Mon 13 Jun Day 95
Only 1.5miles to the Unionville access road. We headed down the hill to the town - hopefully to pick up my new pack and resupply.
The local store was limited and expensive but had great sub sandwiches! I packed one out for lunch. A definite bonus to having so many easy-to-access stores.
The post office trip was also so so. I was hoping that the outfitters would have forgotten to send a return slip (because it has taken so long to get it sorted) but they didn't - so I stuck their pack into the plastic bag (hoping that the stench builds up even more)!!
Snifur also caught us up again and walked with us for the day. The afternoon was awesome - Shoofly, Nero, Earl Grey, Legion, Snifur and I stopped into Heaven Hill Farm (which is a garden and ice-cream store) where we had the best ice-creams on trail so far!! Raspberry and blueberry - delicious. We all hung out at the picnic table scoffing our faces and decided that going into Vernon, NJ to stay at the free church hostel would be a super idea.
Hitching a ride was the hardest - it is illegal to hitch in NJ so we had to ask every customer in the car park. So frustrating not having transport. Luckily a wonderful lady with a pick up truck took us right into town to the church.
The St. Thomas Episcopal Church hostel is amazing. We had free reign of their kitchen, laundry, lounge and shower. There were lay-z-boy chairs and we just hung out eating BK and watching tv - fantastic. What a day.
Tues 14 Jun Day 96
We were even more fortunate to have a lady from the church come in at 8.30am to drop us back to the trail. There were 6 of us squished into a minivan - all showered and clean which was definitely a bonus.
The weather has turned and it has cooled off. It only took 5 miles into the trail until the rain hit AND more rocks. It slowed us down so much - parts were quite dangerous and I am glad the guys were with me to help.
The rare moment the sun shone we crossed the border - New Jersey into New York. But the rain just kept on coming.
By the time we had reached 15mi we dropped into the Bellvale creamery - another fantastic ice cream shop. It was here (while shivering) that we decided to dry off in Greenwood Lake.
Anton's on the lake was great. We picked up beer and ordered $85 worth of Chinese food (between 3 of us) and got 9 fortune cookies - I guess they thought there would be more of us. We were quite full!
Wed 15 Jun Day 97
Hardest miles for a long time! New York kicked our butts! Not really much more to say - it sucked.
We squeezed through the "lemon squeezer" which wasn't too tight and definitely not as steep/difficult as other parts.
We stayed at Fingerboard Shelter. Crazy rude section hikers was all we had to put up with!! The last of them showed up at 11.30pm and they didn't quieten down 'till 2am.
Thur 16 Jun Day 98
No sleep last night (barely 3hrs total) due to the noisy section hikers. Not a great start to a 21 mile day! We headed up the 5 mi to William Brien Memorial Shelter (where we had originally planned to stay).
At least it improved - we went up Bear Mountain today. It was the best manicured trail with steps and crushed stone. It was an awesome run up and down with a soda stop at the top and a blurry view of the NYC skyline. The lake at the bottom was also very beautiful. The Inn was being restored.
Next stop was the Trailside museum, the lowest point on the AT (124'). We cruised into Fort Montgomery to pick up mail - thanks Mum and Sharon :) then across the Hudson River and up the other side.
The Appalachian Market was a great stop - BLT, ice cream, soda, chocolate milk, and other stuff I can't remember. We crawled into the Graymoor Friary which was fairly full. There was a cold outdoor shower which was greatly appreciated!
A total of 1401.3 miles done.
779.2 mi to go :)
Fri 17 Jun Day 99
I was going to have a 'zero' today as I was tired, sore and it was raining lots - but did 18.4mi instead!! It was a long day - the miles just kept being there.
Nothing very interesting to see and still lots of rocks. It makes it hard on the feet. Plus many ups and downs (MUDs). I was tired by the time we reached the RPA Shelter - 6.20pm. The best thing though was being able to order pizza and coke to be delivered to the shelter. It was delicious.
The shelter is a concrete block shed with the garage door missing. It has 6 bunks and space on the floor. There are 9 of us staying tonight.
Sat 18 Jun Day 100
The plan was 16.8mi to Telephone Pioneers shelter however it turned out a bit differently than that. Another hot day where the sweat just poured off us all. Some section hikers at our lunch stop said they had left some beers at the Telephone shelter and that we could have them tonight - great trail magic.
I ended up having a great afternoon - zooming along, found my groove and was ahead of the guys for hours. We found Nuclear Lake at about 2pm - there was no hesitation about jumping in. It was gorgeous! Wonderful view and the temperature was perfect (warm on top and cooler underneath). I stayed in for at least 45mins.
On arriving at the shelter we discovered the beers in the stream and also the many boy scouts that where there already. The decision was made to push on and do a night hike of 8.7mi.
We passed the largest tree on the AT just before the Appalachian Train stop which heads into New York. It only stops on the weekends so isn't any good to get into NYC during the week.
It was a cruisy night hike - fairly flat trail and few rocks or tree roots. We made good time to Wiley Shelter - however, it too was packed with people who were still up at 10.30pm. Tents everywhere meant that we chose to move on again to find a camping spot.
We were lucky not to be in Connecticut yet as it is illegal to free camp anywhere, plus we found a nice flat spot within a mile from the shelter. Lights out by 11.30pm :)
Sun 19 Jun Day 101
Nice sleep in 'till 8am so we didn't leave until 9am. We crossed the NY-CT border within a mile and came across the road to a deli stop only 0.6mi away - or so it said in the book! We ended up hitching a ride as the deli was actually not on this road but there was a general store 2.5mi down the road. I had the yummiest Reuben sandwich!
We did a total of 11.4mi today and stayed at Mt Algo shelter. Jukebox showed up again tonight - I haven't seen him since before Harpers Ferry.
Mon 20 Jun Day 102
Earl Grey headed out early today to meet up with family for a couple of days off. He will no doubt catch up to me again soon.
Only 0.4mi into Kent today for a 'nero', resupply and laundry. We got a can of coke and a cookie as we left the trail this morning, then a guy who was parked there offered us a ride into Kent. Great start!
It is a lovely town - nice New England houses, a few shops and a nice grocery store. We battled with about 25 students who were also doing their laundry - far too many people!!!! While we were sorting out stuff at the ice cream shop another guy offered us a ride back to the trail - so lucky.
We did another 7.3mi to Stewart Hollow Brook shelter where I met German Shepard and Crop Duster. The trail in this area is on the Housatonic River and has been flat for ages. It's nice.
Tue 21 Jun Day 103
Another day hiking - I'm getting fairly bored with it now. It's hard to keep motivated - it's just about getting finished now. 50 or so days to go!
Today was a long day and by the time we reached Falls Village,CT I had had enough. We were really lucky and got picked up by a guy named Allen, taken to an inn for a beer then taken to his home where there was a shower and a bed for the night. Fantastic.
Passed the 700 miles to go mark today.
Wed 22 Jun Day 104
Scrambled eggs, toast and coffee were a great start to the day despite the rain that started. We resupplied in Salisbury and Allen dropped us back off near the trail.
It was a wet walk to Brassie Brook Shelter and wet gear was strung from end to end.
684.6mi to go
1496.4 done
Thu 23 Jun Day 105
It's still raining today! No incentive to do the planned 23.2mi plus the trail was wet rocks up and down two big hills. Very frustrating!
Crossed another state line today - Connecticut (CT) into Massachusetts (MA).
It was the slowest 8.8mi I have had for a while and was freezing by lunchtime so I called it a day. Snifur must have passed on through so I'm here in the shelter by myself.
A few other section hikers and a ridge runner have shown up. We are all wet and fairly miserable.
A very miserable day.
Fri 24 Jun Day 106
Had a wonderful sleep - I must have been knackered! Got up at 5.30 and was underway by 6am. It was a downhill to the Housatonic River then a small up to Tom Leonard Shelter. I zoomed through these miles so pushed on to Mt Wilcox Shelters. I was there by 3pm and then though I could push on some more so looked at my book and saw that there was a camping spot at 6mi, a clearing at 10mi and a hut at 15mi. If I could do 10 more miles, I could do an extra 15!
So it ended up that I just kept pushing on to the shelter - a grand total of 35.5 miles!!!! Yeeha. I arrived at Upper Goose Pond Shelter soaking wet as it started raining during the final hour of the hike, plus it got dark so I had my head lamp going. I was stoked. German Shepard, Sleepy Guy and Snifur couldn't believe I had done a 35+ day. It is one of the longest done by most people.
My legs ached something chronic when I went to bed but I took pain killers so that didn't last long.
Sat 25 June Day 107
Upper Goose Pond is amazing - it has a resident caretaker who makes pancakes and coffee for hikers in the morning. Just what I needed after a massive day. Yes, I can walk. I even made it down the stairs without using the hand rail! Feeling good.
Today was fairly flat but man was it muddy. The worst I have seen - loads of bogs and slippery rocks makes you get sick of it really quick. But we pushed on as Snifer had a friends sister picking him up.
Nancy arrived and I thought that she would just drop me into Dalton. However, she kindly offered a shower and laundry. That made my day, considering the mud and sore toe/foot I had.
It always amazes me how wonderful a shower is now. I was so lucky - not only did I end up getting a shower but she invited me to stay too. We had omlette and sodas for lunch while laundry was being done, oh and I had a foot spa. Then we went to get pizza for dinner. Crazy wonderful afternoon.
It was really nice being in a home with a family and I greatly appreciated their kindness.
Sun 26 June Day 108
Not only did we get the royal treatment yesterday, we got cooked breakfast and Nancy offered to drive us to get resupply and for me to find a new camera before dropping us in Dalton.
I eventually found a camera - Nikon point and shoot. Hopefully it will see me out.
We said our farewells and thanks to Nancy in Dalton and were sitting outside the Cumberland Farms store (convenience/petrol station) charging my camera battery and reading the paper when a guy shows up. He introduced himself as Tom and said that we were more than welcome to stay at his place that night.
He was very good at convincing us and we ended up having a zero. Tome Levardi is the nicest and most generous man on trail. He lets hikers stay in his home at no cost, feeds them, loans out bikes and drops people off everywhere.
We sat and talked and chilled out with other hikers - Battle Cat and OTT (reunited with Snifur as they had travelled together before), Diode, Charlie and Prescott.
Dinner was hot wings, sandwiches and beer at the local pub - it was delicious and so filling.
When we got back to Tom's he offered us ice-cream - cookies & cream with whipped cream and a cookie on the side (not sure if I could fit it in, but did) :) We even chose to watch Forest Gump. I gave up early though and went to bed around 10pm.
Mon 27 June Day 109
First sick day. All up the hill out of Dalton I wanted to spew or pass out. I'm not sure if it was breakfast, some random bug or my pack being heavy but it was awful. I arrived in Chershire and went to the postoffice and got rid of 5lbs then pushed on through to Mt Greylock. I was hoping to see the others so they could help me (as I felt terrible) but my luck was out and I scaled the most visited mountain nearly vomiting every 100m.
Mt Greylock, and in fact all of the trail today was beautiful - it is a shame I could't enjoy it. But fortunately I ran into OTT, Battle Cat and Snifur up at the monument. It was only three mikes to the shelter so I pushed on - not fast though. It ended up that Snifur took my pack and ran it down to the shelter, I trundled along and didn't arrive till after 7pm.
I don't know what it was but it was yuck. I hope it goes away quick.
We also had a random weird dude in the shelter - up cooking dinner for hours and kept staring at things.
I also passed the 600mile to go mark today.
Total miles done - 1581.8
Total miles to go - 599.2
Into a new state tomorrow!!
- posted by enzed :)
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Oh there are still rocks, but it's not for much longer!
Thu 9 Jun Day 91
I cant remember if I have written about this day. It started off with a planned 15.5mi into Delaware Water Gap, PA but ended up with me hiking 4mi to Wind Gap, waiting 4.5hrs at a crappy motel and getting a ride into DWG 'coz my quads were still pulling my knee cap.
I was able to rest for the day at the Church of the Mountain hostel and stretch and massage it. Hopefully it will help.
Free pot luck dinner at the hostel on Thurs nights. Awesome!
Fri 10 Jun Day 92
A wonderful nights sleep at the church hostel - except a short one. A game of Spades (kind of like 500), which Earl Grey and I kicked Snifur and Legion's butts at, led to a few beers at the local pub. Local meant a 25min walk down roads in the dark (we were not impressed but pushed on anyway)! The end of the night was an early 11.30pm and Snifur ended up leaving his wallet and camera in the back of the pickup truck!!
This morning was spent cheering Snifur up and eating a wonderful eggs and bacon bfast. I then set about having another massage & stretching session of my leg to see if it would help.
4mi into the day and the pain had returned. It wasn't as often and has mostly been in my quad so I'm taking that as an improvement and planning on a 20.9mi day tomorrow!! (we'll see)
Today was a nature day - loads of bull frogs honking across a lake; a water snake; a black snake; 2 deer and 3 bears! The bears are always cool to see - they certainly bring my attention back to what's ahead of me. I got a photo and some video footage of these ones.
