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.

[SawnieRobertson]

Lovely! I was planning to be at the ALDHA Gathering, but you are tempting me. Congratulations, RM. You have done well for yourself and those who have hiked with you.

[Time Zone]

Hearty Congratulations - both for your accomplishment to date, and for the final piece still to come!

In this zeitgeist of extraordinary claims - many dubious, FKT and otherwise - I have greater admiration for one who has been able to enjoy many years of hiking the trail, and enjoying it at his own pace, instead of trying to get the experience over as soon as possible. IDK if you're in the running for "SKT", but my guess is that you look back on the last 14 years as time well spent. It's terrific that your spouse is so supportive of your effort as well.

[Tennessee Viking]

Glad to run into you at US421 years back.

[TJ aka Teej]

Wicked, Rain Man!

[rocketsocks]

Comin' around the club house turn, Congrats!

[Hikes in Rain]

What an amazing achievement! Well done, sir!

[rickb]

Excellent.

I hope you enjoy those few miles into Harpers Ferry to to max!

[daddytwosticks]

Congratulations! Completing the trail as a section hiker takes a ton of commitment.

[zig-zag 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.

Congratulations on your achievement!

[KCNC]

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.

For some reason I found this exceptionally touching.

Congratulations on your accomplishment. I've been dreaming of the AT off and on since I was ten years old. I managed an entire kilometer this summer (mostly on a fluke during a trip to Asheville) and intend to finish the task as soon as can be arranged, hopefully in the next few years.

I'll be with you in spirit, enjoy the views!

[Sovi]

Congrats Rain Man.

[rustmd]

have not met you Rain Man but enjoy reading your posts/comments here on WB. i volunteer at ATC on tuesdays, so if you stick around in HF, stop by and say hello.

congratulations on a huge milestone! my quest took me 11 years. . .loved every minute of it.

.com

[Teacher & Snacktime]

Wish I could be there!

[Rain Man]

Comin' around the club house turn, Congrats!

Certainly enjoyed hiking in PA with you, rocketsocks!

[Rain Man]

Glad to run into you at US421 years back.

Yes, me too! If I can find it, I'll post that pic of you and me.

[Rain Man]

Lovely! I was planning to be at the ALDHA Gathering, but you are tempting me. Congratulations, RM. You have done well for yourself and those who have hiked with you.

Oh, Sawnie, do let me tempt you successfully! I remember so fondly all your help for me and my family as I/we hiked in Grayson Highlands and up toward Sugar Grove! Would love to see you again!

[TwoSpirits]

Looks like I might cross paths with you on Saturday, as I hike southbound on what is effectively the beginning of my section-quest of the Trail (I don't consider my failed attempt in Maine a couple years ago as "counting".)

I am in awe of your accomplishment, and have tremendous respect for your persistence and tenacity in reaching your goal. That is an inspiration for me, and I'm going to take it as a good omen that I will share a small piece of the Trail with you, even for a moment.

Congratulations!

[JPritch]

Congratulations! I hope to be like you in a few years as well. That is a great accomplishment to do a section hike of any long trail. The logistics, never quite getting those trail legs, and just having to stick to something for over a decade says alot. Great job.

[Ashepabst]

well done, sir. congratulations.