trail so it had to be something else.
We had a wet day hiking and had to improvise to get across swollen streams.
There was a number of ridges that we hiked along as well as hiking through mountain pastures.
I did create a new AT game... Bushmeat (Dan) and Spearchucker (me). It began when I finally started to catch up to on the downhill using my usual "Tarahamara" style of running with my 2 spears (hiking poles). Dan started trash talking on how slow I am so I called him Bushmeat and said I'd chuck my spears at him. I chased him down the mountain falling twice while Bushmeat fell once. I caught up to him at the turn and notified him that he was within spear chucking range. Bushmeat turned back into a gazelle and was gone.
Ahh things the Mattimore Clan does on The AT Trail to pass the time.
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Location:Appalachian National Scenic Trl,Bastian,United States
5.4 AT558.5 19.3m
Knot Maul Shelter
Hiked into Atkins to the Sunoco to resupply. Got more than we needed and left to finish our 19 mile day. We were going a couple of more miles to a campsite but nixed that idea due to expected rain tonight.
We went through farms and by streams, and up mountains and across ridges. The woodland flowers are out. Virginia has more plant diversity than the previous states.
We also past the 1/4 done marker.
Tomorrow a 25m hike.
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Hiked into Atkins to the Sunoco to resupply. Got more than we needed and left to finish our 19 mile day. We were going a couple of more miles to a campsite but nixed that idea due to expected rain tonight.
We went through farms and by streams, and up mountains and across ridges. The woodland flowers are out. Virginia has more plant diversity than the previous states.
We also past the 1/4 done marker.
Tomorrow a 25m hike.
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Wednesday, March 29, 2017
5.3 AT539.2 26m
We left Peet who took the name Peet's Dragon and another young man who was also from Tampa Bay.
It was a perfect hiking day, sunny, but cool. I almost stepped on a garter snake.
Met "Low Gear" on the trail. When he left the Air Force he got hired by Disney and did all the hireing and fireing for 12 of the 20 stations at Epcot center and retired in 2008 and is now 65 and being treated for early dementia. His wife whom is 10 years younger is an active deacon at a local church and tells him to be home before dark.
He told me he's a great judge of character and would have hired Dan in a heartbeat.
He thought me the proper way of hiking uphill and showed me the lay of the land as he hiked with me. A Great person.
This is the first time we've walked a marathon distance. Took us a leisurely 12hours.
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It was a perfect hiking day, sunny, but cool. I almost stepped on a garter snake.
Met "Low Gear" on the trail. When he left the Air Force he got hired by Disney and did all the hireing and fireing for 12 of the 20 stations at Epcot center and retired in 2008 and is now 65 and being treated for early dementia. His wife whom is 10 years younger is an active deacon at a local church and tells him to be home before dark.
He told me he's a great judge of character and would have hired Dan in a heartbeat.
He thought me the proper way of hiking uphill and showed me the lay of the land as he hiked with me. A Great person.
This is the first time we've walked a marathon distance. Took us a leisurely 12hours.
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Location:Appalachian National Scenic Trl,Atkins,United States
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
5.2 AT513m 23m
Hurricane Mountain Shelter
Woke up at 3am to the sound of coyotes over where Nemo was sleeping in his hammock. Dan and I had camped on the bald and were hit with rain and high winds.
At dawn we headed out to climb Mount Rogers the highest Virginia mountain at 5754'. Lots of balds getting there and also saw the wild painted ponies. Again we hiked in the clouds with the wind. Long 11hour hike day exhausted
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Woke up at 3am to the sound of coyotes over where Nemo was sleeping in his hammock. Dan and I had camped on the bald and were hit with rain and high winds.
At dawn we headed out to climb Mount Rogers the highest Virginia mountain at 5754'. Lots of balds getting there and also saw the wild painted ponies. Again we hiked in the clouds with the wind. Long 11hour hike day exhausted
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Location:Appalachian National Scenic Trl,Marion,United States
5.1 AT490m 20m hike
Spring Creek campsite
Had a great breakfast of home fries, homemade blueberry waffles and boiled eggs at Woodchucks Hostel in Damascus Virginia. Said goodbye to Louie an Al Pacino look alike.. a pub and grill owner in East Stroudsberg Pa. He was section holding with his high school buddie Frankie. Said goodbye to Chris who will stay another day to get his shoes in.
