On Trail Blog
Nine Days Until Springer
posted Apr 17, 2016, 9:50 PM
My apartment is so very empty. Having my computer here sitting on the floor of a barren room is an interesting experience, although not that comfortable. I've taken photographs of most of my gear and will be adding that to this site in the next day or two. It may be later as I focus on cleaning up and moving out of this apartment.
I think I may get another SD Card for my camera. Who knows how many pictures I'll end up taking. And who knows how many of those will be good enough to put up on an online album.
posted Apr 17, 2016, 9:50 PM
My apartment is so very empty. Having my computer here sitting on the floor of a barren room is an interesting experience, although not that comfortable. I've taken photographs of most of my gear and will be adding that to this site in the next day or two. It may be later as I focus on cleaning up and moving out of this apartment.
I think I may get another SD Card for my camera. Who knows how many pictures I'll end up taking. And who knows how many of those will be good enough to put up on an online album.
Six Days Until Springer
posted Apr 20, 2016, 9:33 AM
I'm enjoying the barren apartment look.
posted Apr 20, 2016, 9:33 AM
I'm enjoying the barren apartment look.
Day One - Start Walking
posted Apr 26, 2016, 8:31 AM
Today is the day.
I've been enjoying the last few days in Atlanta. The SweetWater 420 Fest - as well as the World of Coca-Cola - and the Georgia Aquarium - and of course some great food all weekend long.
Later today I'll make it up to Amicalola Falls and Springer Mountain and start the long walk to Katahdin.
posted Apr 26, 2016, 8:31 AM
Today is the day.
I've been enjoying the last few days in Atlanta. The SweetWater 420 Fest - as well as the World of Coca-Cola - and the Georgia Aquarium - and of course some great food all weekend long.
Later today I'll make it up to Amicalola Falls and Springer Mountain and start the long walk to Katahdin.
Day Three - Neels Gap
posted Apr 28, 2016, 8:50 PM
Day three and I'm 31.7 miles down the trail. The calendar on the front page is getting updated with where I've been with exclamation marks, rather than the question marks of my planning.
I started at the upper falls parking lot at Amicalola Falls and had a 7.7 mile walk up to the peak of Springer and the start of the trail. Since then, I've had 15 and 16 mile days to get here. They're having well issues at the Mountain Crossing Hostel, so they can't open it, but there's a spot to camp just up the trail.
posted Apr 28, 2016, 8:50 PM
Day three and I'm 31.7 miles down the trail. The calendar on the front page is getting updated with where I've been with exclamation marks, rather than the question marks of my planning.
I started at the upper falls parking lot at Amicalola Falls and had a 7.7 mile walk up to the peak of Springer and the start of the trail. Since then, I've had 15 and 16 mile days to get here. They're having well issues at the Mountain Crossing Hostel, so they can't open it, but there's a spot to camp just up the trail.
Day Six - Dick's Creek Gap
posted May 1, 2016, 7:43 PM
I've decided tonight that I'll stay at the Top of Georgia Hostel. It's a chance to get a shower, do laundry, get into town to resupply, all while avoiding the possible thunderstorms tonight.
Dick's Creek Gap is 69.6 miles down the trail. Tomorrow I'll reach mile 78.5 and cross into North Carolina. In two days I'll start hitting some longer milage days on the way to Fontana, including my first planned twenty mile day. Should be fun.
posted May 1, 2016, 7:43 PM
I've decided tonight that I'll stay at the Top of Georgia Hostel. It's a chance to get a shower, do laundry, get into town to resupply, all while avoiding the possible thunderstorms tonight.
Dick's Creek Gap is 69.6 miles down the trail. Tomorrow I'll reach mile 78.5 and cross into North Carolina. In two days I'll start hitting some longer milage days on the way to Fontana, including my first planned twenty mile day. Should be fun.
Day Nine - Franklin, NC
posted May 4, 2016, 1:12 PM
I'm sitting here in the Rock House Lodge in Franklin, North Carolina. Just in town for a few hours for a quick resupply. I've been hiking with my flock of ducklings for a few days, and I'll probably stick with them for a few more days, maybe through the Smokies.
