1. Georgia to Maine
March 3 rd 2012 to July 8 th 2012

2.  traverses the Chattahoochee National
Forest. This area features rugged wilderness
hiking, with
 highway crossings spaced about a moderate
day's journey apart.
 Hiking includes many steep ups and downs,.
 A.T. mileage 76.4 miles
 Difficulty rating 6
 Elevation 2,510 - 4,461 feet

3. DAY ZERO:
HIKER HOSTEL
Drove from Md. To
this Hostel, located
in Amicolla falls, GA.
Very bad thunder-
storm overnight.
Owners, Josh and
Leigh saint have
Thru-Hiked the AT
IN 2000, The CT in
05 and the LT in 06.

5. DAY 1: 14
MILES, JUSTUS
CREEK CAMP
This Plaque marks
the start of the A.T.
in Georgia.
2184 miles to go!
I had a hard time
setting up my tent.
I met Butters and
Stefano today.
Butters and I would
see each other many
time throughout the
hike.

6. DAY 2: LANCE
CREEK, 10 MILES
Blisters on my heels
start to make hiking
very uncomfortable
Trail runner told me
there was very high
Bear activity in the
area.
Camped out at lance
creek.

7. Day 3: Neels Gap, 7
Miles
Blood Mtn.
Shelter, The highest
Mountain in Georgia
Neels gap was my
first real Hostel
experience.
Switched out my
boots for trail
runners
Met lots of hikers at
the hostel.

10. INFAMOUS!
Machete Mitch is
wanted by the park
service for
Disturbing a hiker in
his tent while he was
sleeping.
This is what he was
said to look like .
Machete Mitch

11. Machete Mitch
This is the real
Machete Mitch

12. Day 4: Trail Magic!
The first of many
trail magic locations
in the South.
Normally churches
or previous thru-
hikers provide trail
magic.
Normally done at
road crossings.

13. TRAIL LEGEND
Yappy:
Has hiked many
trails all over the U.S.
This will be her 3rd
A.T. hike.
Yappy taught me
allot, and I hiked
with her for about 2
weeks.
YAPPY

14. Day 4: Blue
Mountain
Shelter, 19 Miles
Got my Trail Name
today. “Salty”
Got it when I
stopped to take a
picture for some
ladies, and they
noticed salt on my
face from sweating
profusely.
Very long tiring day,
but Yappy kept
pushing me along.
Blue Mtn. Shelter

16. From left to right: Good deeds, Mellow
yellow, Chief, Butters, Reboot, Animal, Stefano

17. Day 7, First Hitch!
Stayed at “Ron
Havens” Hotel last
night.
Drank way too much
with “Good deeds”
Missed my
shuttle, so I had to
Hitch.
Started to eat like a
horse!

18. Day 7, North
Carolina Border
This Tree marks the
state line from
Georgia to N.C. My 1st
of 14 states is
complete.
I stopped here to eat
lunch “Subway”.
“City” took this
picture.

20.  A.T. mileage 95.5 miles (does not
include miles in North
Carolina, closely following or on
the Tennessee/North Carolina
border)
 Difficulty rating 3-6
 Elevation 1,725 - 5,498 feet

22. Day 7, Standing
Indian Shelter, 17
Miles
This is the 1st shelter I
slept in.
City, Dorothy, and
Yappy were here
tonight.
I got in very late and
was very very tired.

23. Day 8: Glassmine
Gap, 17 Miles
Typicall place to stop
and refill your water.
Very cold night.

24. Day 9: Wayah
Shelter, 17 Miles
Easy day of
hiking, choose to
tent here.
Needed to dry out
my sleeping bag, as it
got wet last night.
Good cell phone
coverage here!
Cell service was very
good along the entire
A.T. there was only
maybe 10 days total
that I didn’t have
service.

28. Day 10: NOC, 16
Miles
The Nantahalea
Outdoor Center, A
great outfitter who
specializes in water
sports.
Stayed in a bunk
house, resupplied, an
d did laundry.
The restaurant was
very good.

30. Day 11: Brown
Fork Gap
Shelter, 16 Miles
One of the hardest
climbs I can
remember.
The Mice in this
shelter were very bad
Met “BAT” a legally
blind thru-hiker. His
trail name comes
from the saying “as
blind as a bat”
Falling Turtle and Irish

32. Day 12: Fontana
Lake
The trail runs West
here for 6 miles to
get around this lake,
witch is mentally
frustrating because I
am supposed to be
traveling North East.
The smokies are in
the background

36. Day 12: Mollies
Ridge Shelter, 24
Miles
In the Smokies!
The tarps are
supposed to deter
Bears!
All hikers need to
register before
entering the Smokies.
All Hikers must use
the shelters, No
stealth camping is
allowed.
I tented behind the
shelter, as it was full of
spring breakers.