And said goodbye to our new friend Nemo whom seems to be about 20 and is a thinker and planner a touch on the autistic spectrum and a joy to see him on the trail. He's tenting in the tree line because he has a hammock and we had chose the bald in case the clouds go away. I'll probably have two or three chances to see the stars tonight but Dan told me not to wake him.
It was a 10 hour hike today, Had no issues.
We sent home my boots coat and glasses from the post office. Dans pack weighed a hefty38lbs and mine 31lbs. I think he loaded up on more food and kept his coat.
Nemo's pack weighed in at 55lbs. He's a stocky kid and doesn't seem to mind the weight
Dan and I were interviewed for two different people for YouTube videos. Appalachian Trail Thru hikers class of 2017
Part 6.
And
Crazy tree Appalachian Trail Thru hikers 2017
Got some great pics today. We're camping out above 5k'
Tomorrow we'll add an additional 2 miles to the AT to climb The tallest mountain in Virginia, Mount Rogers.
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Had a great breakfast of home fries, homemade blueberry waffles and boiled eggs at Woodchucks Hostel in Damascus Virginia. Said goodbye to Louie an Al Pacino look alike.. a pub and grill owner in East Stroudsberg Pa. He was section holding with his high school buddie Frankie. Said goodbye to Chris who will stay another day to get his shoes in.
And said goodbye to our new friend Nemo whom seems to be about 20 and is a thinker and planner a touch on the autistic spectrum and a joy to see him on the trail. He's tenting in the tree line because he has a hammock and we had chose the bald in case the clouds go away. I'll probably have two or three chances to see the stars tonight but Dan told me not to wake him.
It was a 10 hour hike today, Had no issues.
We sent home my boots coat and glasses from the post office. Dans pack weighed a hefty38lbs and mine 31lbs. I think he loaded up on more food and kept his coat.
Nemo's pack weighed in at 55lbs. He's a stocky kid and doesn't seem to mind the weight
Dan and I were interviewed for two different people for YouTube videos. Appalachian Trail Thru hikers class of 2017
Part 6.
And
Crazy tree Appalachian Trail Thru hikers 2017
Got some great pics today. We're camping out above 5k'
Tomorrow we'll add an additional 2 miles to the AT to climb The tallest mountain in Virginia, Mount Rogers.
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Sunday, March 26, 2017
4.7 AT468 2m hike
Woodchuck's Hostel
Weight down 20lbs to 210.
We had a great night and packed our gear for a day in Damascus. Currently finished breakfast at Woodchucks Hostel, showered and are drying our laundry. Then we'll hit Mount Rogers outfitter for new shoes.
Woodchuck is a good hostel owner and takes good care of all his guests. The part we're staying at is the main house. 1st time we will have slept on a real bed since Pete and Susan's house in Georgia before the start of this journey.
Woodchuck's dog is awesome too. Can't tell what mix of breeds it is but he certainly lives a great life.
No TMobile service in this town but we do have a wifi connection.
Damascus is a nice town.
Got my new shoes. The guy looked at my feet and said you need 14 wide. Ahh can't wait to hike out tomorrow. We won't get out till the post office opens. I'll be sending home my coat, boots, my Dartmouth cap, glasses, spare pack strap and some of Dans stuff.
Dan and I will stop at the post office when they open to send home items and do a 20m tomorrow.
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Weight down 20lbs to 210.
We had a great night and packed our gear for a day in Damascus. Currently finished breakfast at Woodchucks Hostel, showered and are drying our laundry. Then we'll hit Mount Rogers outfitter for new shoes.
Woodchuck is a good hostel owner and takes good care of all his guests. The part we're staying at is the main house. 1st time we will have slept on a real bed since Pete and Susan's house in Georgia before the start of this journey.
