The Final Week: Through the 100-Mile Wildnerness

Stats: Monday night 8/29, MM 2183.9

(109.3 new miles, 2192.7 total miles)

I’ve been meaning to finish this for a while now, sorry it’s taken so long. Can’t leave the hike incomplete so we’re going back to the 100-mile Wilderness.

The Last Five Miles!

By the grace of God, and with the support, prayers, and encouragement of my family and friends, I finished my Appalachian Trail Thru Hike yesterday, August 30th, 2016.

From the Bigelows to the Wilderness: On the Home Stretch

Stats: Tuesday night 8/23, MM 2074.6

(73.7 new miles, 2083.4 total miles)

Only 114.5 miles to go!

It's been a great week. Made up some time, and the weather has been good. I also ran into some people I haven't seen for a long time, good to see them. (It's amazing how you keep running into people at stopping points but then don't see them for weeks or months.)


Best of all, I'm about a week from the finish line and heading home!

Past the 2,000 Mile Mark, Less Than 200 Miles To Go

Stats: Thursday night 8/18, MM 2000.9

(32.2 new miles, 2009.7 total miles)

 

Only 188.2 miles to go!



I am on the home stretch. Really ready to be home. Still enjoying great views along the way, and this week met Gray Ghost, we are hiking together now. My body is holding out, but very tired.

A Day Off, Old Blue, and Into Rangeley

Stats: Monday night 8/15, MM 1968.7

(36.5 new miles, 1977.5 total miles)

 

Only 220.4 miles to go!

I decided to go, knowing I'd have a day off the next day (continued from Sunday's blog, read here if you missed it.) It was a good decision because Saturday's rain was much worse than Friday's. Sorry for the blurry pictures this time, I'm having a hard time with condensation and keeping the lens clear.

Into Maine: The 13th and Final State!

Stats: Thursday night 8/11, MM 1932.2

(62.5 new miles, 1941 total miles)

 

Only 256.9 miles to go!

It's been a tough week, you can probably tell from the mileage. Over 5 days I only averaged 12 miles per day. But once again, beautiful views and a boulder pit made it worth it, and I feel blessed to be still on my journey.

Enjoying the Whites

Stats: Saturday night 8/6, MM 1869.7

(70 new miles, 1878.5 total miles)

 

Only 319.4 miles to go!

Tuesday (Mt. Lafayette or Mt. Garfield)

It’s been a really great week – amazing views of God’s creation, beautiful weather, rides when I needed them, good timing getting to the huts, hiking with Shue (met him back in North Carolina), free places to stay, and an inexpensive, nice hotel to end the week. Even with a broken pole, less mileage, longer and more difficult hiking days, and a cherry toe from all the downhill rocky climbs, I’ve had a very blessed week on the AT.

Last Stop Before the Whites

Stats: Saturday night 7/30, MM 1799.7

(95.6 new miles, 1808.5 total miles)

At the top of Mt. Moosilauke Saturday

Not a bad week…except for leaving Mary again. And, the persistent foot problem came back. Hopefully it is fixed now, at least enough to get me through the rest of my hike. The new boots are GREAT, one problem resolved. I am so glad Mary found them! I'm at my last stop before the Whites.

Visit with Mary, 500 Miles, and a Naked Hiker

Stats: Saturday night 7/23, MM 1704.1

(187.1 new miles, 1712.9 total miles)

It’s been another good two weeks, ending with a great but way too short visit with Mary, aka Mrs. Nailgun. I tried out different boots, had a few visits with Moondog, and saw more beautiful scenery. I continue to average about 96 miles a week, even with stopping for a day here and there, and hiking shorter days.

Into the Tenth State: Massachusetts

Stats: Sunday night 7/10, MM 1517.0

(174.2 new miles, 1525.8 total miles)

It’s been a good stretch, started out not feeling quite right but pushed through and am doing much better now. Out of the rocks in PA, but then into the straight up-and-down hills in New York. Ended on a great note with a Moondog visit in Massachusetts.

Trials on the Trail...and Thanksgiving

Stats: Wednesday night 6/29, MM 1342.8

(213.8 new miles, 1351.6 total miles)

Back on the trail Thursday 6/30...feeling a whole lot better!

The past two weeks have been up and down, not just on the trail but with my health. And with Moondog’s health; I’m very sad to say he’s left the trail. He's OK, more on that later. But even with the trials, I’m thankful for many things. This post is a bit longer so I can catch you up through today (6/29).

Past the Halfway Point

Stats: Monday night 6/13, MM 1129.0

(106.8 new miles, 1137.8 total miles)

Made it to the halfway point this week! Camped with boy scouts, great time with friends and family, and, NO rain at all.

