Went hiking in Harpers Ferry yesterday and stopped in at the ATC HQ for the first time. They've already had two thru-hikers pass through already.
Went hiking in Harpers Ferry yesterday and stopped in at the ATC HQ for the first time. They've already had two thru-hikers pass through already.
On 4/12, just south of Pond Mountain, near Hampton, TN:
Bismarck
Hopper
Zachsquatch
On 4/13, at Cross Mountain Rd, near Shady Valley, TN:
Violet
Flood
Top O'
Legs
Seminole
Trail Santa
Ghetto
Growler
Thin Mint
I took three of them on the inaugural run of hikers, in my new Subaru, down to Shady Valley. (I think it was Seminole, Trail Santa and Ghetto). There were lots of bikers down at the store.
See you on the trail,
mt squid
norovirus awareness
I have talked to 7 or 8 in town here within the last week or so. I can't remember all the names.
I was hiking in the same general 'zone' as Napoleon, Key Lime, Zasquatch, Topo', Legs (and Nyla), Seminole, Ghetto, Growler and Thin Mint recently. My friend Lucky and I hiked for a month with Milky (who is thru-hiking, somewhere a bit north of Damascus now). Lucky and I hiked from the start to Kincora; fun to see an old friend get started on this trail.
Some wet and cold times to deal with; the coldest night I've ever had on any trail was March 25th just starting into the Smokies.
There are some impressive hikers out there. One incident that comes to mind involves a N.Z. fellow named Trip (sp?); at a trail magic gathering he realized he had left his camera at a shelter 11 pretty tough miles behind. So he hid his pack, hiked the 11 miles back to pick it up and then came back again and I think went on to do some more miles that day, all with nothing but a positive, happy attitude about the whole thing. The total elevation gain he must have done that day would have been way beyond me.
Great to get back up to trail shape on the AT, very mixed feelings about leaving it after a month. But I have other outdoor plans for the year! :-)
Last edited by BrianLe; 04-17-2014 at 11:16.
Gadget
PCT: 2008 NOBO, AT: 2010 NOBO, CDT: 2011 SOBO, PNT: 2014+2016
[QUOTE=BrianLe;1871420]There are some impressive hikers out there. One incident that comes to mind involves a N.Z. fellow named Trip (sp?); at a trail magic gathering he realized he had left his camera at a shelter 11 pretty tough miles behind. So he hid his pack, hiked the 11 miles back to pick it up and then came back again and I think went on to do some more miles that day, all with nothing but a positive, happy attitude about the whole thing. The total elevation gain he must have done that day would have been way beyond me.
QUOTE]
That must have been some real "magical" trail magic!
"That must have been some real "magical" trail magic!"
April 5th, just past Hogback Ridge shelter, a really nice fellow named Paul who had hiked the trail himself a couple of times. The best trail magic is by former thru's, as they know what folks actually want. He literally filled each plate with a big mess of scrambled eggs and hashbrowns. You can see a picture of another hiker with his plate here:
http://postholer.com/journal/viewJou...entry_id=43718
Very much appreciated, and that was Paul's first of 10 days in a row to do so at that spot.
There are some really wonderful, giving people on and along the trail!
But I do take your point. Trip is relatively superhuman IMO. His calves are huge. And, a balm to my pride, he's a bit younger than me too, but to be fair, I was never in the kind of condition this guy is in.
Gadget
PCT: 2008 NOBO, AT: 2010 NOBO, CDT: 2011 SOBO, PNT: 2014+2016
Just finished our first overnight at ensign cowell with teacher, snacktime, and furlough. Ran into Dakota Joe at Pogo campground. Gave him our last snickers :-) he said he was #13 nobo hiker so far. Good luck joe.
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Hudson & Scotia (f/k/a Matt) are heading into Port Clinton today, to continue their "PA Pig-out Challenge" .. http://trailjournals.com/Hudson/ Posted by Big Lu.
Last edited by Bearded Woods; 04-20-2014 at 12:40.
Seminole here. Thank you again, Mtn Squid, for the ride to town. It was also nice meeting you, Gadget. Made it to Marion; now off to the CDT!
Seminole, you'll kick butt on the CDT, no doubt --- best wishes.
Gadget
PCT: 2008 NOBO, AT: 2010 NOBO, CDT: 2011 SOBO, PNT: 2014+2016
You're Welcome, Seminole. Good Luck on the CDT!
Another trip to Cross Mountain Rd near Shady Valley, TN on 4/20:
Twizzler
Murphy
Pip
DFI
See you on the trail,
mt squid
maintenance videos
how to hike
Happy & Mowgli are back on the trail in VA. Ran into 5 star today.
Day before yesterday I came across section-hiker Fiber One from Sugarland, Texas, walking towards Atkins to go to its Subway. He was on Nicks Creek Road, which made sense to him but not me. Very nice, organized. He is hiking to HF, so many of you may meet him too.
You never know just what you can do until you realize you absolutely have to do it.
--Salaun
Out checking my section, south of Dennis Cove Rd, saw the following hikers on 4/24:
Firewalker
Hi C
Salty Hat
No Name
Problem Bear (4/1)
Surge
There were several others whose names I didn't get.
On 4/26, during trail maintenance, south of Cloudland on Roan Mountain, TN:
Kozi
Bison
and several others that Kincora brought for trail work
Neckbone (3/31)
Mud (3/31)
Cruces Mark
Nora V - stopped and helped
Da Pope - stopped and helped
Some of the hikers that I saw down in GA are starting to come through NE TN.
See you on the trail,
mt squid
norovirus awareness
Did a couple days in SNP. Ended today (4/27) at Big Meadows. Ran into: Forget-Me-Not, Tilikum, Zebra, Beast, Gizmo, Raven Cloud, Frog Monkey, Skinny D, Bulls-eye, Oogie Boogie, Tenacity, and a few more I can not remember (sorry!)
All were doing well.
Heard Pa Bert had to get of trail due to illness.
I met thru hiker Milky , May 3rd in the southern district of SNP.
Start date was a March 12th.
He is retired from England.
Also met Sequoia in the southern district
Start date was March 2nd
The early birds are increasing throughout the park having seen half dozen more hanging out at the Wayside.
Getting lost is a way to find yourself.
We saw dozens at Clingman's Dome today!
"Maybe life isn't about avoiding the bruises. Maybe it's about collecting the scars to prove we showed up for it."
Good to "see" you, Teach. Hikers are pouring into Daleville VA everyday. It's fun to see them from a distance!
Ran into Outlet, hawk, Raven a few weeks ago at Mt Rogers while doing a weekend loop. Ran into Casper yesterday in Hot Springs while doing some trail maintenance.
Camped and sat around the fire with a guy named Elusive on Saturday night. He looked anywhere from 50-65, it's hard to tell when someone has a gray beard. All he ate for supper was a bag of trail mix. I believe he started in early March. We also got passed by Catch Me If You Can, a young Korean guy. Elusive told us that the young guy was trying to do the whole trail in 100 days.