Woodchuck's dog is awesome too. Can't tell what mix of breeds it is but he certainly lives a great life.
No TMobile service in this town but we do have a wifi connection.
Damascus is a nice town.
Got my new shoes. The guy looked at my feet and said you need 14 wide. Ahh can't wait to hike out tomorrow. We won't get out till the post office opens. I'll be sending home my coat, boots, my Dartmouth cap, glasses, spare pack strap and some of Dans stuff.
Dan and I will stop at the post office when they open to send home items and do a 20m tomorrow.
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Location:Damascus, Virginia
Saturday, March 25, 2017
4.5 AT442.7. 21.7m hike
Iron Mountain Shelter
Got up an hour late but still put in a 10hr day. Got hot for hiking in the 70s.
Grass is growing. Small white spring flowers are out. Did not see snow or ice all day. Starting to see more Pine trees and all trees and rocks are losing that oxidized copper green and white fungus growth.
Still seeing evasive kudzu at most elevations. Saw a chipmunk today. Dan saw a shrew.
Passed a mom daughter section hiker team and they said our trail names should be Butch Cassidy and the Sundance kid.
Well I must be losing some weight. Since the last comment I got in Georgia was "you've got a belly"
Tomorrow we travel 24m. And Sunday we take a 2m hike into Damascus Virginia.
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Got up an hour late but still put in a 10hr day. Got hot for hiking in the 70s.
Grass is growing. Small white spring flowers are out. Did not see snow or ice all day. Starting to see more Pine trees and all trees and rocks are losing that oxidized copper green and white fungus growth.
Still seeing evasive kudzu at most elevations. Saw a chipmunk today. Dan saw a shrew.
Passed a mom daughter section hiker team and they said our trail names should be Butch Cassidy and the Sundance kid.
Well I must be losing some weight. Since the last comment I got in Georgia was "you've got a belly"
Tomorrow we travel 24m. And Sunday we take a 2m hike into Damascus Virginia.
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4.6 AT466.7m. 24m hike
Had a 24 mile hike today. With 16m to go my right foot rebelled at my Solomon Gortex 4 boots that tried to shape my foot to the boot. As I approached the top of a hill my foot exploded in nail driven pain and I used the "F" word fluently. I walked the rest of the trail with the right foot in my clog.
Tomorrow we hike 2m into Damascus VA.
Seems like we are still ahead of the pack. But have to keep healthy. Haven't seen Chris today. He was talking of seeing a doctor for hip pain. We haven't seen Jordan in 3 days as he talked of leaving the trail do to a painfull shoulder. A middle aged hippie hiker hobbled by are tent to get to a hospital in Damascus to have his ankles checked out.
We are in Virginia where 1/4 of the trail is and at the end of week 4 we are 70miles ahead of schedule. Every 100 miles ahead of schedule gets us home a week sooner!
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Tomorrow we hike 2m into Damascus VA.
Seems like we are still ahead of the pack. But have to keep healthy. Haven't seen Chris today. He was talking of seeing a doctor for hip pain. We haven't seen Jordan in 3 days as he talked of leaving the trail do to a painfull shoulder. A middle aged hippie hiker hobbled by are tent to get to a hospital in Damascus to have his ankles checked out.
We are in Virginia where 1/4 of the trail is and at the end of week 4 we are 70miles ahead of schedule. Every 100 miles ahead of schedule gets us home a week sooner!
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Thursday, March 23, 2017
4.4 AT421 20m hike and 6 in town
Got up to a beautiful day. We went through more mountains and spring mountain streams.
Got stopped at mile 16 by Shadow and Country Mouse with trail magic which was a wild buffet of food. Chris, Dan and I ate and listened to many trail stories and info from the young couple.
We went into town to resupply at dollar general and a 30 tab at McD's.
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Got stopped at mile 16 by Shadow and Country Mouse with trail magic which was a wild buffet of food. Chris, Dan and I ate and listened to many trail stories and info from the young couple.