Only 10.5mi today brought us to the Mohican Outdoor Centre which is quite a large camping area, predominantly catering for day hikers. We have been relegated to the maintenance shed grounds to pitch our tents. Its rocky and there's not a lot of dirt - great for pegs!
Sat 11 Jun Day 93
Great nights sleep again. This time in the tent. We caught up and chatted with Shoofly and Nero last night. It was cool to see them again after they have had some time off at home with family.
It started to rain at about 5am so I jumped (kind of) out of bed, pulled my tent down and headed up to the lodge to pack my bag and eat bfast.
We set off at 6.30am in drizzle which continued for the whole day. Not a view to be seen - in fact it was a lot like the Grayson Highlands!
The trail was covered in Laurel bushes (no Rhododendrons here) which are all in flower plus there are loads of blueberry plants. I even got to taste my first wild blueberry! They are delicious.
It was also good to just feel normal soreness today. The leg (in it's entirety) was feeling better - yay for DIY physio! The 20.9mi felt quite good. There were a few rocks that hurt the poor feet but the trail was interesting and time passed quite quickly.
Its amazing that there are less than 18 four day hikes left to go! Time is going to start rushing by.
Total miles done: 1316.7
Total to go: 864.3
Sun 12 Jun Day 94
Yay for sleep ins!! I had another good sleep and we didn't get under way until 8am. The last day of rocks.
An exciting start to the day - we came across a bear in a pond having a swim! He got out and shook himself off, moseyed about and picked a tree to rub against then eat. It was so cool to watch. We spent about 10-15mins taking photos and video before it moved off into the trees. Bear tally - 8.
We stopped in at the first shelter - 5.8mi in 2hrs. The initial plan was to lunch at the lakeside beach for burger, fries and soda and stop at Hightop Shelter. We did the lunch stop but continued past the shelter onto the Murray property cabin. A total of 18.4mi for the day.
The cabin is amazing - an ex-thruhiker built a range of cabins on his property. One of which long distance hikers can use for free. There is a fan, electricity and a hot shower. Super!!
Total miles to go: 845.9
- posted by enzed :)
I cant remember if I have written about this day. It started off with a planned 15.5mi into Delaware Water Gap, PA but ended up with me hiking 4mi to Wind Gap, waiting 4.5hrs at a crappy motel and getting a ride into DWG 'coz my quads were still pulling my knee cap.
I was able to rest for the day at the Church of the Mountain hostel and stretch and massage it. Hopefully it will help.
Free pot luck dinner at the hostel on Thurs nights. Awesome!
Fri 10 Jun Day 92
A wonderful nights sleep at the church hostel - except a short one. A game of Spades (kind of like 500), which Earl Grey and I kicked Snifur and Legion's butts at, led to a few beers at the local pub. Local meant a 25min walk down roads in the dark (we were not impressed but pushed on anyway)! The end of the night was an early 11.30pm and Snifur ended up leaving his wallet and camera in the back of the pickup truck!!
This morning was spent cheering Snifur up and eating a wonderful eggs and bacon bfast. I then set about having another massage & stretching session of my leg to see if it would help.
4mi into the day and the pain had returned. It wasn't as often and has mostly been in my quad so I'm taking that as an improvement and planning on a 20.9mi day tomorrow!! (we'll see)
Today was a nature day - loads of bull frogs honking across a lake; a water snake; a black snake; 2 deer and 3 bears! The bears are always cool to see - they certainly bring my attention back to what's ahead of me. I got a photo and some video footage of these ones.
Only 10.5mi today brought us to the Mohican Outdoor Centre which is quite a large camping area, predominantly catering for day hikers. We have been relegated to the maintenance shed grounds to pitch our tents. Its rocky and there's not a lot of dirt - great for pegs!
Sat 11 Jun Day 93
Great nights sleep again. This time in the tent. We caught up and chatted with Shoofly and Nero last night. It was cool to see them again after they have had some time off at home with family.
It started to rain at about 5am so I jumped (kind of) out of bed, pulled my tent down and headed up to the lodge to pack my bag and eat bfast.
We set off at 6.30am in drizzle which continued for the whole day. Not a view to be seen - in fact it was a lot like the Grayson Highlands!
The trail was covered in Laurel bushes (no Rhododendrons here) which are all in flower plus there are loads of blueberry plants. I even got to taste my first wild blueberry! They are delicious.
It was also good to just feel normal soreness today. The leg (in it's entirety) was feeling better - yay for DIY physio! The 20.9mi felt quite good. There were a few rocks that hurt the poor feet but the trail was interesting and time passed quite quickly.
Its amazing that there are less than 18 four day hikes left to go! Time is going to start rushing by.
Total miles done: 1316.7
Total to go: 864.3
Sun 12 Jun Day 94
Yay for sleep ins!! I had another good sleep and we didn't get under way until 8am. The last day of rocks.
An exciting start to the day - we came across a bear in a pond having a swim! He got out and shook himself off, moseyed about and picked a tree to rub against then eat. It was so cool to watch. We spent about 10-15mins taking photos and video before it moved off into the trees. Bear tally - 8.
We stopped in at the first shelter - 5.8mi in 2hrs. The initial plan was to lunch at the lakeside beach for burger, fries and soda and stop at Hightop Shelter. We did the lunch stop but continued past the shelter onto the Murray property cabin. A total of 18.4mi for the day.
The cabin is amazing - an ex-thruhiker built a range of cabins on his property. One of which long distance hikers can use for free. There is a fan, electricity and a hot shower. Super!!
Total miles to go: 845.9
- posted by enzed :)
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Pennsylvania Rocks cont.
And by rocks I mean geological not awesomeness.
Tue 31 May Day 82
Another hot night last night. No longer using the sleeping bag, just the thermarest and my sleep sheet.
Earl Grey and I left about 7.15am and headed for Duncannon. After a quick 11miles of normal ups and downs (plus a few rocky stretches) we arrived at a road...but it wasn't marked as the AT! crap! We'd missed a blaze, so we headed back up a hill, found the change in trail and followed the extra half mile up and over a rocky hill, only to be back at the road we were just at!!! THE MOST POINTLESS PIECE OF CHANGED TRAIL. We were a bit sour about that, let me tell you.
But we had made it into town and sat down in the Doyle Hotel (sweat still dripping from all over) and had a beer! Then a pork sandwich! Then had a shower.
The usual town things done and we were back in the bar having another beer and dinner (steak and blue cheese burger). Delicious!
At 8pm it was time for ice cream so I went and got a pint of Ben & Jerry's "Clusterfluff" (peanut butter ice-cream with caramel clusters and marshmallow swirls). My new favorite flavour. I'm glad we didn't have to eat B&J's for half gal challenge (it would have totaled 4800 calories). I don't think I could have processed that much.
We hit 100deg farenheit today (about 40). It's still going to be in the mid 30s for rest of the week. Lots of sweaty T-shirts and pack straps. Nice!
Time for bed. An actual one. Ah, life's luxuries.
Wed 1 Jun Day 83
What a great sleep! The fan was amazing.
Off to Goodies for breakfast - a blueberry pancake as big as a plate and an inch thick plus two pieces of French toast. Yum!
We started out at 9.30am and by then it was stinking hot and 35deg and the 3mi out of town was brutal. Then we hit a hill. It was a sweaty start to the day! So much for the shower!
We saw two perigrin falcons - one of which was dive bombing us as we crossed the bridge out of town and we nearly saw a bear. It saw us and hoofed it through the bushes. Earl Grey caught site of it's black bum as it disappeared.
The shelter tonight is very nice. It used to be the site of the Earl Shaeffer Shelter (he was the first person to hike the AT). It is now called Peter Mountain Shelter. The biggest problem is the 296 steps (downhill of course) to get water.
The wind has picked up and there is a breeze flowing through - fantastic. Hopefully the night will be cooler.
Trail miles to date are - 1149.8
Miles today - 11.3
I am going to start counting down. Bring on the "1000miles to go" mark!
Thur 2 Jun Day 84
Just as I had fallen asleep 3 people came into the shelter - at 10pm!! So inconsiderate as they were noisy. One of them was a thru-hiker and should have known better - they could have pitched their tents.
I had the worst nights sleep on trail so far. The noise, bugs and the fact that it was cooler than usual made the night awful. It didn't make the start of today very pleasant.
But 7mi into the day we got trail magic - a whole lot of sodas in a stream. It was just what I needed - sugar and caffeine. The next 6 mi was a breeze and we had a lunch break at the Yellow Springs campsite.
From there it was only 4 odd miles to get to Raush Gap Shelter. It only sleeps 6 so there are people camping tonight. Water is only 10m away and the privy is quite good. It could be a whole lot worse.
Onto 501 Shelter tomorrow, near Pine Grove,PA.
18 miles done today.
Fri 3 Jun Day 85
Just a smallish day to do today - 17.5.
Breakfast time was beautiful. The sun was shining through the leaves in the trees, it was crisp and cool and coffee was the first thing on the agenda.
The walking was fairly easy going although it involved fording a river and wet shoes with 8 miles still remaining before lunch. But I persevered with wet shoes and socks to see how they would go. (not too bad but 8mi is probably the limit).
Lunch break was at the 13mi mark (William Penn Shelter). It was the "1000mi to go" mark as well!! Yay - can't wait for them to tick by as these past two weeks have been hard. I'm sure that thinking will change soon enough though.
There were some sections of rough rocks today (small up-ended chunks that made it painful to walk on). But they didn't last too long. I hadn't strapped my ankle today as the tape had blistered my leg yesterday (!!!), so it was hard going for it today. It seems strapping tape and skin start to disagree after 10 days or so. Go figure! I've been changing it lots but I guess it has been getting a hammering. It is hard to rehab injuries out here though - much easier to tape and push on.
The shelter tonight is the "501". It was an old pottery shed with an amazing skylight in it. There are bunk beds and a solar shower (not warm though). We were even able to order pizzas. Between the 9 of us we ordered an extraordinary amount of food (and consumed it). I had a cheeseburger, half an extra large pizza, 1.25L mountaindew, a piece of cheese cake with strawberries, and a can of pepsi. I could still eat more bit I have to go to sleep. It's another 20+ miles tomorrow.
Sat 4 Jun Day 86
Today was the worst day I have had so far on trail. The distance wasn't so much the problem but the rocks took their toll today.
Parts of the trail were really nice but most of it was upturned rocks. It was stressful on ankles and leg muscles so as the day passed walking became sooooooo painful.
Lunch didn't happen until the 15mi mark either - that helped make the day longer! Plus the final approach into Port Clinton was steep downhill - even worse on the pain scale.
Eventually we plodded into Port Clinton. It is a quaint town with an old railroad and museum. It also has a Pavillion where we can stay for free.
Pyjamas and Billy Goat were in as well as 4 other section hikers - the place could have held 100. It was a very welcome sight. I'm hoping that I can walk tomorrow!
Sun 5 Jun Day 87
Yay sleep in! and yes i can walk. We didn't get out of bed until after 7am. The only thing we had to do was resupply and check out the biggest hunting/fishing store in Hamburg.
There was no rides into Hamburg so we walked the 1.5mi to Walmart along a highway. The outdoor store was called Cabela's and it was ridiculously huge! There was a mountain covered in stuffed deer and lions; an African animal exhibit and a pond/aquarium that you could test fishing rods in. Crazy! Plus it was packed with people.
We did manage to get a ride back to the trail and grunted up the hill (of course) with full packs. It was full of rocks (apart from a final section of grass) and the feet and legs were terribly sore on reaching the shelter (Windsor Furnace). Just a short day but feeling better because of it.
Mon 6 Jun Day 88
A rough and demanding day - more rocks! I was had it by lunch time. The constant pounding on uneven, upturned and wobbly rocks hurts.
Plus I missed the Pinnacle Overlook which was supposed to be a good one - I completely missed the sign. To top it off when we reached Eckville Shelter (after a 1.2mi extra walk 'coz we'd missed a turnoff) the hikers that were there had been behind us and had hitched a 57mi ride! That was disheartening. I had had enough and really considered staying, but had only done 9.1mi and only had 7.4 to go.
So I ate my lunch, scrubbed out my Platypus drink bladder, had a shower and lay in the sun for a bit until a scrap of motivation returned. We were able to take a shortcut back to where we had walked the extra bit so returning to the trail wasn't too bad.
The afternoon was much better and was along mostly road sections (fewer rocks).
We have 9 hikers in for the night at the Allentown Hiking Club Shelter. It sleeps 8 (2 are tenting), has a privy and a water source (at least 0.3mi down a hill and a small creek - needs a cup to fill a bladder or bottle). Have reached the 1231.6mi mark - 949.4mi to go.
Tue 7 Jun Day 89
A 18mi planned for today. After a hilarious night telling stories with Snifur (new hiker) getting up early was tough. But the day was good.
