Waywayanda Mt.

High Point NJ

New Jersey

   I left Pennsylvania behind on Friday and couldn't have been happier. We averaged 19 miles a day thru the state(my least favorite so far) The rocky terrain hasn't ended yet but it's getting easier. Water sources are still few and far between, but I'm happy to be checking off states.
  We spent an extra day in Delaware water gap(PA-NJ border) so that Bluegrass could heal his feet. Blue started breaking in a new pair of boots back at harpers ferry 250 miles back. They caused lots of blisters and he even lost a toe nail. It's not unusual to have lots of trouble breaking in new boots but when his blisters started showing signs of infection he knew it was time for a break.  After the zero in DWG we hiked across the Delaware river and 35 miles into NJ where my girlfriend picked us up for some downtime in Branchville, NJ. We all spent a nice weekend at the forest motel which bore a striking resemblance to the Bates Hotel from the classic movie Psycho. Jamie didn't complain even though the smell from my feet lingered in the room all weekend. They smell terrible even after numerous scrub downs.
  Sunday it was back to work. I left Jamie behind at the trail head and hiked into the hills again. This next run will take us into New York and over the Hudson River. From here on the mountains will be getting progressively harder until Maine. I'm looking forward to the new challenges ahead. 850 miles to go!

View from Culver Lake fire tower

Delaware River

Hike Naked Day?!?!

Today was hike naked day. Not sure how or why this "holiday" came to be. But on every summer solstice hikers head into the hills and hike without cloths across the world. If this comes as a surprise to you, I also had some trouble grasping it. When I started the trail 3 months ago I thought it was a joke. Hike Naked Day? It sounds ridiculous but there was much talk about who would forgo cloths on this magical day. I did not participate but Sabertooth had his fun. He fashioned a sort of "bandanna man thong," at our request of course. Needless to say I avoided hiking around him most of the day. Most uncomfortable moment came while crossing a road where 4 construction workers were running jackhammers, Sabertooth kept hiking along in all his glory, ignoring the puzzled glances

The Pinnacle

Im halfway thru a 26 mile day, taking a siesta at Eckville Shelter. Sabertooth and I were on the trail by 6 and at the summit of the pinnacle shortly after for sunrise. Terrain was tough but exceptionally scenic this morning.

Rockslyvania Resupply

I left Eagles Nest Shelter early this morning. It was a nice, cool morning and the trail was consumed by rocks as usual. 10 miles later we arrived at Blue Mt. Rd. We hitch-hiked into Port Clinton, PA for resupply. A quick stop at the outfitters for new socks, on to mcd's where I consumed 5 double cheeseburgers, then picked up 4 days rations at Walmart. I reluctantly caught another quick hitch back to the trail head. All the chores done in under 4 hours. A new record. I would have liked to do laundry, have a long shower, and tour the local Yengling brewery but theres work to be done. 76 miles to PA-NJ border and another 40 miles before a well deserved zero day with my girlfriend Jamie. As an added bonus, I've been told the next section thru PA is the rockiest the trail has to offer.

Half way thru PA

We are really moving thru Pennsylvania. Blugrass, squirrel, saber and I set a goal to average 20 miles a day thru the state. Not an easy goal by any means. 240 miles of rocks. Big rocks, small rocks, sharp rocks, slippery rocks. It's got them all. Hiking over this type of terrain is tough work. Careful attention must be payed to every step. Hikers have told me PA is the place where all good boots go to die and its true.
All the long days we have been putting in has got us caught up with old friends that went ahead back in Va. We hiked 26 miles into duncannon pa Tuesday night. We went directly into the Doyal hotel bar where we found lost n found, pele, conversation, blue eyes, tippy toes, and mothership. I hadn't hiked with them since leaving waynesboro and spending a long weekend at home. It was one hell of a reunion with many beers and a night full of debauchery. We woke the next day with a heavy head but still managed to make some good miles. Bluegrass felt the worst. We hit the Peter mt. Shelter late that afternoon and bluegrass was asleep in the middle of the shelter floor before I could get my bed roll unpacked.
I left the guys at Peters shelter the next morning. I took advantage of the cool morning while the guys wanted nothing to do with it. Im fairly certain my friends are beginning to get annoyed with my early rising and overall chipper mood in the mornings. So I hiked alone along the ridges all day with sporadic rain showers. I was thankful for the rain. It was nice to be wet from something other then my sweat. 25 miles into camp where I found a packed shelter. A huge storm moved in and dumped rain just after I set up my hammock. Just before dark my compatriots wandered into camp soaking wet. The last two hours of hiking was thru a pouring rain. The storm raged most of the night. My rain tarp sprung a leak and instantly awoke me. I used my fleece to plug the hole and still managed to get decent rest.
Fridays hike was rocky as usual but we made it to the 501 shelter mid afternoon. It features a solar shower and it's a short walk to pick up delivery pizza. A most enjoyable way to finish the day.
Big miles again tomorrow!

Only halfway?!?!