We went into town to resupply at dollar general and a 30 tab at McD's.
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Location:1st Ave,Hampton,United States
4.3. AT402m 24m hike Day
Mountaineer Shelter
I'm finally in shape! I can climb hills again! Got my legs back! Kind of like those old people in the movie Cacoon. 24 miles and Ready to put in 24 more but Dan is making me go to bed.
Saw 2 beagles running side by side on top of a mountain bald today followed by a lanky white dog whom seemed wary of us went the long way around to meet back up with his buddies.
Doing a quick 20 tomorrow to resupply at the Dollar General and eat at McD's at Hamilton, Tennessee.
Ahhh I miss Wegmans and my organically grown food.
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I'm finally in shape! I can climb hills again! Got my legs back! Kind of like those old people in the movie Cacoon. 24 miles and Ready to put in 24 more but Dan is making me go to bed.
Saw 2 beagles running side by side on top of a mountain bald today followed by a lanky white dog whom seemed wary of us went the long way around to meet back up with his buddies.
Doing a quick 20 tomorrow to resupply at the Dollar General and eat at McD's at Hamilton, Tennessee.
Ahhh I miss Wegmans and my organically grown food.
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4.2 AT376.8 22m hike
Today we put in 10 hours hiking 22 miles. We climbed a 5127' mountain to start the day and finished climbing Roan 6212' mountain at the end.
The weather was cool today. Got another 22 m day tomorrow.
We went through an evergreen forest and are now tenting in one atop Roan mountain.
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The weather was cool today. Got another 22 m day tomorrow.
We went through an evergreen forest and are now tenting in one atop Roan mountain.
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3.7. AT335m 19.7m
No Business Shelter.
We got up and out at 7:30 and hiked till 4:30pm. We climbed Mt Bald at 5,512' in the ice clouds. spiked ice needles emanating on everything standing. I've never seen that before. If those crystals were made of glass they would shred anything they touched.
With Chris from Texas and a 28 year old from Montreal whom quit his job to do this along with an over 50yearold man from Saratoga Springs NY whom did the same.
Was a frozen ground day. Tough on the feet. I'm going to have to send my Soloman gortex 4 boots home...they served their purpose getting me through the cold and snow and rain. Will get more flexible trail shoes to cut back on blisters.
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We got up and out at 7:30 and hiked till 4:30pm. We climbed Mt Bald at 5,512' in the ice clouds. spiked ice needles emanating on everything standing. I've never seen that before. If those crystals were made of glass they would shred anything they touched.
With Chris from Texas and a 28 year old from Montreal whom quit his job to do this along with an over 50yearold man from Saratoga Springs NY whom did the same.
Was a frozen ground day. Tough on the feet. I'm going to have to send my Soloman gortex 4 boots home...they served their purpose getting me through the cold and snow and rain. Will get more flexible trail shoes to cut back on blisters.
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Monday, March 20, 2017
4.1 AT364m 18.5m
We hiked into Irwin, NC for a resupply at the Citgo Station.. $156 dollars of junk food! Most we have spent yet.
Then finished our first mostly sunny day without any cold gear on.
Dan and I are tenting out. Trail name "Tripper" , a Mom of an 8, 16, and 18 year old also showed up. Her Husband is in the Army and is deployed. Her Mom lives with them and is taking care of the kids.
We should be in Virginia in 7 days.
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Then finished our first mostly sunny day without any cold gear on.
Dan and I are tenting out. Trail name "Tripper" , a Mom of an 8, 16, and 18 year old also showed up. Her Husband is in the Army and is deployed. Her Mom lives with them and is taking care of the kids.
We should be in Virginia in 7 days.
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Location:Red Fork Rd,Unicoi,United States
3.7. AT335m 19.7m
No Business Shelter.
We got up and out at 7:30 and hiked till 4:30pm. We climbed Mt Bald at 5,512' in the ice clouds. spiked ice needles emanating on everything standing. I've never seen that before. If those crystals were made of glass they would shred anything they touched.
