Trail Guides, Gear Reviews, and Backpacking Tips
DATE: December 28, 2012 START: Neels Gap, GA FINISH: Springer Mountain, GA / Southern Terminus AT + 2.8 miles DISTANCE: 30.6 miles (49.2 km) + 2.8 miles TOTAL DISTANCE: 2181 miles (3509.2 km) There it is…….Springer Read More …
DATE: December 27 START: Deep Gap Shelter, GA FINISH: Neels Gap, GA DISTANCE: 33.4 miles (53.7 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 2150.4 miles (3460 km) Lumpy & the Pirate: Latish start due to cold and slothfulness, after which I hiked strongly Read More …
DATE: December 24 to 26 START: Locust Cove Gap, NC FINISH: Deep Gap Shelter, GA DISTANCE: 81.6 miles (131.3 km) DAILY AVERAGE: 27.2 miles (43.8 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 2117 miles (3406.3 km) It’s a Wonderful Life…….except on Read More …
DATE: December 22 to 23 START: Newfound Gap, TN/NC FINISH: Locust Cove Gap, NC DISTANCE: 58.1 miles (93.5 km) DAILY AVERAGE: 29 miles (46.7 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 2035.4 miles (3275 km) December 22: Town stop…….standard late start at 10 am; Read More …
DATE: December 19 to 21 START: Hot Springs, NC FINISH: Newfound Gap, TN/NC DISTANCE: 66.7 miles (107.3 km) DAILY AVERAGE: 22.2 miles (35.8 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 1976.3 miles (3179.9 km) This particular stretch was a tale in three parts. During Read More …
DATE: December 16 to 18 START: Cherry Gap Shelter, TN or NC FINISH: Hot Springs, NC DISTANCE: 85.5 miles (137.6 km) DAILY AVERAGE: 28.5 miles (45.9 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 1909.6 miles (3072.5 km) The Return of Malto: From Cherry Gap Read More …
DATE: December 13 to 15 START: Double Springs Shelter, TN FINISH: Cherry Gap Shelter, TN or NC DISTANCE: 89 miles (143.2 km) DAILY AVERAGE: 29.7 miles (47.7 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 1824.1 (2935 km) The Boys from Double Springs: A shout Read More …
DATE: December 10 to 12 START: Knot Maul Branch Shelter, VA FINISH: Double Springs Shelter, TN DISTANCE: 107.7 miles (km) DAILY AVERAGE: 35.9 miles (km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 1735.1 (km) Rainy Mondays: Call it the curse of the The Carpenters, but Read More …
DATE: December 8 & 9 START: Woods Hole Hostel, VA FINISH: Knot Maul Branch Shelter, VA DISTANCE: 63.4 miles (102 km) DAILY AVERAGE: 31.7 miles (51 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 1627.4 (2618.5 km) The AT in Virginia: Two things come to Read More …
DATE: December 6 to 7 START: Sarver Hollow Shelter, VA FINISH: Woods Hole Hostel, VA DISTANCE: 54.4 miles (87.5 km) DAILY AVERAGE: 27.2 miles (43.8 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 1564 (2516.5 km) Southbounders…….heading north: Recently I have run into a handful Read More …
DATE: December 4 to 5 START: Stealth site Blackhorse Gap, VA FINISH: Sarver Hollow Shelter, VA DISTANCE: 62.1 miles (99.9 km) DAILY AVERAGE: 31.5 miles (50.7 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 1509.6 (2428.9 km) The Ghost who Walks: Due to increasingly shorter Read More …
DATE: December 2 & 3 START: Stealth site on the slopes of Cold Mt, VA FINISH: Stealth site near Blackhorse Gap, VA DISTANCE: 71 miles (114.2 km) DAILY AVERAGE: 35.5 miles (57.1 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 1447.5 (2329 km) Crazy Chester Read More …
DATE: December 1 START: Stealth site just before Skyline Drive, VA FINISH: Stealth site on the slopes of Cold Mt, VA DISTANCE: 36.5 miles (58.7 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 1376.5 (2214.8 km) On the scenery, social and mileage fronts today was Read More …
DATE: Nov. 30 START: Blackrock Hut, VA FINISH: Stealth site just before Skyline Drive DISTANCE: 33 miles (53.1 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 1340 miles (2156.1 km) On the mileage front it was a day in two parts; the first twenty were Read More …
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 …