Jeff Hikes

Category: Appalachian Trail

  • May 27

    So I have been hanging out with a group of people this past week. They’re pretty nice and we all have similar humor which is good.

    We kind of went brewery hopping the past two stops. First to Devils Backbone which was an amazing stop. Last two days in Waynesboro we spent at Basic City Brewing. That was also an awesome spot…

    We hopped back on the trail today and did 21 to 22 miles to reach the first hut in the Shenandoahs. The shelters are called huts in the shannies.

    Lilly said I should explain the confession. In every shelter there is a log book that you can sign. People leave messages about the day or say they’re stopping in for lunch. We’ve left messages for people behind us saying to catch up. Small stuff. Or big. Depending on what you want to do. I sign them some days and not on others… All depends on how I feel. The priest mountain shelter has two log books. One is an actual log while the other is a confession log. It’s tradition to confess your sins.

    One such sin was from a hiker saying she had sex on the trail But no worries, they left no trace. (Leave no trace is a principle for hiking). Another was a hiker saying they pooped off a cliff (that’s definitely not leave no trace). Soooo yeah. That’s the traditional I talked about last post.

    Hitting 900 miles tomorrow. Woot woot!

  • May 24

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    Back on the trail.

    My day started Tuesday with a flight to Philadelphia connecting to Roanoke. Lilly and I left the house at 5:30 AM. The flight was so full that I had to check my bag which is worrisome because it’s literally the only thing I have for the next 4 months.

    Flights went well but I landed in Roanoke an hour later than I thought. This put a big rush on me to resupply and get to Lexington because their last shuttle is at 4:45.

    Luckily, I made it to Lexington in time. They dropped me off in Glasgow and I shuttled to the trail. I hiked 2 miles in to the nearest shelter.

    The next day, I went 18 miles. It was tough being back but my legs feel good. The end of Wednesday’s trek was in an area where freed slaves lived and remnants of that was still up. Very cool! Yesterday I did 22 miles to the priest shelter. Pretty rough.

    My confession at the shelter was about bringing beer to a free Methodist hostel.

    It’s good to be back but it’s different being away from the group of people I was around.

    I’m having to meet people all over which is tough. Today I met a group that seems really cool. Headed to devil’s backbone brewing tomorrow and will probably try to get to know them better.

    This brewery is awesome! Huge property with a brewery and distillery. Camping for hikers, for people who drive in, and people with RVs.

  • Inter-day vs Intra-Day planning

    I’ve talked about writing this blog post for awhile.

    When I started the Appalachian Trail, I was told that nearly all of my plans would be thrown out the window. Upon hearing that, I decided that if I got to Atlanta with no plans, I would be just fine… which is what I did. I knew how I was going to go from the start of the trail to Neel Gap (around mile 35-40).

    Everyone handles their planning differently. My basic approach is, figure out where I’m next resupplying to get the mileage. Decide how many days that’ll take me. Then put the guide book away and start moving throughout the days.

    I have two items that help me:

    • Guthook’s App that uses your gps to tell you where you’re at on the trail and what’s ahead.
    • AWOL’s guide book.

    I use AWOL’s book to look ahead for towns. The book also has maps of the towns coming up which allows me to see what I’ll be working with resupply-wise.

    Guthooks gives me elevation changes for the day and water sources.

    Basically, I wake up and check Guthooks to see how many miles I want to do for the day. I check the water sources to see if there are any long spans of time without water. If there are, I know where I need to actually carry water. Throughout the day, I usually check guthooks just to see how much further I have. I’ve noticed that as I hike more, I check less and less and just know I’ll get to my destination between 5 and 6 PM. I don’t look at elevation nearly as much as others. I just pick the mileage I want to do and go.

    A lot of people only use one source. I like having both. Guthooks is really convenient from the sense that you’ve got your exact mileage while the book is great to understand the town and what’s available. The book is also a great backup if my phone does die.

    That’s pretty much. It’s pretty simple! The difficulties on the trail are a lot more mental than physical from my experience so far.

  • Virginia Update and Overall Updates

    I can’t remember where I left off with pictures. I’ll probably have repeats in here.

    Hiking was good last week. We had a day where we saw 5 snakes. That was intense but all of them were just rat snakes. So nothing venomous.

    I almost hit 800 miles but had to stop in Glasgow, VA to  go to a wedding back home. I stayed at a hostel for 2 nights then took a car to Roanoke, VA. Stayed the night in Roanoke and visited three breweries/tap rooms — Deschutes, Big Slick Brewing, Old Salem Brewing.

    The next day I flew home and have been home since. I got to see my sisters. See some college friends get married. Visit with Lilly’s family. And enjoy the luxuries of being home including lots of fresh fruit. I also got to surprise some of my close friends for the Game of Thrones finale. That was the reason for the radio silence on here.