Things continue to go well. Hanging out with some pretty great people.
posted May 4, 2016, 1:12 PM
I'm sitting here in the Rock House Lodge in Franklin, North Carolina. Just in town for a few hours for a quick resupply. I've been hiking with my flock of ducklings for a few days, and I'll probably stick with them for a few more days, maybe through the Smokies.
Things continue to go well. Hanging out with some pretty great people.
Day Fourteen - Fontana Village
posted May 9, 2016, 9:15 AM
Got into Fontana last night (mi 165.9) after a twenty-two mile day. Possibly taking a zero today planning and resupplying for the Smokies and figuring out details for Trail Days next weekend.
posted May 9, 2016, 9:15 AM
Got into Fontana last night (mi 165.9) after a twenty-two mile day. Possibly taking a zero today planning and resupplying for the Smokies and figuring out details for Trail Days next weekend.
Day Eighteen - Gatlinburg
posted May 13, 2016, 6:46 AM
Yesterday I got into Gatlinburg via Newfound Gap (mile 207.1). Right now I'm halfway through the Smokies, which has been very fun and interesting, especially with a minor first aid situation I helped out with on the trail.
Today Grinch, Luna, and I will be figuring out how we'll be getting up to Damascus today. Right now it looks like we'll be renting a car and driving the two hours to Damascus. Trail Days is the biggest festival/celebration/party along the Trail, so it should be quite exciting.
posted May 13, 2016, 6:46 AM
Yesterday I got into Gatlinburg via Newfound Gap (mile 207.1). Right now I'm halfway through the Smokies, which has been very fun and interesting, especially with a minor first aid situation I helped out with on the trail.
Today Grinch, Luna, and I will be figuring out how we'll be getting up to Damascus today. Right now it looks like we'll be renting a car and driving the two hours to Damascus. Trail Days is the biggest festival/celebration/party along the Trail, so it should be quite exciting.
Day Twenty-Three - Hot Springs
posted May 18, 2016, 8:31 AM
Two days ago I arrived in Hot Springs (mi 273.7) and I have spent the last day off the trail visiting family in North Carolina.
Trail Days didn't happen, so it was back on the Trail from Gatlinburg. Just two more days until I was done with the Smokies. And now more hiking in North Carolina and Tennessee.
posted May 18, 2016, 8:31 AM
Two days ago I arrived in Hot Springs (mi 273.7) and I have spent the last day off the trail visiting family in North Carolina.
Trail Days didn't happen, so it was back on the Trail from Gatlinburg. Just two more days until I was done with the Smokies. And now more hiking in North Carolina and Tennessee.
Day Thirty-Five - Damascus
posted May 30, 2016, 7:20 AM
Two days ago I arrived in Damascus (468.5 miles down). I took a zero day in town yesterday and will be walking out of town tomorrow.
It was a rainy couple days after Hot Springs, slipping and sliding up and down mountains and up and through clouds. It finally dried up some by Erwin, which was a much appreciated improvement.
I'm relatively clean now and have a full bag of food. I'm in Virginia now, and will be for a while, having completely finished with Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
posted May 30, 2016, 7:20 AM
Two days ago I arrived in Damascus (468.5 miles down). I took a zero day in town yesterday and will be walking out of town tomorrow.
It was a rainy couple days after Hot Springs, slipping and sliding up and down mountains and up and through clouds. It finally dried up some by Erwin, which was a much appreciated improvement.
I'm relatively clean now and have a full bag of food. I'm in Virginia now, and will be for a while, having completely finished with Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
Day Forty-Seven - Daleville
posted Jun 11, 2016, 11:32 AM
Spent last night and this morning in Daleville (mile 727.5). Actually split a hotel room with Jethro and Wallet to get a nice bed for the night.
Some pretty big miles the last few days from Pearisburg, so looking forward to some planned shorter days on this next stretch. Hit the actual quarter way mark just past Atkins.
I'll hit Shenandoah in a little over a week. And after that I'll be close to finishing up Virginia.
posted Jun 11, 2016, 11:32 AM
Spent last night and this morning in Daleville (mile 727.5). Actually split a hotel room with Jethro and Wallet to get a nice bed for the night.
Some pretty big miles the last few days from Pearisburg, so looking forward to some planned shorter days on this next stretch. Hit the actual quarter way mark just past Atkins.
I'll hit Shenandoah in a little over a week. And after that I'll be close to finishing up Virginia.
