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Heading North on AT from S. VA
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  • Lee Adourian

Heading North on AT from S. VA

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    Lee AdourianHeading North on AT from S. VATraveler

    Day 40 of AT in PA NOBO

    April 17 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F

    Black Swatara Creek
    Campsite (1,207.1) to Port Clinton (1,220.2)
    Total Miles: 13.1

    Got up early today and was on trail by 5:30am. First time I’ve had to use my headlamp for hiking. Was a lot of fun.
    Needed to get my final 13.1 miles done over the rocky trail by 1pm as that’s when Pip could pick me up in Port Clinton.
    Half way through the morning, I came across Little Mountain Overlook. See pic & video. Such a clear and magnificent panorama of the valley floor between Harrisburg and Allentown. Might be the prettiest view of the trip thus far. My 6 week hike ends today and this was such a nice way to wind things down.
    Got to Port Clinton a few minutes early and was to the hotel in Allentown by 1:45.
    So…. A total of @ 530 miles done for this 6 week section. Looking forward to coming back and setting off from Port Clinton next late Spring!!?    Read more

  • Lee AdourianHeading North on AT from S. VATraveler

    Day 39 of AT in PA NOBO

    April 16 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 52 °F

    Swatara Gap (1,185.3) to Black Swatara Creek Campsite (1,207.1)
    Total Miles: 21.8

    The six of us got up at roughly the same time this morning and all headed out by 8am.
    Walked across the street through the old Swatara Gap Canal area and then headed 3 miles uphill.

    Once we hit the ridge-line, where we would be for the next 30 miles, the “Rocksylvania” part of Pennsylvania finally started (see pic). The trail the rest of today and all tomorrow were strewn with these medium sized jagged rocks going every which direction. Very difficult to find solid foot placement. You get about a 10 minute reprieve every hour, but then you’re right back into rock city. The tough part mentally is that the trail in this section is pretty flat, so you can visualize going fast if the trail were just a nice bed of pine needles. But dang, so close yet so far!

    On a few sections of the trail today, we were actually walking on beds of coal rather than the typical stones and rocks. See video & pics. Very cool.

    I found a nice, flat tenting spot at an existing campsite right on trail this evening. Windy with temps getting down into the low 30’s. A cold one for my last night.    Read more

  • Lee AdourianHeading North on AT from S. VATraveler

    Day 38 of AT in PA NOBO

    April 15 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    Clark's Valley Rd/
    PA Rt 325 (1,167.9) to Swatara Gap (1,185.3)
    Total Miles: 17.4

    Pip dropped me off at 7:30am and immediately started uphill for @ 2 miles.
    Broken clouds to start and temps in the low 50’s.
    Around Noon, I started hearing supersonic jet type noises coming quickly from the horizon behind me. For the next 20-30 minutes, two fighter jets conducted exercises overhead, fairly close to the ground (see video). Turns out they were Maryland Air National Guard jets that routinely use the Second Mountain/Blue Mountain area of PA (between Harrisburg & Allentown) for their regular training as this wilderness area has limited residents in the area in which to bother.
    I then hit the part of the Second Mountain area (Rausch Gap/Stony Valley) known historically for its extensive coal mining operations from the mid-1800’s to early 1900’s.
    Most of the small stream and spring beds I saw over this next 10 mile stretch were distinctively orange (see pic) and had a sulphur-like smell. I learned that this was from decades of water seeping through the coal mines and a chemical reaction occurring when the water eventually flowed closer to the surface and mixed with oxygen. The water itself looks clear, but it leaves the bright orange residue. Environmentalists realized years ago that this chemical phenomenon was killing off all of the fish in the watershed area, as well as other animals that drank from the water. A resolution to this issue came in 1986, when the organization Trout Unlimited built the country’s first series of limestone diversion wells here at Rausch Gap (see pics attached). The process simply pushes untreated water (with force) through a bed of limestone. The highly alkaline limestone particles chemically react to neutralize the acidity of the untreated water. These diversion wells were strategically placed and now treated water from the entire watershed is released into the main river where fish are now in ample supply.
    By 4pm, the first of two heavy rain squalls & 40mph winds blew through and soaked us all. There were 6 of us trying to get down to our end point for tonight, the Swatara Gap Hostel (right on trail) before it all started, but alas unsuccessfully.
    I was the first one down and was able to quickly pitch my tent in the backyard of the hostel between the two squalls. There were 2 large covered picnic table areas where we were able to eat and stay dry. The nearby resupply shack was unlocked and 3 of the hikers were able to sleep on its floor overnight to stay dry.    Read more

