The Diversity of Trails on the AT

Adam sent photos home covering July 6 to Aug. 26.  I don't really know what all the scenes are, but I've selected these photos to share.   They give a pretty good picture of the many types of trails he's walking during his AT journey.

Trail runs for nearly 2200 miles, switching from meadows to forests, from rocky to dirt paths, going up and down mountains, over rivers, beside major highways, rock climbing, through a zoo and through a “squeeze” between massive boulders.  It challenges everyone who hikes it, just by its numerous variations.

I was especially surprised to learn that the trail goes directly through the Trailside Zoo in New York, and that hiking in Pennsylvania is often rock climbing.  In much of New Jersey, the AT runs beside rivers, and in NY, you can see New York City in the distance.

I've also learned that the lowest point on the Appalachian Trail is 124 feet about sea level (in New York) and the highest point is Clingman's Dome in Tennesee at 6,643 feet.

Green Mountain House Hostel

http://www.greenmountainhouse.net/Home_Page.php

Adam stayed at Green Mountain House Hostel for two nights earlier this week.   Said he needed a down day following some tough trail days in Vermont - was mentally exhausted - and this place is really nice.

Recovered, though, and hit the trail again.  About 500 miles to go.

New York City

Aug. 4 – 6:  Warwick, NY to RPH Shelter, NY – Mile 1424.6

 Guest Poster – the Mom

 

These days were highlighted by surprising views of NYC in the distance.  Adam said he was surprised to be able to see it so clearly – and was even more surprised that while his camera could not capture the skyline in the distance, his cell phone camera made it very visible.  

 

There are two places along the trail with good city views:  Black Mountain and Bear Mountain.   After the 1300-foot elevation at Bear Mountain, the trail passes its lowest elevation of  124 feet.

He also passed a large boulder with an American flag painted on memorializing 9/11.

Adam stayed at the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center, a monastery near the trail which allows thru-hikers to camp on their ball field and use the shower and privies.  He next stayed 19 miles further up the trail at the RPH shelter . 

 

His shoes were holding out, even with the sole flapping, and his pack continued to need the extra cushion Adam placed between his back and the frame.   He was just trying to make it to Pawling, NY, where both manufacturers promised to have new items waiting for him!  

 

Forward to New York!

Aug. 1-3:  Branchville, NJ to Warwick, NY – Mile 1367

Guest Poster – the Mom

 

OK, here’s the story as Adam gave it to me:  He stopped in Vernon, NJ on Aug. 2, headed into NY, and then missed NJ so much that he turned around, hiked back and spent another night in NJ!  

 

Even I know that’s not the whole story – Adam stayed at a hostel in NJ, then caught a ride to a trailhead in Warwick, NY, and hiked back 15 miles to the same hostel.   That meant he was able to “slack pack” or hike those miles without his tent, sleeping bag or extra food, which made it an easy 15-mile day.

 

The hostel in Vernon, NJ was a very thru-hiker friendly church, St. Thomas Episcopal Church.  The church opens its fellowship hall, showers, kitchen facilities and even internet service and a television to hikers, asking only for a donation as they are able. 

They also invite hikers to their Sunday morning worship services, so Adam woke up early on Sunday and went to the 8 a.m. service.  It was an unusual service – the church makes its early service a spoken one, no music, just the spoken liturgy.   He did say it made the service shorter!

 

He then had breakfast at Dunkin’ Donuts, and caught a shuttle to the Warwick trailhead, heading north this time instead of south.

 

So another state has passed!  New Jersey is behind him.

July 31: Branchville, NJ

July 31:  Branchville, NJ -Mile 1,320.7

Guest Poster – the Mom

 

Adam called from Gyp’s Tavern near Branchville, NJ.  Trail passes very close to this place, and he stopped to enjoy the cool indoor seating and nachos and a soft drink.

 Was planning to continue about three more miles to Gren Anderson Shelter.  All is going well.   

