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Lee Adourian

Living in: Massachusetts, United States of America Read more Massachusetts, United States of America
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    • TravelerHeading North on AT from S. VA
      Day 31

      Day 30 of AT in MD/PA NOBO

      April 7 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 39 °F

      Raven Rock Shelter (1,062.7) to Old Forge Rd crossing (1,075.7)
      Total Miles: 13.0

      Drizzle & 50 degrees as I head out on trail this am.
      Only went 13 miles today as that was how the road crossing options aligned today.
      Extremely rocky terrain today and slippery with the rain and moss covered boulders. Pretty sketch. Not many pics nor video as it was rainy & foggy the whole day.
      Linda is a wonderful shuttle driver. Picked me up cold & wet from Old Forge Rd and drove me to the Sleep Inn in Chambersburg PA.
      Has been poignant reminiscing about my Aunt Barbara & Uncle Hugh, who spent most of their lives here and raised my three cousins in the beautiful backcountry of this town.
      Stayed up late watching the men’s NCAA basketball championship.      Read more

    • TravelerHeading North on AT from S. VA
      Day 30

      Day 29 of AT in MD NOBO

      April 6 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 52 °F

      Washington Monument Rd. (1,045.5) to Raven Rock Shelter (1,062.7)
      Total Miles: 17.2

      Cloudy and chilly as I left Trail Boss’ car and immediately climbed 1 mile uphill to the Washington Monument (not the one in DC!). This memorial was built in 1827 by villagers in nearby Boonsboro to honor George Washington (see pic of sign describing it all). On the way up to the monument, there were 8 placards highlighting the key milestones in his life (see pics).
      Stopped a lot during today’s trek to read all of the different informational accounts of the various historical events that took place along this route from both Revolutionary and Civil War time periods. Was fun to refresh my memory of so many details from both that I had forgotten.
      Was super tired when I got to Raven Rock Shelter. Pretty much pitched my tent between the raindrops, quickly ate, and then fell asleep early.      Read more

    • TravelerHeading North on AT from S. VA
      Day 29

      Day 28 of AT in WV/MD NOBO

      April 5 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F

      Washington Monument Rd. (1,045.5) Southbound slack-pack to Shenandoah St. in Harper's
      Ferry, WV (1,025.7)
      Total Miles: 19.8

      Perfect trekking weather today… cloudy, no wind or rain, 58 degrees.
      I was able to get “Trail Boss” (see first pic) to shuttle me up to Boonsboro at 7am. He has been one of those instrumental Appalachian Trail designers/maintainers/shuttlers for the past 50 years. He was the one that spearheaded the 2.5 year making of the 14 mile long Rollercoaster
      back in 1985. He’s based in Harper’s Ferry and hikers try to meet him if they can when they are in town.
      Was excited to get 4 miles down trail to Boonsboro and the 14 mile stretch of the AT that is part of the annual JFK 50 Miler Ultra race. I ran the race in 2012, and the vivid memories came back quickly.
      Also, this whole area from Washington Monument State Park back down to Harper’s Ferry is so steeped in history. Both Revolutionary & Civil Wars. Poignant and thought provoking. Remembrance & reflection were the order of the day.
      Great views through the trees of the Potomac River and Harper’s Ferry as I descended down the switchbacks about 6 miles out of town. Lots of day and section hikers out and about as this is a Saturday in Spring.
      A nice 4 mile walk along the canal and then back into Harper’s Ferry through the historic district. So much great stuff to see.
      Decided to spend one more night in the hotel so that I could watch the NCAA Final 4 tonight.      Read more

    • TravelerHeading North on AT from S. VA
      Day 28

      Day 27 of AT in WV NOBO

      April 4 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F

      Zero Day in Harper’s Ferry, WV

      Not much is close to the Quality Inn. The hotel is incredibly convenient to the AT, but not so much to the restaurants, retailers, etc. .
      Close friend Gary Raphael drove over from Bethesda MD to have lunch and spend the afternoon with me. Was great to see a familiar face. The food and beer at The Rabbit Hole in town centre was amazing.
      Had to stop by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy office, which is one of the meccas for thru and section hikers. It’s the symbolic halfway point of the trail. You get your picture taken, sign the hiker log book, and other cool things. Dave “Pop Tart” Tarasevich was there today working. A well known ATC volunteer.
      Gary headed back. I chilled in the room, ate leftover pizza and garlic knots for dinner, and rested up for my 20+ mile day tomorrow.      Read more

