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AT 2025 🥾🏕️
  • Kev McG
  • Kev McG

AT 2025 🥾🏕️

Hiking the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine! Please pop by often to follow along and say hello! Leggi altro
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  • Kev McGAT 2025 🥾🏕️Viaggiatore

    🌜 Primitive Camping, mountain top

    27 maggio 2025, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Mile 1437.5 (22.4 miles on trail)…
    Arriving late at night by headlamp we pitched our tents in a wooded area near the top of a modest mountain. The terrain is pretty rocky here and there is a small view out from the rocks -eventually showcasing a picturesque farm (we could not see it until the morning on our way out). It was a late arrival because we stayed the previous night in a hotel, enjoying hot showers, laundry, double breakfast in the morning…, which got back to the trailhead somewhat leisurely at 11am.

    Today I experienced a lot of captivating wildlife including a garder snake on a treadmill (he was trying to escape me for 5 seconds on a mossy incline- it wasn’t working-before ultimately veering left downhill. It was hilarious, wish I got a video). Also a beaver pond with some interesting frogs. My favorite experience was turning the corner on trail and discovering the tiniest fawn. Curled up on trail alone. It took a while to stand up and retreat to the forest so I got a really good look. Such a cutie.    Leggi altro

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  • Kev McGAT 2025 🥾🏕️Viaggiatore

    Swimming at Nuclear Lake ☢️🏊🦆

    28 maggio 2025, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    It was incredibly refreshing to break here for lunch. We picnicked and took a swim to cool off! Fear not, the name “nuclear lake” sounds menacing for sure, and yes there was an explosion here over 50 years ago that released an unknown amount of plutonium dust into the pond and surrounding area… but the government says it was cleaned up and clear for recreational use as of 1975. 🎉 I will let you know if anything feels odd 😜

    For what it’s worth these geese seemed totally normal and absolutely trained to approach hikers to beg for food 😂😂😂    Leggi altro

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  • Kev McGAT 2025 🥾🏕️Viaggiatore

    Bog Bridges

    28 maggio 2025, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    These can be helpful but I also find them terrifying when they are wet (slippery) or poorly maintained (uneven, sinking, rotten, missing). In some locations they can span more than half a mile- which is great for keeping your feet out of the mud but you really have to pay special attention to foot placement!Leggi altro

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  • Kev McGAT 2025 🥾🏕️Viaggiatore

    🌜Wiley shelter

    28 maggio 2025, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    The morning routine got a shake-up today when we realized it was only a quick 2 mile hike to arrive at a deli for breakfast and snacks. The store was sparsely stocked with odd products but people seemed to like their breakfast sandwiches.

    Midday we took a break at Nuclear Lake. The scene was somewhat ideal- Wild flowers, lush green grass, and a charismatic family of Canadian geese looking for handouts. The name “Nuclear” stuck after a nearby lab experiment ended with plutonium dust peppering the lake and nearby woods. They say the site has been cleaned and cleared for recreational use once 1975 but 🤷 still makes you wonder. The swimming was great and made the afternoon much more comfortable.

    The 2nd deli seemed like a potential bust- the menu wasn’t super vegan friendly but the gregarious owner twisted my arm on a veggie delight “I just don’t make bad sandwiches “. Eggplant can be polarizing but it worked here- Marinated in house and fried up on the grill for a warm focal point ultimately served on a fresh Kaiser roll. I was pleasantly surprised. It made for a good early dinner.

    More nature sightings throughout the day, including a shy/retreating skunk, baby birds roosted in the shelter beams, and a timid black bear on trail who was getting away from us as fast as he could. Still exciting to witness with a respectful distance.