    While home, I’ve also exchanged some of my gear out. I’ve swapped my 0 degree quilts for 30 degree quilts. I have put my bugnet on my hammock. I threw my shoes away and got new ones — the Altra Lone Peaks lasted 800 miles… I’m extremely impressed with them! Bought some Darn Tough socks — these are a game changer in socks. Re-treated my clothing with Permethrin. Treated my new hammock with Permethrin. Re-treated my tarp and backpack rain cover with Scotch Guard.  I purchased a tarp and bivy from Borah Gear. That will take about 6 weeks to make it to me. I’ve been told that the Shenandoahs are really bad for tent sites. So keeping the hammock through the Shannies is a smart move, I think.

    Needless to say, it’s been a busy week. I get back on the trail tomorrow where I should hit mile 800. Shark Tooth and Turd will both be way ahead of me and I plan to do some really long days to catch up. I still think it will take 2-3 weeks to catch up though.

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  • May 10

    It’s been a few days. Maybe a week since last posting. So much has happened.

    Virginia has a few really nice spots. McAfee knob, dragons tooth, and tinker cliffs… I guess eastern continental divide. There was a sign for that too!

    Turtle caught up to us!

    I hit 700 miles.

    We had so much trail magic that I had way too much food at resupply.

    Trama in the tramily.

    We’re almost to 800 miles…

    Virginia has definitely not been as flat as everyone would make you think. However, I’ve definitely climbed worse mountains.

    No Virginia blues. It’s been fun and amazing. 

    Trail magic has been weird. First week or so, nothing. And, by all means, that’s okay. Magic is never expected but always welcome.

    Today, 5-9, we had two hits watchers with homemade cookies, pretzels, and water. A group of three guys we met at McAfee who decided to do magic with a million boxes of krispy creme donuts, chips, and soda… And a box on the side of the trail, empty, but good for everyone who got some trail magic!

    We’ve had some new additions to the bubble… A 29 year old named Tequila (Jim) from Chicago and a female named Mosey. Both seem like really positive individuals.

    Rodedendrons have been blooming creating a beautiful green and purple tunnel of leaves and flowers. Other wild flowers have been sprouting as well!

    We saw 5 snakes today (5-9). 3 babies (one copperhead, two black snakes) and 2 adults (both black). Nature has sure woken up with spring coming into full gear!

    I’ve definitely changed my opinion on the trail which is amazing. I’m happy… I always viewed the trail as difficult and it wouldn’t be fun. However, even though this is a job, I’m having fun.

    When I say It’s a job…. It’s a job. 6:30 am wake up (that’s late). Pack up. A bar for breakfast. Get on the trail. Pause for lunch. Continue walking. Get to where were going, mininum. Set up camp. Cook. Hang food bag so bears can’t get it. Go to bed with the sun.

    It’s never not being busy. At this point, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

    Summer does mean we’re getting ripe… That’s the only adjective for it… We’re… Ripe. I’ve never showered and done laundry and felt clean. It’s different and I love it.

  • Quick Update

    Just a quick update…

    Lots of hiking in Virginia. It’s a lot of walking. That’s about it.

    We did hear bears snorting one night. It was terrifying!

    We stopped for a zero in Pearisburg. Had some delicious food and just a good time.

    We hit 600 miles!

    My shoes are going pretty fast… Gonna get a new pair soon. Also debating on going to a ground tarp for the remainder of the trip. It is just a thought. Not sure why I’m having trouble with my tarp and hammock… Been using them for a long time. Going to ground means I also only carry one quilt instead of two. Conflicted to say the least…

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  • More Virginia

    This post will read weird because I wrote it throughout the days.

    4/24, we made it into Marion. 14 miles from 7 to noon. Felt real good.

    Another part of our bubble was at Wal-Mart while we were there. It was great to see them! I’ll try to get pictures of them later.

    I bought too much at this resupply. My pack weighs so much more than it has this entire trip… Its what I get for not eating before resupply. Oops.

    After, we went to Sonic. Sharktooth had never been to one. Delicious.

    Finally, we ended the day doing another 4ish miles and ending just before a mountain.

    4/25, we hiked. That was about it. We did eat at a restaurant called The Barn. Good food and large portions but anything that isn’t mashed potatoes mixed with Ramen is good food.

    The backpacks in front of the restaurant were hilarious.

    There was also an old school house that has consistent trail magic. Had a nice cold coke.

    We ended up camping near a road in a camping area. Rain came in hard last night and throughout the day today. Thankfully I stayed dry all night.

    During a lull this morning we moved to a pavilion to hang our stuff up. We decided to take a zero because it is going to rain until 5:30 today… Supposed to be beautiful tomorrow though.

