Daily Miles: 17.9, Total Miles: 1,061.5 I woke up to a cooler, overcast, misty, and drizzly morning and it stayed that way the whole day. I left camp about 7am and quickly arrived at the Washington Monument State Park and refilled water bottles. I made a short detour to the monument itself, a stone obelisk built in 1827. This was nearly 60 yrs before the more famous monument in D.C. I would have had good views there if not so…
Daily Miles: 17.1, Total Miles: 1,043.6 Both flights were on time yesterday and Mark (Strings) got me from Dulles to Harpers Ferry and Towns Inn. I had just enough time to run across the street to the Rabbit Hole for a burger and IPA before they closed. Walked up to the AT Conservatory Office and got my 2024 AT tag. Got quizzed again on Leave No Trace principles. The AT rep would pantomime the correct responses so it was at…
On this day last year, I headed off into the Smokies from Newfound Gap on what was probably my favorite day on the trail for the first half of the AT. After a couple of cool, rainy days, the clouds slowly lifted and were swept away. This left a crystal clear, absolutely gorgeous day with beautiful views from the Smoky Mountains ridgelines. I’m still on track for my second-half start from Harper Ferry on April 18. Walking around the neighborhood…
I’m still about two months out but itching to get started. Preparation is going well, most food and sundries purchased but waiting a bit before I prepare individual meals. I did finish my resupply plan so I can get my resupply boxes put together. A few other future plans in the works. Mrs. Haze will meet me at the end and we’ll drive back together with a few stops on the way. Also looking at a trip to Scotland where…
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…