  • Lee AdourianHeading North on AT from S. VATraveler

    Day 37 of AT in PA NOBO

    April 14 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F

    Zero day in Harrisburg, PA

    Got up late at 10:45. Man, did I need that. Five relatively long days in a row were taxing on this 58 year old body!
    Hung out at Starbucks for a few hours (which I love to do if the option affords itself) and updated my trail journals. Then off to the grocery store to get food resupply for the next 3 days and dinner for tonight. Craving veggies big time! Suja green juice it is.Read more

  • Lee AdourianHeading North on AT from S. VATraveler

    Day 36 of AT in PA NOBO

    April 13 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F

    Downtown Duncannon
    (1,150.3) to Clark’s Valley Rd/PA Rt 325 (1,167.9)
    Total Miles: 17.6

    Was comfy & cozy in my tent that I pitched behind the Presbyterian Church off of Main St in Duncannon. Packed up and was off and running by 7am.
    Overcast and 40 degrees to start the day. Supposed to be broken clouds/sun and warmer by noon.
    Some sense of immediacy in my speed today as Pip has to pick me up at 2:30pm at the latest as she has other shuttles later. So, 17.6 relatively hilly & rocky miles to do (@ 2.3 mph, a bit aggressive on this type of terrain, but I have a zero day in Harrisburg tomorrow to look forward to! Spoiler alert, made it with 10 mins to spare 😮‍💨).
    The first 1.5 miles this Sunday am was all on the tranquil side roads of Duncannon. Very quiet except for dogs barking as I strolled by their homes. Saw lots of history on my way out of town. For example, walked past the boarded up Standard Novelty Works building. Established in 1904 by P.F. Duncan (the town was named after him), the company was famous for producing the Lightning Guider Sled from 1904 to 1988. Pumped out more children’s sleds daily (1,700) than any U.S. factory (see pic). Went out of biz in 1990. A block away is the Clark’s Ferry Tavern, originally built in 1788 by John Clark. See the pic of the building and the placard describing the 12 different things the building was used for over a 150 year period.
    Walked on the Rt 22 bridge over the Juniata and Susquehanna Rivers below me, with the 1,000 ft ridge climb on the horizon ahead.
    One thing that I should’ve mentioned before is one of the huge advantages of section hiking this time of year: there are small blooms on the trees, which adds some color to the otherwise brown landscape, but the trees aren’t leafed out yet, so you can always see through the trees and have beautiful views you wouldn’t normally have if it was just a month later. That’s why they call the AT the green tunnel… the view most hikers have as they move north are of dense foliage and limited views.
    Once over the Susquehanna, trudged up a moderate incline over rocky outcroppings and scrambles for the next 2 miles. Headed north on a ridge-line that would extend the next 10+ miles (paralleled Mountain Road down to my right. See map pic).
    Per my comment above, from this ridge-line, I had stunning views through the leafless trees of the vibrant green farmlands in the valley to my left below, while at the same time, to my right, an amazing panorama of the twisting Susquehanna River with Harrisburg in the distance. The changing vistas kept me entertained, as did chatting with the various day hikers I encountered.
    Descended into the north Harrisburg valley at 2:15pm where Pip was waiting. Got to the Fairfield Inn in East Harrisburg by 3pm where I checked in, did much needed laundry, and was able to watch the last 3 hours of The Masters and Rory McIlroy’s phenomenal/historic march to victory. All in all, a full and marvelous day!!    Read more

  • Lee AdourianHeading North on AT from S. VATraveler

    Day 35 of AT in PA NOBO

    April 12 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 48 °F

    AT pedestrian bridge over Rt 11 in Carlisle (1,132.6) to Downtown Duncannon (1,150.3)
    Total Miles: 17.7

    Slept in a little bit for the first time in awhile. Went across the street to Dunkin’ for breakfast before walking the 0.5 mile back to the AT overpass.
    Overcast and 40 degrees with some drizzle still in the air. Its supposed to stop by midday.
    The first 5 miles of the day heading north were very flat. More farmlands and walking along a river. Then, a fairly big hill up to the top of a peak where Darlington Shelter is. Then, relatively flat to downhill the rest of the day.
    Based on my late start, not sure I was going to reach Duncannon by sundown. But I trekked in right at 6pm, pitched my tent in the backyard of one of the churches and went over to the rustic but quaint Doyle Hotel for dinner (see pic). Was a Saturday nite, so sat at a table in the bar area where it was relatively full.
    Sleep by 10pm as an early rise tomorrow.    Read more

