Start: Smith Roach Gap End: Blackrock Hut Mileage: 20.2 (+0.2 side trail) This morning, my friend dropped me off at Smith Roach Gap at 8am. I made Loft Mountain Campground by 12:45pm and Blackrock Hut by 4:15pm. Today, I climbed Little Roundtop Mountain, Loft Mountain, and Blackrock. I stopped by Loft Mountain Campground’s camp store … Continue reading VA AT hike #1, day 7
Start: Big Meadow Lodge End: Smith Roach Gap Mileage: 21.6 (+0.2 side trail) I slept in this morning a bit, getting up at 6:15am. I chatted with my friend and we got breakfast in the dining room when it opened up at 7:30am. I was on the trail for a later start by 8:30am. Today, … Continue reading VA AT hike #1, day 6
Start: Brookside Cabins/US 211/Thornton Gap End: Big Meadow Lodge Mileage: 17.6 (+0.8 for side trail) This morning, I was able to get a hitch from a forest ranger out to the trail, arriving by 7am. Unfortunately, one of my water bottles fell out on her car. Thankfully, I have a spare platypus bag which can … Continue reading VA AT hike #1, day 5
Start: Front Royal Terrapin Station Hostel End: Brookside CabinsMileage: 23.9 (+0.5 side trail) This morning at the hostel, I was up and out by 6:30, getting to the AT by 6:45. I had wonderful sleep last night and started my day in a good mood. The weather was cool (70s) and sunny. Sadly, that changed … Continue reading VA AT hike #1, day 4
Start: Dicks Dome shelter End: Front Royal Terrapin Station HostelMileage: 19.0 (+0.7 in side trails) I headed out from the shelter at 6:30am. It was much cooler and less humid than the last two days. I went by Manassas Shelter around 8:15am with a very nice piped spring for water. I took a half hour … Continue reading VA AT hike #1, day 3
Start: Bears Den Hostel End: Dicks Dome shelter Mileage: 18.3 (+0.8 for water and side trails) I woke up and ate breakfast with one of my hosts. She then took me to Bears Den where she hiked with me for a little while before turning around. The morning that followed was very difficult. I was … Continue reading VA AT hike #1, day 2
Start: Teahorse Hostel End: Bears Den HostelMileage: 19.8 (+2.1 for water and side trails to/from AT) I had a nice waffle breakfast at the hostel and headed out by 6:30am. I arrived at the AT via the ATC side trail at 7am. From there, I went over the Shenandoah River and entered the woods and … Continue reading VA AT hike #1, day 1
Start: Harpers Ferry Amtrak station End: Teahorse Hostel Miles: 0 (+1.5) Hello everyone! I arrived at Harpers Ferry today via Amtrak around 5:45pm, walked to the ATC office, got my picture taken and added to their book of 2015 thru and section hikers, and then hoofed it to the Teahorse Hostel. I’m glad I made … Continue reading VA AT hike #1, day 0
Monday, April 27th, 2015 From: Blue Mountain Summit B & B To: Port Clinton, PA/Hamburg, PA Mileage: 26.7 (+0.4 for water, +0.6 for food) I started the day early at 6:20am. The owner of the B & B gave me a few things for breakfast last night so I could eat and go. It wasn’t … Continue reading PA/MD/WV AT hike, day #3
Sunday, April 26th, 2015 From: camped beyond Stempa Spring To: Blue Mountain Summit B & B Mileage: 25.2 I slept quite well in my tent. I was up by 5:45am and on the trail by 6:15am. When I started out, it was 28 degrees and a bit cold. Once I started moving, it warmed up. … Continue reading PA/MD/WV AT hike, day #2
Transcending Mountains 