37. Siler Bald Shelter
All shelters in the
Smokies had fences
around them to
protect Hikers from
bears. However the
hikers were feeding
the bears through
the fence, and the
bears wouldn’t leave!
Now all the fences
have been removed
from the shelters.

38. Hail In The
Smokies
I decided to push on
to the next shelter
and got caught in a
bad hail storm.

39. Day 13: Double
Spring Gap
Shelter, 19 mi.
This shelter was
filled to capacity! I
got the last
spot, witch was a
good thing, because
a terrible
thunderstorm ripped
through here.
I met “Bams” and
“Dropout” today, and
would hike with
them through
southern Va.

40. Clingmans Dome
Observation
Tower
The highest point on
the A.T.
Very touristy, as a
parking lot is just a
quarter mile away.

41. Clingmans Dome
Notice all the dead
trees being killed by
a non indigenous
fungus originally
from China.

43. Bams
Bams is the guy in
the middle with the
yellow sleeping pad
on top his pack.

45. Day 14: Newfound
Gap, 11 Miles
Kristen picked me up
here for my 1st Zero
day!
A zero day is a hiking
term for zero miles
hiked in a day. Other
common terms are a
Nero day.

46. Day 15:
Gatlingburg, 0
Miles
What a shock! It was
like the ocean city of
the mountains.
It was great to see my
wife!
We gave hiker
“Hawkeye” a ride to
and from he trail. I
never saw him again.

48. Day 16:Tricorner
Knob Shelter, 16
Miles
Met “Pa-Bert” and
“Noreaster” today
Also met “Skillet and
Q-tip”
They cooked
eggs, bacon and
pancakes for
breakfast the next
morning! A very hard
thing to do on trail.
They had the
heaviest food bag I’d
ever seen.

51. Day 18: Roaring
fork shelter, 17
miles
Met Pretzel and JC
today.
Climbed Max patch
Mtn.

52. Day 19: Hot
Springs, 18 Miles
Stayed at Elmers
house today.
Served us a
completely
Vegetarian meal.
Met hikers,
Granddad, Biscuit,
Napolean,

53. Hot Springs
The trail runs on
main street in Hot
springs.
Easy resupply and
restaurants.

54. Day 20: Little
Laurel Shelter, 20
miles
Stayed with P-Bert
today.
I am finally feeling
stronger, like I have
my Trail Legs.

56. Bear Cables
We use these cables
to hang food and
packs to keep the
bears at bay.

57. Day 21: Flint Mtn
Shelter, 13 miles
Staying with Bams
and dropout today, 1
hiker came in at 9pm
At around midnight
we saw 4 wheelers
and hound dogs
coon hunting.
A sleepless night for
sure.

59. Day 22: Spivey Gap
Camp, 25 Miles
More trail magic!
Hiked through a
nasty thunderstorm
today.
Crossed into
Tennesee

61. Day 23: Erwin
Tn, Uncle
Johnnys, 11 Miles
Rained all day!
Was very very cold
Made it to
unclejohnys
hostel, the worst
hostel I stayed at…
The roof leaked all
over my gear.
Went into town and
watched a movie
Met the Hot Garbage
Crew.

62. INFAMOUS!
The Hot Garbage Crew.
Left to right:
Graezzy, Ninja, Ace, an
d Booza.
I would hike through
New Hampshire and
Maine with Booza and
Greazzy…. All thanks to
the journals left at
shelters.

64.  Terrain By Region: Tennessee
 South of Damascus, Virginia, the Appalachian Trail follows segments of
mountain ranges in the Cherokee National Forest, ascending to the high
country of the North Carolina-Tennessee state line, and the highest mountains
along the Trail—several above six thousand feet.
 at a Glance A.T. mileage 287.9 miles (includes
miles in North Carolina, closely following or on
the Tennessee/North Carolina border)
Difficulty rating 5-6
Elevation 1,326 - 6,625 feet

69. Day 26, Moreland
Gap Shelter 24
Miles
I heard this shelter
leaks, so I tented
next to it. A mouse
ate a hole through
the lid of my Jet-Boil.
The rain never
came… Oh well.