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  • Damascus to Marion

    I haven’t updated since arriving in Damascus Thursday. Coverage in Virginia is spotty at best. I’m assuming it’s because of the lack of mountain tops…

    We took zeroes in Damascus on Friday and Saturday. Friday night was one of the best nights on the trail with a lot of friends, candy, and beer. Saturday was really rainy. Sharktooth and I ended up chilling at a diner and then a coffee shop until the hostel we were staying at opened up. We watched the Dallas Stars play at a local food joint and then headed back and went to bed.

    Nothing too exciting. Damascus was not what I was expecting of a town though. I was expecting bigger but it was super small. The trail does run right through town and there are bricks acknowledging thru hikers. Very neat.

    Sunday was difficult to get back on the trail. We ended up doing 17ish miles but the trail crossed highways which was a lot of temptation to just go back to Damascus. I later learned that Turd felt the same way. At the shelter we met a couple from Dallas – d20 and I believe Happy.

    Yesterday we did another 16 miles. We got to see ponies! We also hit the 500 mile mark and listened to the proclaimers several times in a row. We met the ridge runner for this section… It was her first day! We were given some chocolate from a woman from Keller named Brenda who was helping her husband and son slackpack around the trail. She’s only out a little while longer while they thru hike.

    We got a hotel room so I could watch the hockey game last night but they didn’t have cnbc. I listened to a majority of the radio broadcast. Stars won. Happy days. Prior to the game, we sat outside with d20 and Happy who had gotten to the hotel just before us.

    Today we did 18 miles and are at a camp site right by a road outside of Troutsdale.

    Tomorrow we resupply in Marion and then not sure where were headed.

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  • TN to VA

    Wow. What a week!

    I wanted to go through day by day and describe what’s been happening but it’s really been just a lot of walking.

    Some exciting things have been happening! I have a new phone but it has to be unlocked. My current phone is inconsistent at best at working.

    We made it to a hostel called Uncle Johnnys where my phone would not charge. That was frustrating. Then it started rebooting randomly. Then it would constantly reboot unless it was plugged in. Very weird but apparently rather common with the LG G4.

    Back to the trail.

    After my phone charged at Uncle Johnnys, I started hiking. That was at 9:30 pm. I was surprised at how awesome night hiking is. Creepy a bit but still fun. We went a mile up and camped for free vs $15ish at Uncle Johnnys.

    The next day we did 21 miles and camped on an old dirt road. Not much happened this day.

    The next day, we planned 23 miles to get to Overmountain Shelter. I started later than a majority of the group. I passed them while they were at a shelter slightly off the trail without realizing it. I got to Roan Mountain Shelter and heard thunder. I got to the shelter 5 minutes before the rain just started pounding. This shelter is at the top of Roan Mountain; it’s chilly. It is a kind of house that can host 15 people to sleep. After 20-30 minutes, the rain stopped and the sun came out. I decided to push on.

    I made it to Overmountain Shelter which is an old remodeled barn. It was an awesome shelter! It’s also the only shelter in TN that has a privy (if I remember correctly).

    That night we heard winds that shook the barn. The next morning we went over two balds with 60 mph sustained winds and rain. We were walking at angles. I’ve never been in such weather and it was amazing. It was also demoralizing.

    After 9 miles in pouring rain and winds, we made it to TN19 near Roan Mountain. I had to pick up my new hammock from Dream Hammocks at the station on 19E. It is truly amazing what a shower can do to morale.

    We made our way down to the bar at The Station where our first beer was provided by an online stranger who prepurchased a beer for a thru hiker. Thank you, trail magic! Also, what a genius concept.

    The next day we camped at a beautiful pasture because the shelter was facing the wind and it was cold. The pasture had water 200 feet away with a piped spring. It was awesome! We also hit 400 miles! That was Monday.

    Tuesday we had a short day to stay at Boots Off Hostel. I resupplied and we had a good time at Lake Watauga. A bit cold for swimming but still enjoyed the sun.

    Wednesday we did 21 miles and cowboy camped in front of a barn.

    Today, we hiked 21 miles and made it to Damascus, VA. Turd got a hotel room. I picked up my package from Lilly and proceeded to eat two bags of candy in minutes.

    We will be taking at least one zero due to weather and experiencing Damascus.

    We have gone 170 miles in 9 days. Turtle and pup are now off the trail unfortunately but spirits remain high.

    Sorry for the sporadic posts. The inconsistency in this phone plus weather plus lack of cell signal have all contributed to that. I’m also going to try real hard to actually reply to comments…. I do read each one and the support is extremely helpful! Thank you everyone!

    Currently, hitting VA is exciting but going to be tough. There are 550+ miles in VA and the Virginia Blues are a real thing.

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  • Busted phone

    Today was long. Lots of rain. Staying in a hostel tonight.

    My phone is bootlooping. Lilly is shipping a new one over night to Hampton. I’ll start updating more often when I have that phone.