Waterfalls, ladders, boulders.. Priceless

Trail guides, and the designation of difficulty, being moderate doesn’t describe this trail. I started later than normal due to the distance of this hike and the book time given. Summer is always a little more comfortable time to hike with the extended daylight hours.
The trail head for Mt. Willey starts at the base of a tiny pond overlooking Webster cliffs on 302 in NH. Behind the original site of the Willey family home. http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nhcarrol/bios2/willey.htm
The trail starts a gradual but increasing incline at the first few steps. It winds it way up into the Kendron Flume, the water was an easy crossing and not a significant flow. There were only a couple of people on the trail today and it always amazes me how unprepared people are. Hiking on a whim, never seems a good idea to me. It was hot and humid in the mid 80s and with a single bottle of water, no additional clothes or food between 2 people doesn’t make sense.
The trail had all the fun one could hope for… Rocks, water, ladders..”steps”, and right before the top, boulders of which I refer to them as quad burners. There was a tiny breeze which kept the bugs away and it was clear at the top!
Although the hike itself only took about 4.5 hours I was grateful to have clean clothes, a cold drink and a shower waiting. I loved the AT and I miss it, but the day hikes and my 4000 footers at this point seem to suite me just fine.

Fun trail pics

4000 footers in New England

For those that don’t know, I’m officially off trail. I took a train from Harpers Ferry into Boston as my knees just can’t tolerate the daily hiking miles.
I have decided to continue with my day hikes to 4000 footers here in New England, and keep in touch with some of my thru- hiking friends as they come closer and flip flop to Kahtadin.
I will try and blog about my 4000 footers. Tomorrow is Mt Willey in NH, it is one of a string of 3, however I have completed the other 2 this past winter. I’ll have 4 left out of 48 in NH to complete.
Then it’s on to Maine! I’ll try and leave the big K for last:-)
This summer has been fantastic weather, let’s hope it keeps up!
I’m planning on some group hikes to support Lyme disease. Please stay tuned and join me. They will be view/ waterfall hikes not 4000 footers.
Thanks to everyone that has supported me on my AT journey! My dream would not have been possible without it!!

Journey through Shenandoah, WV, MD and PA

My excitement to get back on the AT began with researching parts of the AT and realizing some of the trail lays under the pavement of what is now, Skyline Drive. I decided it would be fun to experience the road, with its spectacular views and the trail. The AT currently crosses the road many times.
To go through the park you register at either end, south or north. My permit was filled out and began at the south end.
The overlooks, not only provide amazing views of mountain ranges and valleys, but also curiosity from “tourist” as to what the trail is about and the endless support and at times awe, that drives the determination for the trail. Strangers become “trail angels” by offering rides, food and water. It surprised me the humanity offered!
At the first shelter, while setting up camp I realized I had lost my camp shoe 😦 vitally important piece of equipment for me, as it is a means to remove my boots and have something else to wear. Plans were made to figure a way to back track for it. As each hiker came into the shelter, all who were there asked? Have you seen a blue left shoe? Almost all had see it but no one picked it up… I had decided to backtrack when a hiker named Banjo arrived to a shrill of excitement! He was a hero, and had my shoe:-)) whew now I can go forward. After a few days of hiking road and trail I got word from home that Summit was at my sisters? Phone service was horrendous and I needed to find away to get home to him.
Hitchhiking is vital to hikers! I had a staff member from Big Meadows Lodge help make a sign and then it began.. Get to a city where arrangements could be made..
This of course led to another incredible journey. The unknown driver would take me and my hiking partner several miles to the next town.
As we were traveling first to this guys house to switch vehicles, my sister advised … Do not come off trail! Summit is doing well. Hike on!
Once I could relax and we were at this guys house he began to give us history of the ” mountain people ” those removed from homes to add skyline drive, and some history of his own.
He is the son of Robert E Kuhn. An artist, recluse that sculptured abstract figures from steel. He bought a burnt church, relocated it to where it is today in the Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains.
I feel honored and privileged to have access to his dads private steel figure garden!
Nathan himself an artist and known musician has had some of his own work, share space in a gallery with Andy Warhol, in Washington. He also has 2 brothers , one a twin that is a known writer and the other a painter of children’s murals.
Fortunate hiker to have this experience!

Trail names…

Slow going
Rod and real
Coyote from GA ninja tank top
Lint
Flint
Aquaman
Politician
Hans and gretel
Cozy
Cadi
K-womp
Cannon
Yeti legs
Chip
Wing it
Gargoyle
Taz
Freedom
Squirrel
Smalltown
Dos
Undergear
Batman
Dancer
Red robin
Bluejay5
EZRock
Miss America
Wrong way jalapeño
One mile
Little willy
Ken… GQ
Baltimore. Jack
One
Misty Pony
Blue
Baltimore Jack
Miss Janet
Sir packsalot
Warren Doyle

These are all of the hikers and people I have met on the trail.