72. Day 27:
Vanderventer
Shelter, 24 Miles
Met Chef Beard and
Coyote.
Coyote broke his leg
on trail and had to
cut his tip short.
We arranged for him
to be picked up and
dropped of in
Damascus.
A very hot day.

73. A.T. LEGEND
Maintains the A.T. in
TN for 25 years.
Has hiked over
30,000 miles
Runs the concora
hostel, a donations
only hostel.
Kicked Chuck Norris
ass back in 1999.
Bob Peoples

74.  Superman has a pair of Bob people pajamas
 Bears hang Bob People bags
 Mice bring Bob Peoples food
 Whenever Bob builds another
switchback, an angel gets its wings
 Bob Peoples gives his boots blisters
 Bob Peoples sleeps with a pillow under his
pistol

75. Day 28: Low Gap,
18 Miles
Kristen and Baylee
met me at lowgap.
Gave hiker
“Murdock” a ride in
to town.

76. Day 29: Damascus
Va! Zero day
Damascus, a Hikers
Mecca! Thousands of
Hikers descend here
each year for Trail
days!
Met
hikers, Patches, Fam
ous, and backdraft.
The trail runs down
main street here.

77. Day
30, Damascus!, 14
Miles
Stayed here with
Bams and Hot
garbage.

79.  One-fourth of the Appalachian Trail
lies in Virginia. It varies from easy
hiking to very difficult rock
scrambling, from busy national parks
to isolated wilderness areas.
 at a Glance A.T. mileage 550.3 miles
(includes 20+ miles along
Virginia/West Virginia border)
Difficulty rating 2-6
Elevation 265 - 5,500 feet

80. Day 31: Whitetop
Mtn, 21 Miles
Very long day, with a
huge climb to get
here. One of my
most proud
accomplishments of
the trip.
Very cold night

81. Grayson Highland
Ponies
These ponies
blocked my path, a
granola bar was paid
as toll.
These ponies were
imported from
Assateague island.

82. Day 32: Hurricane
Mtn Shelter, 23
Miles
Trail magic beers
waiting for me at this
shelter.
Got through the
grayson highland
today, one of the best
sections of the trail.

83. INFAMOUS!
The roaming
dude, just an all
around annoying
person.
If you see him at a
shelter, just keep
hiking.
The roaming dude

84. Day 33:
Partnership
Shelter, 20 Miles
Had pizza delivered
here!
This shelter also has
a propane
shower, however it
wasn’t turned on
when I arrived.

85. Day 34: Ceres Va.
Camp, 22 Miles
Rain most of the day
Been hiking alone for
a few days now.
Had lunch at “The
Barn” Restaurant,
Resupplied at a gas
station.

86. Day 35: Jenkins
Shelter, 22 Miles
Starting to get lonely
Met a couple of
section hikers
The trail is relatively
easy the past couple
days.
Trail magic 3 days in
a row now!

87. Day 36: Bland
Va, 12 Miles
Had Dave come and
pick me up in
Bland, Went home
for Easter and
surprised The Family.

89. Day 38: Camping
on a ridge, 6 miles
Bad stomach
problems
today, probably ate
too much easter
grub.
Snakes galore in Va.

90. Day 39: Wapiti
Shelter, 20 Miles
Met some trail
maintainers who
built a new picnic
table.
Read in the Journal
that Bams and hot
garbage are having a
party tomorrow at
Pearisburg. I decide
to surprise them, as
they think I am way
ahead of them.

91. Day 40:
Pearisburg, 17
Miles
I surprised Hot
Garbage and Bams at
a hotel in Parisburg.
There are many other
hikers here as
well, and we decide
to all go to the
Chinese AYCE buffet.
I crash at Bams
hotel, 7 of us staying
in a small hotel
room, the life of a
thru-hiker!

93. Day 41: Pine
Swamp Branch, 19
Miles
Crouded shelter, It
seems that all the
hikers who stayed in
pearisburg chose to
come here today.
Very cold night
Bams, Hot Garbage
crew, Butters, Goldb
ond, Meats, Drop, Gr
andad, and Pa-Bert
all stayed here
tonight.

95. Day 42: Va 630, 22
Miles
Kristen met me, and
we hiked together for
a few days.
The trail runs
through cow pastures
and private land in
this area of Va.

