Tag: Pennsylvania

Day 93 – Tumbling Run to 1093.5 campsite
Today’s Miles: 17.6

Trip Miles: 1101.5

“… The road is long

With many a winding turn

That leads us to who knows where, who knows where

But I’m strong

Strong enough to carry him

He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother” – The Hollies

Up at 6:00 and on trail at 7:10. Clear, mid-90s, humid. Curious to see how the new pack and my back get along today.

Stopped at Chimney Rocks at 8:00 for second breakfast. Nice view, but nothing photo-worthy.

Stopped at 9:45 for a snack. I rearranged the contents of my pack. Still fighting back pain.

Heard from my friend Ed Byrd. He is going to meet us at Caledonia State Park in a couple of hours with Gatorade and Snickers. Cool!

At 10:50 I stepped to the side of the trail to adjust my pack straps and heard a loud rattle. I annoyed this guy. Took us a minute to actually get eyes on him. We eased past him then watched him slither away. What’s with all the rattlesnakes!

Rattlesnake south of Caledonia State Park

Rattlesnake south of Caledonia State Park

Stopped for a break at the side trail to Rocky Mountain Shelter. Had a quick snack and moved on.

Got to Caledonia State Park at 1:00. My friend Ed Byrd drove 2 hours to bring us Gatorade, Snickers, and fresh fruit. We chatted for about an hour. Ed plans to do a Flip-Flop next summer. We said goodbye just after 2:00. Back on trail at 2:10.

Stopped at Quarry Gap Shelter at 3:15. One of the nicest shelters on the AT.

Quarry Gap Shelter

Back on trail at 3:46. 7.5 miles to go.

Finished a hard hot climb at 5:10. Very hard climb.

Stopped for water at Milesburn Cabin at 6:30. Was able to get a liter. We have about 2 .4 miles to go.

We decided to just go the .4 uphill from the cabin and camp. Otherwise, we would not be making dinner until 8:45 or later.

Camping in the woods in PA

We plan to sleep in tomorrow. We have 12 miles to reach Pine Grove Furnace, where we plan to stay at their hostel and eat at the grill at the Pine Grove Furnace store. Should be there about 2:30.

Overall, it was a good day. It was wonderful to see Ed. Great trail angel! My back did better with the new pack, but the vest harness is causing me some other muscle issues. Need a few more days to really figure things out.

In bed at 9:30 and read for a while.

Technical Notes:
- Pop-Tart 370
- Pop-Tart 370
- Skittles 75
- Skittles 75
- Snickers 250
- Snickers 250
- Medium orange 62
- Zero-calories sausage 120
- Skittles 100
- Trail mix 200
- Zero-calories sausage 120
- Trail mix 200
- Skittles 100
- Fritos 200
- Dehydrated beef 190
- Ramen 510
- Fritos 150
- Water liters 6
- Miles 17.6
- Time 10
- Elevation gain 3341
- Calories consumed 3700
- Calories burned 7500
Day 92 – Ensign Cowall shelter to Tumbling Run
Today’s Miles: 20

Trip Miles: 1083.9

“They say it’s your birthday

Well, it’s my birthday too, yeah

They say it’s your birthday

We’re gonna have a good time

I’m glad it’s your birthday

Happy birthday to you” – The Beatles

Up at 6:00. Learned how to load up my new pack. In trail at 7:30.

Got 12 miles to go to meet Dana at Route 16 a bit over the PA border. Overall we have 18.8 miles today.

Stopped to fill up water at 9:15 at a creek next to Raven Rock Road. Had a second breakfast then moved on at 9:45.

Creek next to Raven Rock Road

We got to High Rock at 11:25. Great views. Best on AT in NOVA, MD, and southern PA in my opinion.

High Rock

YouTube video from High Rock

Back on trail at 12:05.

Got to Penmar Park at 1:30. Andy Johnson stalked me via Garmin and brought us both Gatorade and a snack!!

Trail Magic at Penmar Park

AT mile marker in Penmar Park

Back on trail at 2:25. We meet Dana at 3:30. We will be late! Crossed into Pennsylvania. One more state down!

Crossing the Mason-Dixon line

We met Dana at 4:00 near Waynesboro, PA. She drove us to Sheetz for dinner then to Walmart for resupply. We then drove to Old Forge Park to repack and celebrate Overkill’s birthday with an ice cream cake.