July 29: Another State - Into New Jersey

July 25 to 29:  Pine Grove, PA to Delaware Water Gap, PA and the NJ State Line -Mile 1,289

Guest Poster – the Mom

 

Adam survived Pennsylvania, the 230 miles of jagged, rocky trails, often walking on solid multi-sized rocks and boulders with no dirt in sight.   I’ve read that PA has the Appalachian Trail nickname of Rocksylvania, and is known for ruining hiking shoes and causing twisted ankles.

 No ankle problems for Adam though – he said that the years of soccer have given him strong ankles.  However, the trail was tough on the shoes he started wearing in Virginia.  The front of the shoes have started “flapping,” making it more difficult to walk. 

 If the shoes are not enough, his backpack has also started falling apart – the frame has cut through the fabric and is rubbing against his back.  He is using a foam-type seat between his back and the pack.

 It helps, though, to have good quality gear from great companies.  Adam called both his shoe company and the manufacturer of the backpack, and both said they would ship him replacement items to a NY trail stop about 10 days ahead of him.

 Adam caught up with Avo (aka as Bill from his early Virginia trail days) around Wind Gap, PA, and stayed at his home overnight, even enjoying some relaxing time in Bill’s family’s hot tub.  Avo is still a couple of days ahead of Adam on the AT, and after their visit, they both returned to the spots they left the trail.

Adam stayed in Delaware Gap, PA, where the Presbyterian Church of the Mountain operates a hostel (I am so impressed with how churches in every state reach out to thru-hikers!), and then crossed into New Jersey at mile 1289.5, 896.4 miles from Katahdin, Maine.

 

July 20 to 24: Another 100 Miles

July 20 to 24:  Duncannon and Pine Grove, PA

Mile 1189

Guest Poster – the Mom

 

Adam has logged another 100 miles through PA, and is starting to experience on the AT the notorious rocks the state is known for.  The weather has also been hot and humid – and all combined, the hike has been draining.  He said that he also knows the worst rocks are ahead of him, but he’s hanging in there at mile 1189.

The first two days beyond the halfway point took him to Boiling Springs and then to Duncannon, where he spent the night at the Riverfront Campground.   He has not been alone at shelters at all.   There are usually six thru-hikers or so in each shelter, but he has been hiking such long miles each day that he’s ending up outpacing other hikers he meets.   That means he’s staying in shelters with different people almost every night.

Leaving Duncannon, he was caught in a tremendous downpour, soaking his pack, his sleeping bag, tent, and worst of all, his shoes and socks.   Two days later, in the humid weather, his shoes and socks were still wet, and his feet were wrinkled and starting to blister.   After sleeping at the 501 Shelter, still waiting for everything to dry out, he decided he had to take a zero day, a dry out day and a foot recovery day!

He called ahead to a Comfort Inn in Pine Grove, PA (different from the halfway point at Pine Grove Furnace State Park!), and asked if they had a thru-hiker rate.  They had a GREAT discount for thru-hikers (and they had showers, a pool, a breakfast and food close by), so he headed the four miles to the hotel.

While he was walking along the road, a car pulled up beside him, and an older man asked, “Can I give you a ride?”

Adam gratefully said, “Yes!”, and hopped in.  

They talked along the way about hiking, and the man said he had met a lot of hikers, and he just couldn’t understand why people wanted to thru-hike the AT.   He told Adam, “I think people are just crazy to want to do that!”  

And when Adam recounted this to me tonight, he said, “Sometimes, I think the same thing, and I wonder why I’m doing this.”  He added, “But I only have 900 miles to go, and I’m going to finish it!” 

As the man dropped Adam off at the hotel, he gave him his phone number and said, “If you need a ride back to the trail in the morning, just call me and I’ll come pick you up and take you back.”   More trail magic in PA!

Adam spent the day “chilling,” resupplying, doing laundry, taking a nap, watching television, and drying out those shoes and socks.  He’ll have a giant breakfast in the morning, call his friendly driver and head back to the trail.

With luck, the PA/NJ state line is only 100 miles and five days away!