Through the Shenandoahs, on to Harpers Ferry

Stats: Sunday night 6/5, MM 1022.2
(101 new miles, 1031 total miles)



AT Conservatory, Harpers Ferry

Another good week! Almost made it through without rain, hit a big storm on our last day into Harpers Ferry. Passed 1,000 miles this week, and enjoyed another visit home.

Rain, a Bear, and Home for a Visit

Stats: Sunday night 5/29, MM 921.2
(125.7 new miles, 930 total miles)

We had a great week! Hiking with Moondog, started into the Shenandoah National Park (SNP), not as much rain, and it’s finally getting warmer! My mileage is a bit higher due to a longer week since my last blog.

Rain, Zero Days, and 26-Mile Day

Stats: Friday night 5/20, MM 795.5
(68 new miles, 804.3 total miles)

At Natural Bridge

I’ll start the week with good news: the doctor checked my feet, including x-rays, and nothing is fractured. I have a bit of arthritis but other than that everything looks good. I’m cleared to keep going, thank you for all your prayers!

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

Stats: Saturday night 5/14, MM 727.5

(92.9 new miles, 736.3 total miles)

It’s May, the rain is supposed to be gone…but it rained every day. Thankfully not a hard or soaking rain every day, but I feel like I was wet much of the week. This week was also harder with phone reception. I think I had 3 days without any reception, which is unusual.

Rain, Mud, Rain, and Snow??

Stats: Sunday night 5/8, MM 634.6

(90.8 new miles, 643.4 total miles)

This has been one rainy week, with mud and even a little snow. I stopped more than usual at hotels or hostels, but still managed 90 miles in 6 days because I didn't have a zero day until this weekend with Mary.

Passed the 500-Mile Mark

 Stats: Saturday night 4/30, MM 543.8

(96.5 new miles, 552.6 total miles)

I hit two milestones this week: passed the 500 mile mark, and I’m now 25% of the way through my hike! If I can keep my miles up I’ll finish in September as planned.

Forest Fire, Bears, and First 100-mile Week

Stats: Friday night 4/22, MM 447.3

(105.2 new miles, 456.1 total miles)

It’s been a hard and crazy week. I didn’t set out to hike 100 miles, I planned on about 80 to get to Hampton, TN and meet Mary. But a forest fire and bear activity changed my plans.

First 21 Mile Day

Stats: Friday night 4/15, MM 342.1

(88.9 new miles, 350.9 total miles)

 

On Max Patch bald, "we could see for miles and miles
and miles and miles and miles"

I made it just short of 90 miles this week in 5-1/2 days, quite an accomplishment. Included was a 21-mile day that felt really good. I hope I can keep this up, or close to it, so I can finish in September. Yes, I definitely plan to finish!

Through the Smokies...and Beyond

Stats: Friday night 4/8, MM 253.2

(88.5 new miles, 262 total miles)

Fontana Lake

First part of the hike was over Fontana Dam, I was hiking with Bald Eagle. It is huge – built in 1945. It’s the biggest hydro-electric plant on the east coast. We walked across and up the road for a while.

Made It to the Smokies

Stats: Friday night, MM 164.7

(27.4 new miles, 173.5 total miles)

Started out from the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) on Tuesday morning. Tough start – 6 miles straight up, 3,000 feet elevation climb. Even with that we still managed to get in 11 miles. It’s getting easier as we get stronger each day.

Gaps, Balds, and New Boots

Stats: Monday night 3/28, MM 137.3

(67.7 miles this week, 146.1 total miles)

One of the most often photographed trees on the AT, at Bly Gap

Another week down, only about 24 more to go (give or take). Bald Eagle, Moondog, and I continue to hike together. Last week some of Bald Eagle's family joined us for a few days.

The First Eight Days

Stats: Monday night 3/21, MM 69.6

(54.7 miles this week, 78.4 total miles)

At the official hike start, Springer Mountain
(4:30PM first day, hiked from Amicalola Falls)

The first day (after Mary left) my goal was to get to the first shelter on the trail, right past the start.

Rain, Starting Out, and 600 Steps

Stats: Monday night, MM 14.9 (23.7 total miles)

Can't believe it - the start day finally got here! After a last minute backpack change and repacking it twice, Mary and I headed out for Georgia.

Six Days and Counting

I’m excited! As I think about what I’m about to do, I still can’t believe I’m doing it.

Shopping, Spin Class, and a Beard

What do shopping, spin class, and a beard have in common? They are all part of my continuing routine to prepare for the hike.

Food Preparation

This weekend we prepared single-serving meals. Mary ordered bulk freeze-dried foods, and we worked together to get them packaged using Mom’s food saver.

Preparing to Head Out

I've been waiting for so long, can't believe I'm only four weeks from my start date!