I am back! Still sore but have the right head space! We cruised over the rockiest section so far - so bad that I had to crawl along some parts! I just wished my leg muscles had rehab and were better so the I could trust my ankle. It doesn't really matter though as we made good time for the day.
The last two shelters that we past were very old school. One could have been used by Davy Crockett! Old logs and warped walls made it very 'rustic'. Earl Grey and I pushed on to make it to Palmerton, PA.
There is a county hall the has a basement that they let hikers use for free called The Jailbird Hostel. It has bunks, shower and toilet facilities. It's really good for hiker standards.
I ate too much tonight - it took a lot but I managed to eat a double cheeseburger, eggplant parmigana, a milkshake, large fries with gravy, a soda and a banana split!! Crazy.
It's late (10.15pm) and I need to get up early tomorrow to start hiking befor it gets too hot - it's supposed to be 40deg with 100% humidity! We will see how that goes.
Wed 8 Jun Day 90
We were very lucky today - as soon as we stood outside the 'Jail House' a BMW pulls up, I assumed was going to ask for directions or something - but no, she was offering us a lift back to the trail!! We climbed in cautiously, sat back and enjoyed the air-conditioned, soft leather comfort :) That was the last bit of comfort for the day.
We were on-trail by 7am to beat the heat. The rocks are still brutal, as are the uphill rock combos!! The slog out of Palmerton was straight up and over the largest rock pile I have seen so far. It took 50mins of climbing and crawling to navigate through to the other side. It was exhausting and painful.
The rest of the day was pretty much rock dodging on trail. It's the worst part - no chance of getting a stride going. 4 shuffled steps instead of one.
A grueling day but in by 3pm - it was still 92deg (35ish) in the shade until 7pm. Everyone is just dripping sweat. Nice!
Thur 9 Jun Day 91
Up at 5.15am. That when the birds and sun are up anyway! Plus it means walking in the semi-cool temperatures (or at least for the the first half hour). Earl Grey and I left at 6.15am and got straight into the rocks (of course). By Wind Gap, PA (4.6mi) I realized that my knee/quads weren't getting any better (all in response to the dumb ankle thing) so I decided to get off it. I arranged for an outfitter in Delaware Water Gap, PA to come and pick me up. Long story short - I had to wait 4.5hrs and it cost $35!! It was a bit sucky but thats just the way it is out here.
Plus the replacement pack I got in Harpers Ferry didn't show up - it's getting posted to Unionville. Let's hope this works out.
I am currently in the Church of the Mountain hostel. It's air-conditioned, has a shower and is putting on a free dinner tonight. The day just got a whole lot better.
I have been good and am self-physio-ing my leg. Hopefully some loosening of all leg muscles and strengthening medial quads will help too.
I will see how it feels tomorrow - only a 10.5mi planned.
- posted by enzed :)
Tue 31 May Day 82
Another hot night last night. No longer using the sleeping bag, just the thermarest and my sleep sheet.
Earl Grey and I left about 7.15am and headed for Duncannon. After a quick 11miles of normal ups and downs (plus a few rocky stretches) we arrived at a road...but it wasn't marked as the AT! crap! We'd missed a blaze, so we headed back up a hill, found the change in trail and followed the extra half mile up and over a rocky hill, only to be back at the road we were just at!!! THE MOST POINTLESS PIECE OF CHANGED TRAIL. We were a bit sour about that, let me tell you.
But we had made it into town and sat down in the Doyle Hotel (sweat still dripping from all over) and had a beer! Then a pork sandwich! Then had a shower.
The usual town things done and we were back in the bar having another beer and dinner (steak and blue cheese burger). Delicious!
At 8pm it was time for ice cream so I went and got a pint of Ben & Jerry's "Clusterfluff" (peanut butter ice-cream with caramel clusters and marshmallow swirls). My new favorite flavour. I'm glad we didn't have to eat B&J's for half gal challenge (it would have totaled 4800 calories). I don't think I could have processed that much.
We hit 100deg farenheit today (about 40). It's still going to be in the mid 30s for rest of the week. Lots of sweaty T-shirts and pack straps. Nice!
Time for bed. An actual one. Ah, life's luxuries.
Wed 1 Jun Day 83
What a great sleep! The fan was amazing.
Off to Goodies for breakfast - a blueberry pancake as big as a plate and an inch thick plus two pieces of French toast. Yum!
We started out at 9.30am and by then it was stinking hot and 35deg and the 3mi out of town was brutal. Then we hit a hill. It was a sweaty start to the day! So much for the shower!
We saw two perigrin falcons - one of which was dive bombing us as we crossed the bridge out of town and we nearly saw a bear. It saw us and hoofed it through the bushes. Earl Grey caught site of it's black bum as it disappeared.
The shelter tonight is very nice. It used to be the site of the Earl Shaeffer Shelter (he was the first person to hike the AT). It is now called Peter Mountain Shelter. The biggest problem is the 296 steps (downhill of course) to get water.
The wind has picked up and there is a breeze flowing through - fantastic. Hopefully the night will be cooler.
Trail miles to date are - 1149.8
Miles today - 11.3
I am going to start counting down. Bring on the "1000miles to go" mark!
Thur 2 Jun Day 84
Just as I had fallen asleep 3 people came into the shelter - at 10pm!! So inconsiderate as they were noisy. One of them was a thru-hiker and should have known better - they could have pitched their tents.
I had the worst nights sleep on trail so far. The noise, bugs and the fact that it was cooler than usual made the night awful. It didn't make the start of today very pleasant.
But 7mi into the day we got trail magic - a whole lot of sodas in a stream. It was just what I needed - sugar and caffeine. The next 6 mi was a breeze and we had a lunch break at the Yellow Springs campsite.
From there it was only 4 odd miles to get to Raush Gap Shelter. It only sleeps 6 so there are people camping tonight. Water is only 10m away and the privy is quite good. It could be a whole lot worse.
Onto 501 Shelter tomorrow, near Pine Grove,PA.
18 miles done today.
Fri 3 Jun Day 85
Just a smallish day to do today - 17.5.
Breakfast time was beautiful. The sun was shining through the leaves in the trees, it was crisp and cool and coffee was the first thing on the agenda.
The walking was fairly easy going although it involved fording a river and wet shoes with 8 miles still remaining before lunch. But I persevered with wet shoes and socks to see how they would go. (not too bad but 8mi is probably the limit).
Lunch break was at the 13mi mark (William Penn Shelter). It was the "1000mi to go" mark as well!! Yay - can't wait for them to tick by as these past two weeks have been hard. I'm sure that thinking will change soon enough though.
There were some sections of rough rocks today (small up-ended chunks that made it painful to walk on). But they didn't last too long. I hadn't strapped my ankle today as the tape had blistered my leg yesterday (!!!), so it was hard going for it today. It seems strapping tape and skin start to disagree after 10 days or so. Go figure! I've been changing it lots but I guess it has been getting a hammering. It is hard to rehab injuries out here though - much easier to tape and push on.
The shelter tonight is the "501". It was an old pottery shed with an amazing skylight in it. There are bunk beds and a solar shower (not warm though). We were even able to order pizzas. Between the 9 of us we ordered an extraordinary amount of food (and consumed it). I had a cheeseburger, half an extra large pizza, 1.25L mountaindew, a piece of cheese cake with strawberries, and a can of pepsi. I could still eat more bit I have to go to sleep. It's another 20+ miles tomorrow.
Sat 4 Jun Day 86
Today was the worst day I have had so far on trail. The distance wasn't so much the problem but the rocks took their toll today.
Parts of the trail were really nice but most of it was upturned rocks. It was stressful on ankles and leg muscles so as the day passed walking became sooooooo painful.
Lunch didn't happen until the 15mi mark either - that helped make the day longer! Plus the final approach into Port Clinton was steep downhill - even worse on the pain scale.
Eventually we plodded into Port Clinton. It is a quaint town with an old railroad and museum. It also has a Pavillion where we can stay for free.
Pyjamas and Billy Goat were in as well as 4 other section hikers - the place could have held 100. It was a very welcome sight. I'm hoping that I can walk tomorrow!
Sun 5 Jun Day 87
Yay sleep in! and yes i can walk. We didn't get out of bed until after 7am. The only thing we had to do was resupply and check out the biggest hunting/fishing store in Hamburg.
There was no rides into Hamburg so we walked the 1.5mi to Walmart along a highway. The outdoor store was called Cabela's and it was ridiculously huge! There was a mountain covered in stuffed deer and lions; an African animal exhibit and a pond/aquarium that you could test fishing rods in. Crazy! Plus it was packed with people.
We did manage to get a ride back to the trail and grunted up the hill (of course) with full packs. It was full of rocks (apart from a final section of grass) and the feet and legs were terribly sore on reaching the shelter (Windsor Furnace). Just a short day but feeling better because of it.
Mon 6 Jun Day 88
A rough and demanding day - more rocks! I was had it by lunch time. The constant pounding on uneven, upturned and wobbly rocks hurts.
Plus I missed the Pinnacle Overlook which was supposed to be a good one - I completely missed the sign. To top it off when we reached Eckville Shelter (after a 1.2mi extra walk 'coz we'd missed a turnoff) the hikers that were there had been behind us and had hitched a 57mi ride! That was disheartening. I had had enough and really considered staying, but had only done 9.1mi and only had 7.4 to go.
So I ate my lunch, scrubbed out my Platypus drink bladder, had a shower and lay in the sun for a bit until a scrap of motivation returned. We were able to take a shortcut back to where we had walked the extra bit so returning to the trail wasn't too bad.
The afternoon was much better and was along mostly road sections (fewer rocks).
We have 9 hikers in for the night at the Allentown Hiking Club Shelter. It sleeps 8 (2 are tenting), has a privy and a water source (at least 0.3mi down a hill and a small creek - needs a cup to fill a bladder or bottle). Have reached the 1231.6mi mark - 949.4mi to go.
Tue 7 Jun Day 89
A 18mi planned for today. After a hilarious night telling stories with Snifur (new hiker) getting up early was tough. But the day was good.
I am back! Still sore but have the right head space! We cruised over the rockiest section so far - so bad that I had to crawl along some parts! I just wished my leg muscles had rehab and were better so the I could trust my ankle. It doesn't really matter though as we made good time for the day.
The last two shelters that we past were very old school. One could have been used by Davy Crockett! Old logs and warped walls made it very 'rustic'. Earl Grey and I pushed on to make it to Palmerton, PA.
There is a county hall the has a basement that they let hikers use for free called The Jailbird Hostel. It has bunks, shower and toilet facilities. It's really good for hiker standards.
I ate too much tonight - it took a lot but I managed to eat a double cheeseburger, eggplant parmigana, a milkshake, large fries with gravy, a soda and a banana split!! Crazy.
It's late (10.15pm) and I need to get up early tomorrow to start hiking befor it gets too hot - it's supposed to be 40deg with 100% humidity! We will see how that goes.
Wed 8 Jun Day 90
We were very lucky today - as soon as we stood outside the 'Jail House' a BMW pulls up, I assumed was going to ask for directions or something - but no, she was offering us a lift back to the trail!! We climbed in cautiously, sat back and enjoyed the air-conditioned, soft leather comfort :) That was the last bit of comfort for the day.
We were on-trail by 7am to beat the heat. The rocks are still brutal, as are the uphill rock combos!! The slog out of Palmerton was straight up and over the largest rock pile I have seen so far. It took 50mins of climbing and crawling to navigate through to the other side. It was exhausting and painful.
The rest of the day was pretty much rock dodging on trail. It's the worst part - no chance of getting a stride going. 4 shuffled steps instead of one.
A grueling day but in by 3pm - it was still 92deg (35ish) in the shade until 7pm. Everyone is just dripping sweat. Nice!
Thur 9 Jun Day 91
Up at 5.15am. That when the birds and sun are up anyway! Plus it means walking in the semi-cool temperatures (or at least for the the first half hour). Earl Grey and I left at 6.15am and got straight into the rocks (of course). By Wind Gap, PA (4.6mi) I realized that my knee/quads weren't getting any better (all in response to the dumb ankle thing) so I decided to get off it. I arranged for an outfitter in Delaware Water Gap, PA to come and pick me up. Long story short - I had to wait 4.5hrs and it cost $35!! It was a bit sucky but thats just the way it is out here.
Plus the replacement pack I got in Harpers Ferry didn't show up - it's getting posted to Unionville. Let's hope this works out.
I am currently in the Church of the Mountain hostel. It's air-conditioned, has a shower and is putting on a free dinner tonight. The day just got a whole lot better.
I have been good and am self-physio-ing my leg. Hopefully some loosening of all leg muscles and strengthening medial quads will help too.
I will see how it feels tomorrow - only a 10.5mi planned.
- posted by enzed :)
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Pennsylvania Rocks
There are 3 entries- read below first
Sun 29 May Day 80
So what did I do today ...? I ate ice-cream and went to the beach of course!! What else did you expect :) it was a great day.