    Mile 1460.1    Leggi altro

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  • Kev McGAT 2025 🥾🏕️Viaggiatore

    🌜 Tent Camping at Stewart Hollow Brook

    29 maggio 2025, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Mile 1480.4

    Fun day on trail with a morning dash to Kent CT for lunch, meeting up with Steve, a friend of Little Foot’s. He kindly shuttled us to town for groceries and he payed for lunch at the pizzeria 😍

    I got new shoes today! Which felt amazing! I’m light on my feet again and feeling bouncy and cushy. This is pair #3…. Pair #2 was splitting on the side and I could feel every rock... but they took me about 1009+ miles!

    So I’d say there are days when you feel a remarkable shift in the forest environment- this was one of them. Connecticut trails are seemingly well maintained and we were picking up a “Pacific Northwest vibe” in terms of geology, water features and tree canopy. Loving it so far! Saw a lot of baby newts on trail and had to be careful not to crush them. The last 3 miles or so followed the Housatonic River - flat and sandy… an easy ride with beautiful scenery.

    Pitched our tents on a hill somewhat overlooking the river. 20.3 miles of hiking on trail today.    Leggi altro

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  • Kev McGAT 2025 🥾🏕️Viaggiatore

    🌜Limestone Spring Shelter

    30 maggio 2025, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Mile 1503.1

    Beautiful hollow in the woods but so buggy. It was a steep half mile climb to get to this shelter and when we arrived it was already full with section hikers 😩Would have been nice to dry off a little but but we have our tents- it’s cool.

    Some more background on this location… It seemed odd to be so far off trail with such a dramatic and steep approach but apparently the Appalachian Trail was rerouted several years ago and before they did that this location was right on the trail.

    We are always pretty good (emphasis on best practices while camping/hiking), but were especially on our best behavior today because there is a ridge runner named Vince here too, camping right near us… turns out he has some odd behaviors and maybe the cautions aren’t necessary. Meanwhile it’s the first time we felt the mosquitoes really attacking- so I was glad to have a bug net for my head!

    Rain started back up shortly after we ate dinner and never really let up at all ☔️. Tomorrow looks wet!    Leggi altro

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  • Kev McGAT 2025 🥾🏕️Viaggiatore

    🌜Nearo to Steve’s Lakehouse pt1

    31 maggio 2025, Stati Uniti ⋅ 🌧 14 °C

    Essentially we knew it was going to rain last night- and camping in our tents was going to mean a soggy morning ritual… but we didn’t have much of a choice. The shelter was full of “section hikers” 🙄and “flipfloppers” 😩- I clearly have opinions about this but will save that for another time.

    As predicted, rain arrived overnight and our tents were soggy and muddy. Nothing we can’t handle, truthfully. Some shelter space emerged as hikers started out their days individually braving the elements… and this gave us space to wring out, organize, and repack as well as eating a little breakfast together in a dry space.

    10 minutes into the hike we had a near death experience, truly. There are many dangers in the forest including poisons, thorns, wild animals, slipping on rocks, etc. This time it was gravitational forces on a water logged tree! We heard a loud creak and Little Foot’s scream just before a massive trunk ripped to the earth with an astounding momentum and a massive thud. This was only 15-20 feet from her position on trail! 😬 To say we were shaken is an understatement. These forces in nature seem deceptively simple but in truth they are mind boggling complex …and to witness an event like this so closely just makes me feel small. In the end everyone is okay and there is nothing to do except keep hiking!

    I’m not sure if it was this scary close call and/or the relentless drizzle but our morale had reached an unfamiliar low point. After some discussion we diverted from trail and discovered The White Hart, a historic inn in Salisbury CT with a fantastic café on the main level. We occupied that fancy place like it was our living room and I have to say that can go two ways, but we found the locals welcoming curious, and inviting.

    Coffees and baked goods were restorative but not necessarily motivational for braving the rain. A plan was brewing to get out of the rain and use Steve’s lake house in Monterey MA as a home base for a couple nights. We might do some “slack packing” (supported hike carrying less gear) and enjoy creature comforts, including popcorn and a movie, a funfetti cake, a huge pasta dinner with “sausages “ and broiled broccoli… all this in addition to what normally excites us: hot showers, laundry, resupply options, etc.