Overkill’s birthday party in Old Forge Park

We got to Tumbling Run shelter about 6:30. Ran into the extended family: Glass, Newt, 23, Polar, Puzzle, and others. Overkill wanted a fire for her birthday, so she made one.

Polar, Overkill, 23, and Puzzler at Tumbling Run shelter

Not sure about the new pack yet. Had some back pain today, but still adjusting the fit of the new pack.

We planned out the week. Will zero in Duncannon Saturday. Mom, Shelley, and Jeff plan to drive up and visit.

Trying to sleep at 9:30. We want to be out at 7:00 tomorrow morning. We have just under 20 miles with 3 hard climbs.

Day 92 Map – Ensign Cowall shelter to Tumbling Run

Technical Notes:
- Mini chocolate donuts: 560
- Cookie: 210
- Cookie: 210
- Fig bars: 210
- Skittles: 75
- Zero sugar sausage: 120
- Skittles: 75
- Zero sugar sausage: 120
- Skittles: 75
- Waffle: 350
- Skittles: 100
- Dr Pepper: 260
- Chicken sandwich: 600
- Fries: 200
- Birthday cake: 500
- Cookies: 300
- Fritos: 400
- Water liters: 5
- Miles: 18.1
- Time: 10
- Elevation gain: 3149
- Calories consumed: 5000
- Calories burned: 7500
Day 7 – Darlington Shelter to PA 850

Saturday September 2, 2023.

Up at 6:45. Noisy neighbors. Called Pitcrew at 7:15. I’m only hiking 2.5 miles today and she will pick me up.

Asshole neighbors partying till midnight. Rude Amish hikers arrived at 10:00pm shining lights into shelter, talking loudly, making tons of noise. Woke up at 6:30 to 4 middle-eastern hikers making breakfast, using shelter as storage, talking loud, and being obnoxious.

Hiked to parking lot about 2.5 miles away on PA 850. Got there at 9:25. Pitcrew picked me up at 10:00.

Decided to call the hike early mainly due to the timing. If I went into Duncannon, Pitcrew would not be able to pick me up until 17:00 or later, and it is Labor Day. We want to be home to enjoy the evening with friends.
Day 6 – Boiling Springs to Darlington Shelter
Friday September 1, 2023. 57 degrees, 65% humidity, sunny

Up at 6:30 to get me and my gear ready. I’m nervous about today. 14.5 miles to shelter with MAYBE crappy water near shelter. I think I’ll bring an extra liter bought at store to be safe. Overall, about 26 miles to go for the rest of the trip.

Angie drove me back to Boiling Springs. Worried about water so bought a liter at Rutters. No water for 13 miles today.

Got some trail magic at a road intersection.

Trail Magic

Made 3 mph for first 6 miles. First 12 were easy, just a lot of them. Break at 6 miles to massage feet and also at 10 miles. Crossed the PA Turnpike mid afternoon.

PA Turnpike

Filled up at a spring 1 mile from shelter. Feet really hurt!!! Blister is back a bit too.

Only water for 12 miles

Made camp at Darlington Shelter (mile 1138.6) at 4:30. Last 3 miles were very steep and difficult. My feet really hurt! Stayed in the shelter with a pair of SOBO thru hikers.

Technical Notes:
- Mikes recovery mix – 256 calories
- Pepperoni, knorr taco rice, tea
- Water liters: 4
- Miles: 15.24
- Time: 8:30
- Up: 2136
- Calories consumed: 2000
- Calories burned: 2626
Day 5 – James Fry Shelter to Boiling Springs
Thursday August 31, 2023. Sunny, breezy, 72, low humidity.

Up at 7:15. Slept ok. Out at 8:30.

Hiked 1.7 miles to Green Mountain general store for breakfast, coffee, snacks, and water. 9:15. Bought two 700ml bottles. Bought a second sandwich still hungry 🙂

Green Mountain general store

Got moving at 10:00. No water until boiling springs in 12 miles. Tough day. Big rock scramble, steep up’s and downs, and just a lot of miles including 2 miles through corn fields with lots of sun. Took a lot of breaks as feet were hurting. Last 3 miles or so were a death march.