96. Day 43: Trout
creek camp, 18
Miles
Kristen and I camp
out at Trout creek.
Kristen did awesome!
18 miles for her 1st
day is great!
We tackled 2 big
mtns.

98. Dragons tooth
Climb
The dragons tooth!
Known for the
technical route and
its difficulty
We take a short day
and stay at the
luxurious 4 pines
hostel

100. 4 Pines luxury
Accomodations
We decide to do trail
magic today, and
load the car up with
beer, and offer
shuttles to the Home
Place
Restaurant, Many
hikers are glad to see
us and take the
shuttle.
We meet up with
Dropout again after
he got off trail for a
week to go to Florida
for vacation.

101. Mcaffees Knob
I have allot of miles
to make up today to
catch back up with
the group.
Mcafees knob, the
most photographed
spot on the entire
trail.

102. Tinker Cliffs
Drop left a note on a
tree to watch out for
a big timber rattle
snake.
Very hot today, I get
dehydrated for the
first time on my trip,
and I swear it will be
the last.

103. Day 45:
Daleville, 26 Miles
I make it here, after
26 hard miles. Pa-
Bert offers me a free
stay as thanks for the
trail magic yesterday.
Ticks are becoming a
problem
Hot Garbage and
Dropout receive trail
magic in the form of
a free hotel stay.

104. Day 46: Cove Mtn
Shelter, 25 Miles
Long day!
My trekking pole tip
broke, Pa-bert and
Noreaster and I
made a futile attempt
to repair.

105. THE GUILLOTINE
A fun landmark on
the trail.

106. Day 47:
Thunderhill
shelter, 17 Miles
Miserable day!
Rain all day with
rough trail, I was
cold and wet all
day, couldn’t even
stop for a break for
fear of freezing!
Pa-Bert and
Noreaster shared in
my misery.

107. James River
One of the best
Views I can
remember.
Still Rainy, however
clearing up.

108. Day 48:
Punchbowl
Shelter, 26 Miles
I pushed on to the
Blue ridge parkway
about 1 mile from
here, and my sister
picked me up.
We stayed at a hotel
n Buena Vista

109. Day 49: Salt log
gap camp, 19 Miles
Bec did great! 19
miles with 2 big
mountains to cross.
We provided trail
magic at the road
crossing for the
hikers who stayed at
punchbowl shelter
last night.

110. Day 50: Va 56 Tye
River, 17 Miles
The Dutch Haus, one
of the best stays on
the trail, and I almost
didn’t stay here.
Bec surprised me at a
road crossing after I
hiked the Priest Mtn.
Met up with Pa-bert
and Grey goose.

112. Day 51: 11 Miles
BRP
Big snowstorm in the
forecast, very cold
rain forced me to get
off trail and head
into Wayensboro.
Big thanks to pa bert
and his wife
Shirley, for the ride
into town

113. Day 52:
Waynesboro, zero
Salty, Pa-Bert, and
Noreaster outside a
restaurant in
Waynesboro Va.
I spent the day in a
hotel while the snow
was falling.

115. Day 53: Calf
Mountain
Shelter, 26 miles
Long day!
Couple of old guys at
shelter having fun
and offered me some
Booze, witch I gladly
accepted
Had a nice fire on
this very cold day.

116. Day 54: camped at
a spring 23 miles
Met up with Ray and
Nick and Sage the
dog today!
My best friends came
out from Colorado
and Nevada to see
me.
We camped at a
maintenance garage

118. Day 55: Bearfence
mtn hut, 24 miles
Resupplied at Lewis
Mtn camp store, and
packed a 6pack to
this shelter.
Shelter was full of
boyscouts, I kicked
them out, as shelters
are reserved for
Thru-hikers.
Played cards with 3
Frenchmen.

120. Day 56: Hawksbill
Gap, 13 Miles
Am seeing bears
multiple time a day.
I am really liking the
shannys!
Kristen picked me up
today and we headed
home for a zero day.

122. Day 58: Rangeview
Cabin, 22 Miles
Camping with
Sharky and Rummy.
The curious bears
were scoping out our
tent sight.

123. Famous
Blackberry
Milkshake
One of the great
things about this
section of the trail, is
that there are
restaurants and
stores about a days
hike apart.