    Not too many photos today- the phone was wet and packed away but I do have a shot of us lounging and might be able to get one of our dinner to post later!

    Mile 1507.5 (a mere 4.4 miles of hiking this day- nearly zero… aka “nearo”)    Leggi altro

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  • Kev McGAT 2025 🥾🏕️Viaggiatore

    Waiting for the Busdriver

    1 giugno 2025, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    We had some storms roll through and even a rainbow at one point… but the skies are finally clearing up for the evening! We are waiting for Trickshot’s friend named “Busdriver” to pick us up from trail and we will head back to Steve’s place for night two there!Leggi altro

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  • Kev McGAT 2025 🥾🏕️Viaggiatore

    🌜Steve’s Lake House pt2

    1 giugno 2025, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    Today we were treated to “Slack Packing”… essentially by using the lake house as home base and getting a lift from Trickshot’s visiting friend Bus Driver we were able to hike the trail without carrying any unnecessary gear. It was liberating and in ways inspiring… but I did slip somewhat dramatically a few times (tough terrain with wet conditions here in the early Berkshires, and new shoes~ getting used to the treads and maybe going too fast). I did catch a fall on my hands and I’m watching it closely 😝

    We hiked into the early evening and got picked up at our rendezvous.

    Big dinner plans back at the lake house- a Mexican stew and a pie… Trickshot made everything. Busdriver works in a gourmet cheese shop and she also bought a charcuterie board and some fancy snacks.

    Fun time chatting, board games, and enjoying a cozy fire the woodstove. Off to bed late and plans for the morning are likely to include breakfast and resupply trip in Great Barrington and hiking afterwards.    Leggi altro

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  • Kev McGAT 2025 🥾🏕️Viaggiatore
    2

    Kidnapped by NY Pals (zero for me)

    2 giugno 2025, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    It was apparent this morning that today was going to be an off-trail day for me. The other three spent the day hiking but I needed a day off to heal my hand a little bit. It’s swollen and not very happy with me.

    I picked up a simple hand brace in town and that is helping (compression, stability) and I’m doing the other tricks too (ibuprofen, ice, elevation).

    A friend in the general area (🫶😍M.R. is settling into a new home / farm) met us in Great Barrington and we had a nice lunch at a cafe there together. We bounced around town a little bit but ultimately it was time to part ways. I was headed to the farm to chill and the tramily is headed to trail.

    I loved seeing the new place and the ambitious gardens. We caught up with his partner and our other friend in that area (👋 Hi 😍J.D.💖 and S❣️ I wish we got a photo together!) Some genuine relaxing as the sun set and also went out for a lovely Asian fusion dinner.

    Hiker midnight caught the best of me and essentially it was time to crash as soon as we got back from dinner. Tomorrow I will get a ride back to trail, assuming my hand gets better and I feel up to it!    Leggi altro

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  • Kev McGAT 2025 🥾🏕️Viaggiatore
    1

    🌜Upper Goose Pond Cabin

    3 giugno 2025, Stati Uniti ⋅ 🌙 16 °C

    Mile 1555.7

    We stayed overnight in a modest cabin on upper Goose Pond tonight. The property is owned by the National Park Service and operated by a local AT club. Volunteer caretakers make pancakes and coffee in the morning and there are basic bunk beds with foam mattresses for 15 people . It was late and pretty full when we arrived but everyone got space and we saw many familiar faces.

    I noticed there was no electricity here but they did have an old gas lamp in the dining room and a sizable fireplace.    Leggi altro

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  • Kev McGAT 2025 🥾🏕️Viaggiatore

    🌜Tom Levardi’s back yard!

