My schedule is pretty much ironed out – even made my flight, Harper Ferry’s Town’s Inn and shuttle reservations. Mark/Strings, who gave me a ride to Dulles last year, was available for a return trip! Checked out my Big 3 and all look in good enough shape for another long hike. I did clean and lubricate the little zippers. Might be needed to keep the bugs out of the tent in early summer. Bought two pairs of Brooks Cascadia shoes…
The holiday season is upon us and it will be a special one for us. Both of our sons and families are here with our five grandchildren. As usual, I’m sure there will be hike involved, either on or near the Arizona Trail or in Saguaro NP. Just gave Mrs. Haze my Xmas wish list. I don’t think any issues with my main gear but some of my clothing items are wearing thin. Food items are also welcome. I did…
If it isn’t already obvious, I need to declare my intentions for hiking in 2024. Why? Because it helps motivate me to get off my butt and start getting ready. In my quest to finally get serious about knocking off the Triple Crown, I hiked the first half of the AT from Springer Mountain to Harpers Ferry earlier this year, finishing on June 2nd. So different than 10k miles of western hikes but quite the challenge, adventure and a continuous…
It has been ten days since finishing the first half of the AT at Harpers Ferry WV. The hikers after me encountered quite a bit of smoke blowing down from Canadian wildfires. Hope the much needed rains come soon. I have a fishing trip with my boys planned in Ontario late in the summer. Mrs. Haze and I will also be in Nova Scotia in September. I was about 30 pounds down on my official weigh-in, pretty typical after my…
Daily Miles: 1.4, Total Miles: 1026.5 I thought I was done with the first half of the AT but that was yesterday. I was a tourist in Harpers Ferry but also decided to completely finish the West Virginia portion of the AT. Meandered along the Shenandoah, had lunch in Old Town, soaked in some history and walked across the Potomac River Bridge and stepped into Maryland. There, now I’m done with the first half! I’ll post some reflections on the…
Daily Miles: 7.0, Total Miles: 1025.1 I thought I woke up at 5:30am and was just taking my first sip of coffee. Looked at my phone again and it was only 3:45am. Oh well, I finished getting ready and headed out. I quickly got down to Keys Gap WV on Route 9. Needing liquids, walked back into Virginia to a nearby gas station. I got a Gatorade and wolfed down a cherry pie and chocolate milk. I got back on…
Daily Miles: 24.0, Total Miles: 1,018.1 As if the AT hasn’t been a roller coaster thus far and full of PUDS (pointless ups and downs). I started off this morning with a 14-mile stretch of trail officially named the Roller Coaster. Numerous, one after another steep climbs and descents with very few views. One saving grace was plentiful water which was fortunate because I was sweating profusely on a warm, sunny day. I crossed two milestones today, the 1,000-mile marker…
Daily Miles: 22.0, Total Miles: 994.1 Bill, a shuttle driver, got me back to the TH at US Route 522. A clear, sunny day on the trail through the sometimes overgrown green tunnel. Saw a trail volunteer later in the day with a weed whacker trying to make some headway. I had lunch and water at Manassas Gap Shelter and soon entered Sky Meadows State Park. A nice change of pace to hike through a few open meadows. Wanted to…
Daily Miles: 0, Total Miles: 972.1 I had a nice zero day in Front Royal. Combined a morning trip to the downtown area to have breakfast and coffee at the Main Street Daily Grinder. Picked up my resupply box at the PO and bought new hiking poles and a gas canister at the Mountain Trails. I went to a nearby Italian restaurant for something I was craving a big plate of spaghetti and meatballs. The chocolate mousse was also delicious.
Daily Miles: 2.1, Total Miles: 972.1 It rained steadily most of the night and still going this morning. Not in a hurry so had a rare two cups of coffee waiting for the rain to slow down. I got down to US Route 522. Front Royal has a trolley that comes to the TH but wasn’t sure if it runs on a holiday. I got a hitch from a lady with four kids in a pickup. I threw my pack…