A nice late start to hike the day with a 3mi into Pine Grove Furnace State Park, PA. Home of the AT museum and the half gallon ice-cream challenge.
Earl Grey and I were honestly a bit apprehensive about doing the challenge (1.85L ice-cream). Mammoth had set the bar at 42mins and we had heard that picking the right flavour was key. We then realized that it really didn't matter whether we did it or not.
But we did. I chose banana split, he had chocolate. My completion time was 32min 31sec. The first 3/4 and the last 4 mouthfuls was good but in between was a bit of a struggle. Not enough that I didn't eat a cheese and ham toasted sandwich and a coke afterwards too.
Then came the museum - it was interesting to read part of the AT history (although most of it I had read about).
Carrying on down the trail brought us to a lakeside beach (quite unexpected and very much appreciated). There was a convenience store and toilet block right there too. So we went for a swim and ate a cheeseburger and fries. Told you my appetite was growing!
Afterwards we hung out in the sun and didn't head out until 2.45pm. It was only 6.7mi to the James Fry Shelter. It has double bunks and a huge floor area. It's quite nice. Not long here though, it's going to be an early morning as we plan to do another marathon!! Crazy!!
Mon 30 May Day 81
Well two marathons in 3 days wasn't the smartest idea. Completed it but hit the wall about the 18mi mark. The start was great and we had done 12mi by 11.15am and the trail was all flat from Boiling Springs. However, it was 34deg and sunny, so the afternoon was hellish.
Got through to an ATC staff quarters and downed pack. Resupplied water and changed socks (had to cruise through an overflowing stream) and considered all options, including another yellow blaze!!
But I didn't. I sucked it up, put my big girl undies on and finished the last 4 miles to Darlington Shelter. It's pretty busy - there are 7 thru hikers here and some flip-floppers.
I'm absolutely exhausted - I hope a sleep will help! Duncannon tomorrow - might even stay the night. Will see.
- posted by enzed :)
Sun 29 May Day 80
So what did I do today ...? I ate ice-cream and went to the beach of course!! What else did you expect :) it was a great day.
A nice late start to hike the day with a 3mi into Pine Grove Furnace State Park, PA. Home of the AT museum and the half gallon ice-cream challenge.
Earl Grey and I were honestly a bit apprehensive about doing the challenge (1.85L ice-cream). Mammoth had set the bar at 42mins and we had heard that picking the right flavour was key. We then realized that it really didn't matter whether we did it or not.
But we did. I chose banana split, he had chocolate. My completion time was 32min 31sec. The first 3/4 and the last 4 mouthfuls was good but in between was a bit of a struggle. Not enough that I didn't eat a cheese and ham toasted sandwich and a coke afterwards too.
Then came the museum - it was interesting to read part of the AT history (although most of it I had read about).
Carrying on down the trail brought us to a lakeside beach (quite unexpected and very much appreciated). There was a convenience store and toilet block right there too. So we went for a swim and ate a cheeseburger and fries. Told you my appetite was growing!
Afterwards we hung out in the sun and didn't head out until 2.45pm. It was only 6.7mi to the James Fry Shelter. It has double bunks and a huge floor area. It's quite nice. Not long here though, it's going to be an early morning as we plan to do another marathon!! Crazy!!
Mon 30 May Day 81
Well two marathons in 3 days wasn't the smartest idea. Completed it but hit the wall about the 18mi mark. The start was great and we had done 12mi by 11.15am and the trail was all flat from Boiling Springs. However, it was 34deg and sunny, so the afternoon was hellish.
Got through to an ATC staff quarters and downed pack. Resupplied water and changed socks (had to cruise through an overflowing stream) and considered all options, including another yellow blaze!!
But I didn't. I sucked it up, put my big girl undies on and finished the last 4 miles to Darlington Shelter. It's pretty busy - there are 7 thru hikers here and some flip-floppers.
I'm absolutely exhausted - I hope a sleep will help! Duncannon tomorrow - might even stay the night. Will see.
- posted by enzed :)
Maryland, Pennsylvania, midway & the half gallon challenge
Thur 26 May Day 77
As I write this tonight the rain is bucketing down and the wind is howling around the shelter. I am so lucky to be inside right now! What a day.
I set out at 7.15am and made it to one of the memorial museums (yes, I remembered that I am walking through some of Americas significant historical sites from the Civil War). Harpers Ferry was a dividing point heavily fought over and the battle of Antietam (one if the worst for casualties) was fought just nearby where I am now.
It was the hottest (84 deg/ 30) day today and very muggy. It was like walking through a jungle for 20miles! Earl Gray and I walked together and even decided to push on to the 15mi mark for lunch. By the time we got there (2pm ish) we were both starving.
We saw some great views of the land today - one from a memorial tower to President Washington and the other off some rock cliffs.
But the day was long and ended with the last mile uphill (hard on a 20+mile day) followed by a 0.8mi return trip for water. I had to remind myself that some people have to do that (or more) everyday and/or don't have clean water! Please appreciate your ability to get safe, clean water from your tap today.
I have done my stretches twice today (Earl Gray is a good influence). I hope the muscle recovery goes well tonight although I have only planned a 13 miler tomorrow with a resupply in a town called Waynesboro, PA. Which also means we are done with Maryland. Tick off another one :)
Fri 27 May Day 78
We had amazing storm showers pass through last night and I was glad to be in a shelter. But they had cleared in the morning and Earl Gray and I were out by 7.30am. We cruised along and reached the Pen Mar County Park by 9.30 where we could hitch a ride into Waynesboro.
Yay for Walmart - their prices are cheaper than the normal supermarkets. That's a good and a bad thing as everyone ends up buying more than they need. The problem is fitting into the pack and carrying the extra weight for the rest of the day!! My extras today are 2 instant puddings (banana and cookies & cream) an apple and a coke. Along with all the usuals like salmon, Gatorade, m&ms, skittles, muesli bars and pasta side dishes.
Earl Greys brother met up with him at Walmart (they were touring on bikes) so we entertained them with the fun & games of packing the groceries into food bags and packs. It really is quite a mission.
We crossed the Mason-Dixon line today which divides the north and south (but was originally just the border between MD & PA). I need to brush up on my American history. If anyone has anything useful to add, please let me know :)
The remaining 8.2mi flew by and was quite nice to walk through. One shelter and the section to the next one was a mosquito alley. There was a mozzie cemetery on each arm by the time I reached Tumbling Run Shelter (where we are tonight).
It is one of the nicest sites I have seen. The privy has scented air freshner and 4 rolls of toilet paper, there are two shelters (one labelled snoring the other non-snoring) & the water source is only 75m away.
We had another heavy thunder shower through around 5.30pm but it has cleared now and hopefully will hold out tomorrow too.
A couple of people I hadn't seen for a while passed through the shelter site this afternoon. It was good to see Hansel (although no Gretel for a week) and Spaceman & Rocket (they had 9 days off).
Am hoping tomorrow will be a good one - planning a 25.8mi day.
Got to go put on more bug repellant, then it's bed time (8pm)
Sat 28 May Day 79
What an amazing day. I got up at 5.30am, boiled water for my coffee and ate a huge bowl of Special K - delicious! Then Earl Grey and I set out.
The first part of the day was the hilliest - although by now hills are done in 5 mins and really aren't worth a mention. We met the first of many section hikers out and about for Memorial Day weekend.
On the way past the Caledonia State Park pool facility we grabbed a soda and pushed on for lunch at Quarry Gap Shelter. Wow it was flash. Very well maintained and had lots of 'extras' like a garden frog, hanging baskets, perennials, veneer board on the back wall of the privy and two shelters linked by a covered porch. It was a great spot for a break. 12miles done but still more miles to do.
The trail was great from this point on. Lots of flat or gently rolling road-like sections. We made good time and reached the 3/4 way mark about 3.30pm. From here we finished the day in style -
26.6 miles (a bit over a marathon), reached the midway point of the AT (1090.5) and had done my longest day!!! Wahoo! Awesome! I was buzzing for ages after getting in.
Slow day tomorrow. Just 3 miles in to eat ice-cream for breakfast in the "half gallon challenge". Yes, that's 2L of ice-cream :)
- posted by enzed :)
As I write this tonight the rain is bucketing down and the wind is howling around the shelter. I am so lucky to be inside right now! What a day.
I set out at 7.15am and made it to one of the memorial museums (yes, I remembered that I am walking through some of Americas significant historical sites from the Civil War). Harpers Ferry was a dividing point heavily fought over and the battle of Antietam (one if the worst for casualties) was fought just nearby where I am now.
It was the hottest (84 deg/ 30) day today and very muggy. It was like walking through a jungle for 20miles! Earl Gray and I walked together and even decided to push on to the 15mi mark for lunch. By the time we got there (2pm ish) we were both starving.
We saw some great views of the land today - one from a memorial tower to President Washington and the other off some rock cliffs.
But the day was long and ended with the last mile uphill (hard on a 20+mile day) followed by a 0.8mi return trip for water. I had to remind myself that some people have to do that (or more) everyday and/or don't have clean water! Please appreciate your ability to get safe, clean water from your tap today.
I have done my stretches twice today (Earl Gray is a good influence). I hope the muscle recovery goes well tonight although I have only planned a 13 miler tomorrow with a resupply in a town called Waynesboro, PA. Which also means we are done with Maryland. Tick off another one :)
Fri 27 May Day 78
We had amazing storm showers pass through last night and I was glad to be in a shelter. But they had cleared in the morning and Earl Gray and I were out by 7.30am. We cruised along and reached the Pen Mar County Park by 9.30 where we could hitch a ride into Waynesboro.
Yay for Walmart - their prices are cheaper than the normal supermarkets. That's a good and a bad thing as everyone ends up buying more than they need. The problem is fitting into the pack and carrying the extra weight for the rest of the day!! My extras today are 2 instant puddings (banana and cookies & cream) an apple and a coke. Along with all the usuals like salmon, Gatorade, m&ms, skittles, muesli bars and pasta side dishes.
Earl Greys brother met up with him at Walmart (they were touring on bikes) so we entertained them with the fun & games of packing the groceries into food bags and packs. It really is quite a mission.
We crossed the Mason-Dixon line today which divides the north and south (but was originally just the border between MD & PA). I need to brush up on my American history. If anyone has anything useful to add, please let me know :)
The remaining 8.2mi flew by and was quite nice to walk through. One shelter and the section to the next one was a mosquito alley. There was a mozzie cemetery on each arm by the time I reached Tumbling Run Shelter (where we are tonight).
It is one of the nicest sites I have seen. The privy has scented air freshner and 4 rolls of toilet paper, there are two shelters (one labelled snoring the other non-snoring) & the water source is only 75m away.
We had another heavy thunder shower through around 5.30pm but it has cleared now and hopefully will hold out tomorrow too.
A couple of people I hadn't seen for a while passed through the shelter site this afternoon. It was good to see Hansel (although no Gretel for a week) and Spaceman & Rocket (they had 9 days off).
Am hoping tomorrow will be a good one - planning a 25.8mi day.
Got to go put on more bug repellant, then it's bed time (8pm)
Sat 28 May Day 79
What an amazing day. I got up at 5.30am, boiled water for my coffee and ate a huge bowl of Special K - delicious! Then Earl Grey and I set out.
The first part of the day was the hilliest - although by now hills are done in 5 mins and really aren't worth a mention. We met the first of many section hikers out and about for Memorial Day weekend.
On the way past the Caledonia State Park pool facility we grabbed a soda and pushed on for lunch at Quarry Gap Shelter. Wow it was flash. Very well maintained and had lots of 'extras' like a garden frog, hanging baskets, perennials, veneer board on the back wall of the privy and two shelters linked by a covered porch. It was a great spot for a break. 12miles done but still more miles to do.
The trail was great from this point on. Lots of flat or gently rolling road-like sections. We made good time and reached the 3/4 way mark about 3.30pm. From here we finished the day in style -
26.6 miles (a bit over a marathon), reached the midway point of the AT (1090.5) and had done my longest day!!! Wahoo! Awesome! I was buzzing for ages after getting in.
Slow day tomorrow. Just 3 miles in to eat ice-cream for breakfast in the "half gallon challenge". Yes, that's 2L of ice-cream :)
- posted by enzed :)
Through West Virginia (WV) and Maryland (MD)
Mon 23 May Day 74
Thank you for all the birthday wishes!! I have had an excellent day in DC. I am absolutely knackered from all the walking (doesn't that sound ridiculous) but doing the tourist thing is exhausting! Bring on the trail tomorrow.
The day started at 5am in order to get pancakes for breakfast, then catch the train at 6.50am. I chatted with another hiker (Web) for the hour ride in. By 8.30 I was at the State Capitol building. I have never seen so many cops or American flags at one time. Talk about surrounded.