    4 giugno 2025, Stati Uniti ⋅ 🌙 21 °C

    Mile 1576 in Dalton Massachusetts

    Apparently Tom has been hosting hikers in tents in his back yard for decades! What a nice guy too, he shared all kinds of stories about people he met and talked up the local area amenities 😍

    I feel like everyone was incredibly mindful of his rules and keeping it quiet for the neighbors but I can only imagine how it can get in the high season here. There were “only” 10 tents tonight but he said he’s had up to 50 in the past!!😱    Leggi altro

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  • Kev McGAT 2025 🥾🏕️Viaggiatore
    131

    Mount Greylock Monument

    5 giugno 2025, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    A 93ft memorial at the top of Mt Greylock… the observation deck was quite exciting since there was a big storm cloud rolling in. On the way down the mountain we were subjected to cooling rains and even some modest hailstones.Leggi altro

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  • Kev McGAT 2025 🥾🏕️Viaggiatore

    🌜Wilbur Clearing Shelter

    5 giugno 2025, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    Mile 1596.6

    The day was warm and humid and we had to keep it moving else the bugs swarm- they are relentlessly attracted to my face. If I’m hiking slowly on a difficult stretch of terrain I’ll typically take out the bug net to avoid the hassle / annoyance.

    We took a decent pause for cold drinks at the Mt Greylock monument and the lodge there- and rolled down the hill during an amazing thunder and hail storm to get to our shelter- only a little wet truthfully. Hiker named Flintstone was the only one there. Seemingly a decent guy, he certainly put up with our antics.

    Shortly after going to bed Joey was shouting in his dream that there were large octopus tentacles coming out of the walls of the shelter- he proclaimed “the lights are coming on guys” and proceeded to inspect the back wall - all of this while asleep 😂😂

    We got everyone settled and back to bed safely- no tentacles were confirmed.    Leggi altro

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  • Kev McGAT 2025 🥾🏕️Viaggiatore

    Vermud

    6 giugno 2025, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    Trail conditions in Vermont are noticeably different. Immediately after crossing the border the trail is overgrown and the prevalence of mud pits is so high. The mental energy of avoiding the mud is taxing and at a certain point I just started walking through it. It feels soft/comfy and most of the time it doesn’t even get your shoe wet- most of the time. Occasionally, when you pick an unlucky step your foot will sink 6-8 inches (seemingly forever) and develop an enormous suction 😱😩

    This section of the AT follows Vermont’s Long trail and apparently this is a known thing- about the mud,    Leggi altro

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  • Kev McGAT 2025 🥾🏕️Viaggiatore

    🌜Autumn Inn, Bennington VT

    6 giugno 2025, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Morning was humid and buggy hiking for the last stretch of Massachusetts. There were some pretty moments- streams and views. Noteworthy today: hit mile 1600! Black bear siting on trail (it retreated). Crossing into Vermont. Thunderstorms in the late afternoon and a beautiful fog that cooled down the humidity. Getting totally drenched. We decided to make a dash to Bennington VT for a budget hotel stay. Door dash chipotle for dinner!Leggi altro

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  • Kev McGAT 2025 🥾🏕️Viaggiatore

    🌜 William Douglas Shelter

    8 giugno 2025, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    Mile 1652.3
    (24.2 miles of hiking today)

    Honestly loved this simple shelter, it was a bit off trail (0.5 mile) but the trade off was that we had it all to ourselves. After a long day of hiking it was nice to have a little bit of space to spread out and not have to tiptoe around others.

    My ankle has been smart most of the day- there was a lot of rock hopping in the mud and maybe that’s not a great thing to do for several hours nonstop for multiple days in a row 🤷😮😬😇🫠😭 I’ll check back in with you on this. From day to day these little injuries are like whack-a-mole. The good news is that my hand is almost completely healed- I’m still intentionally favoring it somewhat but happy to report that is no more swelling, good mobility, and the pain is gone 🙌

    Highlights for today… more beaver ponds, the sun eventually returns, crushing a long day, mud pits, more mud, a know-it-all day hiker on Stratton Mountain’s peak and maybe a plan brewing for a short day tomorrow with time to relax in town.    Leggi altro

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