    • TravelerHeading North on AT from S. VA
      Day 27

      Day 26 of AT in VA/WV NOBO

      April 3 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F

      Bear's Den Hostel (1,006) to Shenandoah St. in Harper’s Ferry, WV (1,025.7)
      Total Miles: 19.7

      Left Bear’s Den Hostel at 7:30am. Was already 55 degrees, humid and moist.
      A mile or two in I came down the mountainside and had to cross the very busy Leesburg Pike, right at rush hour (see video). Two lanes of heavy traffic going East into Leesburg and on into Washington DC. The toughest road to cross in the last 1,000 miles.
      I finished up the Rollercoaster about halfway through the day. Wasn’t as difficult as advertised, but tell that to my trail shoes. They’ve taken a beating recently.
      The last 10 miles of the day was essentially ridge running at @ 1,500 ft Elev through a forest that looked decimated from recent winter storms. Came across
      2 trail workers chain sawing as many blowdowns as they could. They said they have been working non stop for weeks. But through all of the dismal, brown, dead timber, I walked through a section of vibrant yellow wild daffodils. Was startling to see. Mother Nature’s handiwork on display.
      Got to Harper’s Ferry around 5pm after a 78 degree day and little water. Can’t remember being so happy to get to a hotel water fountain.      Read more

    • TravelerHeading North on AT from S. VA
      Day 26

      Day 25 of AT in VA NOBO

      April 2 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 54 °F

      Ashby Gap (992.4) to
      Bear’s Den Hostel (1,006)
      Total Miles: 13.6

      A chilly (38 degrees) start to the morning as I headed north. Came around a corner and saw a beautiful cluster of Virginia Bluebells lining the trail (see pic).
      Was an enjoyable first 4 miles contemplating the 14 mile long “Rollercoaster” that was to come. The Coaster is 14 consecutive pyramid shaped up and down segments rising and then falling 500ft which are mostly comprised of small & medium sized jagged rocks. It ended up not being as bad as advertised, though the toughest part of it I’ll hit tomorrow am on my way towards Harper’s Ferry.
      I reached the 1,000 mile hiked (from Springer) sign
      Midday. Only 1,200 miles to go! 😃😳
      Only did 13.6 miles today as I wanted to check out The Bear’s Den, a large stone (looks like a French countryside manse) hostel which is right on trail in the middle of the woods and is owned by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC). I’ve read a lot about it and many hikers stay at it as they pass by. You can pitch your tent on the back grounds for $15 (includes shower), or you can stay inside: bunk bed is $30 and private room is either $60 or $80. The hiker special is $40 and you get a bunk, shower, a load of laundry, a pizza, soda & pint of ice cream. The 2 caretakers were very nice as were the other hikers. The pizza and Talenti Gelato too!      Read more

    • TravelerHeading North on AT from S. VA
      Day 25

      Day 24 of AT in VA NOBO

      April 1 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 52 °F

      Ashby Gap (992.4) Southbound slack-pack to US Rt 522 parking area (972.7)
      Total Miles: 19.7

      After last night’s thunderstorms, blue sky, windy and cooler temps ushered in. Perfect trekking weather.
      Passed by 25+ hikers during the middle of the day that are all 60+ and part of a local hiking club. Was great to speak to a few of them.
      Stopped by the Jim & Molly Denton shelter today just to see what all the talk is about. It’s known as one of the best shelter’s on the AT (see pics). Had a beautiful porch, a cooking pavilion, a solar shower!, and a moldering privy. Almost wanted to stay the night!
      Got back to the parking lot where Rana met me. A rooster we saw the day before escaped right next to us under the fencing at the 250 acre federal government facility adjacent to the street. He was very tame and seemed to really enjoy his newfound freedom (see pic & video).      Read more

