2017 Appalachian Hike

19 miles today. I thought they were going to be easier than they were. I guess I got to used to the easier, more groomed trails in Shenandoah National Park. It got rocky and challenging today.  I passed the 1000 mile mark today. It’s really hard to believe I’ve gone that far already.  The highlight… Continue reading Dick’s Dome Shelter-Bears Den Hostel. 1003.2 done/1186.6 to go. May 10, 2017

Another long day. 28.6 miles today. We are without Maple Syrup today.. He got up super early and hiked to town. He went to go find a clinic about his toe. We were unaware he was having this problem.. it’s not clear whether he got to a clinic, but we did get a message that… Continue reading Gravel Spring Hut-Dick’s Dome Shelter. 984.9 done/1204.9 to go. May 9, 2017 

What a great day! Maybe the best overall day yet.  BEAR SIGHTING! I’ve been waiting to see a bear. I’ve talked to a lot of hikers that have seen bears. Alps has seen three. We had some south bounders that were from this area that guaranteed we would see a bear in Shenandoah National Park.… Continue reading Rockspring Shelter-Gravel Spring Shelter. 956.3 done/1233.5 to go. May 8, 2017. 

Great day today. It was very cold when I left this morning at 6:40. Probably low to mid 30’s. It was my first time wearing my gloves for a long time.  The temperature stayed cool all day. Probably never over 50. Perfect hiking weather. The sun came out off and on.  The trail in Shenandoah… Continue reading Hightop Hut-Rock Springs Hut. 927.9 done/1261.9 to go. May 7, 2017

Well, I have to say my bruised butt felt much better today than I thought it would. I did 21.4 miles today. Now, I do need to say the trail in the Shenandoahs is easier than what we have been doing.  It rained again today. It wasn’t raining when I left this morning at 6:30,… Continue reading Blackroot Hut-Hightop Hut. 904.0 done/1285.8 to go May 6, 2017

I am now in Shenandoah National Park. Here the shelters are called huts. Still the same thing. I didn’t get a picture of it and now it’s dark. I didn’t get here until about 7:00pm.  I had a pretty challenging day today. We ate motel breakfast and then took a shuttle from there to the… Continue reading Waynesboro-Blackrock Hut. 882.6 done/1307.2 to go. May 5, 2017

Engineer, Maple Syrup, Timber and I are all in Waynesboro to resupply, do laundry, shower and eat as much food as possible.  Timber and I are splitting a room. Engineer and Maple Syrup are next door to us doing the same. We all spread our tents, tarps and sleeping bags outside to dry.  Waynesboro is… Continue reading Waynesboro, Virginia 

First yesterday’s pictures.  Me and Engineer.  Engineer and Maple Syrup.  I got up early again today and was hiking by 6:00. There were two positive things about that. First were the beautiful sunrise views.  The other great thing will seem silly to all of you. Something very simple. A trash can. I wish I would… Continue reading Maupin Field Shelter-Rockfish Gap. 861.9 done/1327.9 to go. May 3, 2017

Today was the opposite of yesterday. It was an awesome day.  I did 20.4 miles. A very scenic day. Lots of awesome views. Started out with climbing The Priest.  Then a 3000 foot descent followed by a 3000 foot ascent up Three Ridges Mountain. That was a super hard climb, but the views were worth… Continue reading Seeley-Woodworth Shelter-Maupin Field Shelter. 841.1 done/1348.7 to go. May 2, 2017

Today was WET! I got up early and was on the trail by 6:00.  I knew it was going to rain. It started a little after 8:00. Just light rain. It stayed that way until about 11:30. Then the REAL rain and wind started.  The change was dramatic. The temperature dropped at least twenty degrees.… Continue reading Punchbowl Shelter-Seeley-Woodworth Shelter. 820.7 done/1369.1 to go. May 1, 2017