Back on The Appalachian Trail

I’m back on the Appalachian Trail. My injury will not allow me to run but I can hike. I’m solo having separated from my crew and heading north.

I’m carrying a full loaded pack. I started in Hanover yesterday and I’m going do the final 440 miles thru hiker style, taking time to enjoy the journey by admiring the mountain top views and having conversations with other hikers. I’ve got till my Visa runs out on September 19th to complete the remainder of the trail.

I’ll be updating my Instagram/Facebook daily as to share my story. Last night I stayed at Andrew Thompson and his partner Sarah’s house. What a cool couple, their home is nicely connected to the Land around them. They have 2 x goats and 2 x cats.

They live close to the AT and I dropped in to say hi, ended up drinking a bunch of beers till late then staying the night.

Andrew “Trail Dog” Thompson held the FKT for the AT in 2005. It took him 47 days, 13 hours, 31 minutes to complete breaking Pete Palmers record. Trail Dog is also a Barkley Marathon finisher, 1 of only 15 people to do so.

Trail Dogs record stood for 6 years until Jenn Pharr Davis @JennPharrDavis lowered it to 46 days, 11 hours and 20 minutes in 2011. Which is still the current female record.

Today was a cool day. It started with next doors farm eggs, homemade bread by Trail Dog and coffee with homemade maple syrup. I said goodbye to Sarah and Trail Dog, then walked to the AT where I joined a hiker named Bob who is 71 years old. Bob and I walked together for about 1 hour or so. I learned Bobs brother was a 2:16 marathon runner when he was younger.

I then enjoyed hiking all day until stopping at Trapper John shelter. Today I hiked 12.3 miles, gained 3397 feet, lost 2946 feet.