I made it to Harper's Ferry, WV last night about 9 pm after a very exciting and scary day. This town is considered the psychological half-way point because just prior to it you cross the 1000 mile mark and its home to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) which does it all regarding the AT. I'm taking a zero day here in town to heal up the blisters, take in this town, and avoid the next thunder cell coming thru. There will also be a little recuperation from yesterdays excitement which went a little something like this.
Noah-John and I were moving along late in the afternoon yesterday. Its was about 85 degrees out with humidity you could cut with a knife. The kind you get just before it rains, but mother nature was only doing occasional showers to make the rocks wet and that much more entertaining. We had just finished the "roller coaster" a 14 mile stretch of constant 500ft ascents and descents over horrible rocky/rooty terrain, and now we had about 13-15 miles of ridge line before Harpers Ferry. Then the storm cell materializes around us. The wind goes from calm to what I guess to be 40 mph. A light fog rolls in just before the COLD downpour that soaks me (it was refreshing after you get over the cold) and in a matter of seconds the trail is more or less a stream. Then comes the light show and orchestra to accompany it, my favorite thunder and lightening. Nothing makes you feel more insignificant than hiking in a natural event like that. Seeing as I'm on yet another ridge line I pick up the pace to see if I can get down and find shelter soon because the strikes are 1-12 seconds between flash and sound not a good place to be. As I'm jogging along, constantly timing the lightening and thunder (silently hoping they get further away), and we had a strike in front of us. I saw the flash, felt the ground shake, and thrown on my butt. There was about 3 seconds of dazed before I realized what was going on and turned around to see Noah-John shaking off the daze too. I'm guessing that's what people who get hit by those "flash-bang grenades" used by police feel like. Anyway it was WAY too close. Down over the ridge edge we went and sat under a rock overhang next to a friendly bee hive about 20 min (the bees were friendly and stayed inside.) Most exciting and scary part of yesterday. We later heard thunder and jogged 6 miles to Harper's ferry to outrun that cell, only slowing to go around the wind debris (6-8" trees and their limbs.)
After it was all done I watched the 11pm news last night and the cell that came thru had 64mph gusts and shut down large sections of the highway due to rain and wind. Damage due to blow downs was pretty impressive, but not nearly as much as being in the middle of it. OYE!
The fun never stops! So halfway done! I'm taking a day to rest up and then head into MD & PA tomorrow and the next days. I have a few packages to collect here and need to get another pair of shoes as the rocks yesterday destroyed my soles. Perhaps I'll try to even up the farmers tan today as its supposed to be in the mid 90's for the rest of the week.
Time for me to be out and about. Take care and I'll keep you all informed about my interesting adventures.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Monday, June 2, 2008
Hitch Hiking...nah I would just prefer to walk
I arrived in Front Royal, VA today about 10am. Me and Noah-John managed to walk the entire Shenandoah National Park (about 100 miles) in under 96hrs. We tried to hitch-hike the 4.5 miles into town but no one was feeling friendly to the two criminal looking folks carrying backpacks. We hoofed or shooed it into town where we are now. I'm actually doing laundry in anticipation of leaving tomorrow after buying a new set of shoes. Apparently they wear out. Who would have thought. We anticipate 2 days to cover the 52 miles to Harper's Ferry, WV. That will make me at the unofficial halfway point and headquarters of the ATC who maintains the trial. So if you feel so inclined on Thursday night have one of your favorite beverages to my health.
The park was like Disney Land for hikers. One of the days I ate in restaurants for every meal (albeit Aramark price gouging it was interesting) and I shall call that day of hiking "Gluttony." I saw a momma bear and cub last night and managed to get some really good photos of them with relatively little danger to myself.
I have been thinking and talking with Noah-John on the topic of our friends and family that want to hike with us on the AT for awhile. I suspect the best option for this would be to summit Khatahdin with me in August. I don't want to discourage people from hiking with me but I know the conditioning it takes to get to the 20-30 miles per day I am currently doing and even if I slowed way down the remaining parts of the AT (VT/NH/ME) are more challenging that what I have already done and I don't want people to get hurt trying to keep up. I would however love to have people walk up to the top of the last mountain if they want to. Ill keep you posted on the date of this climb when it nears.
