They finally arrived

8 November 2018 Thursday

Awoke to another sunrise from my hammock.  I never get tired of see these.  To bad I don't take time at home.  Get too busy.  I do get to see them on morning runs, but not every day.

Packed my gear and headed out for a nice day of backpacking.  That is when i noticed my new arrival.  They finally came.  I got my backpacker legs.  I was able to hike from shortly after sunrise to just before sunset.  I had minor soreness.  It is a great feeling.   I forgot it takes about 5 days to get used to the pack and hiking with 40 pounds on your back.

I saw some wild life today other than squirrels.  I saw a doe, but she ran off before i could get a picture.  I also found a herd of high schoolers at one of the views.  It was scary so I left quickly.

Today since I by passed the shelter at 7 miles I needed to find another water source.  I added 8 miles so Friday i only need to do 10 miles.  My water source to day was a spring bubbling up right next to the trail.  I filtered the water and took 3 liters.  I need some for dinner and tomorrows hike.  Hoping the rain holds off until afternoon. 

Heating water for dinner 

Through thr rocks

Over the rocks

View from Peter's mountain 

Another beautiful view

Just finished setting up camp as the sun sets

Same old routine

7 November 2018 Wednesday

Awoke to a beautiful sunrise this morning.  Earth surfer and his dog Cabra (spanish word fro goat) hung out while I packed.  We both agreed dry on the AT has a different meaning than dry at home.  In the woods nothing really gets dry, more like damp.

So to have this experience.  Go get a pair of socks and make them wet.  Rung them out and hang them out overnight.  Then in the morning put them on.  How's that feel?  It only takes a few minutes hiking until you get used to it.  The thought in the back of my mind is, dry socks at the end of the day.

Today i traveled through Duncanon and stopped at the infamous Doyle.  Look it up.  Then up Peters mountain. 800 foot climb followed by a rock scramble.  I spoke to other thru hikers and they said the rocks in PA are the worst.

Took my time getting to Clark's ferry shelter, 9 miles.  This is the first night alone in a shelter.  I'm scared mommy.  Not really.  It is very peaceful ad night closes in.  Listening to the crickets, birds and an owl.

I had a little trail magic tonight.  I was in the shelter when i heard a loud bang, like metal.  Later when i put my food in the metal bear box I found 2 Rxbars.  I ate one and it was yummy.  I'll save the other for another day.  My food is close on the daily rations.  I have been getting hungrier each day.

It is now becoming routine.  Get up with the sun.  Hydrate and fill water containers, 2 liters.  Then hike to the next shelter.  Find water.  Prepare for the evening.  In bed at dark to journal, read, and pray.  The end of another fine day.

God Bless

Sunrise from my bedroom 

The susquehanna river from the west side

A few steps to get down the mountain to Duncanon 

The infamous Doyle

Susquehanna river from the east side.

Another rainy day

6 November 2018 Tuesday

The rain had stopped overnight and the temp was a little warmer.  As morning approached and first light was appearing, the rain started.  No more time to he a wuss.  I was up with the other 2 thru hikers and we all talked and packed.  They left in steady rain.  I waited until it slowed, then headed out.  A short 7 mile hike today.

I started down the mountain my feet staying relatively dry.  Down lower the trail was a creek.  My feet were wet so I sludged on thru ankle deep water.

It continued to get warmer or at least i was getting warmer.  It was either a shirt wet from rain or sweat.  I choose rain.  At least i was a little cooler.

I've tried to keep these posts positive but real.  So keep that mind when i tell you this.  I now remember why PA is known for its rocky trails.  It's like they found every rock out here and used it to build a trail.  Pictures cannot do it justice.  It has to he experienced.  Okay, I feel better now.

The hike wasn't bad i just went slower across the rocks.  I must be getting my trail legs.  I did not fall today, but a few close calls.  My only pain is the pack i have.  It is the first time out for a week.  Bad decission.  The hip strap is worthless and the buckle is cracked.  I hope it holds.  I did some Macgyvering with duct tape.  I have a backup place with string.  After that vines and tree sap ha ha ha.

The hike over all went well.  Before i knew it i arrived at the shelter.  I hiked down to the shelter.  Note that means hiking up in the morning.  Anyway, i arrive at the shelter to find another thru hiker Sobo.  Earth surfer is his name and his dog Corbra.  Really nice guy and dog.  We talked hours about gear and life on the trail.   That makes thru hiker number 4.  Apparently there a more thru hikers still out here.  Learn something new every day.

The weather is supposedto be nice the next 2 days. Not sure about Friday and Saturday, but that's a long way off.  A lot could change untill then. 

 Living in the moment.

Scenic view

A few rocks.  Proof the earth isn't billions of years old.  If it were, these rocks would be pebles or dirt.

To hike or not to hike...

5 November 2018 Monday

Zero day today.  In the 40s with heavy rain.  It was nice and warm in my sleeping bag.  Not a fan of hypothermia, so i decided to stay put.  I am here for fun, not misery.  No alone time.  Still plenty of hikers out which is a big surprise.