Black Snake, Grey Ghost, Bears Den

I finally got a sense of the Green Tunnel terminology that is often used to describe the AT. Hiking with all the overgrowth of trees, tall grasses and no distant views, I understand how the trail can lull you into a frenzy of just getting to the next point. It’s difficult to use the word boring, yet I did use the term. The trail did finally open up into some meadows which thankfully led to some opening to the world around me and a sense of space, rather than a 2 foot worn path.
This area like many in the south is steeped in history, of eras that are skimmed over in schools yet such a vital part to our lives. I can’t begin to retrace it all, but as I see signs on the AT it peeks an interest to explore deeper.
John Mosby- Confederate Calvary commander, known for speed and elusiveness was given the name, Grey Ghost. In school he was a small undersized boy often bullied. He became known for getting his army of troops together, stealth… Selecting target areas, strike, then disappear. His rangers became known as Mosbys Raiders. After Robert E. Lee surrendered Northern Virginia, Mosby disbanded his Rangers. He was given pardon by Ulysses S. Grant in 1868. He worked and returned to his practice of law, toured, wrote books and tried to raise a regiment during the Spanish- American War in 1894, but was turned down. He died in 1916.
Bears Den… Modeled after a European castle. It was built by Dr Lawson and his wife. The stone “castle” was built in 3 stages by local craftsman and enjoyed as their summer home until 1960. The owners died and it was purchased by a realty company to develop the surrounding land. This didn’t get approval. The ATC and park service were working together to keep the AT in the woods and off main roads. It is owned by the ATC and managed by the PATC. The AT runs behind the main lodge and it has become a legendary hiker hostel and bunk house for anyone.
Where did the name Bears Den get its name? — It remains a mystery.

Boots On Trail!

I’ve been anxiously waiting for my return to the trail since the day I had to walk off. It’s been quite the experience being home, having surgery and the overall “wait “, for all the healing.
There have been several obstacles, not unlike the highs and lows of the trail. Some have seemed impossible, however the saying, “where there’s a will, there’s a way” truly comes into play.
I’ve learned a bit about essential oils, and the healing affects they have on decreasing edema, without or reduced amounts of Advil.
Change , trust in others and asking for help has always been a challenge for me! Being independent has been my strong suite. The trail provides, teaches and gives perspective! Trail magic still continues to be present, with rides to airport and to trailhead.
The connections and people you meet makes this journey reality and possible!
As previously stated, this will no longer be a traditional thru-hike, however as I see my fellow hikers and realize the challenge of this trail, I admire the purist for touching every white blaze, but the challenges are many and it does certainly become,” hike your own hike”.
There have been multiple discussions, alerts and warnings about the Lyme epidemic and I’m glad to see the buzz on the trail with my fellow hikers. Previously when I would talk about this and leave little tick ID cards in the shelters, wallet sized, light… I was actually told I was littering!
Recently a ridge runner… A person that hikes, runs, and “trolls” the trails in sections to educate and help if needed… Put out a tick infestation warning. Awesome.
My journey continues and so will my determination to support Lymebuddies and those who are afflicted with Lyme! My battle to get back on the trail is nothing compared to the struggles I have seen with this epidemic! Hope to see everyone at a celebration at the base of the big K.
And so it begins… Again! I’m more aware, a little more seasoned and thankfully it’s warmer:-) however now there will be other curve balls. Bring it on! I will continue this journey for as long as my body will take me!

Update: proud to report, my sister has run her first 5k:-)) she continues to do well and has an unbelievable can do attitude.
I will begin the trail in Waynesboro, Rockfish Gap, just south of the Shanandoahs in VA. Will post pics and blogs as often as I can.

You can donate to my cause on this page or by the Lymebuddies web page, donate button. Help, resources and support are ever present.

Shelters and setting up camp

It’s usually the goal of most hikers to try and get near a shelter. 3 sided buildings, that hold several hikers and mice. It’s used as a landmark for me as a gage of miles. The AT guide is a great reference for known campsites and most water sources. I haven’t slept in a shelter yet. I usually just camp around them. Safety in numbers, and usually a fire!
After hiking several miles, legs are usually exhausted , it’s time to put up the tent. It’s the same process every time. Lay ground cloth, tyvek, set up tent, add rain fly, blow up air mattress and get out of sweaty hiking clothes, into camp or night clothes. Then meal and water or the reverse. Bedtime is usually around 7:30. After hiking all day, and then the process of kneeling to set up, stretching is essential! Mind you in the confines of a small living space and not being flexible, I can only envision what this looks like from the outside of my tent:-)) the idea is to hydrate before bed… Well you all know what that means, yup, getting up! Rolling to a kneel, putting on camp shoes and floundering in the dark. I learned how to pee in a jar just so I wouldn’t have to leave my tent, but like all things, if you don’t use it every night or day .. Ship it or get rid of it, as everything has weight. When it’s on your back, you count every ounce!
When morning comes, usually 7-7:30 the process of packing up starts all over again.
I’ve been several miles since my last blog. Sadly tomorrow I’ll loose one of my hiking partners:-( the bonds you develop are strong out here. You rely on planning, logistics and watching each other’s back, you lunch together, set up near each other and share hostel and lodging together. A team is formed and it’s sad when a team member is lost. I will miss Freedom! We will stay in touch, but it won’t be the same. Ill hike on and stay with my 2 other peeps, Smalltown and Squirrel. There will be others to form relationships with I’m sure. All part of hiking the AT, it’s brutal on ones body. I’ve lost several others for ankle injuries, quad and gastrox’s , and several others reasons as well ! In the Smokies! Pray for sunshine !