Trail Guides, Gear Reviews, and Backpacking Tips
DATE: Nov. 29 START: Bearfence Mountain Hut, VA FINISH: Blackrock Hut, VA DISTANCE: 33.8 miles (54.4 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 1307 miles (2103 km) Another beautiful day in Shenandoah………5.30am start; 6pm finish……..tempted to press on for another couple of hours, but Read More …
DATE: Nov. 27 to 28 START: Stealth site close to Sky Meadows Side Trail, VA FINISH: Bearfence Mountain Hut, VA DISTANCE: 70.9 miles (114.1 km) DAILY AVERAGE: 35.4 miles (57 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 1273.2 miles (2048.6 km) Shenandoah: The weather Read More …
DATE: Nov. 25 to 26 START: MD 17 Wolfsville Rd, MD FINISH: Stealth site close to Sky Meadows Side Trail, VA DISTANCE: 67. 2 miles (108.2 km) DAILY AVERAGE: 33.6 miles (54.1 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 1202.3 miles (1934.5 km) Moon Read More …
The Doyle: An AT institution. Stopped in for a midday beer (Troegs Pale Ale) and a bite to eat. Thanks to Pat and Vicky, the Doyle’s proprietors (see photo below), for their longstanding support of the AT hiking community. Read More …
Malto: During this section I was joined periodically by Greg “Malto” Gressel (see photo below). A PCT veteran, class of 2011, Malto is one of the most enthusiastic, knowledgable and strongest hikers I have met during the course of the 12 Long Walks. A big thanks to Greg for his company on trail and his wonderful hospitality off of it. Best of luck for your future calendar year Triple Crown attempt! Read More …
DATE: Nov. 16 to 18 START: William Brien Shelter, NY FINISH: Stealth camp close to Leroy A. Smith Shelter, PA DISTANCE: 120.2 miles (193.4 km) DAILY AVERAGE: 40 miles (64.4 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 915.9 miles (1473.7 km) The Boss: Much Read More …
DATE: Nov. 13 to 15 START: Falls Village, CT FINISH: William Brien Shelter, NY DISTANCE: 99.2 miles (km) DAILY AVERAGE: 33.1 miles (km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 795.7 miles (km) ‘Deli Belly’……New England Style: The Indian version of this colloquialism (spelt just Read More …
Information: I used Ley’s Maps and Yogi’s guide book pages for the town stops. Jim Wolf’s books contain lots of interesting info on flora, fauna and background history relating to the trail, however, I wouldn’t say they were necessary for Read More …
DATE: Nov. 10 to 12 START: Melville Nauheim Shelter, VT FINISH: Falls Village, CT DISTANCE: 120.3 miles (193.6 km) DAILY AVERAGE: 40.1 miles (64.5 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 696.5 miles (1120.7 km) Rambling through New England: I really enjoyed this section. Read More …
DATE: Nov 7 to 9 START: Inn at the Long Trail, VT FINISH: Melville Nauheim Shelter, VT DISTANCE: 88.3 miles (142.1 km) DAILY AVERAGE: 29.4 miles (47.3 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 576.2 miles (927.1 km) Blowdowns: There were quite a lot Read More …
DATE: Nov 3 to 6 START: Kinsman Notch, NH FINISH: Inn at the Long Trail, VT DISTANCE: 98.9 miles (159.1 km) DAILY AVERAGE: 24.7 miles (39.7 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 487.9 miles (785 km) The Moose & the Witch’s Titty: The Read More …
DATE: Oct. 29 to Nov 2 START: Pinkham Notch, NH FINISH: Kinsman Notch, NH DISTANCE: 70.4 miles* (see Choices below) (113.3 km) DAILY AVERAGE: 14.1 miles (22.7 km)* TOTAL DISTANCE: 389 miles (625.9 km) A sign just east of Lake Read More …
DATE: October 27-28 START: Pine Ellis Lodge, Andover FINISH: Pinkham Notch DISTANCE: 62 miles (99.8 km) DAILY AVERAGE: 31 miles (49.9 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 318.7 miles (512.8 km) With Hurricane Sandy almost upon me, I decided a couple of huge Read More …
DATE: October 25-26 START: Poplar Ridge Lean-To FINISH: Pine Ellis Lodge, Andover DISTANCE: 47.2 miles (75.9 km) DAILY AVERAGE: 23.6 miles (37.95 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 256.6 miles (412.9 km) Chief Sherpa: Believe it or not I ran into another southbound Read More …
DATE: October 23-24 START: Caratunk FINISH: Poplar Ridge lean-to DISTANCE: 58.2 miles (93.6 km) DAILY AVERAGE: 29.1 miles (46.8 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 209.5 miles (337.1 km) Ferry Across the Kennebec: Early morning crossing with Dave (aka “Shadow”) who hiked Read More …
DATE: October 20-22 START: Carl Newhall Shelter FINISH: Caratunk Read More …
DATE: October 19 START: Nahmakanta Stream FINISH: Carl Newhall Shelter DISTANCE: 34.6 miles (55.7 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 78.7 miles (126.6 km) After a few good nights sleep, today was the strongest I have felt in the last couple of weeks. Read More …
DATE: October 18 START: Hurd Brook Shelter FINISH: Nahmakanta Stream DISTANCE: 25.5 miles (41 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 44.1 miles (71 km) I have a confession to make…….I’ve never been that interested in hiking the Appalachian Trail. Crowded shelters, limited views, Read More …
DATE: October 17 START: Mt Katahdin FINISH: Hurd Brook DISTANCE: 18.6 miles (29.9 km) + 5.2 miles climb to Katahdin summit (23.8 miles total for the day) DAILY AVERAGE: 18.6 miles (29.9 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 18.6 miles (29.9 km) “Are Read More …
DATE: October 12 to 15 START: Doc Campbell’s FINISH: Columbus, US/Mexico Border DISTANCE: 174.6 miles (290 km) DAILY AVERAGE: 43.7 miles (70.3 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 2592 miles (4171 km) Major Route Choice #4: Columbus or Crazy Cook/Antelope wells? I chose Read More …