Just so you all know. Hiking the AT is mostly about the people, not so much the hiking and scenery. I have considered quitting many times but didn't because of the amazing people. The second most entertaining thing for me has been the privies and here's why (some photos may follow in my next memory card):
Top 4 privies:
#4: Sending Parcels to me in a privy? Some of them have mailboxes. I had no idea USPS delivered to the shitters in the woods. Wonder what that would look like. Aaron Nevells, C/O privy near shelter without roof, Somewhere, VA 21456. The real reason for the boxes is to store TP, but since you carry your own all the time they are always empty. Oh well perhaps next time.
#3: Wheel chair accessible privy. Oh yes 5 miles from anything over root and rock infested land they built a privy with a wheel chair ramp and handicap handrails inside. Apparently someone complained that they were not accessible....and the privy is still in accessible but if somehow someone in a wheelchair gets airdropped into that part of the woods (within 3 feet of the privy) they could use it. The handle bars in the privy can also be used to brace yourself if you have eaten some bad spam and need to put a hurting on the privy as a hiker...too much info I know.
#2: Overmountain privy was 3 walls. The 4th (the way you faced) looked out over a gorgeous mountain side to the east (sunrise). One of the best views so far was from a toilet...odd but true.
#1: There was a privy which had 4 walls and all you could see was people's calfs. I went in there and was amazed when I realized that someone had scribed the entire Dr. Seuss Book "the Lorax" on the 4 interior walls. I had a great time but can only imagine what the casual onlooker thought when they saw my calfs rotating around the inside of the privy. Best privy experience yet.
OK, I need to go check the laundry. I know there are a few typo's in this posting but I wanted to get it done before Noah & I go to a double header movie tonight (Iron Man & Indy). I'm prepared to be amazed after a few months without movies.
Hope you are all well.
The park was like Disney Land for hikers. One of the days I ate in restaurants for every meal (albeit Aramark price gouging it was interesting) and I shall call that day of hiking "Gluttony." I saw a momma bear and cub last night and managed to get some really good photos of them with relatively little danger to myself.
I have been thinking and talking with Noah-John on the topic of our friends and family that want to hike with us on the AT for awhile. I suspect the best option for this would be to summit Khatahdin with me in August. I don't want to discourage people from hiking with me but I know the conditioning it takes to get to the 20-30 miles per day I am currently doing and even if I slowed way down the remaining parts of the AT (VT/NH/ME) are more challenging that what I have already done and I don't want people to get hurt trying to keep up. I would however love to have people walk up to the top of the last mountain if they want to. Ill keep you posted on the date of this climb when it nears.
Just so you all know. Hiking the AT is mostly about the people, not so much the hiking and scenery. I have considered quitting many times but didn't because of the amazing people. The second most entertaining thing for me has been the privies and here's why (some photos may follow in my next memory card):
Top 4 privies:
#4: Sending Parcels to me in a privy? Some of them have mailboxes. I had no idea USPS delivered to the shitters in the woods. Wonder what that would look like. Aaron Nevells, C/O privy near shelter without roof, Somewhere, VA 21456. The real reason for the boxes is to store TP, but since you carry your own all the time they are always empty. Oh well perhaps next time.
#3: Wheel chair accessible privy. Oh yes 5 miles from anything over root and rock infested land they built a privy with a wheel chair ramp and handicap handrails inside. Apparently someone complained that they were not accessible....and the privy is still in accessible but if somehow someone in a wheelchair gets airdropped into that part of the woods (within 3 feet of the privy) they could use it. The handle bars in the privy can also be used to brace yourself if you have eaten some bad spam and need to put a hurting on the privy as a hiker...too much info I know.
#2: Overmountain privy was 3 walls. The 4th (the way you faced) looked out over a gorgeous mountain side to the east (sunrise). One of the best views so far was from a toilet...odd but true.
#1: There was a privy which had 4 walls and all you could see was people's calfs. I went in there and was amazed when I realized that someone had scribed the entire Dr. Seuss Book "the Lorax" on the 4 interior walls. I had a great time but can only imagine what the casual onlooker thought when they saw my calfs rotating around the inside of the privy. Best privy experience yet.
OK, I need to go check the laundry. I know there are a few typo's in this posting but I wanted to get it done before Noah & I go to a double header movie tonight (Iron Man & Indy). I'm prepared to be amazed after a few months without movies.
Hope you are all well.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Turtles, Toads, and Eels...oh my!