Rock scramble near Boiling Springs

Hiking through fields near Boiling Springs

Made it to Boiling Springs about 4:30. Texted my nephew Jeff. He lives about 20 minutes away and I am open ding the night at is house with the family. Got a latte at Cafe 101 and talked to Pitcrew while waiting.

Cafe 101 in Boiling Springs

Jeff picked me up and drove me to his house in Dillsburg, PA. Had a nice dinner with Jeff, Angie, and the kids. Got a much needed shower, did laundry. In bed at 11:30. Not much sleep though.

Technical Notes:
- Mikes recovery mix – 256 calories
- Burger and fries
- Water liters: 3
- Miles: 13.7
- Time: 8:00
- Up: 2503
- Calories consumed: 3000
- Calories burned: 4000
Day 4 – Tom’s Run Shelter to James Fry Shelter
Wednesday August 30, 2023. 83 degrees, 65.% humidity, sunny and breezy.

Up at 8:00. Rained in the wee hours. Slept well! Packed up and headed out. Looking to forward to a real lunch!! Charged headlamp while hiking.

Got to Pine Grove Furnace just before the store opens at 11:00. Great burger and fries. Got ramen and knor rice dish for dinner. Charged electronics, dried some gear, and surfed the web!

Lunch at Pine Grove Furnace store

Charged up phone and battery pack to 68%. Topped off water and headed out at 1:00.

Pit stop after 3.4 miles to rest feet and rearrange water. Checked in with Pitcrew. Mostly downhill next 4 miles to camp….I think. Took a 30 minute break.

One other pit stop a mile short in case of no cell at camp.

Reached James Fry Shelter (mile 1112.3) and made camp at 5:00. Water sucks. Scooped a bag from stagnant pool with a few fish and tadpoles.

Sketchy water near James Fry Shelter

Nobody at shelter. Changed into dry clothes and hung a clothes line since it’s so breezy. Cleaned myself up a bit down there. Little worried about crotch chafing tomorrow.

James Fry Shelter

Filtered AND purified two liters of water. I had one full .75 liter when I got to camp.

Talked to an older guy hiking south. We have a lot in common. He’d staying the night here too. 69 and overweight…using the hike to lose weight and get in shape. Went to bed at 10:00 and read till 10:40.

Technical Notes:
- Mikes recovery mix – 256 calories
- Burger, fries, snickers, 2 root beer sodas
- Ramen and Fritos
- Water liters: 3
- Miles: 11.97
- Time: 7:57
- Up: 1239
- Calories consumed: 3000
- Calories burned: 2051
Day 3 – Quarry Gap Shelter to Tom’s Run Shelter
Tuesday August 29, 2023. Cloudy, 75, 65% humidity.

Up at 7:40. Breakfast, charged electronics, packed and headed out at 8:45. Stretched before leaving. Feet feel ok.

Arrived at Three Roads intersection at 4.6 miles. Did some medical work on left toe blister and took a snack break. Lanced blister and got gunk out. So so wrap job with gauze and tape. Hopefully toe socks hold it all together.

Reached Birch Run Shelter at 12:45 and 10 miles. Feet hurt!! No cell. Stretched feet a lot. Talked to a dad and sun section hiker pair who are doing Boiling Springs to Harper’s Ferry.

Stopped a lot due to blister and sore feet. Bandaged blister twice with little help to walking.

Arrived at Tom’s Run Shelter (mile 1101.4) at 5:00. The last 4 miles were a bitch. I’m in a lot of pain. This is a small shelter with a spring and no covered eating area. There are two other hikers in the shelter, so I set up my tent on one of the gravel tent pads. It is going to get very humid and rainy this evening. I’ll try the fan later.

Tom’s Run Shelter

Filtered water from spring and made dinner. Tried a ramen bomb for dinner. That is a pack of ramen noodles combined with an Idahoan instant potato mix. It was ok, but I was just not hungry. Also need to use more water next time. Ate about half of it. That is not good. One bar cell. Checked in with Pitcrew.

The USB fan is great. Ran for an hour and used less than 5%. Read till 9:30 with fan. Took a muscle relaxer and used Box Fan sound on 4 hour timer on phone.