With Chris from Texas and a 28 year old from Montreal whom quit his job to do this along with an over 50yearold man from Saratoga Springs NY whom did the same.
Was a frozen ground day. Tough on the feet. I'm going to have to send my Soloman gortex 4 boots home...they served their purpose getting me through the cold and snow and rain. Will get more flexible trail shoes to cut back on blisters.
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We got up and out at 7:30 and hiked till 4:30pm. We climbed Mt Bald at 5,512' in the ice clouds. spiked ice needles emanating on everything standing. I've never seen that before. If those crystals were made of glass they would shred anything they touched.
With Chris from Texas and a 28 year old from Montreal whom quit his job to do this along with an over 50yearold man from Saratoga Springs NY whom did the same.
Was a frozen ground day. Tough on the feet. I'm going to have to send my Soloman gortex 4 boots home...they served their purpose getting me through the cold and snow and rain. Will get more flexible trail shoes to cut back on blisters.
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3.6 AT315 21.7m
Hogback Ridge Shelter
We were hiking through the clouds on the mountain ridges. The ground soaked from all night rain and thunderstorms. Mountain streams we full from the rain and melted snow. The last 3 hours of our 10hour hike was without rain gear with no extra layers of clothing which hasn't happened since going into the smokies.
Met up with Chris and a 70yr old hiker who started at the NC northern border and is working his way south.
Dan and I exhausted. The sun just went down. Good night!
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We were hiking through the clouds on the mountain ridges. The ground soaked from all night rain and thunderstorms. Mountain streams we full from the rain and melted snow. The last 3 hours of our 10hour hike was without rain gear with no extra layers of clothing which hasn't happened since going into the smokies.
Met up with Chris and a 70yr old hiker who started at the NC northern border and is working his way south.
Dan and I exhausted. The sun just went down. Good night!
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3.5 AT293 19.6m
Little Laurel Shelter
Left The Laughing Hearts Hostel at 7.30Am. Left the little town of Hot Springs nestaled between two mountain ridges and The French Broad river running between them.
Had our rain gear on most of the day. But only really needed it when we got to our shelter. Chris showed up an hour latter.
There appears two types of AT Thru hikers. Those that are determined to get there through any kind of weather and cover a certain amount of ground within a time frame. The majority fit in the other type.
Let's hope both types make it.
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Left The Laughing Hearts Hostel at 7.30Am. Left the little town of Hot Springs nestaled between two mountain ridges and The French Broad river running between them.
Had our rain gear on most of the day. But only really needed it when we got to our shelter. Chris showed up an hour latter.
There appears two types of AT Thru hikers. Those that are determined to get there through any kind of weather and cover a certain amount of ground within a time frame. The majority fit in the other type.
Let's hope both types make it.
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Thursday, March 16, 2017
3.4 AT274m 12m day
Was a windy very cold night in our 4.5k foot high open Shelter. Dan, Chris and I burrowed in our sleeping bags and waited for a bettor morning.
The next morning it was near 0s with the 6 inches of crunchy snow. All our shoes were frozen. The only way to heat them up was to keep trying to get your feet in them. We left Chris behind. When he caught up he said it took him an hour.
8 miles later it got warmer and less snow on the ground.
We are staying the night at a hostel just off the trail in Hot Springs. Nice town that caters to hikers. A crystal clear river runs through it with Mountains on both sides.
6 boys who had stopped us yesterday afternoon asking us for cell phone service, we had none, apparently had gotten ahold of the locals a while later saying they were ill prepared for the cold weather and talked a hostel lady into driving up to meet them. She hit a man who had just slid his car off the road and was standing in the road to flag her down. The guy wasn't hurt to bad but the lady went home. Another local in his 4 wheeler did rescue the inconvenienced hikers. Dan and I crossed the 4 wheelers tracks and were impressed that a vehicle could make it up a mountain path in 6" of snow.
Showered, Laundry is drying and then we'll stop in town for dinner and resupply at The Dollar General. No other stores here but a gas station. Hey it's a step up from what we are used to.