127. There are 14 such mountains in a 15 mile stretch

130.  at a Glance A.T. mileage 4 miles Difficulty rating 2-3
Elevation 265 - 1,200 feet

132.  The Appalachian Trail in Maryland follows a forty-mile
route along the backbone of South Mountain, a north-
south ridge that extends from Pennsylvania to the
Potomac River. This section is great for three- or four-
day trips, is easy by A.T. standards, and is a good place
to find out if you're ready for more rugged parts of the
Trail. You are required to stay at designated shelters
and campsites.
 at a Glance A.T. mileage 40.9 miles Difficulty rating
2-3
Elevation 230 - 1,880 feet

135.  long section of Trail notorious for its foot-bruising, boot-destroying
rocks. The Trail north of the Susquehanna is characterized by
long, flat, rocky ridges broken by fairly strenuous climbs in and out of
gaps. About ten miles south of the Susquehanna River, the Trail crosses
the Great Valley of the Appalachians to the Blue Ridge. This southern
portion of the Trail through Pennsylvania has many sections that are
gentle, and grades are easy, making it one of the easiest sections of the
Trail.
Pennsylvania can be oppressively hot in summer, and water may be
scarce. The Trail crosses many roads, and some shelters are near
roads, where scattered crime problems make extra safety awareness a
good idea.
 A.T. mileage 229.6 miles Difficulty rating 2-4
Elevation 320 - 2,080 feet

137. Halfway Point

140. Day 69, Pa road
crossing, 27 miles
Left my trekking
poles at the road
crossing .
They were gone
when I returned

142. Day 70, 0 Day
2nd zero day at home
for Mothers day
This would be my
last stop home until
the end of my trip.

143. Day 72, Port
Clinton, 15 Miles
Met Noreaster and
Pa-Bert today, after
taking 2 zero days!
Drank at the
firehouse bar
Slept in a pavillion

144. Day 73, Allentown
hiking club
shelter, 23 miles
The rocks of
“Rocksylvania”
started today
Rain all day

146. Day 74, 18
miles, Palmerton
The famous Jailhouse
Hostel, a free stay
located under the police
station.
Rain all day.
I got a fast hitch into
town as I was going to
skip palmerton if I did
not get a ride.
We got a fast hitch out
inn the morning as
well, and a free
breakfast!
Good resupply and
laundry as well

147. Day 75, wolf rocks
campsite, 26 Miles
Got a little wet as a
passing storm caught
me off guard, as I did
not have my rain
cover on my tent.

149. The Appalachian Trail along the Kittatinny
Range in New Jersey is rugged and more
remote than one might expect considering
its proximity to large population centers,
with abundant wildlife, including an active
bear population.
at a Glance
A.T. mileage 72.2 miles
Difficulty rating 2-5
Elevation 350 - 1,685 feet

150. Day 76, Moc, 20
miles
Kristen met me at
the MOC.
Pabert and Noreaster
were also here.

151. Day
77, Mashipacong
shelter, 27 miles
Met reboot at the
MOC.
Pabert, reboot, and I
slackpacked.
Kristen hiked a half
day and then met us
at the road crossing
near the shelter.

152. Day 78, Vernon, 26
miles
We stayed at the
church hostel.
Ordered pizza and
pasta, met some
other section hikers

153. Rattlesnake
This guy rattled at
me as I was walking
down he trail.
He was very hard to
see in the brush

154. Day 79, little dam
lake, 26 miles
Pa bert and I camp
for the night.
We were camped on
top of a coyote
den, the howling
after sunset was
intense.
Very buggy and rainy
today.

155. Day 80, Bear mtn
Bridge, 21 miles
Rain all day.
Pa Bert and I stayed
at a hotel to dry off
We ate at a nice BBQ
restaurant and
watched some
baseball at the bar.
We visited the AT
zoo.

157. The section through Harriman-Bear Mountain State
Park, where in 1923 the very first new section of the
Appalachian Trail was completed, gets a lot of visitors. As the
Trail passes through the Trailside Museum and Zoo at Bear
Mountain, it drops to its lowest elevation point—124 feet.
at a Glance
A.T. 88.4 miles
mileage
Difficulty 2-5
rating
Elevation 124 - 1,433 feet

158. Day 81, spiritual
center of the
monks, 10 miles
Short day, rain all day
Met up with hot
garbage, sticks,
dropout, and
Noreaster caught up
with us.
Slept on top of picnic
tables in the pavilion,
Very crouded.

161. Day 82, Morgan
stewart shelter. 27
miles
Really bad
thunderstorm while I
was on top of a
mountain
I met “Navigator” for
the first time.

