Flew from PA to Greenville today staying with my buddy Satish. We had a beer and pizza party to help me build up my carbs for the Saturday start on the AT.
Friday, May 25, 2018
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
Tuesday May 22, miles today 0, miles from Springer 0
I mailed my first supply drop this morning to Fontana Dam, NC. Hopefully I am not too optimistic in waiting 164 miles after I start for supplies. There are a couple of towns before I get there where I can resupply but not much at Fontana Dam. After there is the Smoky mountains with fewer opportunities.
I packed my backpack for the airplane checking and double checking my list. I weighed it when it was full and it was 37 lbs. That was without water, fuel and my AT guide. Need to get the weight down. I don't want more than 35 lbs fully loaded. Maybe I have too much food and clothing. I don't know what else I can cut.
Friday May 18, Miles today 8, Miles from Springer 0
Eight miles on the Darlington trail in wet conditions. I felt pretty good and made good time.
Tuesday May 15, Miles today 6, Miles from Springer 0
I flew up my favorite steep hill in my new hiking shoes. It was the first time this year that my wind gave out before legs.
I went shopping for shoes yesterday looking over trail runners and hiking shoes. My primary criteria was comfort and durability. After trying on several pairs of shoes and trail runners I settled on some Vasque Breeze III low shoes. They felt much more comfortable than my boots, weighing over a pound less, having Vibram soles so I wouldn't feel every rock on the trail and Gortex tops for some water protection when combined with my low gaiters. In the next couple months I will see how well they do.
I went shopping for shoes yesterday looking over trail runners and hiking shoes. My primary criteria was comfort and durability. After trying on several pairs of shoes and trail runners I settled on some Vasque Breeze III low shoes. They felt much more comfortable than my boots, weighing over a pound less, having Vibram soles so I wouldn't feel every rock on the trail and Gortex tops for some water protection when combined with my low gaiters. In the next couple months I will see how well they do.
Saturday May 12, Miles today 5, Miles from Springer 0
A quick 5 mile hike along the rocky Darlington trail after the washer and dryer were installed. When I got home I looked at the soles of my Vasque GTX Boots and there chunks broken off. Crap, I need to buy and break in new boots two weeks before my hike starts. My feet hurt just thinking about it. In the last 20 years I have gone through four pairs of the same heavy boot. The last two pairs took a long time to wear in. Perhaps they did not fit the same but I always blamed it on getting older, the older I get the more pain I feel.
I decided to do some research. After trolling around the internet a while I found a pretty good site on backpacking with a good article on hiking footwear (http://www.cleverhiker.com/blog/ditch-boots). The article cited "Weight on your feet will zap 4-6 times more energy than weight on your back. So, swapping that 3-pound pair of boots for a 1-pound pair of running shoes will be the energy saving equivalent of removing 8-12 pounds from your pack" They seemed to like "trail runners" which was more of a running shoe but my concerns were durability. I don't want to replace my shoes every 300 miles. Monday I go down to the closest REI to check out new shoes.
I decided to do some research. After trolling around the internet a while I found a pretty good site on backpacking with a good article on hiking footwear (http://www.cleverhiker.com/blog/ditch-boots). The article cited "Weight on your feet will zap 4-6 times more energy than weight on your back. So, swapping that 3-pound pair of boots for a 1-pound pair of running shoes will be the energy saving equivalent of removing 8-12 pounds from your pack" They seemed to like "trail runners" which was more of a running shoe but my concerns were durability. I don't want to replace my shoes every 300 miles. Monday I go down to the closest REI to check out new shoes.
Monday, May 21, 2018
Friday May 11, Miles today 16, Miles from Springer 0
I planned a 3 day / 40 mile backpack trip for the weekend but it became a two day / 30 mile trip when the kids announced we were going to a Winery/Brewery for lunch at 11 am on Mothers Day. The dryer broke as I was preparing my backpack, we went shopping for a new washer/dryer set and by some miracle they promised delivery and installation on Saturday, my trip became a one day 16 mile southbound hike on the AT from Duncannon to the ATC Trail Barn in Cumberland valley.
