Appalachian Trail – 2013

July 28, 2013 I told myself the mountain had become harder, but as I hauled myself over the rough, granite boulders, I exhaled heavily, accepting… Read More »Katahdin – A Hard but Beautiful Start | Average Hiker

Future Visitors to site 17 in the Katahdin campground should reconsider reserving this site.  I failed to note the privy nearby, or rather maybe I… Read More »100 Mile Wilderness

White House Landing on the AT was dominated by association with cheeseburgers.

My favorite thing about White House Landing was the Whoopee Pies!

An iron Dalmatian had been chained to a tree as I started my climb up White Cap.

This day was going to be tough, filled with spills, pills, and sharp, craggy hills.  It started raining steadily around midnight and continued until 1… Read More »Crazy Fall In Maine | Average Hiker

Appalachian Trail – August 3, 2013 Climbing straight up a mountain first thing in the morning is so unfair!  I started my climb up Barren… Read More »Wilson Falls

Light seeped into the trees, and as I peered out from under the edge of the tarp, I could see the trees just beginning to… Read More »My First Town

The trail was completely different south of US 15.

Loon calls @ 4AM

Another camp site off the beaten path.

Avery Peak had beautiful views!

The White Wolf Inn was the perfect small town motel, with food and rest in one establishment.

It was frigid!

Bloody Mr. Sandman!

What damn backpack?!

A ginormous breakfast to start the day.

The metal rungs down the mountain were tough1

Appalachian Trail – August 15, 2013 David took me, Sandman and Dano back to the trail after breakfast.  There was a group of NOBO’s that… Read More »Appalachian Trail, Plums, and Maple Sugar Cookies

Climbing down the Arm was tough!

A stinky, smelly bog….

He was a big, gangly moose.

Appalachian Trail – August 20, 2013 Yesterday in Gorham, NH was a fairly uneventful day.  I rented a tiny car and spent the day running errands. … Read More »Broken Poles & Pop-tarts

Flying down Wildcat!

The descent was brutal!

Flashes of crushed face bones flashed through my mind.

Hiking through the White’s with one useable hand was not really an option.

On the Appalachian Trail, the White Mountains were a highlight!

Cliff faces & failed wrist splint.

Wayne from Maine was a pleasure to meet.

Hiking in the lightning with hobbits.

I thought I was going to go nuts listening to the snores, grunts and gurgles!

Bed Bugs!

No more bugs!

My ailing toes….

Lyme, NH epitomized small town values.

Another day in Lyme, NH

O M G….how could something so small hurt so much!

ER and the foot…

Back on the trail after too long a break.

Headed to the Inn @ Long Trail

A cold, raw day in VT

Eerie cairn graveyard on the Appalachian Trail

Sunrise and Manchester Center, VT

Fall colors and spindly legged goats

Meeting blog followers and climbing too late.

Appalachian Trail, September 28, 2013 About an hour after falling asleep last night, the “Farside” cartoon showed up.   Deer repeatedly charged my tent, blowing… Read More »Black Weasels & Farside Cartoons

Mt. Greylock and hiker towns.

Big breakfast and creepy trail.

October 1, 2013 Today’s hiking was some of my favorite terrain.  I traveled through rolling forests and farming land, traveling along the edges of both… Read More »Southbound Misfits in New England

Appalachian Trail – October 2, 2013 The call of a morning rooster echoed across the hills.  It was still dark – pitch, black dark.  I… Read More »Shay’s Rebellion & Fall Hiking

I rarely get up during the night, mostly because I have stiffened inside my sleeping bag, and the thought of first unbending, and then hobbling… Read More »Salisbury & Maria McCabe

Appalachian Trail – October 6th, 2013 Today was a tough day, emotionally.  The dreary grey, rainy morning did not help to “lift moods” either as… Read More »Homesickness & Sleeping On a Hill

Appalachian Trail – October 8, 2013 I was up bright and early, ready to move, so I packed up quickly and headed down toward the… Read More »Hunting Season | Average Hiker

Hiking with canned goods was some heavy hiking.

Appalachian Trail – October 10, 2013 I expected rain last night, so I had found a great leafy spot on high ground to set up camp… Read More »Candy Man – New York State

Appalachian Trail – October 11th, 2013 I spent time preparing for rain again last night, and not a single drop fell.  I prefer hiking in… Read More »Water Sources and Bear Mountain

It was good to be home with family and friends, but the Appalachian Trail was calling me back. Winter was coming quickly, and I could feel the restlessness.

Getting to hang out with family and friends while hiking the Appalachian Trail is an event, and not missing The Walking Dead made it even better!

Appalachian Trail – October 14, 2013 The air was still and damp on the Appalachian Trail in NY when I walked out of my room… Read More »Wawayanda & Rock Gyms

Appalachian Trail – October 15, 2013 I began tossing and turning before the sky had even begun to lighten up.  My hips were sore from… Read More »One of Everything….

October 16, 2013 My feet traveled over the trail, but my mind did not register the steps. I had retreated inward, and my mind was… Read More »Final Day on the Appalachian Trail | Average Hiker