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.