The ridge south of Duncannon marks a major change in the Appalachian range. It is the southern boundary of the Ice Age Glaciers and is characterized by lots of rocks ranging from boulders you have to crawl over to fields of ankle biters (smaller rocks sticking out of the ground that if you are not careful will twist your ankle). It had been a few years since I had been on the trail and had some concerns of the steep rocky climb from Duncannon to the top of Cove mountain. I was pleasantly surprised, the trail club responsible for that section of trail had built well engineered rock staircases through all the rock fields. While the climb still took my wind and strained my legs it was a pleasant work out to get to the magnificent view of the town and the winding Susquehanna river.
There was an amazing amount of backpacker traffic that Friday, I passed 36 going north. Most seemed to be thru hikers, they seemed like they were in excellent shape. I stopped and chatted with some. One couple had started from Waynesboro, VA several weeks before, they were planning a Flip Flop, meaning they planned to hike up to Maine and then get a ride back down to Waynesboro and hike down to Georgia. Another couple that started in February in Georgia and braved snow and cold down south
I also met an interesting man a few years older than me from Vermont who started in Harpers Ferry and was also planning on Flip Flopping. He said he had started the AT several times and this time he was determined to finish it. He told me the four guys that flew past me earlier had started in late March and were averaging over 25 miles per day. I asked him about the legendary black flies in Maine and if they ever receded. He said that they usually migrate to the higher elevations around the end of July as they don't like the heat and the Dragon Fly larva start hatching and follow them to cut down the population considerably. He also said hiking in Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee in June was just wonderful.
The ridge south of Duncannon marks a major change in the Appalachian range. It is the southern boundary of the Ice Age Glaciers and is characterized by lots of rocks ranging from boulders you have to crawl over to fields of ankle biters (smaller rocks sticking out of the ground that if you are not careful will twist your ankle). It had been a few years since I had been on the trail and had some concerns of the steep rocky climb from Duncannon to the top of Cove mountain. I was pleasantly surprised, the trail club responsible for that section of trail had built well engineered rock staircases through all the rock fields. While the climb still took my wind and strained my legs it was a pleasant work out to get to the magnificent view of the town and the winding Susquehanna river.
There was an amazing amount of backpacker traffic that Friday, I passed 36 going north. Most seemed to be thru hikers, they seemed like they were in excellent shape. I stopped and chatted with some. One couple had started from Waynesboro, VA several weeks before, they were planning a Flip Flop, meaning they planned to hike up to Maine and then get a ride back down to Waynesboro and hike down to Georgia. Another couple that started in February in Georgia and braved snow and cold down south
I also met an interesting man a few years older than me from Vermont who started in Harpers Ferry and was also planning on Flip Flopping. He said he had started the AT several times and this time he was determined to finish it. He told me the four guys that flew past me earlier had started in late March and were averaging over 25 miles per day. I asked him about the legendary black flies in Maine and if they ever receded. He said that they usually migrate to the higher elevations around the end of July as they don't like the heat and the Dragon Fly larva start hatching and follow them to cut down the population considerably. He also said hiking in Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee in June was just wonderful.
Wednesday May 2, miles today 8, miles from Springer 0
Hard time getting up this morning, it was pretty cold. Finally got up at 6, ate a bagel, packed up and got on the trail by 7. Started with a 3 1/2 mile uphill over rocky ground followed by a 3 1/2 mile downhill. I didn't meet anyone until I was nearly at my destination Pine Grove Furnace. I met three rather chubby backpackers resting 1/2 mile up the hill. I evaded their question on how far it was to the top, I didn't have the heart to tell them they had 3 more miles but encouraged them that it gets easier in another 1/2 mile.
Tuesday May 1, miles today 13, miles from Springer 0
Going on a 21 mile overnight trip on the AT, lots of hills. Not suffering as much as I thought. I was a little inspired as I passed several backpackers that looked worse off than me. I got a little sunburned, the leaves on the trees are not there yet.
Camped by a creek and didn't see anyone else all evening. It was peaceful, but I had trouble sleeping despite how tired I was.
Monday April 30, miles today 5, miles from Springer 0
Planning an overnight trip tomorrow but waffling, if I feel as bad as I did Saturday I may not be ready. I felt better. During the hike I met two men my age. Without me mentioning anything, both asked when I retired. Does it already show? Maybe only retired folks hike on Mondays in late April.
Saturday April 28 - Miles today 5, miles from Springer 0
I retired yesterday and am preparing for a hike of the southern half of the Appalachian trail. I am headed for Georgia on Memorial day to start my hike. Taking a 5 mile hike today locally up a hill. It hurt.
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