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Day 73 Keys Gap Campsite to Keep Tryst Rd (7.0 miles) 1026.6 miles

Finished VA and WV today. 5 states down…9 to go! Staying in Knoxville, MD at Knights Inn.

I like American History so while heading into Harpers Ferry I was imagining John Brown and his boys sneaking in to raid the national armory there. Then I got to the bridge that guessing they didn’t use.

Harpers Ferry is the mythical halfway point of the AT and the home of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. They have a hiker lounge with chairs and sodas. Take good care of hikers.

I was NOBO hiker #1391 leaving Springer Mtn, GA. Hiker #737 passing thru Harpers Ferry (includes SOBOers). The staff said that’s a lot for this early in year.

Below is picture at Jefferson Rock overlooking the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers. Jefferson got to stand on top of rock in right of pic. People not allowed up there these days.

Next stop is Waynesboro, PA. 38 miles so 2-3 days depending on how heat wave goes.

Happy trails!

Day 72 Bears Den Rocks to Keys Gap Campsite (16.4 miles) 1019.6 miles total

Decided to tent just short of Harpers Ferry. Hotel rates there get jacked up on summer weekends and I am actually getting comfortable sleeping in tent. Not that comfortable but enough to pass on a $140 hotel room! Plus I was able to have burger and a Bud at bar 2 miles before I camped!

Finally almost out of VA. Pretty sure trail is right on VA/WV border now. Will finish VA and WV and be in MD tomorrow…and I’m only hiking about 7 miles!

Finished the Roller Coaster today. It was about 10 up and downs of about 400 feet each over 13.5 miles. Not extremely difficult but a rocky pain in the butt.

If you really want to get away to some privacy, here’s a house for you! 

Gonna do a short hike today. Air conditioning this afternoon when supposed to be mid 90’s.

Happy trails!

Day 71 Signal Knob Campsite to Bears Den Rocks (17.2 miles) 1003.2 total miles

It’s been a while since the last trail magic I was fortunate to receive but today there was a couple grilling hot dogs at a crossing and they had chairs…with backs!

Most of this group I’ve been hiking near for a few days. Grumpy Old Man is in lower right. Don’t know why he’s called grumpy because always laughing. Little Bad Ass and Bam Bam are next. Ontario is across by cooler and next to Homeward (our host and 2016 thru hiker). Prepping her hot dog is Goddess. Not all could pull off a name like that but she can. Manning the grill is Peggy (hostess).

Spent about a half hour there and then it was on to The Roller Coaster. 13.5 miles of tightly packed ascents and descents. Not many signs posted along trail but beginning of Roller Coaster had a warning sign ensuring you know what you’re about to get yourself into.

Lots of steep, rocky ups and downs. Picture below loses a bit of the steepness but you can get an idea.

1000 miles!! That’s a lot of steps! Not much of a celebratory spot in the midst of the Roller Coaster.

Hoping to make Harpers Ferry, WV tomorrow. Weather should be nice before heats up to low 90’s Sunday to Wed.

Happy trails!

Day 70 US 522 to Signal Knob Campsite (16.4 miles) 986.1 miles total

Been hiking for 10 weeks now. Will hit 1,000 miles tomorrow…and still not half way there. Crazy.

Walking through much lower elevation since leaving Shenandoahs. Was between 800 and 2,000 feet all day. Unfortunately still a lot of ups and downs!

Took a break on a bench sitting along trail in clearing below. One of the things you really appreciate out here is a chair with a back. Rocks and logs are not that comfortable for seating.

In serious Civil War territory now. Will be passing within 5 miles of Antietam and 20 of Gettysburg during next couple of weeks.

Going to try to keep mileage between 16 and 20 per day up through PA. It’s about 310 miles to Delaware Water Gap. When I get there, it is about 40 miles from Lake Hopatcong, NJ where we lived for 5 years and have many good friends. Assuming I can arrange rides, I plan to slack pack about 10 to 15 miles a day around there and be back to Mason Street Pub for happy hour!

Happy trails!

Day 69 Gravel Springs Hut to US 522 (13.4 miles) 969.7 miles total

Both knees and right hip have been sore last 2 days. Hoping they’re just working back in to shape.

Finished Shenandoah’s today. I was a bit disappointed as views were somewhat limited and similar. Many more views driving on Skyline Drive. The AT was rerouted for Skyline Dr. Someone told me there are 77 viewpoints on Skyline and 22 on AT. If you ever come here for the views, I’d recommend driving!

Of all hikers I’ve talked with in Shenandoahs, only 2 had not seen a bear here (Grumpy Old Man and Just Pete). Some had seen 8 and up to 13. Bam Bam and Little Bad Ass even had one that blocked the trail and snapped his jaws at them!

One mile past Shenandoahs I saw my second bear. It heard me before I saw it so only caught a glimpse as it ran off. It was only about 40 yds away. Rich Enright…that would be about 4.85 seconds away!

Weather has been good last 2 days. Light rain late today. No rain forecast for next week. Going to be mid 90’s for a few days beginning Sunday.

Should hit 1,000 miles Friday and be in Harpers Ferry Saturday.

Happy trails!

Day 68 Pass Mountain Hut to Gravel Springs Hut (13.1 miles) 956.3 miles total

Think I lost a bit of conditioning during break. A little more sore in legs than normal after not a big distance.

Good weather today. Mostly cloudy and about 60 degrees.

Met a mom (Bam Bam) and her 14 year old son, Little Bad Ass. They started hiking mid-March. Husband/dad at home. He’s a very polite and bright young man. Had been attending a private school. Dropped out of school to do this. Bam Bam said “We’ll figure that out after we get to Maine.” I am sure he will do well in life.

Also met a mid-40’s Aussie named Shepherd. He’s previously hiked the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail. When he completes the AT, he will have completed the Triple Crown of hiking. When he’s not hiking, he bikes. Currently working on pedaling from Alaska to Argentina. Started in AK and bike now in Cancun, Mexico. He’s put on 15,000 miles so far! Said he has a couple sponsors and is frugal. Hasn’t been home for 3.5 years.

Excited to hit 1,000 mile mark in 2-3 days!

Happy trails!

Day 67 Thornton Gap to Pass Mountain Hut (1.2 miles) 943.2 miles total 

Had a great 4 days off highlighted by the Ashley and Zack Bosh “Bash”. Awesome family time.

Flew back to Baltimore last night. Got a ride to Harpers Ferry, WV from a friend (Snappy) then took a shuttle to Thornton Gap.

By the time I got to trail (1:30) it was raining. Shocker, right?!! Had to go either 1.2 miles or 14. Decided to ease back into it.

Hopeful for a nice day tomorrow.

Happy trails!