It was almost embarrassing though, on the way up the road, when I saw grass and a small tree and went to snot-rocket on it - only to remember in time that I was in a city!! Oops :)
The first part of the day included seeing the White House, WWII memorial, Washington Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. Loads of concrete and stone buildings but fairly impressive really :)
I walked across the Potomac River, over the Arlington bridge but didn't have enough time to see JFK's grave which was up on the hill.
On the way back up The Mall I stopped into the Smithsonian Museums - American History (Star Spangled Banner and Julia Childs kitchen), Natural History (the Hope Diamond), Smithsonian Castle (off Bones), Air & Space (moon landing stuff, Wright brothers, planatrium) and the Native American History (Indian, Alaskan & Hawaiian).
Now I'm waiting for a train. Everyone runs for them here too :) Crazy day but awesome. I have loads of photos - but still haven't found somewhere to upload them easily. It will happen sometime.
Tue 24 May Day 75
So when I got up this morning my ankle had swollen up (not where I sprained it but on the inside and around my shin). Looks like another hint to take a rest. So I listened for once and was lucky enough that the third night at the hostel was free!! My day off cost me nothing :)
I was royally looked after by Rain Runner (Brian) who had just arrived and is working there for the summer season. Baked chicken & hummus tortillas for lunch, cups of tea and awesome conversation were topped off by calf, back and foot massages. Wow I was spoilt.
I have also had 4 showers in 3 days. Never have I been so clean!!!
Wed 25 May Day 76
From the hostel it was a quick .9mi back to the trail and it was good to be heading North once more. A perfect day weather wise (warm and sunny but not too hot as there was loads of foliage cover).
There are only about 18miles through West Virginia and out of Harpers Ferry I crossed into Maryland (MD). Four states down.
I called into the Ed Garvey shelter for a break - it is one of the flashest I have come across. 2 leveled and it even had a back door from the upstairs. The shelters here are a notch above many I have seen. Long may it continue.
A cruisy 13mi in 5hrs and plenty of stops along the way brought me to the Rocky Run Shelter. It's 15mi from Smithsburg, MD but I'm not sure what the nearest big town is to there. I will be in Waynsboro, Pennsylvania (PA) the following day. The states are surely flying by.
There are loads of people at the shelter tonight. It's nice to see some familiar faces again though - Breeze, Downhill, Fuzzy navel, Tiger Lily and Earl Grey have shown up. There is also small school group and a few newbie hikers who are very green :) those were long days ago.
It's early (8pm) and I am now in bed. Trying to catch up on sleep and it will be a long day tomorrow.
- posted by enzed :)
Thank you for all the birthday wishes!! I have had an excellent day in DC. I am absolutely knackered from all the walking (doesn't that sound ridiculous) but doing the tourist thing is exhausting! Bring on the trail tomorrow.
The day started at 5am in order to get pancakes for breakfast, then catch the train at 6.50am. I chatted with another hiker (Web) for the hour ride in. By 8.30 I was at the State Capitol building. I have never seen so many cops or American flags at one time. Talk about surrounded.
It was almost embarrassing though, on the way up the road, when I saw grass and a small tree and went to snot-rocket on it - only to remember in time that I was in a city!! Oops :)
The first part of the day included seeing the White House, WWII memorial, Washington Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. Loads of concrete and stone buildings but fairly impressive really :)
I walked across the Potomac River, over the Arlington bridge but didn't have enough time to see JFK's grave which was up on the hill.
On the way back up The Mall I stopped into the Smithsonian Museums - American History (Star Spangled Banner and Julia Childs kitchen), Natural History (the Hope Diamond), Smithsonian Castle (off Bones), Air & Space (moon landing stuff, Wright brothers, planatrium) and the Native American History (Indian, Alaskan & Hawaiian).
Now I'm waiting for a train. Everyone runs for them here too :) Crazy day but awesome. I have loads of photos - but still haven't found somewhere to upload them easily. It will happen sometime.
Tue 24 May Day 75
So when I got up this morning my ankle had swollen up (not where I sprained it but on the inside and around my shin). Looks like another hint to take a rest. So I listened for once and was lucky enough that the third night at the hostel was free!! My day off cost me nothing :)
I was royally looked after by Rain Runner (Brian) who had just arrived and is working there for the summer season. Baked chicken & hummus tortillas for lunch, cups of tea and awesome conversation were topped off by calf, back and foot massages. Wow I was spoilt.
I have also had 4 showers in 3 days. Never have I been so clean!!!
Wed 25 May Day 76
From the hostel it was a quick .9mi back to the trail and it was good to be heading North once more. A perfect day weather wise (warm and sunny but not too hot as there was loads of foliage cover).
There are only about 18miles through West Virginia and out of Harpers Ferry I crossed into Maryland (MD). Four states down.
I called into the Ed Garvey shelter for a break - it is one of the flashest I have come across. 2 leveled and it even had a back door from the upstairs. The shelters here are a notch above many I have seen. Long may it continue.
A cruisy 13mi in 5hrs and plenty of stops along the way brought me to the Rocky Run Shelter. It's 15mi from Smithsburg, MD but I'm not sure what the nearest big town is to there. I will be in Waynsboro, Pennsylvania (PA) the following day. The states are surely flying by.
There are loads of people at the shelter tonight. It's nice to see some familiar faces again though - Breeze, Downhill, Fuzzy navel, Tiger Lily and Earl Grey have shown up. There is also small school group and a few newbie hikers who are very green :) those were long days ago.
It's early (8pm) and I am now in bed. Trying to catch up on sleep and it will be a long day tomorrow.
- posted by enzed :)
Monday, May 23, 2011
Heading to Harpers Ferry (nearly halfway)
Wed 18 May Day 69
A nice sleep in this morning. I didn't leave the hostel til after 9am and was back on the AT by 9.45am. I am glad I could walk out of the Shenandoahs - at least for the remaining 2.5mi! The 4miles to the roadside went well for my ankle - once it's taped up it's great, but my shin is still sore and it was niggling.
I managed to pick up a ride and was in Front Royal by 11am. I hung out at the grocery store (it was big and full of awesome food) until Cascade and Mammoth got into town (abt 1pm). We ended up staying at the Super 8 hotel. It's the usual type of place and we went and did our usual things - laundry, outfitters (which didn't exist anymore) and AYCE Chinese, then groceries. We found a organic shop that served muesli by the gram, so I will be having nicer bfasts. Mmmmm, blueberry granola, I can taste it already.
Thu 19 May Day 70
Out if bed at 8am. Oops! But on trail by 9.30am due to the local librarian picking us up and dropping us at the trailhead.
I had hoped to do 15mi today but the shin hurt too much so I stopped at Manassas Gap Shelter (10.6mi) and put my legs up for the afternoon.
Time for dinner now - hmm what will it be? Chicken and mashed potatoes or mixed vege rice? ...
Fri 20 May Day 71
There are some crazy people out here!! Last night at about 8pm a young guy (23), whose name was Lemur, arrived at the shelter having done 37mi. He sat down, said "hi" and then discussed with the other thru-hiker (Will) how far it was to the next shelter (13mi). "ok, I think I'll go there then. I'll probably get in around 1am and that would make it a 50mi day" !!!!! Holy moly!! And off he went. No problem.
I had one of the best nights sleep I have had and one of the best bfasts too. The granola and powdered milk was DELICIOUS!
So the day started well, but... I took pain killers for my shin and set off at 7.37am. The pain killers really didn't work well at first, in fact the first few hours were hellishly sore. I decided to add strapping to my shin to help support it, but that didn't work straight away either! But I pushed on to the 12mi mark (Rod Hollow Shelter) and had lunch. By then the pain had gone and it still doesn't feel sore at all now. Let's hope that continues.
Plus I tweezered out my first tick!! I felt it bite me so it got dealt to really quickly - it felt pretty gross pulling it's head and jaws out of my leg though :)
The remaining 6.9miles of the day were over what is affectionately known as the Roller Coaster. Lots of ups and downs by the look of the book, but nowhere near as bad as it semed. It was a lovely walk through streams and hills and my leg wasn't sore.
The Sam Moore Shelter is nice - next to a stream, has a covered picnic table and a large fire pit. No more trail family to share dinner with :( they have all shot on ahead to Harpers Ferry for Saturday. Its a bit strange really. But that's just the way it is!
Total miles for the day - 19.8
Sat 21 May Day 72
A sunny start and gorgeous day. This section of trail (Front Royal to Harpers Ferry) is wonderful. The remainder if the roller coaster was easy and well maintained.
I crossed the 1000mile marker today!! Crazy. 1600 kms!! Done and dusted. I stopped for lunch at the marker and took the obligatory photos.
The plan was to head to the David Lesser Shelter, but heard during the day that it gets frequent town visitors on the weekends so have ended up at the Blackburn AT centre. What a fantastic decision that was!! The day just gets better.
Heading down the trail to the centre I saw a rattle snake. It shook it's tail at me and I backed up (as it was right on the trail in front of me). Got a few photos as it cruised along the trail - about 1m long and black and yellow in colour.
Then I arrived at the centre - it's amazing. An old house surrounded by a huge screened porch with a bunk house right next door. I got a free soda on arrival, accommodation costs nothing and there are picnic tables, chairs and lawn space for easily 50 people. There are currently 5 of us here :) Did I mention this place is awesome?! I am sitting (no actually lying) on a sun lounger right now eating 'laughing cow' cheese and pop tarts. Life is good!
Only 12mi to do tomorrow into Hapers Ferry.
...And I was just delivered a piece of hot fudge brownie! Delicious :)
Sun 22 May Day 73
An early start up and at 'em to get to Harpers Ferry before 11am. It was a nice 12miles (a few rocks and quite a bit. Of flooding) but easy enough.
Haroers Ferry is at the crux of Civil War history. The meeting if the North and South. I have yet to study up on it much but none the less it's a place of historical significance.
It's now a tiny town living off the tourist industry. The head quarters of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy are here and where I spent all of my day. Just hanging out and resting. Thnaks for the packages sent - I enjoyed (as did others) NZ lolly treats :)
I am staying at the Harpers Ferry Hostel for two nights as I am heading into DC tomorrow for my birthday. I am quite excited about that!!
- posted by enzed :)
A nice sleep in this morning. I didn't leave the hostel til after 9am and was back on the AT by 9.45am. I am glad I could walk out of the Shenandoahs - at least for the remaining 2.5mi! The 4miles to the roadside went well for my ankle - once it's taped up it's great, but my shin is still sore and it was niggling.
I managed to pick up a ride and was in Front Royal by 11am. I hung out at the grocery store (it was big and full of awesome food) until Cascade and Mammoth got into town (abt 1pm). We ended up staying at the Super 8 hotel. It's the usual type of place and we went and did our usual things - laundry, outfitters (which didn't exist anymore) and AYCE Chinese, then groceries. We found a organic shop that served muesli by the gram, so I will be having nicer bfasts. Mmmmm, blueberry granola, I can taste it already.
Thu 19 May Day 70
Out if bed at 8am. Oops! But on trail by 9.30am due to the local librarian picking us up and dropping us at the trailhead.
I had hoped to do 15mi today but the shin hurt too much so I stopped at Manassas Gap Shelter (10.6mi) and put my legs up for the afternoon.
Time for dinner now - hmm what will it be? Chicken and mashed potatoes or mixed vege rice? ...
Fri 20 May Day 71
There are some crazy people out here!! Last night at about 8pm a young guy (23), whose name was Lemur, arrived at the shelter having done 37mi. He sat down, said "hi" and then discussed with the other thru-hiker (Will) how far it was to the next shelter (13mi). "ok, I think I'll go there then. I'll probably get in around 1am and that would make it a 50mi day" !!!!! Holy moly!! And off he went. No problem.
I had one of the best nights sleep I have had and one of the best bfasts too. The granola and powdered milk was DELICIOUS!
So the day started well, but... I took pain killers for my shin and set off at 7.37am. The pain killers really didn't work well at first, in fact the first few hours were hellishly sore. I decided to add strapping to my shin to help support it, but that didn't work straight away either! But I pushed on to the 12mi mark (Rod Hollow Shelter) and had lunch. By then the pain had gone and it still doesn't feel sore at all now. Let's hope that continues.
Plus I tweezered out my first tick!! I felt it bite me so it got dealt to really quickly - it felt pretty gross pulling it's head and jaws out of my leg though :)
The remaining 6.9miles of the day were over what is affectionately known as the Roller Coaster. Lots of ups and downs by the look of the book, but nowhere near as bad as it semed. It was a lovely walk through streams and hills and my leg wasn't sore.
The Sam Moore Shelter is nice - next to a stream, has a covered picnic table and a large fire pit. No more trail family to share dinner with :( they have all shot on ahead to Harpers Ferry for Saturday. Its a bit strange really. But that's just the way it is!
Total miles for the day - 19.8
Sat 21 May Day 72
A sunny start and gorgeous day. This section of trail (Front Royal to Harpers Ferry) is wonderful. The remainder if the roller coaster was easy and well maintained.