162. Day 83, 10 mile
river lean-to, 21
miles
Sticks catches up
with me today.
Made it to Ct!

163. Connecticut
he Appalachian Trail route through the northwestern corner of Connecticut
meanders across the worn-down remnants of a once-lofty mountain range.
The Housatonic River Valley to the east and the Taconic Range to the west are
particularly scenic, and one section of the Trail near Falls Village has been
designed for wheelchair accessibility.
Many sections run along the banks of rivers. Hiking is mostly moderate, with
steep, fairly challenging sections that are short in duration. Views are often
pastoral.
at a Glance
A.T. 51.6 miles
mileage
Difficulty 4-5
rating
Elevation 260 - 2,316 feet

164. Day 84, kent, Ct .
9 miles
Met Kristen
We stayed at a nice
B@B
Had Dinner with
Pa_Bert his wife and
their Grandson

165. Day 85, Silver hill
camp, 16 miles
Kristen Hiked with
me today
The site we stayed at
used to have a shelter
until it burned down.
We had a nice Picnic
hosted by Greazzys
parrents who live in
CT

166. Picnic
Pa-Berts Grandson
signing Dropouts
pool. Dropout would
“finish his hike” with
the pool.

167. Picnic
Booza and Meats
wrestling.

168. Day 86, Salisbury
Ct, 23 miles
Stayed in a nice days
inn hotel
Kristen and I ate at
an indian restaurant
Very hot day.

169. Day 87, The
Hemlock Lean-to.
14 miles
Very nice shelter
It was a very hot day
but I made a fire
anyway.
Found a fawn in the
middle of the trail

170. Massachusetts
he Appalachian Trail here leads through the Berkshires. Pleasant stretches
through wooded hills and valleys feature such outstanding peaks as Mt. Greylock
and Mt. Everett, and the Trail passes through several small New England towns.
Water is plentiful.
Several summits and ledges provide views, and there are long, flat sections atop
the Berkshire Plateau quite different from the dry ridgewalks of the mid-Atlantic
and Virginias. Ascents, though sometimes steep, are seldom sustained.
at a Glance
A.T. 90.2 miles
mileage
Difficulty 3-6
rating
Elevation 650 - 3,491 feet

171. Day 88,Mt wilcox
south lean-to,
20 miles
Rain most of the day
Bad hail storm over
night
I was the only one
here at the shelter

174. Day 89, October
Mtn lean-to
25 miles
Sticks and Navigator
catch up to me.
Navigator doesn’t get
in to shelter until after
10pm
Very muddy trail
Rain all day and night
Porcupine activity
high,
I see Moose tracks for
the first time

175. Day 90, Tom
Levardis House
Tom giving Xtreme
his patented
mohawk
Levardi does about
100 Mohawks each
hiking season

176. Levardis
The first of many
wonderful things
Levardi did for us
today.
Free lodging, free
dinner, free shuttle to
town for resupply are
among the others.

177. Day 91: Sherman
brook camp, 26
miles
Very windy ant
terrible storm
overnight, branches
fell down all around
me.
Mount greylock was
fun
Saw some paragliders

179. Day 92, 18
miles, melville
naihumm shelter
Into Vt!
Rain and mud all day
Long trail hikers
starting this weekend
remindes me of my
first week in georgia.
The long trail and
the AT share the
same trail for over
100 miles.

180. Vermont
rugged country with woods and overgrown farmlands. From "Maine Junction" (near U.S. 4)
south, the A.T. follows about one hundred miles of the famed “Long Trail” along the rugged
crest of the Green Mountains.
The Trail approaches treeline at Killington and Stratton mountains, and parts feature
strenuous ascents. But, in general, Vermont hiking crosses varied terrain, at lower to mid-
range elevations with a fair amount of elevation gain and loss. It passes through forests of
paper birch and white pine, wooded mountains, and farm valleys. Some overnight sites
charge a fee.
Avoid Vermont trails in "mud season," mid-April through Memorial Day. Hiking there in
wet, sloppy conditions leads to serious Trail erosion. Organized groups can reduce their
chances of arriving at already-crowded sites by contacting the local trail clubs about group
voluntary registration programs.
at a Glance
A.T. mileage 149.8 miles
Difficulty rating 5-6
Elevation 400—4,010 feet

181. Day 93, story
spring shelter, 17
miles
More rain and mud
The trail here is
terrible.
Beavers have made
ponds all over the
trail.