  • Lee AdourianHeading North on AT from S. VATraveler

    Day 34 of AT in PA NOBO

    April 11 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 45 °F

    Sheet Iron Roof Rd. (1,116.1) to AT pedestrian bridge over Rt 11 in Carlisle (1,132.6)….then 0.5 walk to motel
    Total Miles: 16.5

    Pip picked me up at 7:15 am and I was hiking by 7:45.
    Two miles in, I headed up to the top of Rocky Ridge, a 1.5 mile long boulder field with jagged rocks and narrow stone passageways. Great fun crawling around and through these large, odd shaped monoliths (see pics & video).
    7.5 miles in, I walked by the monument of the original halfway point of the AT (see pic & video) when the trail was only 2,181 miles. It’s now 2,198.4. Pretty cool.
    Around Noon, I came down out of the “mountains” and into a seemingly different world. One minute I was alone in the wilderness, the next I was down in the pastoral farmlands of southern Boiling Springs PA. Was pancake flat, a nice change of pace! 🙂, and within 2 miles I walked into the small, historic center of Boiling Springs. There was a very nice outdoor store called TCO Outdoors, where I looked around and took shelter from the drizzle. Great fishing & hiking products. When I left, I saw Cafe 101 next door. I had read that this place was amazing, and it was! Had a latte, muffin & seltzer and was able to sit down inside to rest for an hour. They are fairly well known for their breakfast and lunch as well.
    Continued out of the small village and trekked from Boiling Springs across the town line into the borough of Carlisle. Still flat as a mat and I was able to matriculate at a 3 mph pace fairly easily.
    Walked over the PA Turnpike (I-76) on an overpass (see video). Then a mile later came to the AT walkway over Rt 11, which was my stopping point for the day. Motel 6 a half mile down Rt 11.
    This might’ve been my favorite day of the last 5 weeks. So much variety, the cafe was an unexpected find, Boiling Springs was so quaint, and then the beautiful farmlands. AND, I could walk right to my indoor lodging for the night (heavy rain expected tonight). Winner, winner, chicken dinner!! 💪    Read more

  • Lee AdourianHeading North on AT from S. VATraveler

    Day 33 of AT in PA NOBO

    April 10 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 46 °F

    Birch Run Shelter (1,095.5) to Sheet Iron Roof Rd. (1,116.1)
    Total Miles: 20.6

    Rain started as soon as I broke camp at 7:40am. 50 degrees, breezy & showers all day long.
    Saw my first snake, a small garter snake. Seemed very lethargic, most likely due to the cold temps. Maybe he got caught out of his underground lair?
    Even through the rain, the landscape was picturesque with enough contrast to keep me interested.
    I had “Pip” pick me up at Sheet Iron Roof Rd at 5pm and drive me 25 mins north to the Motel 6 in Carlisle, PA. Pip is such a cool chica. Linda mentioned her to me as the next good shuttler up the road as I headed north. I also saw a lot of great comments about her from other hikers in my FarOut hiker app. I’m usually not the best guesser of the derivation of people’s trail names, but once I saw her, she looked just like Pippy Longstocking sans the red hair. Pip lives in nearby Duncannon PA, is an avid day/weekend hiker, and has 3 daughters aged 17, 14 & 12. She looks much younger than her 43 years. Her Peruvian husband tragically died of cancer a few years back. And she has also been looking after her chronically sick mom. She seems to smile and be positive through it all. There is going to be a special place in Heaven for Pip someday.
    The Motel 6 had decent reviews, a good hiker rate ($65), and is half a mile from the AT pedestrian bridge down the road where I will end up after a 16+ mile day tomorrow.    Read more

  • Lee AdourianHeading North on AT from S. VATraveler

    Day 32 of AT in PA NOBO

    April 9 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 46 °F

    Old Forge Rd crossing (1,075.7) to Birch Run Shelter (1,095.5)
    Total Miles: 19.8