I crossed the 1000mile marker today!! Crazy. 1600 kms!! Done and dusted. I stopped for lunch at the marker and took the obligatory photos.
The plan was to head to the David Lesser Shelter, but heard during the day that it gets frequent town visitors on the weekends so have ended up at the Blackburn AT centre. What a fantastic decision that was!! The day just gets better.
Heading down the trail to the centre I saw a rattle snake. It shook it's tail at me and I backed up (as it was right on the trail in front of me). Got a few photos as it cruised along the trail - about 1m long and black and yellow in colour.
Then I arrived at the centre - it's amazing. An old house surrounded by a huge screened porch with a bunk house right next door. I got a free soda on arrival, accommodation costs nothing and there are picnic tables, chairs and lawn space for easily 50 people. There are currently 5 of us here :) Did I mention this place is awesome?! I am sitting (no actually lying) on a sun lounger right now eating 'laughing cow' cheese and pop tarts. Life is good!
Only 12mi to do tomorrow into Hapers Ferry.
...And I was just delivered a piece of hot fudge brownie! Delicious :)
Sun 22 May Day 73
An early start up and at 'em to get to Harpers Ferry before 11am. It was a nice 12miles (a few rocks and quite a bit. Of flooding) but easy enough.
Haroers Ferry is at the crux of Civil War history. The meeting if the North and South. I have yet to study up on it much but none the less it's a place of historical significance.
It's now a tiny town living off the tourist industry. The head quarters of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy are here and where I spent all of my day. Just hanging out and resting. Thnaks for the packages sent - I enjoyed (as did others) NZ lolly treats :)
I am staying at the Harpers Ferry Hostel for two nights as I am heading into DC tomorrow for my birthday. I am quite excited about that!!
- posted by enzed :)
Thursday, May 19, 2011
The Shenandoah National Park
I have posted two entries so read the lower one first.
Fri 13 May Day 64
It is supposed to rain for the next ten days!! We are lucky that it hasn't started yet - tents were dry this morning. Great sleep in the tent, though it is always a pain having to pack up all your stuff.
We had arranged with a local trail angel (Tom Brown) to take us back to the trail at 8.15am. He has been doing this for 9 years and has met so many people. He had also visited NZ and said was the one place that he would like to take his wife to. I hope he gets to.
The cloud had set in by the time we started hiking - no rain really but walking through the mist. It was quite cool.
It was a long day - we did 20.7mi today. I am carrying a load of m&ms that High-five sent us in Waynsboro (thanks again for that High-five). They add a few pounds plus my feet had had enough by lunchtime. We reached the shelter (Black Rock Mountain) and it was full - but two nice section hikers kindly moved out and tented. It was greatly appreciated as it would have meant moving on and tenting somewhere further up the trail (to get ahead of the crowd).
Food done, blog updated, privy run to go, then a calf and foot massage.
Sat 14 May Day 65
Gee awake at 4am again - the two brothers that get up early did it again!! So inconsiderate. And they only ended up doing 13mi!!! At least they are not at this shelter tonight though.
Another day of misty cloud but nit enough to really get wet, just damp. First stop was a campground store - soda, beers, chips, ice-cream etc. Then on for another 14mi for a 21.4mi day.
As I was walking through the woods my attention was grabbed by 3 little bears running down the trail!! I stopped and stood still coz I couldn't see the mama bear. Two of the cubs raced up a tree and the other ran into the bushes. The mother then raced out of the other side. I would have been about 30m away and started to back up whole grabbing my camera out of my hip belt. I got two photos before they all came down the tree and headed into the woods. SO EXCITING!!!
I was buzzing for ages. My first bear siting.
The remaining miles flew by and the 21.4 was done in under 8hrs! But man my feet and legs are sore. Lucky tomorrow is a short day.
Sun 15 May Day 66
It rained, thundered and lightninged last night but it had stopped in the morning and we were underway by 8am. With only 11mi to do it was a quick day.
However, I was sore and it seemed like a tough time. The arrival of the campground at 12.20pm was appreciated- we dumped all our gear outside the camp store and ate food, did laundry and showered. It was great. Several hours passed while we waited for LEGO's sister to arrive (bringing trail magic food for us).
We were lucky to be able to use a cabin to set up the amazing selection of goodies - tortillas, avocado, tomatoes, chicken, cookies, sour cream, cookie dough, beer, wine, watermelon, and more. Before we had even started on this crazy amount if food, the lady next door came and offered us hamburger patties, pork chops(steaks), and pork tenderloin. They basically ended up cooking them for us and offered extra bread, condiments, pickles, lettuce etc to go with the burgers!!
We were all so full!!
At 7pm we left the campground and headed the .8mi to the shelter for the night. Crazy full.
Mon 16 May Day 67
Big day (22.7mi) today through to Byrds Nest #3 Shelter and it didn't go very well. My left shin is sore and I have had enough of my pack. It isn't fitting very well any more - the smaller hip belt that I got from LEGO keeps slipping and the internal frame padding has started to give up it's support so I'm carrying the weight on my shoulders again! Time for a new pack at Harpers Ferry (there goes the visa bill again) :(
It was a nice piece of the Shenandoahs but it's still cloudy so no view at all. I had pork steak sandwiches for lunch which were yum! Walking today was through light drizzle again.
Arrival at the shelter was appreciated but it was full (that's happening more often now). We have caught up with more hikers (Hazard, Malarky, Shepherd, Shoo-fly & Nero, Jukebox and Gray Wolf). There were two of us that set up on the floor but I ended up moving early on in the night as it rained a lot so I perched on the bench seat if a picnic table. It was as comfy as the floor and I slept and didn't get wet!
Tue 17 May Day 68
It was still raining when we got up this morning and it was a very unanticipated start to the day! Most of us had left by 8.30am and were heading to Elkwallow Wayside (which is a stop on the Skyline Drive with a store & grill). I managed to get to the 2.5mi mark of the morning and sprained my left ankle again!! I thought I would carry on but walked only another 200m and realized I couldn't do another 10mi. I am gutted - I had to walk up to a ranger station and got a ride with a guy going along the Skyline Drive. It is my first yellow blaze experience (missing part of the trail and skipping ahead). I have officially missed 24miles as I have decided to come through to a hostel and rest up for the rest of the day. Tomorrow I will try heading 4miles into a town called Front Royal for another nero. Fingers crossed the swelling reduces as quickly as last time.
- posted by enzed :)
Fri 13 May Day 64
It is supposed to rain for the next ten days!! We are lucky that it hasn't started yet - tents were dry this morning. Great sleep in the tent, though it is always a pain having to pack up all your stuff.
We had arranged with a local trail angel (Tom Brown) to take us back to the trail at 8.15am. He has been doing this for 9 years and has met so many people. He had also visited NZ and said was the one place that he would like to take his wife to. I hope he gets to.
The cloud had set in by the time we started hiking - no rain really but walking through the mist. It was quite cool.
It was a long day - we did 20.7mi today. I am carrying a load of m&ms that High-five sent us in Waynsboro (thanks again for that High-five). They add a few pounds plus my feet had had enough by lunchtime. We reached the shelter (Black Rock Mountain) and it was full - but two nice section hikers kindly moved out and tented. It was greatly appreciated as it would have meant moving on and tenting somewhere further up the trail (to get ahead of the crowd).
Food done, blog updated, privy run to go, then a calf and foot massage.
Sat 14 May Day 65
Gee awake at 4am again - the two brothers that get up early did it again!! So inconsiderate. And they only ended up doing 13mi!!! At least they are not at this shelter tonight though.
Another day of misty cloud but nit enough to really get wet, just damp. First stop was a campground store - soda, beers, chips, ice-cream etc. Then on for another 14mi for a 21.4mi day.
As I was walking through the woods my attention was grabbed by 3 little bears running down the trail!! I stopped and stood still coz I couldn't see the mama bear. Two of the cubs raced up a tree and the other ran into the bushes. The mother then raced out of the other side. I would have been about 30m away and started to back up whole grabbing my camera out of my hip belt. I got two photos before they all came down the tree and headed into the woods. SO EXCITING!!!
I was buzzing for ages. My first bear siting.
The remaining miles flew by and the 21.4 was done in under 8hrs! But man my feet and legs are sore. Lucky tomorrow is a short day.
Sun 15 May Day 66
It rained, thundered and lightninged last night but it had stopped in the morning and we were underway by 8am. With only 11mi to do it was a quick day.
However, I was sore and it seemed like a tough time. The arrival of the campground at 12.20pm was appreciated- we dumped all our gear outside the camp store and ate food, did laundry and showered. It was great. Several hours passed while we waited for LEGO's sister to arrive (bringing trail magic food for us).
We were lucky to be able to use a cabin to set up the amazing selection of goodies - tortillas, avocado, tomatoes, chicken, cookies, sour cream, cookie dough, beer, wine, watermelon, and more. Before we had even started on this crazy amount if food, the lady next door came and offered us hamburger patties, pork chops(steaks), and pork tenderloin. They basically ended up cooking them for us and offered extra bread, condiments, pickles, lettuce etc to go with the burgers!!
We were all so full!!
At 7pm we left the campground and headed the .8mi to the shelter for the night. Crazy full.
Mon 16 May Day 67
Big day (22.7mi) today through to Byrds Nest #3 Shelter and it didn't go very well. My left shin is sore and I have had enough of my pack. It isn't fitting very well any more - the smaller hip belt that I got from LEGO keeps slipping and the internal frame padding has started to give up it's support so I'm carrying the weight on my shoulders again! Time for a new pack at Harpers Ferry (there goes the visa bill again) :(
It was a nice piece of the Shenandoahs but it's still cloudy so no view at all. I had pork steak sandwiches for lunch which were yum! Walking today was through light drizzle again.
Arrival at the shelter was appreciated but it was full (that's happening more often now). We have caught up with more hikers (Hazard, Malarky, Shepherd, Shoo-fly & Nero, Jukebox and Gray Wolf). There were two of us that set up on the floor but I ended up moving early on in the night as it rained a lot so I perched on the bench seat if a picnic table. It was as comfy as the floor and I slept and didn't get wet!
Tue 17 May Day 68
It was still raining when we got up this morning and it was a very unanticipated start to the day! Most of us had left by 8.30am and were heading to Elkwallow Wayside (which is a stop on the Skyline Drive with a store & grill). I managed to get to the 2.5mi mark of the morning and sprained my left ankle again!! I thought I would carry on but walked only another 200m and realized I couldn't do another 10mi. I am gutted - I had to walk up to a ranger station and got a ride with a guy going along the Skyline Drive. It is my first yellow blaze experience (missing part of the trail and skipping ahead). I have officially missed 24miles as I have decided to come through to a hostel and rest up for the rest of the day. Tomorrow I will try heading 4miles into a town called Front Royal for another nero. Fingers crossed the swelling reduces as quickly as last time.
- posted by enzed :)
Daleville, VA towards Waynsboro, VA
Wed 4 May Day 55
A 'nero' day into town (Daleville) was a cruisy 9.6mi despite my feet being sore from yesterday. They seem to have dried up and really weren't blisters but rubbing from my socks! The hiking flew by in a few hours and we checked into the Howard Johnson Express Motel (all 6 of us plus Sierra) into a double room for $9.50 ea! :)
Laundry done then off to the outfitters. New Merrells (the others just smelled too bad, the inner heel cushioning had disappeared and they had started to give out in the foot support) plus new super feet and a platypus bladder for better drink access during the day.
I posted back my dodgy steripen and spent the afternoon grocery shopping (loads of fruit, yoghurt and juice) plus supplies for the next few days (skittles and peanutbutter m&ms as well of course)!
We ended up at the Mexican place for dinner and watched one of the ice-hockey games. We have managed to catch a few playoff games but it inevitably leads to late nights. 11.30pm lights out tonight.
Thur 5 May Day 56
Free breakfast included at the hotel! Yeeha. I had two bowls of cereal with milk (haven't had that for months), scrambled eggs, waffles and a donut. YUM.
A great start to the day - we left at 9 and headed through to Wilsons Creek shelter for lunch then onto Bobblet's Shelter (18.6mi). It was an easy 18 today. The weather was fab and the trail was well maintained. It's good to have a nice day as the last few have been quite hard. More challenging terrain ahead though.
I tried out the new Steripen today and guess what...it didn't work!! Once it got to the shelter I was lucky enough that Cascade had service and I could phone REI. They are going to replace it with a completely different model - but I have to pick it up in Waynesboro (which is a week away). So I am having to rely on others to treat my water :(
Three new thru-hikers at the shelter tonight (Loose Goose & Ducky and The Graduate).
Fri 6 May Day 57
A normal start to the day - it was expected to be a big one as we had a couple of big hills today. Before we hit the first one though we had had two trail magic opportunities (coffee and egg sandwich with one guy in a car park - I didn't have any here, then we found a couple of boxes with sodas and fruit and candy in).