I'm back in the woods. Even the 2.5 day detour some 850 miles to drop "Troll" off made it difficult to get back in the woods but back I made it. I lost the military people but met back up with Noah-John who I hiked with 400 miles ago. We are staying in Waynesboro VA tonight and then into Shenandoah tomorrow. We should be in Harpers Ferry WV (160 miles) in 8 days or less and that's the unofficial 1/2 way point.
In lighter news hikers feet smell like dead something as a 3 foot eel tried to nibble on both Noah-Johns and my feet when we were soaking them in a river. I also crossed a little turtle on the trail and a there were toads and lizards everywhere today. Also saw a spider that was no less than 2 inches across...scary.
Last night I camped illegally on a ridge that overlooked the valley where the town I'm in is. It was amazing and I took some good pictures.
I plan on doing the 4 state challenge which is: in 24hrs trek leave VA, go thru WV, MD, and start PA. It will be interesting. We shall see. My time is about up here but Ill keep on trekking and I promise that Ill post my favorite privy's soon. There are some good ones on the at and good stories with them.
Times up. Hope you are all well. Talk to you soon.
In lighter news hikers feet smell like dead something as a 3 foot eel tried to nibble on both Noah-Johns and my feet when we were soaking them in a river. I also crossed a little turtle on the trail and a there were toads and lizards everywhere today. Also saw a spider that was no less than 2 inches across...scary.
Last night I camped illegally on a ridge that overlooked the valley where the town I'm in is. It was amazing and I took some good pictures.
I plan on doing the 4 state challenge which is: in 24hrs trek leave VA, go thru WV, MD, and start PA. It will be interesting. We shall see. My time is about up here but Ill keep on trekking and I promise that Ill post my favorite privy's soon. There are some good ones on the at and good stories with them.
Times up. Hope you are all well. Talk to you soon.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Kitten
No its not a cuddly name for that special someone...well it could be, I guess. I was walking today in the blue ridge mountains and when I came to a footbridge to refill water (H20 very scarce up there). I heard a noise. Couldn't place it and it happened again from under the foot bridge, and it sounded like a cat. So I crawled under the footbridge getting myself wet and muddy and there was a little black kitten with blue eyes. I coaxed out with a 3oz packet of tuna fish, that it consumed completely, and proceeded to remove the ticks from its head. I thought I could walk on to the next town when it fell asleep but once the food and a quick nap the kitten took over and she wouldn't stay still so I had to backtrack 1.5 miles to the nearest road and hitch into town. No humane society there but I was told to try Troutville (the town I had walked through yesterday so backtrack of about 30 miles) which was a 13 mile walk by road...out goes the thumb again with no luck. I stopped in a diner to get my bearings and a nice man offered to give me a ride into town. So right now I'm in the comfort inn trying to figure out what to do with this gorgeous little black kitten. When I say little, its no bigger than my hand an probably less than 6 oz in weight. All of the public transportation services do not allow pets, there are no humane society, I may have to rent a car and take a brief trip back to new england and beg someone to care for the little beast while I go finish my walk. Guess Ill probably miss rhinos birthday bash and wont get to finish the 150 mile in 6 day birthday challenge. Oh well there are more important things in life, like being a decent person (unlike the person who ditched the little darling in the mountains.) Well I best get to it. Talk to you all soon. A blog on privies is to come...and its a good one I think. so stay tuned.
Update: I talked to everyone I could think of and Roy agreed to keep an eye on my new friend until I finish the trail. The difference in driving is 200 (going to Georgia vs Maine) so to avoid a road trip to Georgia later I'm going to head for Maine tomorrow. The plan is to be back on the trail in 5 days or less. This will of eat into my touted "3 weeks of ahead of the schedule" but I'm still kinda young and may be able to make it up :)
Time to get some sleep its going to be a long day tomorrow. The 6oz black hair blue eyed troll says "meow."
Update: I talked to everyone I could think of and Roy agreed to keep an eye on my new friend until I finish the trail. The difference in driving is 200 (going to Georgia vs Maine) so to avoid a road trip to Georgia later I'm going to head for Maine tomorrow. The plan is to be back on the trail in 5 days or less. This will of eat into my touted "3 weeks of ahead of the schedule" but I'm still kinda young and may be able to make it up :)
Time to get some sleep its going to be a long day tomorrow. The 6oz black hair blue eyed troll says "meow."
