Rain Man Completes the AT Columbus Day Weekend 2017

[Rain Man]

I will finish the AT at Harpers Ferry on Columbus Day, 2017. Just finished off Maine a couple of weeks ago; did all of Vermont in July. Started at Springer Mountain in Georgia on July 31, 2003. Has only taken me 14 years! LOL

I ended a section hike at Bears Den Trail Center hostel a few years back, so I'll begin there on Saturday, October 7th after breakfast in town and hike 8 miles to Blackburn Trail Center for the night. Both these PATC facilities have road access and parking, so I plan to slack-pack Saturday. My wife will be driving our car in support.

On Sunday I'll hike from Blackburn Trail Center about another 8.4 miles to a campsite north of Keys Gap. Keys Gap is a road crossing, so we can slack-pack to there if we want.

Finally, on Monday, Columbus Day morning, I'll hike 3.5 miles into Harpers Ferry to the ATC HQ, where I began a northbound section hike a few years ago. This will finish every step of the way from Georgia to Maine, past every white blaze, for me!

We'll do early lunch to celebrate in Harpers Ferry and have time to drive back home on Columbus Day.

BTW, there are several road crossings and access points, in case you'd like to join in later on any day of the hike, or just join us at the end for the celebratory lunch.

My dog Boone will be hiking with me, other dogs with well-behaved owners are welcome.

The total 3-day weekend hike mileage will be 19.9 miles over moderate to fairly easy terrain. For experienced backpackers, this will be "a walk in the park." In the past, October in Virginia has been beautiful hiking weather!

I already have a couple of folks planning to do this hike with me. If anyone would like to join in, please let me know.

Thought y'all like to know this ol' hiker has become a 2,000-miler.