    • TravelerHeading North on AT from S. VA
      Day 24

      Day 23 of AT in VA NOBO

      March 31 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

      Zero day in Front Royal VA

      Hung out at the Starbucks inside of Target down the street. Did journal stuff and researched what was in store for me over the next week on the trail. For the first time in a long time, I’m finally getting to focus on a state other than VA. 25% of the whole AT is in this state. The interesting part is that within a 42 mile span, you go from VA, to WV, MD and into PA. It really starts to feel like you’re making some headway instead of spinning in place.
      Purchased lunch & dinner at Target and took it back to the room. Cheeses, meats, humus, guacamole, crackers & veg juice. To go along with leftover pizza. That’s living!!      Read more

    • TravelerHeading North on AT from S. VA
      Day 23

      Day 22 of AT in VA NOBO

      March 30 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F

      Gravel Springs Hut (959.0) to US Rt 522 parking area (972.7)
      Total Miles: 13.7

      Another 80+ degree day. Got up and going by 8am.
      Had to figure out a road crossing/pick up spot today where Bill or Goldilocks could get me into north Front Royal VA. Based on the 2 options, it would either be a 14 mile day or a 20. I chose the 14 as they had to pick me up by 3:30 at the latest, and I didn’t want to start hiking at 5am. Ok, I’m mentally weak! 😃
      It was actually a pretty boring day as far as views go. Most of the day was a 1/4 mile away from the west edge of the ridge-line, which meant trekking through a lot of this past winter’s blow-downs.
      Bill “Rana” (60’ish) picked me up at Rt 522 and shuttled me 7 miles to the Hampton Inn in North Front Royal. Bill is ex Marines and he is a huge part of this community. Trail runner, trail maintainer, Shuttler, part time VNA for ex vets, he seems to do it all.
      From the “Small World”Department: I was leaving the hotel to go next door to get some food. I was talking to the front desk gals when a 70’ish couple was checking in. The husband jumped into the convo and mentioned something about his days at U of Michigan. I was like, my son goes to Michigan, so we got into that. Then the gal says they met when she was living in Darien CT and working at Greenwich hospital (he was a patient). I said, no way, I grew up in Greenwich. He says I went to Greenwich HS, and I said me too! Sooo….. 30 minutes later I got to finally go get food from next door. 🙂
      Some good NCAA tournament games on TV then fast asleep by 11pm.      Read more

    • TravelerHeading North on AT from S. VA
      Day 22

      Day 21 of AT in VA NOBO

      March 29 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 81 °F

      Thornton Gap/US 211
      (944.7) to Gravel Springs Hut (959.0)
      Total Miles: 14.3

      Decided to sleep in a bit this am after late night. Michigan lost 🙁, but there were some other really good games nonetheless.
      Said goodbye to Wayne when he dropped me off at Thornton Gap (see pic). He gave me the names Bill and Goldilocks, a shuttling couple who lives up trail between Front Royal and Winchester, in case I have a need and Uber doesn’t work.
      Halfway through the day, I came across a Minnesota family of 3 going in the opposite direction. The 23 yr old Son lives and works in Baltimore at Northrop Grumman. Parents came down to visit him and are touring/hiking around SNP for a few days. They were very intrigued by the whole AT thing, so we talked for 20 mins.
      Got to the very nice Gravel Springs Hut around 5:30pm. Two single moms Holly & Mallory (combined trail name Hallory) were already there with tents set up, as well as Flicker, a 60 yr old guy who is section in preparation for a thru hike next year. Mikey, a long weekend hiker from Ocean City MD learning all about longer distance hiking came in a few minutes later. Lots of fun discussion and laughs with this group as we had dinner. At 7:30pm, in rolled three young, loud in a good way, thru hikers who are attempting the calendar year triple crown (AT, CDT & PCT trails all in the same yr). We talked about the hiker Chia, who I met and hung out with 2 weeks ago in Daleville, who is the first thru hiker up the trail and is doing 30-35 mile days. These three started around the same time as Chia but are now going 5-7 miles per day slower than him. The three got up at 5am the next morning, made a lot of ruckus, and then headed north. I for one will be following them on Instagram. Not!      Read more

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