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The next morning it was near 0s with the 6 inches of crunchy snow. All our shoes were frozen. The only way to heat them up was to keep trying to get your feet in them. We left Chris behind. When he caught up he said it took him an hour.
8 miles later it got warmer and less snow on the ground.
We are staying the night at a hostel just off the trail in Hot Springs. Nice town that caters to hikers. A crystal clear river runs through it with Mountains on both sides.
6 boys who had stopped us yesterday afternoon asking us for cell phone service, we had none, apparently had gotten ahold of the locals a while later saying they were ill prepared for the cold weather and talked a hostel lady into driving up to meet them. She hit a man who had just slid his car off the road and was standing in the road to flag her down. The guy wasn't hurt to bad but the lady went home. Another local in his 4 wheeler did rescue the inconvenienced hikers. Dan and I crossed the 4 wheelers tracks and were impressed that a vehicle could make it up a mountain path in 6" of snow.
Showered, Laundry is drying and then we'll stop in town for dinner and resupply at The Dollar General. No other stores here but a gas station. Hey it's a step up from what we are used to.
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W2.D7 AT206m 20m
Got up at 6am to 4" of snow. Got lots of mountain view pictures. Sunny day was difficult footing,
Got a great picture of Dan standing on the top disc of the 6700' Clingman's Dome. Tallest on the AT.
Also climbed a 5500' mountain today.
We hit our 100m/week milestone and are all caught up to be done by August 1st. 20 weeks to go.
The shelter we are staying at is full. 3 old men and the rest are men in their 20s
Most everyone here is serious about thru hiking.
Weather is expected to get to 10d with low windchills. That will make it difficult for us. AT Thru hikers because we travel light.
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Got a great picture of Dan standing on the top disc of the 6700' Clingman's Dome. Tallest on the AT.
Also climbed a 5500' mountain today.
We hit our 100m/week milestone and are all caught up to be done by August 1st. 20 weeks to go.
The shelter we are staying at is full. 3 old men and the rest are men in their 20s
Most everyone here is serious about thru hiking.
Weather is expected to get to 10d with low windchills. That will make it difficult for us. AT Thru hikers because we travel light.
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2.6 186m 17m day in smokies
Was a 7am hike from Fontana Dam. Our first day in the smokies. Cold and snowy. We are staying at our first shelter. 6 guys who grew up in the same town in Kentucky get together to hike here have been doing this for 30 years. They are staying in the same shelter.
Going to get worse the next 3 days that we are in the smokies. We got 3, 20m days coming up.
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Going to get worse the next 3 days that we are in the smokies. We got 3, 20m days coming up.
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3.3 AT260 20m hike
Walnut Mountain Shelter
Some sun, low 20, High winds and low windchill, 6" of snow and drifts of a foot.
first 5 miles uphill to over 4K feet. Saw a boy with his snowboard hike up a top oh a bald with beautiful views of the snow cap mountains, with 40m winds. it was too cold for me to take a pic but Dan got some.
The cold snowy weather is not letting up.
Our shoes are frozen in the morning. Our socks dry out on our feet overnight.
Dan gets the water filtered every night while I get in the sleeping bag and shake for an hour to get rid of the hypothermia shakes.
There are only a handful of AT hikers that have ventured out during this 5day cold spell.
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Some sun, low 20, High winds and low windchill, 6" of snow and drifts of a foot.
first 5 miles uphill to over 4K feet. Saw a boy with his snowboard hike up a top oh a bald with beautiful views of the snow cap mountains, with 40m winds. it was too cold for me to take a pic but Dan got some.
The cold snowy weather is not letting up.
Our shoes are frozen in the morning. Our socks dry out on our feet overnight.
Dan gets the water filtered every night while I get in the sleeping bag and shake for an hour to get rid of the hypothermia shakes.
There are only a handful of AT hikers that have ventured out during this 5day cold spell.
