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Day 86 Swatara Gap to Black Swatara Crk Campsite (22.0 miles) 1204.3 miles total

Was able to make more miles than expected today. Trail was not nearly as sloppy as I anticipated. It’s still Rocksylvania however!

I really kind of enjoy hitchhiking…once I get picked up. Have met some interesting people. Got a ride back to trail today from a lady who thru-hiked in 1989.

Most of hike today was along ridge line. Makes it reasonably flat…and fast.

My most productive hiking time is first 3 hours or so of day. Will usually make 7 – 9 miles without a break. Today it was 9.

At that point was a road crossing with small parking area. A place where trail magic is possible. Saw a couple cars in lot but no people. Drats! As I got closer I saw another vehicle with a couple people sitting beside. “Please be trail magic.”

Slick (2004 thru-hiker) called me over. “Yes!” Sat and chatted with him for an hour while having a banana, Snickers, and a Coke.

Rain yesterday must have gotten hikers spread out as I only saw 2 other thru-hikers all day. Probably the fewest of any day yet.

A mile before I stopped for day there was more trail magic. Eastern University was doing a survey with a questionnaire for hikers. I was more than happy to take it. Very psychological with questions centered on what you think is morally right or wrong. Things like “Is it right to intentionally leave out pertinent facts when negotiating a business deal?”. I found it quite interesting. Stayed there for an hour too!

Now have a mere 986 miles to go! 91 miles to Delaware Water Gap and NJ. Hoping to cover that in 5 days. Weather forecast is good so I am optimistic. Just can’t have a bad day.

Happy trails!

Day 85. Lickdale, PA Zero Day 1182,3 miles total

Lots of rain today. Tropical storm Cindy remnants. Poured in AM and again in PM. Weather sounds good for next 4 – 5 days.

Shooting to make NJ on Th. Going to have to make a few big mile days.

I was told before starting this hike that it’s fruitless to plan more than a couple days ahead. Definitely true.

Going to be wet and sloppy on trail tomorrow. Will be slow going.

Happy trails!

Day 84 Rock Chairs Campsite to Swatana Gap (14.1 miles) 1182.3 miles total

Been on the trail for 12 weeks and 1182 miles. Will have less than 1000 miles to go sometime tomorrow. That’s a big milestone. 990 miles sounds way less than 1008!

Not many views today. Most hiking was in trees.

Should finish about 10 weeks from now if all goes well. Can’t wait to get back to reality. Well, most of reality!

Next destination…Hamburg, PA. 36 miles. Hope to be there in 2 days.

Happy trails!

Day 82 Susquehanna River to Big Rock Campsite (6.9 miles) 1155.9 miles total

Weather was great for hiking today. I sucked however. Very lethargic and was beating myself on the rocks so decided to call it a day early…before I hurt myself.

Picture below is crossing Susquehanna leaving Duncannon. Crossed peak in background entering town.

Trail gets more rocky as you progress here. You have to stay very focused on the trail and where you are stepping. If you want to look around, you best not be walking!

Tenting tonight about a half mile from a road. Shortly before sunset a jeep and ATV go past on trail. They were heading to pick up a hiker who had fallen and hurt his leg. Bummer for somebody.

Naked Hiking Day tomorrow. I’ll try to get some good pics. I’ve had several requests that none be selfies!

Happy trails!

Day 81 Duncannon, PA Zero Day 1149.0 miles total

Weather forecast kept me off trail today. Wasn’t as bad as forecast but did rain pretty hard for about 3 hours in afternoon.

Southern PA has lots of towns on or near the trail. I like that!

June 21 is the first day of summer and also Naked Hiking Day. Can’t wait!

Happy trails.

Day 80 Footbridge Campsite to Susquehanna River (9.2 miles) 1149.0 miles total

Made it into Duncannon, PA about noon. It was a pretty steep drop down into town. That is Duncannon and Susquehanna River below.

Our daughter, Brooke, was visiting our other daughter, Kerri, in Pittsburgh this weekend. Duncannon was almost on her way back to Baltimore so she was able to meet me on Fathers Day. Nice surprise!

Weather tomorrow afternoon is forecast to be bad. Thunderstorms, high winds, and possible hail. If forecast hasn’t changed by AM, I will be taking the day off.

Happy trails!

 

Day 79 Boiling Springs, PA to Footbridge Campsite (18.2 miles) 1139.8 miles total

Happy Fathers Day to all dads, especially mine! Got you some good crop pictures as a gift, Dad. Enjoy!

Today we hiked at very low elevations (400 – 600 ft) for first 14 miles. Scenery is much different. Walked next to and through many farm fields as opposed to being 4,000 feet higher and looking down at them. Made for fast hiking. I think Boiling Spring is at base of mtn on right.

Went through a lot of private land today. Glad it wasn’t sunny and hot as the hike was much more in the open as opposed to usual forest.

Saw about as much wheat being grown as corn.

I am pretty sure on of those strips in background is flax. Had a light blue tint to it.

Got back up to more normal terrain last 5 miles of hike. Was thinking of going all the way to Duncannon today while walking through the fields. Changed my mind up here!

Found a nice campsite to celebrate Fathers Day Eve (my favorite holiday). Had mad, crazy fun in middle of nowhere by myself! Polished off that water bottle, enjoyed the bench (no back), and even made a campfire.

A little over 7 miles to Duncannon. Will be there before noon tomorrow and be ready for final round of US Open.

Happy Fathers Day and…

Happy trails!

Day 78 Pine Grove Furnace SP to Boiling Springs, PA (19.6 miles) 1121.6 miles total

Feels real good to be past midpoint and on home bound leg.

Love slack packing. Pack weight was probably 10 lbs compared to normal of about 35 lbs. You can really fly. Especially when trail is like this!  

Hiking at low elevations so not many views but the hiking is easier.

Starting to see berries getting ripe. The bears and I will be battling for these the next few weeks!

North out of Boiling Springs is flat for 12 miles so that’s good as supposed to rain most of day tomorrow. Hoping to make Duncannon, PA on Sunday in time for final round of US Open. 26 miles so should be doable.

Happy trails!

Day 77 Rocky Mtn Shelters to Pine Grove Furnace State Park (22.5 miles) 1102.0 miles total

Been on the trail for 11 weeks now and crossed half way point today.

We’ve raised about $28,000 so far for the charities I’m hiking for. Amazing! Thanks so much for your support. It means more to me than you can imagine.

I hope you’re enjoying the adventure. Please feel free to get your family, friends, and co-workers following along as well. Remember we still have 1090 miles to go!

Long hike today but went by pretty easily/quickly. I was pretty focused on the halfway point. Feels good to have half this adventure behind me.

Did I mention that PA is known for being very rocky. Still a couple days from where it gets real rocky and I’m thinking this is bad. Big boulders aren’t bad as they have big landing spots for your feet. Small rocks are OK too as they will move/conform to your foot. It’s the gazillion medium-sized ones that hurt. My steps have become much more precise over last 1100 miles!

PA and MD have had some really nice, newer shelters made with laminated wood. The Quarry Gap Shelters had flowers and chairs (with backs).

Not sure what this bush/tree is but they are really blooming around here now.

This is the AT half way marker. The actual spot varies each year as length of trail has some slight changes each year. This marker is maintained by AT Museum which is 7 miles up the trail from marker.

When you hit a big milestone, you should celebrate. Not the H.O.T. Spot but wasn’t bad.

Staying in Mt Holly, PA tonight and tomorrow night. Tomorrow I’ll slack pack 19 miles to Boiling Springs and then get a ride back here.

Happy trails!