5 days out of Harpers Ferry Wv and we have been busy. We left West Virginia behind the first day out, crossed into Maryland and then into Pennsylvania. Sunday we reached the A.T. Half way mark. I suppose I should have been happier but it just reminded me how much father I have to go. 1090.5 miles down, 1090.5 miles left! We took pictures at the midpoint but quickly moved along. Pine Grove camp store, home of the Half Gallon ice cream challenge, was within reach. There was a lot of big talk about how much ice cream each of us could put down but when we arrived only Squirrel and I stepped up. I picked out a half gallon of neapolitan and squirrel had carmel swirl. I used a cheeseburger as my chaser. I made short work of both while Squirrel threw in the spoon half way in. His 4 hot dog appetizer was his demise. I finished the challenge in just under 35 mins and had a stomach ache for an hour but it was worth it. My trophy was a small wooden spoon that reads, "half gallon club member."

Half way!

Half-gallon challenge!

Mason Dixon line

It's hot and humid! We are pushing hard to reach the half way point in two days so that we can enjoy the "half gallon challenge." we must finish a half gallon of ice cream in one sitting. I don't believe I'll have any problems doing that!

Aqua Blazing the Shenandoah River

Our 56 mile float on the Shenandoah river came to an end this afternoon. The trip couldn't have been better....well i would have liked to skip the 1/4 mile portage around a 14 ft. dam. The fishing was good. TJ and I caught smallmouth bass. We used every decent rope swing we came to. Camping was scarce along the river. We stealth camped (camping on private land without permission) in a freshly plowed hay field Monday night. We were awakened before sunrise by the sounds of a tractor approaching. We made a hasty retreat down the riverbank to our canoes. Tj basically picked his entire tent up and shoved it into the canoe. Its possible the farmer wouldn't have minded our trespassing. its also possible he had a shotgun loaded with birdshot and an itchy trigger finger. Needless to say we got an early start on the river. 5 minutes after waking we were paddling quickly down the river with the sunrising in front of us. The rest of the trip was extremely relaxing. We paddled into harpers ferry, wv early this afternoon. My mom came to pick up my brother...and she came bearing gifts. My favorite carry out pizza and cold mountain dews!
We have officially left Virginia for good and I shall miss her. The next few days we will quickly move thru west Virginia and Maryland. Should be in Pennsylvania and cross the official half way mark of our trip on Sunday.

The Hail Mary

Every once in a while we make a split second decision on the trail. It's led to a late night phone call and a 6 hour road trip home for Jamies birthday. It's led us to follow a "blue blazed trail" that took us past a beautiful waterfall. This time its led us to the Shenandoah River. We were packed up and ready to hike towards Harpers Ferry, WV when Sabertooth threw a "hail mary pass." "why don't we aqua blaze?" Sabertooth said. A couple phone calls later we had reservations to float the Shenandoah river north from front royal Va to harpers ferry Wv and hook back up with the trail there.
The Appalachian trail is marked by white blazes, 2x8 painted rectangles that we follow all day. Side trails, often more scenic, are marked by blue blazes. Aqua blazing is a term used when an A.T. thru hiker uses a river, rather then the trail, to further there journey. There are many more slang terms like pink, yellow, and brown blazing. In our case, Saber, Squirrel, Blue, Shutter, TJ, and I will be floating 50 miles down river into WV in a canoe.
A "purist" would say that our aqua blaze is bad taste. That we must walk every step, pass every white blaze on the trail. We are not purist. Though we have hiked every mile of the trail thus far, we are always open to a little adventure.
This morning instead of hiking 18 miles, we shall paddle 18. It will be a vacation from our vacation. 3 days of great small mouth fishing, rope swings, swimming holes, and paddling along side my brother. I wouldn't have it any other way!

Shenandoah National Park

After 6 days of hiking I'm finally able to put Shenandoah National Park behind me. We averaged 19 miles a day. The SNP has it's pros and cons. the A.T. Crisscrosses skyline drive the entire way thru the park. The road crossings and sounds of traffic make you feel less then secluded. The trail also takes you past several convenient stores and restaurants. This would be a blessing if everything wasn't over priced. It's impossible for me to pass a cheeseburger up even if it costs $8!
The best part of SNP was all the visits from family. On Tuesday I met my sister, Megan. She hiked 15 miles over two days as temperatures reached 95 degrees. She didn't complain once! I was proud! We met mom for lunch at a picnic area on wednesday. She had cheeseburgers, hotdogs, macaroni salad and cold sodas. Best trail magic ever! On Friday my brother, TJ, met us early and we hiked 7 miles into camp with some exceptional views. That evening my girlfriend, Jamie, hiked 1/2 mile in to meet us with 2 cases of beer and a pizza! We had a great night but we paid for it the next day. A 13 mile hike into front royal...we moved slowly. I know TJ and Jamie were happy to reach Rt. 522. My friend, Daniel, lives in Front Royal. He picked us up and we stayed with him Saturday night. Daniel was vey kind to let 7 stinky hikers have free roam at his house. We made a huge spaghetti dinner and relaxed the rest of the evening.
The SNP wasn't my favorite section of trail, but all the time spent with family and friends made me feel like I was on vacation.

23 miles today across the best views in Shenandoah National Park. Ran into a big black bear hiking just after sunset. He was just off trail 15 yards in front of us. We made some loud noises and he ran off. 50 yards away he stopped, stood straight up and gave us a once over. I didn't stick around to see what he was going to do next. A quick hike over pinnacle mountain and I'm in my hammock by 10 pm. Good day on the AT

Stoney Man Cliffs

Trail Magic

Red oak and Honey