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3.2 AT246m 18m
Last night at 10pm Two guys in their 20s came in from the sleeting windy sub freezing temps with one guy immediately blowing chow onto one of the other guys in the TriCorners Knob Shelter. One unhappy camper since some got in his mouth. The guy was not happy but since the sick guy was in severe hypothermia the mad guy got him a big bucket to toss in for 3 hours and 3 hours before he could get out of his hypothermia state.
This morning Dan, Trail name Achilles, which makes me Zuse.
Well Dan and I traveled 20m on the ridges of 5k and 6k peaks while fine sleet stung our cheeks. 4 to 6 in of fine snow. Trees and mountains were white.
We've made it out of the Smokies in 4days.
we are at. Bear Creek Hostel. Best place yet! Awesome family owned.
è
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This morning Dan, Trail name Achilles, which makes me Zuse.
Well Dan and I traveled 20m on the ridges of 5k and 6k peaks while fine sleet stung our cheeks. 4 to 6 in of fine snow. Trees and mountains were white.
We've made it out of the Smokies in 4days.
we are at. Bear Creek Hostel. Best place yet! Awesome family owned.
è
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3.1 AT222.2 20m
TriCorners Knob Shelter Tennessee
5 degrees at 6am. Fresh covering of snow. Finally getting for trees. The mountains are taller and thinner. We move mainly on the ridge line. We have a new companion, Chris a 22yearold man from Austin Tx.
He follows Dan uphills while I catch up on the down hills. It works. I don't slow Dan and we get are 20m in.
I had to get warm when we got to the shelter and wasn't able to help with dinner.
I'm damn lucky to have him as my hiking partner as well as my son.
I only snuck one picture today of the mountains. Absolutely beautiful! The Tennessee part of the smokies is beautiful!
Oh and Dan video taped a flock of turkeys on a ridge line yesterday back in NC.
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5 degrees at 6am. Fresh covering of snow. Finally getting for trees. The mountains are taller and thinner. We move mainly on the ridge line. We have a new companion, Chris a 22yearold man from Austin Tx.
He follows Dan uphills while I catch up on the down hills. It works. I don't slow Dan and we get are 20m in.
I had to get warm when we got to the shelter and wasn't able to help with dinner.
I'm damn lucky to have him as my hiking partner as well as my son.
I only snuck one picture today of the mountains. Absolutely beautiful! The Tennessee part of the smokies is beautiful!
Oh and Dan video taped a flock of turkeys on a ridge line yesterday back in NC.
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Tuesday, March 14, 2017
3.2 AT246m 18m
Last night at 10pm Two guys in their 20s came in from the sleeting windy sub freezing temps with one guy immediately blowing chow onto one of the other guys in the TriCorners Knob Shelter. One unhappy camper since some got in his mouth. The guy was not happy but since the sick guy was in severe hypothermia the mad guy got him a big bucket to toss in for 3 hours and 3 hours before he could get out of his hypothermia state.
This morning Dan, Trail name Achilles, which makes me Zuse.
Well Dan and I traveled 20m on the ridges of 5k and 6k peaks while fine sleet stung our cheeks. 4 to 6 in of fine snow. Trees and mountains were white.
We've made it out of the Smokies in 4days.
we are at. Bear Creek Hostel. Best place yet! Awesome family owned.
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
This morning Dan, Trail name Achilles, which makes me Zuse.
Well Dan and I traveled 20m on the ridges of 5k and 6k peaks while fine sleet stung our cheeks. 4 to 6 in of fine snow. Trees and mountains were white.
We've made it out of the Smokies in 4days.
we are at. Bear Creek Hostel. Best place yet! Awesome family owned.
è
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Friday, March 10, 2017
2.5 167 m. 10 mile hike
Rained from 2am till 10am. We left Coby Gap before dawn at 6am and got to Fontana Dam at 10am. Ate breakfast at the Fontana Hilton then to The Pit Stop to get our resupply for tomorrow's hike through the smokies. The locals first big snow storm of 2 to 6 inches will hit Saturday to Sunday.