Day Fifty-Five - Waynesboro
posted Jun 19, 2016, 8:53 AM
Took a zero day in Waynesboro yesterday and hitting the Trail today. I'll be entering Shenandoah, which should be pretty cool.
It was some hot days since Daleville and then a big storm a few days ago. I'd write more but I'd like to get a relatively early start to hiking today.
posted Jun 19, 2016, 8:53 AM
Took a zero day in Waynesboro yesterday and hitting the Trail today. I'll be entering Shenandoah, which should be pretty cool.
It was some hot days since Daleville and then a big storm a few days ago. I'd write more but I'd like to get a relatively early start to hiking today.
Day Sixty-Two - Harper's Ferry
posted Jun 27, 2016, 12:17 PM
At Harper's Ferry (1023.1), the psychological halfway point of the Trail.
Two months on the Trail and another two months to go. Some storms in Shenandoah, but otherwise pretty hot and dry. A short hike out of town today.
posted Jun 27, 2016, 12:17 PM
At Harper's Ferry (1023.1), the psychological halfway point of the Trail.
Two months on the Trail and another two months to go. Some storms in Shenandoah, but otherwise pretty hot and dry. A short hike out of town today.
Day Seventy-Eight - Delaware Water Gap
posted Jul 12, 2016, 6:49 AM
About to leave Delaware Water Gap (mile 1293.0), crossing the Delaware and entering New Jersey.
Since Harper's Ferry, I've finished both West Virginia and Maryland, crossed the actual halfway point of the Trail, eaten a half gallon of ice cream to celebrate that fact, and walked over all of the rocks in Pennsylvania. I'll be getting new shoes soon and hopefully New Jersey will have fewer rocks.
posted Jul 12, 2016, 6:49 AM
About to leave Delaware Water Gap (mile 1293.0), crossing the Delaware and entering New Jersey.
Since Harper's Ferry, I've finished both West Virginia and Maryland, crossed the actual halfway point of the Trail, eaten a half gallon of ice cream to celebrate that fact, and walked over all of the rocks in Pennsylvania. I'll be getting new shoes soon and hopefully New Jersey will have fewer rocks.
Day Eighty-Nine - Kent
posted Jul 23, 2016, 8:45 AM
In Kent, Connecticut (mile 1466.7) for the morning. I've finished up New Jersey and New York. From Fort Montgomery I went into New York City to visit a friend for a few days and got to visit the National Museum of Mathematics.
Continuing through New England, I'll be seeing friends and family on the Trail. The weather lately has been neverending sun and heat which makes for not so fun walking weather.
posted Jul 23, 2016, 8:45 AM
In Kent, Connecticut (mile 1466.7) for the morning. I've finished up New Jersey and New York. From Fort Montgomery I went into New York City to visit a friend for a few days and got to visit the National Museum of Mathematics.
Continuing through New England, I'll be seeing friends and family on the Trail. The weather lately has been neverending sun and heat which makes for not so fun walking weather.
Day One Hundred One - Rutland
posted Aug 4, 2016, 7:20 AM
Leaving Rutland, Vermont (1700.8) this morning. In a few days I'll be in New Hampshire and then the White Mountains and the Presidential Range. I'm really looking forward to it and am hoping for good weather.
I had a great time in Massachusetts and Vermont meeting up with family and friends. It was nice to take a little break from hiking. After Bennington, there were several days of rain which meant being wet or damp for several days straight until getting into Rutland to dry out.
I will be finished with the Trail in less than a month, with less than 500 miles to go at this point.
posted Aug 4, 2016, 7:20 AM
Leaving Rutland, Vermont (1700.8) this morning. In a few days I'll be in New Hampshire and then the White Mountains and the Presidential Range. I'm really looking forward to it and am hoping for good weather.
I had a great time in Massachusetts and Vermont meeting up with family and friends. It was nice to take a little break from hiking. After Bennington, there were several days of rain which meant being wet or damp for several days straight until getting into Rutland to dry out.
I will be finished with the Trail in less than a month, with less than 500 miles to go at this point.
Day One Hundred Thirteen - Gorham
posted Aug 16, 2016, 6:07 AM
Finally leaving Gorham (1890.8) this morning after spending several nights here. Took two zero days to visit with two different friends. With one, we tried one of the hardest trails up Mount Washington as a day hike, and were defeated by a wet rock face that the trail goes up. With the other friend, it was a relaxing time catching up.