    Beautiful day. Started off 27 degrees. Warmed up fairly quickly to 54.
    Some rocky sections, but not as much as I was expecting. Definitely not as much as Maryland. When will we hit “Rocksylvania”??
    Seemed to go through some ecosystem changes today. Lots of oak, maple & hemlocks to start the day around Caledonia State Park, and then ended up with tons of Mountain laurel, Shortleaf pine, Eastern white pine & Virginia pine at the end of the day East of Shippensburg at Pine Grove State Park.
    Ended up at a campsite with two other hikers who are section hiking. Smiley, from Portland OR, who just got to Harper’s Ferry this past week and she’s hoping to get to Katahdin by mid August. Avalanche, who just flew over from New Zealand, is hoping to hike North for 2 months and get as close to Katahdin as possible before flying home. Both very nice people, typical hikers!!
    Supposed to get down to 40 degrees tonight and a two day rainstorm expected by daybreak. 😳    Read more

  • Lee AdourianHeading North on AT from S. VATraveler

    Day 31 of AT in PA NOBO

    April 8 in the United States ⋅ 🌬 41 °F

    Zero day in Chambersburg, PA

    Slept in late, really needed the sleep.
    Walked next door to the Starbucks for a few hours. The cold front has really pushed through… sunny but wind chill in the 20’s for a high. 30 mph winds. Wore my wind pants for the first time this trip.
    Resupplied my trail food at Giant grocery store and also purchased some lunch and dinner items there. A bunch of health food for a change! Went next door to Subway as well and brought back a sub to augment the dinner menu.

    No pictures today but I will add 2 videos above that I couldn’t fit into yesterday’s post (they give you a 2 video maximum for each day)    Read more

  • Lee AdourianHeading North on AT from S. VATraveler

    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

  • Lee AdourianHeading North on AT from S. VATraveler

    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

  • Lee AdourianHeading North on AT from S. VATraveler

    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

  • Lee AdourianHeading North on AT from S. VATraveler

    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

  • Lee AdourianHeading North on AT from S. VATraveler

    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

  • Lee AdourianHeading North on AT from S. VATraveler

    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

  • Lee AdourianHeading North on AT from S. VATraveler

    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

  • Lee AdourianHeading North on AT from S. VATraveler

    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

  • Lee AdourianHeading North on AT from S. VATraveler

    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

  • Lee AdourianHeading North on AT from S. VATraveler

    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

  • Lee AdourianHeading North on AT from S. VATraveler

    Day 20 of AT in VA NOBO

    March 28 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F

    Rock Spring Hut (931.0) to Thornton Gap/US 211 (944.7)
    Total Miles: 13.7

    Chilly night (40 degrees) but warmed up to 70 today. Stepped out of my tent to get going and saw a small of herd of deer grazing a few yards from me (see video). The deer in Shenandoah National Park are very tame… they obviously know the no hunting laws by heart!
    Beautiful views of the valley once again from the 3,500ft ridge-line. The nice weather plus it being a Friday meant lots of day hikers & dogs out on trail. Great to have company out there a few days a week.
    No zero day tomorrow but I did have Wayne pick me up at 4pm for a stay in Luray VA tonight. I want to watch the NCAA basketball tourney, specifically the Michigan game. Tip off 9:45pm. Game over at Midnight. Back on trail early am. 😳😣
    Great Italian restaurant next door to the Quality Inn. Ahh, life is good.    Read more

  • Lee AdourianHeading North on AT from S. VATraveler

    Day 19 of AT in VA NOBO

    March 27 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F

    Swift Run Gap/US 33 (910.0) to Rock Spring Hut (931.0)
    Total Miles: 21.0

    Wayne dropped me back off at Swift Gap after my zero day. An amazing sunrise on the horizon on the day’s drive up to the mountains. See pic.
    Saw my first Barred owl on trail in the mid am. Large and watchful, of course. She was definitely keeping the chipmunks and squirrels in check.
    Was curious to see one of the 4 Lodges & campgrounds in the park, so took a quick side trail to Big Meadows Lodge for a look-see. All was closed (until May 1st) and quiet, but the campground spots are already open to book. The various campgrounds throughout SNP this past week looked to be about 25-50% occupied.
    Most of the day the trail snaked along a ridge line with spectacular western views of the small towns & villages below. Stanley, New Market, Luray, Woodstock, etc. .
    Today was my second 20+ mile day. Seemed easier than normal. Am I finally getting my trail legs?? 🤔
    Came to Rock Spring Shelter at 5:30 pm. There were 4 young men from Lancaster, PA already holed up in the hut. Nice guys. They are here for 3 days and doing day hikes from the shelter. Their food game (incl ham steaks and grilled mushrooms over the fire pit) was on point!!
    Had a great view of the sunset from inside my tent (see pic). Nice way to end a long, enjoyable day.    Read more