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Hiking and Zombies
I have arrived at a place called Parisburg, VA today. This was after I managed to walk a monster 34.7 mile day yesterday (8am-10pm). Oddly I was not that tired when I arrived and could have gone the 8 miles to town but the limited visibility with a headlamp is not fun.
People may have about the 2 hikers in VA who were shot by the same nutjob who did the 2 murders in 1981. Well he was caught and in jail until his mysterious death a few days later. So nothing to worry about on that front.
In my time in the woods I have been working on a theory that hikers are much like zombies. Take me for example. My feet are in constant pain, multiple ankle sprains/strains, legs are swollen, there are some skin burns from the rubbing of the pack on my shoulder, my skin is peeling from sunburn, and a generalized pain all over. Zombies...well there dead and most likely chewed upon judging by the state of their body, so lots of pain if they could feel it. Zombies however don't tend to vocalize this so I can only postulate. I wonder what a Zombie's life is like when they are not playing twister, or tooling up to eat people, and assume they are walking around out of sight thinking about food...much like us hikers. You get in a zone and just walk. You can learn to shut off your brain and walk, only snapping out of this for people and possible food. To a zombie these two are the same. Well that's as much as I can remember from my journal perhaps more to come later.
All in all I am well. Still traveling with Rhino, Pickle, Raggedy Andy. The general pace is 20+ miles per day. I have been dubbed "CandyMan" and its a bit late to try to change this (even though I might.) It stuck because I generally cary about 4 lbs of food/candy for other hikers and tend to give every treats or just leave random candy on the trial for people. Hikers like their food. I guess there are worse names that I could have been given (like anything with 'bear' in it) than one from a favorite movie of mine.
Well the shared computer thing again so I should get out of here and get prepared for walking in thunderstorms again. Hopefully they will be further away than a 2 second count this time, but when your on an exposed ridge there is little to do but keep walking. We shall see.
I hope you are all well. Ill talk to you soon.
-Aaron
People may have about the 2 hikers in VA who were shot by the same nutjob who did the 2 murders in 1981. Well he was caught and in jail until his mysterious death a few days later. So nothing to worry about on that front.
In my time in the woods I have been working on a theory that hikers are much like zombies. Take me for example. My feet are in constant pain, multiple ankle sprains/strains, legs are swollen, there are some skin burns from the rubbing of the pack on my shoulder, my skin is peeling from sunburn, and a generalized pain all over. Zombies...well there dead and most likely chewed upon judging by the state of their body, so lots of pain if they could feel it. Zombies however don't tend to vocalize this so I can only postulate. I wonder what a Zombie's life is like when they are not playing twister, or tooling up to eat people, and assume they are walking around out of sight thinking about food...much like us hikers. You get in a zone and just walk. You can learn to shut off your brain and walk, only snapping out of this for people and possible food. To a zombie these two are the same. Well that's as much as I can remember from my journal perhaps more to come later.
All in all I am well. Still traveling with Rhino, Pickle, Raggedy Andy. The general pace is 20+ miles per day. I have been dubbed "CandyMan" and its a bit late to try to change this (even though I might.) It stuck because I generally cary about 4 lbs of food/candy for other hikers and tend to give every treats or just leave random candy on the trial for people. Hikers like their food. I guess there are worse names that I could have been given (like anything with 'bear' in it) than one from a favorite movie of mine.
Well the shared computer thing again so I should get out of here and get prepared for walking in thunderstorms again. Hopefully they will be further away than a 2 second count this time, but when your on an exposed ridge there is little to do but keep walking. We shall see.
I hope you are all well. Ill talk to you soon.
-Aaron
Sunday, May 11, 2008
approaching the 25% mark of the trail
I talked to Aaron recently - he said he's quickly approaching the 25% mark on the trail. I believe he's in Virginia, but now I'm having trouble remembering the town name. Go me.
Despite my forgetfulness, I have pictures for y'all. Check out the full set of photos on my Picasa album, showing Aaron's first month of hiking, from Georgia through Tennessee.
-Jennie
Friday, May 2, 2008
Postcards from Aaron
Spoke with Aaron earlier this week - he was in Erwin, TN at that point, still hikin'. He mailed me his camera card - photos will soon be available online!
In the meantime, above are some postcards he recently sent to me.
-Jennie
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