I am through the White Mountains and should be entering Maine this afternoon. Last week was a mountainous week going through the Whites. Monday had Mt Moosilauke and Mt Wolf. Tuesday was South and North Kinsman Mountains, Little Haystack Mountain, Mt Lincoln, Mt Lafayette, and Mt Garfield. Wednesday was South Twin Mountain and Mt Guyot. Thursday was Mt Webster, Mt Jackson, Mt Pierce, Mt Franklin, and Mt Washington. Friday was Mt Madison.
If all continues to go according to plan, I will be finished with the Trail by the end of the month. There are less than three hundred miles to Katadhin.
posted Aug 16, 2016, 6:07 AM
Finally leaving Gorham (1890.8) this morning after spending several nights here. Took two zero days to visit with two different friends. With one, we tried one of the hardest trails up Mount Washington as a day hike, and were defeated by a wet rock face that the trail goes up. With the other friend, it was a relaxing time catching up.
I am through the White Mountains and should be entering Maine this afternoon. Last week was a mountainous week going through the Whites. Monday had Mt Moosilauke and Mt Wolf. Tuesday was South and North Kinsman Mountains, Little Haystack Mountain, Mt Lincoln, Mt Lafayette, and Mt Garfield. Wednesday was South Twin Mountain and Mt Guyot. Thursday was Mt Webster, Mt Jackson, Mt Pierce, Mt Franklin, and Mt Washington. Friday was Mt Madison.
If all continues to go according to plan, I will be finished with the Trail by the end of the month. There are less than three hundred miles to Katadhin.
Day One Hundred Twenty - Stratton
posted Aug 23, 2016, 6:22 AM
I am leaving Stratton (mile 2000.7) this morning. Getting very close to the end of the Trail. Soon there will be no more mountains to climb and only rolling hills between me and Katadhin.
posted Aug 23, 2016, 6:22 AM
I am leaving Stratton (mile 2000.7) this morning. Getting very close to the end of the Trail. Soon there will be no more mountains to climb and only rolling hills between me and Katadhin.
Day One Hundred Twenty-Two - Monson
posted Aug 25, 2016, 7:58 PM
Tonight I am in Monson (2074.6), which will be my last town stop before getting to Baxter State Park. Only 114.5 miles left to Katahdin. Less than one week remaining. If everything goes according to plan, I will be summiting on the 30th. But access to Baxter and Katahdin are a bit of a mess, so I may be delayed by a day.
The Trail has really flattened out after the Bigelows (right after Stratton), so it has been nice getting some big mile days in again.
posted Aug 25, 2016, 7:58 PM
Tonight I am in Monson (2074.6), which will be my last town stop before getting to Baxter State Park. Only 114.5 miles left to Katahdin. Less than one week remaining. If everything goes according to plan, I will be summiting on the 30th. But access to Baxter and Katahdin are a bit of a mess, so I may be delayed by a day.
The Trail has really flattened out after the Bigelows (right after Stratton), so it has been nice getting some big mile days in again.
Day One Hundred Twenty-Six - Millinocket
posted Aug 29, 2016, 9:40 PM
Tonight I'm in Millinocket with only 5.2 miles left to the summit of Katahdin. Tomorrow I'll summit the mountain and finish the Trail. The weather looks to be great.
posted Aug 29, 2016, 9:40 PM
Tonight I'm in Millinocket with only 5.2 miles left to the summit of Katahdin. Tomorrow I'll summit the mountain and finish the Trail. The weather looks to be great.
Day One Hundred Twenty-Seven - Millinocket
posted Aug 30, 2016, 7:06 PM
One hundred twenty-seven days and two thousand one hundred eighty-nine point one miles. I have walked from Springer to Katahdin.
I'm in Millinocket for the night and will catch some buses tomorrow to get down to Boston for a while to visit friends and family.
posted Aug 30, 2016, 7:06 PM
One hundred twenty-seven days and two thousand one hundred eighty-nine point one miles. I have walked from Springer to Katahdin.
I'm in Millinocket for the night and will catch some buses tomorrow to get down to Boston for a while to visit friends and family.