We did 13mi before lunch (1.15pm) which included the first climb. It was a nice incline so not too strenuous but I must have stepped oddly as I strained my lower tibialis anterior (shin) muscle. It's like shin splints but hopefully it was just a twinge coz it really hurt going up the last three stages of the 3000' in 5miles hill before the shelter.
We arrived at Cornelius Shelter which was full - it is a really crappy feeling to arrive at a full shelter, especially if the people are only section hiking. It is trail etiquette for section hikers to tent as they have only a few days to deal with wet or dirty gear. However, it is was it is and luckily it is sunny and by the time I had set up my tent I felt in a much better mood.
Cascade and the Colonel carried onto the next shelter this arvo in order to get to Waynseboro on Tues so it was just Mammoth, Lego and Redwood for dinner.
We set up and ate the usual rice side meals and snacked on candy for dessert when out of the bushes arrived some people looking for the Colonel ... It was his aunty and uncle who had brought KFC as trail magic (we are currently only a couple of hundred meters from the road). So despite the Colonel not being here the four of us had 2 buckets of KFC to share between us ... Then a section hiker called Larry turned up and shouted us a beer and Dr Pepper each. He especially went back to his car to get them just for us thru-hikers.
That makes a "four leaf clover" of trail magic today. What a lovely way to end the day. I am really fortunate to be out here and am grateful for the wonderful people I have met during the time out here so far. It makes the AT experience. Thank you :)
Sat 7 May Day 58
Beautiful morning to pack up tent and eat bfast. Despite the many people around we had packed up and were out by 8am.
The morning was great - up and over Apple Orchard Mountain (1000' climb), through the Guillotine and to Thunder Hill Shelter. We had decided to add to the day by heading onto Glasgow, VA to resupply early so headed right through to the road US150. It was a great trail to get there but Redwood and I had hit the wall - we were walking zombies. By the time we reached the footbridge by the parking lot we really had no idea what we were doing. Hence we walked a little too far onward up the trail and had to back track to get a ride (it of course didn't help that Lego and Mammoth had already got a ride and were nowhere to be seen).
But all ended up well (we got a ride with a lovely couple who had been day hiking) and we eventually found the shelter in Glasgow, had chocolate milk, then pizza for dinner and slapped on insect repellant to ward off the mozzies during the night.
Sun 8 May Day 59
By the time we had risen the rain had stopped and we made it a mission to try and get a ride - nit much traffic in Glasgow on a Sunday morning at 9am. We stood around for an hour until a guy asked us if we would pay him $25 to take us the 5.9mi!! We politely refused and then of course another guy pulls up and offers to take us. Yay!
However we didn't get on trail until 10.30am and we had a 20.1mi day to do.
It was a long one - massive 2500' climb and lots if ups and downs. But the trail was nice and it was interesting. Loads if green today. But we all got tired as the day progressed and didn't get into the Brown Mountain Creek Shelter until 7.30pm! Good miles in the time we had but it isn't fun turning up so late. The good thing is we have a short day tomorrow!! :)
Mon 9 May Day 60
A good start to the day (again beautiful weather) and Lego, Redwood and I cruised up a just under 3000' climb (although Lego had to go back for his snack bag that had dropped off his pack).
We made really quick time (averaged 3m/hr for the day) and stopped in an amazing field (Hog Camp Gap) with trees, long grass and a spring nearby. A great spot for lunch. We sat around in the sun for over an hour.
It was then a cruisy hike into Seeley-Woodworth Shelter. 15.8mi in 5.5hrs.
Tue 10 MayDay 61
We crossed the 800 mile mark yesterday and have spent the last 500 with Lego, Redwood (& The Colonel, Cascade & Sierra). Its been a long time.
We had a big day planned for today. The elevation profile looks like a huge V with lots of other ups and downs across a while page (that means it's a 20miler at least).
I met a fellow kiwi today from Dunedin (heading southbound for a few days). Not doing the AT just over for a friends birthday.
Our first rest stop was The Priest Shelter after the first series of ups and downs. This is where the "going got tough" and was all downhill for 3000' in 4.2 miles. We stopped for lunch then - just on the side of the road in a car park. The next stage was a 3000' climb up over the next hill - man it was tough but good all the same. Lots if switchbacks thrown in up top to make it a bit easier but it was the end if the day and the legs had really had enough.
To top it all off the shelter was down, then up, then down again once we had reached the top. It was a slow approach to Maupin Field Shelter where we are spending tonight.
Only one more night after this 'til we reach Waynesboro and tomorrow will only be a 15.8mi day. Yay!
Wed 11 May Day 62
Spring has definitely sprung - there are flowers everywhere (lots of ground cover plus the renowned rhododendron bushes) but the worst bit is the flowering privet!! I have been walking through it for days - have started taking anti-histamines but we'll see if they work.
A nice short day today kicked off by trail magic (a repeat trail angel we have now seen three times) who gave us nuts, skittles and powerade. There are lots of road crossings now we are between the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Shenandoah National Park.
There was a 5mi section of rocks (which are uneven and wobbly and I got tired of) and then an uphill rock climb. It would be a great section to do without a pack!
We stopped for lunch at the top of Humpback Mountain and then had a quick trip down the other side to the Paul Wolfe Shelter, getting in early at 3.10pm.
This shelter is one of the best I have stayed in. It's double leveled, has a porch with a BBQ table and is situated on the banks of a stream. We all had a bit of a soak (although it is freezing) - Redwood and Lego actually dunked themselves. The sun was out. It's been a beautiful day. Looking forward to town, a shower and laundry tomorrow :)
Thu 12 May Day 63
What was supposed to be a 5.30am start ended up a 4.30am atrocity. Two other thru-hikers set their alarms and were faffing around with plastic bags SO EARLY! They weren't even ready to go when I left at 6.10am.
It was an early start due to Cascade's cousin generously providing a ride into Waynsboro at 8am. This meant a quick 5 mile journey to the pick up point. Cascade said that he had done it in 1hr 15min - given this, my inner competitive phys ed nature took hold and I managed to do it in 1hr 29min. Not bad with no food and crappy sleep!!
First stop in town was a shower at the YMCA. They offer free showers and camping to thru-hikers and hand out goodie bags of shampoo, toothpaste etc. It was AWESOME!
Next was AYCE pancake breakfast (of course) and laundry. The process of finding accommodation was not so good. Places turned us away with lame excuses even when we had rung and checked it out first! Frustrating!
So we ended up back at the YMCA camping. At least it was flat and close to town. Other odd jobs done (groceries, outfitter for socks and tshirt). Then AYCE Chinese - $8 for all the best food I have ever seen. Amazing. We then just hung out, lying on the grass by our tents before heading out to the local bar to watch another Stanley Cup hockey match. It was a really good match - Sharks vs Red Wings. Sharks won and are through to next round. Cascade was stoked.
Only problem with watching hockey on the east coast is that is finishes late - in bed at midnight. Made for a long day today.
- posted by enzed :)
A 'nero' day into town (Daleville) was a cruisy 9.6mi despite my feet being sore from yesterday. They seem to have dried up and really weren't blisters but rubbing from my socks! The hiking flew by in a few hours and we checked into the Howard Johnson Express Motel (all 6 of us plus Sierra) into a double room for $9.50 ea! :)
Laundry done then off to the outfitters. New Merrells (the others just smelled too bad, the inner heel cushioning had disappeared and they had started to give out in the foot support) plus new super feet and a platypus bladder for better drink access during the day.
I posted back my dodgy steripen and spent the afternoon grocery shopping (loads of fruit, yoghurt and juice) plus supplies for the next few days (skittles and peanutbutter m&ms as well of course)!
We ended up at the Mexican place for dinner and watched one of the ice-hockey games. We have managed to catch a few playoff games but it inevitably leads to late nights. 11.30pm lights out tonight.
Thur 5 May Day 56
Free breakfast included at the hotel! Yeeha. I had two bowls of cereal with milk (haven't had that for months), scrambled eggs, waffles and a donut. YUM.
A great start to the day - we left at 9 and headed through to Wilsons Creek shelter for lunch then onto Bobblet's Shelter (18.6mi). It was an easy 18 today. The weather was fab and the trail was well maintained. It's good to have a nice day as the last few have been quite hard. More challenging terrain ahead though.
I tried out the new Steripen today and guess what...it didn't work!! Once it got to the shelter I was lucky enough that Cascade had service and I could phone REI. They are going to replace it with a completely different model - but I have to pick it up in Waynesboro (which is a week away). So I am having to rely on others to treat my water :(
Three new thru-hikers at the shelter tonight (Loose Goose & Ducky and The Graduate).
Fri 6 May Day 57
A normal start to the day - it was expected to be a big one as we had a couple of big hills today. Before we hit the first one though we had had two trail magic opportunities (coffee and egg sandwich with one guy in a car park - I didn't have any here, then we found a couple of boxes with sodas and fruit and candy in).
We did 13mi before lunch (1.15pm) which included the first climb. It was a nice incline so not too strenuous but I must have stepped oddly as I strained my lower tibialis anterior (shin) muscle. It's like shin splints but hopefully it was just a twinge coz it really hurt going up the last three stages of the 3000' in 5miles hill before the shelter.
We arrived at Cornelius Shelter which was full - it is a really crappy feeling to arrive at a full shelter, especially if the people are only section hiking. It is trail etiquette for section hikers to tent as they have only a few days to deal with wet or dirty gear. However, it is was it is and luckily it is sunny and by the time I had set up my tent I felt in a much better mood.
Cascade and the Colonel carried onto the next shelter this arvo in order to get to Waynseboro on Tues so it was just Mammoth, Lego and Redwood for dinner.
We set up and ate the usual rice side meals and snacked on candy for dessert when out of the bushes arrived some people looking for the Colonel ... It was his aunty and uncle who had brought KFC as trail magic (we are currently only a couple of hundred meters from the road). So despite the Colonel not being here the four of us had 2 buckets of KFC to share between us ... Then a section hiker called Larry turned up and shouted us a beer and Dr Pepper each. He especially went back to his car to get them just for us thru-hikers.
That makes a "four leaf clover" of trail magic today. What a lovely way to end the day. I am really fortunate to be out here and am grateful for the wonderful people I have met during the time out here so far. It makes the AT experience. Thank you :)
Sat 7 May Day 58
Beautiful morning to pack up tent and eat bfast. Despite the many people around we had packed up and were out by 8am.
The morning was great - up and over Apple Orchard Mountain (1000' climb), through the Guillotine and to Thunder Hill Shelter. We had decided to add to the day by heading onto Glasgow, VA to resupply early so headed right through to the road US150. It was a great trail to get there but Redwood and I had hit the wall - we were walking zombies. By the time we reached the footbridge by the parking lot we really had no idea what we were doing. Hence we walked a little too far onward up the trail and had to back track to get a ride (it of course didn't help that Lego and Mammoth had already got a ride and were nowhere to be seen).
But all ended up well (we got a ride with a lovely couple who had been day hiking) and we eventually found the shelter in Glasgow, had chocolate milk, then pizza for dinner and slapped on insect repellant to ward off the mozzies during the night.
Sun 8 May Day 59
By the time we had risen the rain had stopped and we made it a mission to try and get a ride - nit much traffic in Glasgow on a Sunday morning at 9am. We stood around for an hour until a guy asked us if we would pay him $25 to take us the 5.9mi!! We politely refused and then of course another guy pulls up and offers to take us. Yay!
However we didn't get on trail until 10.30am and we had a 20.1mi day to do.
It was a long one - massive 2500' climb and lots if ups and downs. But the trail was nice and it was interesting. Loads if green today. But we all got tired as the day progressed and didn't get into the Brown Mountain Creek Shelter until 7.30pm! Good miles in the time we had but it isn't fun turning up so late. The good thing is we have a short day tomorrow!! :)
Mon 9 May Day 60
A good start to the day (again beautiful weather) and Lego, Redwood and I cruised up a just under 3000' climb (although Lego had to go back for his snack bag that had dropped off his pack).
We made really quick time (averaged 3m/hr for the day) and stopped in an amazing field (Hog Camp Gap) with trees, long grass and a spring nearby. A great spot for lunch. We sat around in the sun for over an hour.
It was then a cruisy hike into Seeley-Woodworth Shelter. 15.8mi in 5.5hrs.
Tue 10 MayDay 61
We crossed the 800 mile mark yesterday and have spent the last 500 with Lego, Redwood (& The Colonel, Cascade & Sierra). Its been a long time.
We had a big day planned for today. The elevation profile looks like a huge V with lots of other ups and downs across a while page (that means it's a 20miler at least).
I met a fellow kiwi today from Dunedin (heading southbound for a few days). Not doing the AT just over for a friends birthday.
