So you want to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail southbound? Well below are 7 must-have items I recommend for starting the Appalachian Trail southbound thru-hike, and specifically for hiking the notorious 100 Mile Wilderness, which can punish to would-be thru-hiker. Each year, a couple thousand people start their thru-hike at Springer Mountain, Georgia and start hiking north. […]
Carvers Gap to 19E Appalachian Trail Weekend Hike – A Great North Carolina Weekend Hike
A splendid weekend hiking along an open ridge in the Roan Mountain, TN area of the Appalachian Mountains. We hiked 14 miles hike along the Appalachian Trail from Carvers Gap to Highway 19E, and here are the trip details so you can too. By the way, if you’re looking for a great weekend coastal kayak […]
Poplar Ridge Hiking – AT Thru-Hike Day 29
We hiked a difficult 13 miles today. While no day longer than 10 miles is easy, today’s hike took us to peaks over 4000ft and valleys between peaks at 1500ft. At the end to the day, Stick, Turtle, and I debated whether to camp at the river that we had forded or climb to Poplar […]
Hello Stick and Hello Turtle – AT Thru-Hike Day 28
I left for the trail again after talking to mom, Chris, and Caroline. It was good to hear their voices and talk to them before beginning such a hard portion of the trail. I started hiking with Stick and Flying Turtle. Stick thru-hiked last year and came to support Turtle as he finished last year’s […]
Stratton Maine – AT Thru-Hike Days 26 27
Locations: Stratton Motel (Stratton, ME) I hiked six miles to the road quickly. The mosquitoes woke me with bites on the forehead, and Sourball kept me up with his talking. I buried myself in my sleeping bag but he kept telling me facts about the trail and Maine. As a third generation thru-hiker and trail […]
Another Encounter with Sourball – AT Thru-Hike Day 25
Location: Somewhere in the Bigelows, ME I started late today because I only had six miles to hike. Last night there was a terrible rainstorm. The wind blew harder than I’ve felt on this trip yet, and I learned today from a caretaker that the temperature dropped to 42F. The winds kept me awake last […]
Climbing into the Bigelows – AT Thru-Hike Day 24
Location: Safford Notch A hard rain convinced me to stay in my sleeping bag this morning. I heard thunder in the distance, even though the rain rattled the tin roof of the lean-to like a snare drum. I decided I would not take even the slightest chance with lightning, because of my last encounter. Wolfman […]
Trail Name Wayward – AT Thru-Hike Day 23
Location: Unnamed Shelter July has come and I am three weeks into my trip. Today I’ll say that I’m done with cigarettes. I’ve visited two towns, drank beer three nights and been around smokers each of those nights, and I have resisted temptation. In The Forks, ME, I didn’t even crave nicotine. This hike has […]
Calling Loons on Pierce Pond – AT Thru-Hike Day 22
Location: Pierce Pond, ME The last day of June. I missed the shuttle to the trail head this morning. Northern Outdoors only runs one shuttle a day, so I walked the highway to Longley’s store. It’s specifically stocked for the thru-hiker and is owned and operated by the same man who operates the canoe ferry […]
Northern Outdoors Zeros at the Brewery – AT Thru-Hike Day 20 and 21
Location: Northern Outdoors (Carratunk, ME) No entry. I hiked to Northern Outdoors. I failed to hitch a ride because of the rain. I felt awkward, almost embarrassed, about hitchhiking. I felt angry when people didn’t pick me up. The road was full of logging trucks that sped down the highway, spraying me with water each […]