To those who have followed my AT blog, thank you for reading. I know some of you have been wondering what happened to my updates, so here’s a quick summary of what’s been happening.
Blogger Burnout
As I settled into my AT hike after the first few hundred miles, I began to realize that blogging was taking away from my trail experience. Many moments in the city when I should have been resting or spending time with friends along the way were spent typing on my phone. Upon arriving in northern Tennessee I knew it wouldn’t be sustainable to continue writing as I had, so I planned to scale back. I didn’t originally intend for this to mean I wouldn’t post again until now, but that’s what happened. During that time, I hiked the AT.
These are some of my favorite moments.
Virginia
Tara Dower and I hanging out at Trail Days
Rick came from AL to hike with me and make some magic on the trails!
MacAfee Knob. I caught the dusk and the dawn
The Virginia Crew. Sunrise, macaroni and cheese, Dr. Silvercrotch and 8ball
W.V.
Entering Harper’s Ferry at sunset. I drove 32 miles to the city. The day before I did 31.
Maryland
Not much happened in the short time I was there.
Pennsylvania
At the midpoint just before Pine Grove, PA. These people made southern Pennsylvania a very fun section. They all joined the half-gallon club that same day.
I joined the Half Gallon Club!
Beautiful views just after the Lehigh Gap Rock Scramble
At the end of PA, I had a new team. 8ball, Dirt Nap, Dawn and Cardinal
New Jersey
Sweet Tea and I took a quick break in High Point toward the end of a 30-mile day
We camped at the Warwick Drive-in during a resupply!
New York
Where am I?? Please help. I took the train to New York and had a wonderful time.
I walked to Fort Montgomery to pick up a package and took this photo of the Bear Mountain Bridge, which is the AT crossing of the Hudson River.
Connecticut
I wasn’t in CT for long, but I drove 1500 miles on the way there!
The Great Housatonic Falls. I have to cool off on a scorching day
Massachusetts
Massachusetts was a major turning point for me. I struggled with physical issues and the desire to quit from NJ to CT. At mass these began to spin
Upper Goose Pond was a true gem. The local trail club operates a free cabin on the shore with a caretaker who makes you pancakes in the morning.
Vermont
Stratton Pond during a cloudy sunset. That night, as I took in this view, I had an epiphany. I realized that after 500 miles of forcing myself to continue on the trail I wanted to hike again. I wanted to see it through
Mount Killington is the first 4000′ peak I’ve climbed since Priest in VA. CT and MA had started preparing my body to climb peaks again and from now on that’s what we did.
This iconic sign is located on the descent of Mount Killington.
New Hampshire
Mount Moosilauke is widely considered the beginning of the White Mountains on the AT. It was my first time in an alpine environment and I was able to climb it in golden hour!
Zeacliff was an awesome place to camp! We did this section heading south to try to reach Franconia Ridge on a good day.
Franconian crystal! We fought the weather to get a clear day on this iconic section, and were only able to see the second half.
Presidential journey! Taken from Mount Jackson. We crossed in 3 days due to the weather. The first day was completely clear and was one of my favorite days on the trail.
Presidential! Taken from Mount Eisenhower
At the end of the first day of the presidential trek, I decided to pack up to the top of Mount Washington and then return to Lakes of the Clouds Hut. I ended up with a clear view, the summit completely to myself, and a beautiful light show on the way down.
View from the south side of Carter’s Dome. I loved the Wildcats and the Carter-Moriah Range, although that was the most physically challenging day I did the entire hike.
Maine
View from the west peak of Goose Eye on my first day in Maine. Southern Maine was my favorite section of the trail. Incredibly rugged, remote and wild
Me on the summit of Mount Abraham. I tried to hit additional peaks near the AT in NH and ME, this was the longest I did to achieve this. I ended up with 4k peaks of 24/48 and 11/14 in NH and ME respectively
Sunset on Sugar Loaf Mountain! Camping there was a great experience.
Sunrise at East Carry Pond! The 3 best places to camp on the beach. The Loons were there all night
Everything I ate in the 100 mile desert! This lasted me all the way from Monson to Katahdin, 8 days.
View from Barren Mt. at the 100 miles
Goofing around at the Barren Mt fire tower.
My first good view of Mount Katahdin, from White Cap on the 100 mile. Although it’s only 25 miles away as the crow flies, the trail takes another 70 miles to get there.
The fall foliage was truly stunning at the 100 miles. Taken along rainbow creek
Mount Katahdin seen from the Abol Bridge, just after leaving the 100 mile. This was the first time I really felt like there wasn’t another obstacle between me and the top.
Katahti Summit Day!
Only a fraction of the amazing people I met on the trail reached the summit of Katahdin with me, but here they are!
A note of thanks
I started looking forward to hiking the AT during a time of upheaval in my life. Many do, most of that walk comes from a crossroads in life. I got most of what I was looking for from the experience (free time, thinking, processing, healing) within the first two months of the hike. I am grateful to all the trail angels, hikers, friends from home, and family who supported me during that time. Really. However, I am even more grateful to those who kept me on track afterwards, when I no longer knew what I was trying to accomplish along the way. Particularly my trail family from PA onwards Sunrise, Dirt Nap, Cardinal and 8Ball. I love you guys. Now that I reflect, I realize that seeing this journey through to the end was a goal worth pursuing. God taught me a lot from the whole experience and I think I will reflect on it for years to come.
Happy Trails and God bless you all, Short Shorts out.
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