Our first rest stop was The Priest Shelter after the first series of ups and downs. This is where the "going got tough" and was all downhill for 3000' in 4.2 miles. We stopped for lunch then - just on the side of the road in a car park. The next stage was a 3000' climb up over the next hill - man it was tough but good all the same. Lots if switchbacks thrown in up top to make it a bit easier but it was the end if the day and the legs had really had enough.
To top it all off the shelter was down, then up, then down again once we had reached the top. It was a slow approach to Maupin Field Shelter where we are spending tonight.
Only one more night after this 'til we reach Waynesboro and tomorrow will only be a 15.8mi day. Yay!
Wed 11 May Day 62
Spring has definitely sprung - there are flowers everywhere (lots of ground cover plus the renowned rhododendron bushes) but the worst bit is the flowering privet!! I have been walking through it for days - have started taking anti-histamines but we'll see if they work.
A nice short day today kicked off by trail magic (a repeat trail angel we have now seen three times) who gave us nuts, skittles and powerade. There are lots of road crossings now we are between the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Shenandoah National Park.
There was a 5mi section of rocks (which are uneven and wobbly and I got tired of) and then an uphill rock climb. It would be a great section to do without a pack!
We stopped for lunch at the top of Humpback Mountain and then had a quick trip down the other side to the Paul Wolfe Shelter, getting in early at 3.10pm.
This shelter is one of the best I have stayed in. It's double leveled, has a porch with a BBQ table and is situated on the banks of a stream. We all had a bit of a soak (although it is freezing) - Redwood and Lego actually dunked themselves. The sun was out. It's been a beautiful day. Looking forward to town, a shower and laundry tomorrow :)
Thu 12 May Day 63
What was supposed to be a 5.30am start ended up a 4.30am atrocity. Two other thru-hikers set their alarms and were faffing around with plastic bags SO EARLY! They weren't even ready to go when I left at 6.10am.
It was an early start due to Cascade's cousin generously providing a ride into Waynsboro at 8am. This meant a quick 5 mile journey to the pick up point. Cascade said that he had done it in 1hr 15min - given this, my inner competitive phys ed nature took hold and I managed to do it in 1hr 29min. Not bad with no food and crappy sleep!!
First stop in town was a shower at the YMCA. They offer free showers and camping to thru-hikers and hand out goodie bags of shampoo, toothpaste etc. It was AWESOME!
Next was AYCE pancake breakfast (of course) and laundry. The process of finding accommodation was not so good. Places turned us away with lame excuses even when we had rung and checked it out first! Frustrating!
So we ended up back at the YMCA camping. At least it was flat and close to town. Other odd jobs done (groceries, outfitter for socks and tshirt). Then AYCE Chinese - $8 for all the best food I have ever seen. Amazing. We then just hung out, lying on the grass by our tents before heading out to the local bar to watch another Stanley Cup hockey match. It was a really good match - Sharks vs Red Wings. Sharks won and are through to next round. Cascade was stoked.
Only problem with watching hockey on the east coast is that is finishes late - in bed at midnight. Made for a long day today.
- posted by enzed :)
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Beyond Damascus towards Perisberg
Tues 26 Apr Day 47
So I didn't want to "go to the gym" yesterday and by that I mean climb hills. But that seems to be what the AT is about - climbing hills. 2000' over 3mi was tough and the many little inclines along the was so unnecessary.
But today I saw the first shelter that has four walls and a door. We didn't end up staying there and moved on for a 19mi day to Jenkins Shelter.
I almost missed the shelter sign - the worst indicator I have seen so far. There were 8 of us crammed into the shelter and 5 people tenting. The privy was also the first I have seen that didn't have any walls or a door! Hilarious!!
There were loads of deer about last night too. Sierra had a great time chasing them.
Wed 27 Apr Day 48
It was a huge ask today - 23.8 mi with a stop into a town (via a hitch). Our new trail family set out by 7.15am and scooted through the first 11mi in 3h45m and had to wait at the road for about 20min til we got a ride in the back of a pick up truck.
We were in Bland by 11.30am and got dropped off at Dairy Queen for blizzards, burgers, sodas and a quick resupply. Back on track by 1.30pm for the second half of the day - the next 13.8! It flew by along nice ridge trails and I was in Jenny's Knob Shelter by 5.30pm. Awesome!
Recovering now and hoping the body holds together tomorrow :)
Thu 28 Apr Day 49
What an amazing storm last night! Devastating though for Alabama (200 people died) as a tornado came through. We were ok in the shelter and got some awesome photos during the night.
It was a morning for a sleep in and a short day. However it didn't end up like that in the end - we were going to do 14mi to Wapiti Shelter as a rest day BUT ... I left at 8.30am and went via Trent's Grocery (an extra 1mi round trip) then caught up to the others and had my arm twisted to continue on to Woods Hole Hostel (total miles for the day 22miles)!! On top of yesterday it was a huge call.
So we all ended up at the hostel - it's quite expensive for the extra things like laundry but at least the shower is free.
I am going to tent - but I'm annoyed. I need to just suck it up and get over it.
Heading to Perisberg tomorrow.
Fri 29 Apr Day 50
If sleeping on a slope is your idea of fun then you could have joined us all in a fab night!! The tent sites were not ideal but at least it didn't rain.
Coffee, snickers and a muesli bar for breakfast and I was off at 8am. The 11.5mi into town was one of the longest I have done - I wanted to be in town rather than hiking. But the time eventually passed quickly and Mammoth and I chatted for a good part of it.
Our trail family made it into Perisberg by lunch and all crammed into a double room. Two double beds and 2 floor spots! It smells quite bad - especially when you leave for a bit. Once you're inside, it knocks you out. :)
AYCE chinese was awesome ($8) and resupply done by 4.30. Then I rang REI to ask about replacing my Steripen - it's been unreliable and a pain which I hear is unusual. It is being replaced in Daleville (yay).
Off to Mexican for dinner and watching a ice-hockey match.
Heading to Daleville in 5 days.
Sat 3 Apr Day 51
Out of Perisberg was not the easiest day any of us had had.
It was the first day I thought of how easy it would be to walk down a road and catch a bus home (and that was in the first 3mi!!)
Up 2000' in 3miles then the most boring 11mi across a ridge - repetitive rocks and confusing blazes. All of us had sore everything by the time we got into Pine Swamp Branch Shelter - not a great day to say anything about really.
It was an early night to bed.
Sun 1 May Day 52
It's amazing what difference a sleep makes. We had no problems today. Although no sightings of bears (Lego & Redwood saw 3 bear cubs yesterday).
Another up 1000' then ridge walk then after lunch down 2000' and up 1500' to the shelter. LOTS of hills but fairly easy going now.
We passed by Kelly Knob that was an amazing view point off some crazy rocks. Staying at Laurel Creek Shelter tonight after the 18.5mi day. Resting up for tomorrows 22.5! (more ups and downs).
Mon 2 May Day 53
From Pine Swamp Shelter down through streams to an old abandoned house then through pasture to the largest oak tree on the AT in the south (it is 300 yrs old and over 18' around). The 1200' climb was good but he slanted trail along the ridge was terrible. Timing was good though and the 12.4mi ended before 1pm and we all had lunch at the Niday Shelter. It's the same crew of Lego, Redwood, Cascade & Sierra and Mammoth.
The afternoon was pretty - lots of streams early on and nice trail conditions. Huge 1700' climb up and over Bush Mountain. Easy downhill and side trail to the Pickle Branch Shelter.
It's quite nice here but we are all really tired. It was a long 22.5mi today. Getting water, food then to bed are the 3 priorities tonight. Mammoth managed to catch a small crayfish in the river while getting water (managed food and water at same time) :)
I am going to write out how many miles per day I have done as it is quite interesting to see what I started doing compared to what I have been doing lately. Hopefully have it sorted soon.
Tue 3 May Day 54
Huge day today - it was a 23mi day up and over McAfee Knob then up and over Tinkler Cliffs. Both were awesome. Fantastic photos with feet hanging off the edge.
But I now have blisters!! 700mi without them and I forgot to change socks so ended up getting blisters under my toes.
Big day but good.
- posted by enzed :)
So I didn't want to "go to the gym" yesterday and by that I mean climb hills. But that seems to be what the AT is about - climbing hills. 2000' over 3mi was tough and the many little inclines along the was so unnecessary.
But today I saw the first shelter that has four walls and a door. We didn't end up staying there and moved on for a 19mi day to Jenkins Shelter.
I almost missed the shelter sign - the worst indicator I have seen so far. There were 8 of us crammed into the shelter and 5 people tenting. The privy was also the first I have seen that didn't have any walls or a door! Hilarious!!
There were loads of deer about last night too. Sierra had a great time chasing them.
Wed 27 Apr Day 48
It was a huge ask today - 23.8 mi with a stop into a town (via a hitch). Our new trail family set out by 7.15am and scooted through the first 11mi in 3h45m and had to wait at the road for about 20min til we got a ride in the back of a pick up truck.
We were in Bland by 11.30am and got dropped off at Dairy Queen for blizzards, burgers, sodas and a quick resupply. Back on track by 1.30pm for the second half of the day - the next 13.8! It flew by along nice ridge trails and I was in Jenny's Knob Shelter by 5.30pm. Awesome!
Recovering now and hoping the body holds together tomorrow :)
Thu 28 Apr Day 49
What an amazing storm last night! Devastating though for Alabama (200 people died) as a tornado came through. We were ok in the shelter and got some awesome photos during the night.
It was a morning for a sleep in and a short day. However it didn't end up like that in the end - we were going to do 14mi to Wapiti Shelter as a rest day BUT ... I left at 8.30am and went via Trent's Grocery (an extra 1mi round trip) then caught up to the others and had my arm twisted to continue on to Woods Hole Hostel (total miles for the day 22miles)!! On top of yesterday it was a huge call.
So we all ended up at the hostel - it's quite expensive for the extra things like laundry but at least the shower is free.
I am going to tent - but I'm annoyed. I need to just suck it up and get over it.
Heading to Perisberg tomorrow.
Fri 29 Apr Day 50
If sleeping on a slope is your idea of fun then you could have joined us all in a fab night!! The tent sites were not ideal but at least it didn't rain.
Coffee, snickers and a muesli bar for breakfast and I was off at 8am. The 11.5mi into town was one of the longest I have done - I wanted to be in town rather than hiking. But the time eventually passed quickly and Mammoth and I chatted for a good part of it.
Our trail family made it into Perisberg by lunch and all crammed into a double room. Two double beds and 2 floor spots! It smells quite bad - especially when you leave for a bit. Once you're inside, it knocks you out. :)
AYCE chinese was awesome ($8) and resupply done by 4.30. Then I rang REI to ask about replacing my Steripen - it's been unreliable and a pain which I hear is unusual. It is being replaced in Daleville (yay).
Off to Mexican for dinner and watching a ice-hockey match.
Heading to Daleville in 5 days.
Sat 3 Apr Day 51
Out of Perisberg was not the easiest day any of us had had.
It was the first day I thought of how easy it would be to walk down a road and catch a bus home (and that was in the first 3mi!!)
Up 2000' in 3miles then the most boring 11mi across a ridge - repetitive rocks and confusing blazes. All of us had sore everything by the time we got into Pine Swamp Branch Shelter - not a great day to say anything about really.
It was an early night to bed.
Sun 1 May Day 52
It's amazing what difference a sleep makes. We had no problems today. Although no sightings of bears (Lego & Redwood saw 3 bear cubs yesterday).
Another up 1000' then ridge walk then after lunch down 2000' and up 1500' to the shelter. LOTS of hills but fairly easy going now.
We passed by Kelly Knob that was an amazing view point off some crazy rocks. Staying at Laurel Creek Shelter tonight after the 18.5mi day. Resting up for tomorrows 22.5! (more ups and downs).
Mon 2 May Day 53
From Pine Swamp Shelter down through streams to an old abandoned house then through pasture to the largest oak tree on the AT in the south (it is 300 yrs old and over 18' around). The 1200' climb was good but he slanted trail along the ridge was terrible. Timing was good though and the 12.4mi ended before 1pm and we all had lunch at the Niday Shelter. It's the same crew of Lego, Redwood, Cascade & Sierra and Mammoth.
The afternoon was pretty - lots of streams early on and nice trail conditions. Huge 1700' climb up and over Bush Mountain. Easy downhill and side trail to the Pickle Branch Shelter.
It's quite nice here but we are all really tired. It was a long 22.5mi today. Getting water, food then to bed are the 3 priorities tonight. Mammoth managed to catch a small crayfish in the river while getting water (managed food and water at same time) :)
I am going to write out how many miles per day I have done as it is quite interesting to see what I started doing compared to what I have been doing lately. Hopefully have it sorted soon.
Tue 3 May Day 54
Huge day today - it was a 23mi day up and over McAfee Knob then up and over Tinkler Cliffs. Both were awesome. Fantastic photos with feet hanging off the edge.
But I now have blisters!! 700mi without them and I forgot to change socks so ended up getting blisters under my toes.
Big day but good.
- posted by enzed :)
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