183. Day
94, Manchester, 21
miles
Got a hitch into
Manchester for
resupply and a hot
meal.
Glad to be out of the
rain.
Stayed at johnny
seesaws for the night.

184. Day 95, greenwall
shelter, 25 miles
More mud and rain
all day.

185. Day 96, chuchill
scott shelter, 26
miles
Met a couple of
longtrail girls who
gave me a whole
bottle of wine
Rain and more mud

186. Day 97, wintturi
shelter, 22 miles
This was the dirtiest
shelter I saw on my
entire trip.
There was a note left
stating that it was
just cleaned.
More rain and mud

187. Day 98, west
hartford vt, 17
miles
Kristen met me at a
road crossing where
we got lunch, I was
relieved to see her
She brought the sun
with her!

188. Day 99, Zero day,
white river jctn.
Stayed at a hostel
here
Good food
A very interesting
fun and weird town

189. New Hampshire
dramatic scenery of which attracts more backcountry visitors than any other part of the Trail.
Travel here requires intelligent planning and ample time; plan no more than five to eight
miles per day. Be prepared for steep ascents and descents that require the use of your hands
and, occasionally, the seat of your pants.
Much of the Trail is above timberline, where the temperature may change very suddenly;
snow is possible in any season. The same severe weather conditions that prevent trees from
growing on the high ridges also require a higher level of preparedness for a safe, successful
hiking trip. Snow falls on Mt. Washington during every month of the year. High winds and
dense fog are common. Most shelters and campsites charge a fee.
The White Mountains section stretches 117 miles from Maine-New Hampshire state line to
Glencliff, New Hampshire. Organized groups can reduce their chances of arriving at already-
crowded sites by contacting the local trail clubs about group voluntary registration programs.
Between the White Mountains and the Vermont border, the Trail crosses broken terrain of
alternating mountains and valleys. This 44-mile stretch is noted for its fall foliage and is a
good alternative to the crowds and steep scrambles of the Whites
A.T. mileage 160.9 miles
Difficulty rating 6-10
Elevation 400—6,288 feet

190. Day 100, 20 miles
moose mtn
shelter
Stayed here alone
The water source was
terrible

191. Day 101, Hexacuba
shelter, 18 miles
Alone again today
Hard hiking making
for less miles

192. Day
102, Glencliff, 15
miles
Stayed at the hikers
welcome hostel.
Phat Chap runs the
place
Met a hiker named
berlin from germany

193. Day 103,Kinsman
notch, 10 miles
Rain today
The hardest climb of
the entire trip for me
Stayed at chets hostel

194. Day 104, franconia
notch, 18 miles
A long slack pack day
Met deisel and the
kid,
Stayed at chets hostel
again.

195. Day 105, Theroue
falls, 22.5 miles
Diesel and the Kid
A very long day!
I noticed Booza and
Greazzy signed in a
trail book and were
ahead of me!
I was determined to
catch up to them.
I hiked until 10 pm
this day, making sure
to stop at all the huts
for free food!

196. Day 106, Lakes of
the clouds hut, 17
miles
We did a work for
stay here, and had a
wonderful dinner
An extremely
beautiful place with
astounding views!

199. Day 107, Pikham
Notch, 14 Miles
Stayed with the AMC
maintenance crew
Playing “Nails” a
game of considerable
skill invilving
flipping a hammer in
the air then in one
motion, catching the
hammer and striking
your opponents nail.

200. Day 108, Gorham,
21 Miles
Out of the
Presidential range!
Staying at the White
mountain Hostel, the
best stay of my trip!
The owners are
awesome!

201. Day 109, Zero Day!
I decided to zero
here!
Floated down a river
Enjoyed dinner with
their family
Met some nice
section hikers

203. Day 110, full goose
shelter, 21 miles
Maine!!!
A very hard long day!
Caught the section
hikers that left the
day before.

205. Maine
Most of the Appalachian Trail in Maine is not recommended for novice hikers; Maine's 281
miles are generally considered the most difficult of all fourteen states. Even the strongest
hikers may average only one mile an hour in some parts. Other parts require grabbing onto
tree roots and limbs to climb or descend, and are especially slippery and hazardous in wet
weather.
Lakes, streams, and bogs abound. While that makes moose and loons common sights, it
also makes for muddy treadway and many fords of mountain streams. Some of these
fords—notably the Kennebec River—can be difficult and potentially life-threatening when
water is high. When streams run high in the spring or after heavy rains, often the only
options are waiting for them to subside or back-tracking and finding a road to follow—if
one exists!
.