  • Lee AdourianHeading North on AT from S. VATraveler

    Day 18 of AT in VA NOBO

    March 26 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 52 °F

    Zero Day in Harrisonburg VA

    Got up and headed over to the Starbucks located at the main library on the James Madison Univ campus. After being by myself most of each day, the energetic college vibe was welcome. Hung out there for 2-3 hrs reading emails, writing trail journal stuff, etc. . I don’t think the Sbux line ever got below 10-12 people. A gold mine.
    Headed over to Walmart to restock my trail food for the next few days. Attention Walmart shoppers! Some of your clothing choices are not appropriate!!
    Never ate lunch, so got take-out from Vinny’s Italian (2 large subs, a salad & 1 large pizza) on the way back to my room and noshed my way through the late afternoon/evening hours.    Read more

  • Lee AdourianHeading North on AT from S. VATraveler

    Day 17 of AT in VA NOBO

    March 25 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F

    Stealth camping spot near Ivy Creek Overlook parking area (897.0) to Swift Run Gap/US 33 (910.1)
    Total Miles: 13.1

    A windy, cold, but clear night turned into a pleasant morning. Headed off @ 7:30 am as I needed to get up and over a few high peaks before meeting up with shuttler Wayne at 3pm for my ride into Harrisonburg for my off day tomorrow.
    Lots of people out today! Met “Indy”, a 65 year old LASHer (long ass section hike) like me who had just started in Front Royal and is hoping to go South all the way to GA. Indy is a retired archeologist who specialized in biblical antiquities, thus the awesome trail name (Indiana Jones).
    Just after meeting Indy, I was hiking down the back side of Hazeltop Mtn when 5 ladies with matching t-shirts approached. Had a great discussion with them and it turns out they were from Wisconsin and having a girls week down in the area. Of course we talked about all things Univ of Wisc, and then they were interested in the AT and what sections they could travel to in the future that has easier terrain. Lots of laughs and it was much needed after today’s steep climbs.
    Met Wayne at Swift Run Gap at 3pm, and right before he got there, “Purdy” (a fellow LASHer who I had met and hiked with this morning) came out of the woods with pretty bad blisters on both feet. He had been hiking in Altra running shoes instead of Altra trail runners. After dropping me off at my hotel, Wayne rushed Purdy over to a local outfitter before it closed for new shoes. The AT shuttlers and hostel owners take such great care of all the hikers. Extracting us during storms, helping during medical emergencies… working in concert with one another other to make distance hiking as safe and as pleasurable as possible. They really are the true mainstay “trail angels” up and down the full 2,198 mile AT route.    Read more

  • Lee AdourianHeading North on AT from S. VATraveler

    Day 16 of AT in VA NOBO

    March 24 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F

    Stealth camping spot near Wildcat Ridge parking area
    (879.6) to Stealth camping spot near Ivy Creek Overlook parking area (897.0)
    Total Miles: 17.4

    A peaceful night, and hearing the light rain from 2-6am was relaxing, but it also meant I packed up a wet rain fly, which added a bit of add’l weight to my 30lb pack.
    The weather quickly cleared up after I headed out at 8am. Another pretty day in the Shennies!
    I met another thru hiker going north midday as he hiked past me. About 21 or so, “Rope Bunny” had just graduated a semester early from Rutgers. He had hiked a few days early in March with the previously mentioned Chia and Jessica, but they were trekking faster and headed up trail. Rope Bunny’s parents will visit him in Front Royal in a few days, which he’s looking forward to.
    As the early afternoon waned into late day, I wanted to get up and over Hightop Mtn before looking for a stealth spot to camp. It was starting to get a bit late (6pm) and I had to make decision. I put up my tent @ 30 yards from the semi-circle parking lot at Ivy Creek Overlook. As I was getting things ready during the early dusk, about 8 deer descended upon the grassy area between the parking area and the road (Skyline Dr.). I was about to run over for some pics, but didn’t want to disturb them. This is their realm, not mine. They were so peaceful and fun to observe.    Read more

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