Pine Grove Furnace to Delaware Water Gap, PA

I woke up at 6AM on Monday June 11th from another great night of sleep and was packed and ready by 6:15. Luckily Jim and Kathy are early risers because I was able to say goodbye to Kathy before Jim took me back to the trail, stopping for breakfast sandwiches along the way. I hope they know just how much I appreciated their help and efforts to host a nice gathering while I was there.

The 'Halfway Point' to the Actual Halfway Point

I arrived at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Headquarters in Harper's Ferry at around 3:45PM on Wednesday June 6th after basically run-hiking 20 miles from where Amy dropped me off at Snickers Gap. The man behind the desk took my photo and wrote #615 on the top. I was the 40th NOBO thru hiker to check-in that day, seemed like I had entered another hiker bubble. 

1,000 Miles Hiked, 4 States Down! Front Royal to Harper's Ferry, WV

I woke up Saturday (June 2) relieved to have less than 10 miles to hike, and only a handful until I got out of the Shenandoahs. My body and mind were tired and in need of a rest. I had visitors coming and didn't want to be completely disgusting when they showed up so Sixlegs when into Front Royal to find a hotel room. When I got to the trail head at US 522 (AT mile 970.8), Sixlegs was waiting for me with a large coffee! The local trail club had set up a table with information and coupons to hand out to any hiker who could show them a photo of them on the AT with a white blaze. We were the first to earn coupons and they took a picture of us to put on their Facebook page - we're famous!

Month 2 - AT Thru Hike Summary

Month 2 was very busy! I definitely stepped up my mileage and was able to make it to the halfway point by the end of the second month.

My longest day was 33.3 miles, and I didn't take a day off the entire month after Damascus..

The Shennies! Rockfish Gap to Front Royal, VA

I basically ran the last mile to Rockfish Gap in the pouring rain - I popped up onto the roadside and Trail Angel Mike's truck was there waiting for me. I felt bad getting in his car soaking wet and smelly but I was relieved to get out of the rain. I had hiked over 75 miles in the past 3 days and was excited to get to the Shenandoahs.

Ok VA, Enough Already - Buchanan to Waynesboro, VA

I slept well at the Wattstull Inn in Buchanan but not long enough.  Sixlegs arrived in Buchanan just before midnight Thursday May 24th. I got up at 5:30AM to repack my bag, grabbed some packaged breakfast from the hotel, and were on the road by 6:45 to drop off his car in Glasgow. We stopped at the Pink Cadillac Diner for another breakfast - it seemed like the type of place that should have waitresses on roller skates. MacGyver picked us up from the parking lot at US 501 and dropped us off back at Bearwallow Gap (AT mile 750.8) where I left the trail the previous day. MacGyver is thru hiking the trail this year but does work-for-stay at hostels along the trail to finance his trip and was working at Stanimals Hostel in Glasgow while the owner was down in Damascus for Trail Days.