There is.one other section hiker that is  getting off the trail in Duncannon.  This is home to the infamous Doyle.  Hiker house, bar, and resturant.  I understand it is an experience.  Brian came last night, but like me decided not to hike today.

There was another hiker that stayed last night.  He is a SoBo ( south bounder) hiker.  He finishes today at Boiling Springs.  He was up and out around 8am.  He flip flopped.  That is he hiked GA to Boiling Springs, then traveled to Khatadin Mt and finished SoBo.

Two more Sobo stopped here today.  Bear Magnet (trail name) stopped for lunch and decided to to stay.  He will finish at Harpers Ferry November 10, roughly 112 miles to go.  The next SoBo stopped in shortly after lunch.  His name is Larry (real name).  He does not have a brother Daryl and another brother Larry.

I have been asked many questions about my, which I could spend hours talking about.  I don't want to bore people to tears.  One of the questions was, "what do you think about?"  So here goes.

Right  left   repeat
Rock, root, puddle  repeat
Watch the wet leaves on the rock
Am i on the trail
Where's the white blaze
How deep is that water.
Squirrel, no really a squirrel
Praying
Walking Meditation breath in out
Where do i get water next
Backpacking gear
This really hurts
Did i bring enough food
Don't use you head lamp on red when writing with an orange pen.

Tomorrow i will hike ran or shine.  Word is it should be upper 50s to low 60s.  I've don't that.  But that is tomorrow all we really have is now.  Moment by moment my friends.

View from my bedroom

Privy in center of pic

Home sweet home for the day.  That's my blue under quilt on my hammock  and portable water carrier.  Spring was 150 yards down hill.

Forgot how hard it is starting out

4 November 2018 Sunday

Awoke this morning the birds singing, jack frost, and another train whistle.   Trains run all night long through Boiling Springs.  Other than that had a great nights sleep.  I tried posting some pictures, but the app crashes, so words only.

I was thankful for an easy flat hike, well almost.  Some rocky areas and some muddy areas and a a stream crossing. I made it across the stream and didn't get too wet.  Then i fell on the rocks.  Fortunately, I landed on the rocks on dry land.  Almost lost my shoe on the mud.  It was quit a comical day.

Got off trail again, when a man said, " you know, your not on the AT."  I thanked him for getting me back on track.  Who puts a turn in the middle of a field.

Met quite a few hikers today.  One of them was the woman that runs the York YMCA marathon.  I chated with her and her husband for a while.  They  are section hikers and gave me some good tips.  They have done over 1000 miles of the AT on the past few years.

I am trying to stay positive.  The aches and pains for today almost stopped me.  Fortunately it was mostly flat.  Notice i said mostly.  The list mile was up a 450' hill, with plenty of rocks.  Longest mile so far.  I am going to re-evaluate my distances.  I want this to be fun and relaxing.

I am surprised to find 2 other hikers in the shelter with me.  One is heading to Duncannon.  The other is a thru hiker finishing tomorrow in Boiling Springs.

Its dark out at 5:30.  It's getting cold an windy.  Thought about a fire until the wind picked up.  I think i might read for awhile.  Of course that was last nites plan, but i was out as soon as my head dropped.  Then the train kept a rollin all nite long.

A nice view

Stile crossing into horse pasture

Much of the trail today was on farm land.

The last mile

Great first day on the trail

3 November 2018 Saturday

It was an awesome day with a lot of firsts.  If we take time to look for them they are available in almost all things we do.  First time hiking for a week in the fall, hiking in trail runners, new hammock setup, less pack weight,  and the list goes on.

The rain turned parts of the trail into a creek.  The trail runners dried quicker than boots.  Lots of wet leaves on rocks, but I only fell once.  A mile or so of hiking through and over boulders.  I forgot how the leaves cover the trail.

I did get off trail once, but a kind person got me back on track.  The few folks i met were all nice.  They take time to say hello and talk.   It is great to be away from the daily grind.  It is very peaceful.  It was nice to clear my mind as i walked,  meditating and praying.

I am happy with all the gear i made.  I am making notes on what to change.  These short hikes help me test gear and stop carrying extras.  Still not sure about the food.  I may have brought too much.

I did roughly eight miles today.  Tomorrow i have 15 planned.  Hope the weather is as good as today.  Highs in the low fifties, but still managed to break a sweat.

The boulders begin

Rocks, rocks, everywhere rocks...

Camp is setup

Cozy in my little cacoon

AT Hike 2018

I am leaving Saturday November 3rd, 2018 to head out on the AT for a week long hike.  I am starting at Boiling Springs, PA and heading north.  Not sure how far I will make it, but I am shooting for 100 miles.  This should be me near Cabela's up on route 78, near Hamburg / Port Clinton in PA.  I still have to get my gear together and prepare the meals.  The food is all prepared, it just needs assembled into meals.  I am hoping to post some pictures and a few thoughts along the way.

Packing all this

Into this