Adventure Possible

How to Live a Modern Life of Adventure

15 Steps to Live a Life of Adventure
  • Life of Adventure
  • Books
  • Sponsorships
  • Weekend Adventures
  • Appalachian Trail
  • Bike America
  • RV’ing
  • The Kelleys
You are here: Home / Adventure / Crossing the Mason Dixon on the Appalachian Trail – AT Thru-Hike Day 108

Crossing the Mason Dixon on the Appalachian Trail – AT Thru-Hike Day 108

March 19, 2014 by Mark Kelley Leave a Comment

Share adventure with others

  • Tweet

Location: Devil’s Backbone Racecourse Shelter, Maryland

I hiked 33 miles today. I crossed from Pennsylvania into Maryland late this afternoon. The sign marking the Mason Dixon line had been stolen and only permanent marker scribbling on the post designated the border. There was a sign though that said ‘Welcome to the south. Free whores.’ After a rest at the park just across the border, Not Bad pushed ahead of me. He planned to do a forty mile day and finish at the shelter beyond the one where I decided I would sleep tonight.

At the end of the day, I climbed up the nastiest boulder scramble I have crossed since Chairback Mountain in Maine. It lasted for over a mile, and I raced the sunset yet again over treacherous terrain. I didn’t reach the top before night fell, so I hiked several hundred yards on the dangerous boulders in the dark with my headlamp. I couldn’t spot the blazes on the boulders. The white paint isn’t reflective so it’s especially hard to see at night when I can only glance a few seconds at a time to see the trail ahead of me. I’m constantly focusing on my next step, and the attention can be fatiguing.

I’m sleeping at Devil’s Racecourse shelter, which is hundreds of yards off the trail in a deep ravine. The shelter is the worst I have seen. It is small, decrepit, and full of mice. I’m alone, and I can hear cars pass behind the shelter. Dogs bark in nearby yards. I keep thinking that the next car will be a group of rowdy locals ready to drink at the shelter on a Friday night.

Share adventure with others

  • Tweet

More adventure, please!

Filed Under: Adventure, Adventure Trip, Backpacking, Mark's Appalachian Trail Thru Hike, Maryland Hiking

Share your comments... Cancel reply

Click to Buy eBook

Buy This eBook from AdventurePossible.com ($4.99)

Based on the actual adventure and transformation of Mark Kelley, publisher of this website, who struggled mightily on his hike through the rugged and remote 100 Mile Wilderness on the Appalachian Trail.

Amazon Top 20 Best Seller for Adventure Travel eBooks.

Buy It Now. Support Adventure Possible. ($4.99)

Meet the Adventure Possible Family

kelley family photo

Hi, My Name is Katie and I Married an Adventurer.

Quitting My Job

How can we afford to quit work and to travel for a year?

Are we investing for the future while we travel long term?

How much does it cost to RV around America for a year?

Adventure Possible in the News

Live a Life of Adventure in 15 Steps

Our family has adopted an approach to modern life that builds adventure into life's trajectory. We call it the Adventure Possible … Read More

Adventure in NC

  • Life of Adventure
  • Books
  • Sponsorships
  • Weekend Adventures
  • Appalachian Trail
  • Bike America
  • RV’ing
  • The Kelleys

Dream Big

  • Live a Life of Adventure
  • RV across America
  • Bike across America
  • Hike the AT

Resources

  • Checklists & Tools
  • Adventure Sponsorships
  • Weekend Adventures

Shop

  • Shop
  • Cart
  • Checkout
  • My Account

Get Involved

  • Contributing Writers
  • Buy our Books
  • About The Site
  • Meet the Kelleys

Social

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Search

© 2013-2016 ProTrack Marketing LLC. Raleigh, North Carolina. Google+ Publisher.