Technical Notes:
- Stinger, nut butter, tea = 690
- 1.5 oz cheese, 3 oz salamis = 400cal
- Ramen + Mashed potatoes + hamburger = 1100
- Water liters: 3
- Miles: 14.16
- Time: 8:15
- Calories consumed: 2090
- Calories burned: 4000
Day 2 – Tumbling Run Shelter to Quarry Gap Shelter
Monday August 28, 2023. Cloudy, 78 degrees, 64% humidity, breezy. Nice overall.

Up at 7:00. Ate breakfast, charged electronics, packed and headed out at 8:50. Had to duct tape one of my shoes.

Stopped at Chimney Rocks at 9:45. Had 3 bars cell coverage. Great view.

Chimney Rocks on the AT

Stopped for lunch near Rocky Mountain shelter at 1:00. Shelter is .3 miles downhill. Not doing that. Feet hurt and left ankle hurts. Still have 3 miles to Rt 30 and 5.6 miles to camp.

Back on trail at 1:35. Got to Caledonia park about 3:00. Took a break and bandaged my toe. Got the same blister again. Called Pitcrew and chatted. Got 2 liters of extra water and topped off all else. Hiked to Quarry Gap Shelter (mile 1087.8). Tough uphill hike with 2 extra liters!!

Got in at 4:55. Chatted with another hiker and set up for night. Really nice shelter!!! Rattler living under my shelter though:( Ate dinner at 7:00. Filtered water and generally got ready for bed by 7:40. Gonna read as long as possible and take a 1/3 Xanax.

Quarry Gap Shelter

Technical Notes:
- Stinger, nut butter, Fritos, tea = 690
- 1.5 oz cheese, 3 oz salamis = 400cal
- Mike’s recovery mix = 256 cal
- Curry noodles + chicken = 620 cal
- Water liters: 3
- Miles: 13.37
- Time: 8:00
- Up: 2558
- Calories consumed: 2000
- Calories burned: 2411
Day 1 – Pen Mar to Tumbling Run Shelter
Sunday August 27, 2023. Mid-80s, 70% humidity, clear, no breeze.

Starting a 7 day 6 night section hike NOBO (North Bound) from Pen Mar on the MD/PA border to Duncannon, PA on the Susquehanna.

This is supposed to be shakedown hike in preparation for my AT thru-hike attempt in 2024. I need to shakedown my gear and my mind. The hardest part of a thru hike is the mental game, assuming you have your gear nailed down and know how to best use it all.

Total pack weight is 27.7lb with a base weight of 17.6 lbs. 2.75 liters of water.

Pitcrew dropped me off at 1:00 at Pen Mar park (mile 1067) and walked with me to the trail head. I planned this to be a short day with the mid-day start.

Pen Mar Park AT trailhead 2023

There were a few very steep uphills, but not a bad hike overall. Saw a few day hikers near Pen Mar, but quickly dropped to no people after about 2 miles.

Mason Dixon line on the AT 2023

The bugs were bad and zero wind did not help. I recently switched from using 100% DEET to a more friendly Picaridin insect repellent. 100% DEET is great but it can dissolve plastics and other synthetic fabrics. I am starting to think that switching was a mistake. I miss my 100% DEET!

I made it to Tumbling Run shelter (1075.6) around 5:45. This is a very nice location with a pair of shelters, a covered seating area, and a fire pit. Nice spring about .15 miles from shelter.

Tumbling Run Shelter on the AT 2023

Mixed up water and Drank Mike’s Recovery Mix (256 calories) and had that while I cooled down before getting camp set up for the night.

Chatted briefly with a day hiker who was going up tot the summit to watch the sunset. Did not see anybody else the entire night.

Gathered 3 liters of water in my dirty water bag, filtered it with my Sawyer squeeze filter, and filled up my water bottles. Saved about 1.5 liters for tomorrow morning.

Changed into my dry camp clothes (shorts and short sleeve shirt), strung a clothes line, and hung up my soaked sweaty clothes to dry out as best possible by morning.

Dinner was a Mountain House rice and chicken dehydrated meal with more dehydrated chicken added for calories and protein (710 calories total).

Settled into a shelter with my quilt and pillow about 8:40.

Camp setup at Tumbling Run Shelter

Technical Notes:
- Mike’s Recovery Mix 256
- Mountain House rice and chicken 710
- Dehydrated chicken
- Water liters: 1.5
- Miles: 8.82
- Time: 4:46
- Up: 1547
- Calories consumed 1000
- Calories burned 1619