206. The 281 miles in Maine can be roughly divided into three segments:
The eastern section, sometimes called "the Hundred Miles" between Katahdin and
Monson, comprises disconnected mountains, lakes, ponds, streams, and forest. While the
eastern section has a flatter profile than other parts of Maine, it has special challenges. The
mountains are relatively low, but present some very rugged climbs. Stream crossings here
can be tricky—even life-threatening—in high water. Resupply is scarce in this isolated but
heavily used area.
The central section, between Monson and the Bigelow Preserve, features a short, rugged
stretch followed by some of the least strenuous hiking in Maine and a crossing of the widest
unbridged river along the Trail, the Kennebec. A free canoe service ferries A.T. users across
the Kennebec River and is the Trail's official and historic route; fording the river is extremely
dangerous, because the water level can rise rapidly and without warning.
The western section is an area of extremely steep, 4,000-foot mountains, arguably the
toughest part of the entire A.T. It includes the notorious mile-long boulder scramble of
Mahoosuc Notch.
Organized groups can reduce their chances of arriving at already-crowded sites by
contacting the local trail clubs about group voluntary registration programs

208. Day 111, Frie notch
lean-to
Mahoosic
Notch, considered
the hardest mile on
the trail
Snow is found here
year round
It took me 2 hours to
complete this 1 mile
section.
I found it very fun!

211. Day 112, 15 Miles
Pine Ellis Hostel
I am starting to see
Southbunders
regularly,
The trail is
extremely difficult

212. Day 113, Swift
pond camp, 22
miles
Been by myself for a
few days now.
I met a hiker named
“You Again”

215. Day 114,
Spaulding mtn
lean to
I catch up with
Butters, Brillo and
Boulder ! I havent
seen them since
Dncannon PA.
I steal a southbound
monkey and take it
north!

216. Day
115, Stratton, 14
miles
Rain all day! I leave
early to get into
town before noon.
We all stay at the
stranton Hostel.
Greazzy, Booza,
Butters, YouAgain,
Boulder, Brillo

217. Day 116, Zero day
Rain again all day, I
decide to zero here
as hiking in the rain
does not sound
appealinng.

219. Day 117, Little
bigelow mtn, 15
miles
Hard day, very rocky
This Grouse was
following me for a
long time.
I have hiked over 200
miles, and my clothes
are starting to fall
apart.
The fords were very
high and I almos got
swept away, my
phone got drenched!

220. Day 118, Pierce
pond, 17.7 miles
I went for a swim
Arranged for a nice
breakfast tomorrow
at a hunters lodge
close to the trail.
A NOBO Hiker
named Parkside
drowned in the lake
a week prior to my
arrival.

223. Day 119, Moxie
bald lean-to, 23
miles
Long day
The fords were
terrible, very high
water.
Very hot as well,
Shelters are full of
southbounders

224. Day
120, Monson, 18
Miles
Met up with Grezzy
and Booza again.
Met Butters and crew
as well,
I Borrowed a car to
get into town

225. Day 121, 15
miles, long pond
stream shelter
I got a very late start
today
Shuttled people to
and from the trail
head
Said goodbye to
Butters and crew
I decide to stick with
Greazzy and Booza
through the 100 mile
wilderness on
account of all the
fords.

226. Day 122, Carl
Newman Shelter,
21 miles
Packed shelter, lots
of Hikers and groups
out to complete the
100 mile wilderness.

227. Day 123, cooper
brook falls shelter
Full shelter
Good place to swim

228. Day 124, Wadleigh
stream Lean-to, 22
miles
Full shelter, and full
campground.
This will be the last
shelter I stay in.

230. Day 125, Rainbow
Ledges, 17 miles
Decided to camp
here
Picked some wild
blueberries
Have a great view of
Katahdin in the
background.

231. Day 126 Golden
Road, 6 miles
Camping here
tonight, as I am
ahead of schedule to
meet family.
Drink lots of beer
Great views of
Katahdin

232. Day 127, Katahdin
stream
Campground
I meet Bec and
Kristen
Mom and Dave
surprise me!
We eat lobster with
Greazzys parents!

238. Day 128, Katahdin
The end of this
journey, And what a
journey it was, Every
day was special and
new, trying and
rewarding, fulfilling
and perspective.
Live Simply and
Simply Live!