It'll be 70 miles through the smokies and 1 near per square mile.
I've learned that water, shelter, and food is important in that order.
Dan is planing on getting us out of there in 4 days.
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It'll be 70 miles through the smokies and 1 near per square mile.
I've learned that water, shelter, and food is important in that order.
Dan is planing on getting us out of there in 4 days.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Fontana Dam,United States
Thursday, March 9, 2017
2.4 156m 19m hike to Cody Gap
Last night at the NOC hostel was interesting.
A late 20s young man showed up and no hello but where are the towels...
At 6pm he shows up at the bunks next to us, plops down a 12 pack of beer and asks Dan and I and another man that "Are you ok with me smoking weed?" I said not in here. He said "Here? How stupid do you think I am?" Silence... until the man asked him "What is your trail name? The self proclaimed weed smoker replied "Dirtbag". Then Dirtbag proceeded to grab his stash and beer to do his thing on the hostel deck in front of the sevalence cameras.
Turns out the GA/NC forest fire stoped at the NOC not crossing the road or the river.
So today's journey started out on an 8m of uphill to 5062 feet. A mile later a tall African American gentleman in his 50's observed Dan pass him going the opposite direction and then observed me go by. He said to me "got some fat your carrying".
What could I say except "I'm working on losing it"
Then we went through all our 4 liters of water. At our stopping spot 19 m in we got water
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
A late 20s young man showed up and no hello but where are the towels...
At 6pm he shows up at the bunks next to us, plops down a 12 pack of beer and asks Dan and I and another man that "Are you ok with me smoking weed?" I said not in here. He said "Here? How stupid do you think I am?" Silence... until the man asked him "What is your trail name? The self proclaimed weed smoker replied "Dirtbag". Then Dirtbag proceeded to grab his stash and beer to do his thing on the hostel deck in front of the sevalence cameras.
Turns out the GA/NC forest fire stoped at the NOC not crossing the road or the river.
So today's journey started out on an 8m of uphill to 5062 feet. A mile later a tall African American gentleman in his 50's observed Dan pass him going the opposite direction and then observed me go by. He said to me "got some fat your carrying".
What could I say except "I'm working on losing it"
Then we went through all our 4 liters of water. At our stopping spot 19 m in we got water
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Appalachian National Scenic Trl,Robbinsville,United States
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
2.3. 137.3.m. 11.3m hike
Nantahala Outdoor Center
Zip lining, kayaking, restaurant. Gear center.
We ate ate the restaurant overlooking the kayak river
General store closed due to medical emergency. No food. No laundry
Dan is going to the outfitter to buy bars for 2 days.
I washed the clothes in the shower with a bottle of head and shoulders shampoo that was laying around.
Then cleaned the shower room.
Then cleaned the hostel sleeping area.
Dan cleaned the kitchen.
We'll hit Fontana Dam in 2 days, resupply for 6days, and trek the Great Smokey Mountains.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Zip lining, kayaking, restaurant. Gear center.
We ate ate the restaurant overlooking the kayak river
General store closed due to medical emergency. No food. No laundry
Dan is going to the outfitter to buy bars for 2 days.
I washed the clothes in the shower with a bottle of head and shoulders shampoo that was laying around.
Then cleaned the shower room.
Then cleaned the hostel sleeping area.
Dan cleaned the kitchen.
We'll hit Fontana Dam in 2 days, resupply for 6days, and trek the Great Smokey Mountains.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
2.2 125.6m 19.6m today
Wet cold. Up at 6:15 in tent for bed at 6:15.
Now in the 4K to 5k elevation. Still seeing results of last years forest fires. Not one deer nor trace. 6 owls in GA. 1 last night. 1 squirrel. 3 robins. Sparse wildlife compared to NYS.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Now in the 4K to 5k elevation. Still seeing results of last years forest fires. Not one deer nor trace. 6 owls in GA. 1 last night. 1 squirrel. 3 robins. Sparse wildlife compared to NYS.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Appalachian National Scenic Trl,Franklin,United States
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