Today was a big one. Hiked 14 miles and went through all sorts of landmarks.  Passed by Antietam Battlefield and Dahlgren Chapel.

Then visited the original Washington Monument.

And then crossed I-70 before climbing to Annapolis Rocks for the evening.  Like last night, I’m alone at the campsite. 😒 Although I’ve met lots of hikers on the trail. 😌

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day # 2 (3/21/17)
Start – Crampton Gap Shelter (MD) 1034.1
End – Annapolis Rocks Camp (MD) 1048.3
Today’s mileage: 14.2
Total section miles: 25.2
Total miles on AT: 545.2
Avg daily miles (section 4) – 12.6

It is very simple to be happy, but it is very difficult to be simple. – Rabindranath Tagore

Go an early start today.  

It was a little nippy but warmed up quickly with the 25 pound pack on my back. The first stop was Weatherton Heights with a nice view over the Potomac River.

Stopping at Crampton Gap this afternoon after passing thru Gathland.

AT Thru-Hike StatsSection Day # 1 (3/20/17)
Start – ATC Harpers Ferry (WV) 1023.1
End – Crampton Gap Shelter (MD) 1034.1
Today’s mileage: 11.0 (includes 2 fm yesterday)
Total section miles: 11.0
Total miles on AT: 531.0
Avg daily miles (section 4) – 11.0
The best way out is always through – Robert Frost

Whether it’s T minus 1, Day #0, or Travel Day; I start my Long [Ass] Section Hike tomorrow!!!  {Hence, Puffin the Filp-Flopping Lasher}

Flew from STL to DCA (Reagan Airport) this morning with the Naval Academy 🐐 Wrestling 🤼‍♀️ Team. 

Now I’m off on the train 🚂 to Harpers Ferry to meet Optimist. 👍🏼

Pack feels great and I’m starting to see other hikers too….

Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people.
– Socrates  (Had to think about this one. ☝️)

Addendum – Stopped by ATC and had my picture taken.  Also found mine from 2015.

Puffin at ATC

I fly to D.C. and then take the train 🚂 to Harpers Ferry tomorrow!!  I’ll be walking across the bridge (lower left) into Maryland to start the hike Monday morning.

Pack is all packed and weighed in at 25 1/2 lbs including winter gear, clothing, and a week’s worth of food!  Weather looks cold but otherwise just fine. 🚶🏻🏕

Beware the ides of March. – William Shakespeare 

Final packing is underway.  The cold weather gear is getting packed, so the pack weight will be up a pound or two.

I’ve joined the WashU Moves challenge at work.  Their goal is to walk 10,000 steps per day.  Hopefully, I’ll blow that out of the water.  So, I’ll be reporting steps with my stats.Here’s where I stood after last summer:

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Total miles on AT – 520.0
Avg daily miles – 10.5
Steps per mile – 2,000 (assumed but TBD)
Total steps on AT – 1,040,000

A good story can take you on a fantastic journey. – Walt Disney