Author: amschrell@gmail.com

Yesterday I finally crossed the Mason Dixon line and I’m officially in “the North”. Now I’m well over 1000 miles in and making my way through PA. It seems to be a lot flatter here, but very rocky, which slows us down just as much has an elevation change would. We have been lucky to run into a lot of trail magic over the last couple days which is always a nice surprise after a long day of hiking, and there is nothing like getting a free cold beer with dinner at the end of the day.

I’m now 965 miles into the AT and well through VA. Here are some pictures of my last few days and my first bear encounter!

 

 

They say Virginia is flat… Having just climbed from 1,300 ft to 4,000 ft, I can say that is a lie! This statement is usually made in conjunction with the knowledge that people state to push more than 20+ mile days in Virginia, I would contend that more miles come with better fitness, more efficient camp set up/pack setup and longer days. Also, my personal experience has been that there are really rocky and rooty sections that slow me down more than a vertical climb would at this point. With that said, Virginia has seemed to have longer flat sections that the previous state I have gone through so far. I am a little over 800 miles in and can definitely feel my ability to push longer miles still improving. No longer are my feet covered in tape, my muscles aren’t as sore, and even thought my feet ache at the end of a long day, the pain is quickly forgotten in the morning. Today I will end at the Priest shelter and tomorrow I look forward to the Devils backbone Brewery.

 

 

As some of you know I have been off the trail for a few days to spend time with my family for my grandmothers 90th birthday party. Although it was great to see family and friends I’m now officially back on the AT and eager to get the next 1,500 miles done.

Below are some pictures of my journey from 600-700 miles on the trail.  Here are some recent gear changes that I have had:

1. My second pair of Salomon trail shoes, which I definitively should have done sooner because my feet were starting to hurt and the shoes were rapidly falling apart.

2. A new pair of REI hiking poles (because the tip of one of mine broke a week back).

3. An air sleeping pad in place of my foam mat (for more comfort in shelters).

 

Two months down, three to go.

      

I heard a great quote the other day “In the real world life is hard, but the living is easy. Out here life is easy and the living is hard.” This speaks so many truths and living out here definitely makes you appreciate the little things. Daily chores are simple, but to fetch water to drink, dig a hole to poop, or being helpless for the weather will bring everyday reminds you of how much nicer civilization can be. This is especially true when walking up in the cold and pooping in the rain. On the other hand one doesn’t have to worry about, checking email, Facebook or any of the other things that exist in civilization. The only chose is simple, to hike or not to hike.

Here are some pictures of my adventures through Grayson Highlands where I saw everything from wild ponies to wild flowers.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

Here is the AT trail Jargon that I have learned through out my first 400 miles in!!

White Blaze: the painted white marks indicating the AT.

Blue Blaze: A blue painted marker that is trail coming on to or off the AT .(commonly water or shelters).

Yellow Blaze:  walking, hitch hiking, or driving on the road/highway for part of the trail.

Aqua Blaze: to float or paddle parts of the trail.

Brown Blaze: to stop for a poop typically at a shelter which you don’t intend to stay at.

Pink Blaze: To alter your course in pursuit of a romantic interest.

Trail name: a name that all through hikers acquire and predominantly use on the tail (i.e. I’m wash bear).

NOBO: North bound.

SOBO: South bound.

Slack Packing: Hiking without a pack.

Hitch: Hitch hiking into town (usually for a resupply).

Stealth Camp: Camp in a non-designated area.

Puffy: Down jacket or sweater

Tramily: Trail family-Usually a group of hikers you are close with.

The Hiker Hunger or Hiker Hunger: The ability to consume food with no end in sight(usually occurs after 1-2 weeks).

Camp Shoes: Shoes that you wear in camp to air out sore feet (crocs are my shoes of choice).

Zero: To not hike any miles for a day. Usually these are taken when you are in a town to relax sore muscles and feet.

NOC: pronounced “knock”-Nantahala outdoor center.

Town Cloths: Cloths kept clean for when you’re doing laundry in town (so your not in a laundry mat in your underwear).

Trail Magic: Kind deeds such as cooking or leaving or other wise providing food, water and other necessities to hikers.

Trail Angels: People who perform trail magic.

 

More to come…

 

 

Here are some pictures from the last few days we have been hiking through North Carolina/Tennessee. In one day we will be in Virginia.

 

Trail magic is a general term from random acts of kindness performed by strangers for hikers. These people are referred to as “trail angels”. Trail magic comes in all sorts of varieties ranging from giving free rides to and from the trail, to providing snacks, hamburgers and beer. Trail magic was pretty common in GA with a group of people setting up a tent with food at almost every major gap. My first experience was by a trail angel named King Tut, who had set up a stable with snacks, such as chips, candy, and would exchange your hat for a hat that was knitted  by there Church. They would then donate your hat to a person in need.

At the Gap into Helen GA there was a huge group of people providing soup, sandwiches,  hand sanitizer, first aid, and every kind of snack or junk food one could imagine. One of the most memorable tail magic experiences was at a random dirt road gap in GA where Gram and Old Goat cooked you all you could eat hamburgers with salsa and beer. We got into that gap with only a mile left until we got to our campsite, but there was also a campsite at the gap  and when they offered to cook breakfast (pancakes and eggs) in the morning we opted to stay there and enjoy as much of the free food and beer as we could.

Another memorable trail angel was Frankie the sleeper who had through hiked back in 2014. I met him at Newfound Gap just outside Gatlinburg TN where he offered a ride into town. It is worth pointing out that hitch-hiking into town is very common, but can be tedious and time consuming especially as a male…. Frankie proceeded to give hikers rides all around Gatlinburg from Friday morning until Sunday at noon (and he was in fact how we returned to the trail after staying in Gatlinburg that night).

Trail magic is most commonly performed by former through-hikers, family of hikers, and churches. In a gap in NC, which was close to Robinsonville, I met Shirley, the wife of a current through hiker. I had just eaten lunch in the gap and during that time been given apples and leftovers from the NOC. Shirley pulled up as I was about to depart and asked if I would like a Pepsi with ice. I kindly accepted, while we chatted about the trail. While we were talking she mentioned that she had bought hot dogs and a grill, but didn’t know how to set the grill up. I proceeded to help her assemble the grill so that others could enjoy some trial magic, and went on my way. Although I really wanted to stay for more food, I had been there for nearly an hour so it pained me to leave as I had been craving a hot dog for days.

There have been many trail angels along the way, but those were some of the most memorable. Little things are greatly appreciated from snacks to a cold soda. Thank you to all of the trail angels I have met this far and all the rest I have yet to meet.

 

350 miles in! Days are getting longer and hotter. I have passed a number of beautiful balds. As I write this I am sitting on a bald named beauty spot. I have started to push for longer days in the hopes of finishing by Sept 7th, so that I can be home for my wife’s birthday. I took 4 zero days in Hot Springs NC to visit friends and family, but will probably not be taking any more anytime soon. The heat has been a pleasant change from the cold and wet. That being said finding good water sources has now become  more necessary.

My first really hot day was the climb out of Fontana Dam NC into the smoky mountains, which has been my favorite section so far. We had good weather, beautiful views, and the terrain was mild. Charlie’s bunion was absolutely breath taking! People have said wonderful things about Big Bald and Max Patch, but I crossed both in horrendous weather. My only thoughts on Max Patch was to get off as soon as possible as it was pouring , 40 degrees and the wind was howling on the bald. I’m feeling optimistic for the rest of what NC has to offer and then Virginia here we come!