Today was another big one, even after doing a 20 miler yesterday.  The first half of our hike was without packs (slack-packing) thanks 🙏 to Spiro, who drove them to the Green Mountain Deli after dropping Jag Happy and me off at Pine 🌲 Grove Furnace.  That 8 miles was a breeze!

After donning our packs, it got tougher.  The trail went up onto a ridge and into boulder land.  Yikes!

We’re hunkered down for the night at the shelter out of the rain ☔️.

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #7 (3/26/17)
Start – Pine Grove Furnace 1102.5
End – Alec Kennedy Shelter 1117.7
Today’s mileage: 15.2
Total section miles: 94.6
Total miles on AT: 614.6
Avg daily miles (section 4) – 13.5

Dare to live the life you have dreamed for yourself. Go forward and make your dreams come true.
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Check this one off the bucket list.  I hiked 20 miles today going southbound from Pine Grove Furnace to route 30.  We got a ride to Pine Grove Furnace and hiked back to the hostel with just a day pack. It was a warm day too.

Passed the mid-point of the AT along the way.

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #6 (3/25/17)
Start – Pine Grove Furnace 1102.5
End – Trail of Hope Hostel 1082.5
Today’s mileage: 20.0
Total section miles: 79.4
Total miles on AT: 599.4
Avg daily miles (section 4) – 13.2

The difference in winning & losing is most often, not quitting.
– Walt Disney

The hike today was shorter and ended up at a hostel for the night. Went to Walmart and resupplied. Also got a hot shower (yea!!!) and did laundry.

Started out in the rain and cold, but the weather cleard up nicely. Stopped for lunch in a great spot.

The trail went on and off the ridge with some crazy climbs.

Tomorrow I’m getting a ride up the trail and hiking 20 miles back to the hostel without my pack (slack-packing).  OMG 😲 I hope I can make it, but a 20 mile day is on my to-do list.  Wish me luck…

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #5 (3/24/17)
Start – Tumbling Run (PA) 1072.9
End – Trail of Hope Hostel 1082.5
Today’s mileage: 9.6
Total section miles: 59.4
Total miles on AT: 579.4
Avg daily miles (section 4) – 11.9

A ship is always safe at the shore, but that is NOT what it is built for. – Albert Einstein

It was indeed cold night last night.  When I woke up it was 20° and any water that was left out overnight was frozen solid. Thank goodness I brought my water bottle with me to bed.  Hot chocolate and oatmeal in the cold weather really hit the spot.

I met up with three other through hikers yesterday and started out the morning with Jag Happy, Papa 12 and Best Wife.  I’m at Tumbling Run shelter with Jag happy tonight. It’s one of the nicest shelters I’ve ever seen; there’s even a shelter for people who snore and people who don’t.

Today’s big milestone was finishing the state of Maryland and crossing the Mason-Dixon line. Now I’ve done 3/5 of Virginia, all of West Virginia, all of Vermont, most of Massachusetts, and all of Maryland.

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #4 (3/23/17)
Start – Raven Rock Shelter (MD) 1059.7
End – Tumbling Run Shelter (PA) 1072.9
Today’s mileage: 13.2
Total section miles: 49.8
Total miles on AT: 569.8
Avg daily miles (section 4) – 12.5

Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is to not
stop questioning. – Albert Einstein

Geez it’s cold and windy too!!  Low of 20 tonight.  Can’t post much; trying to stay warm.

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day # 3 (3/22/17)
Start – Annapolis Rocks Camp (MD) 1048.3
End – Raven Rock Shelter (MD) 1059.7
Today’s mileage: 11.4
Total section miles: 36.6
Total miles on AT: 556.6
Avg daily miles (section 4) – 12.2

The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all. – Walt Disney