There’s surprisingly little banjo music on the Appalachian Trail.
Sorry mate I’m a non American so my U.S. geography isn’t a hundred percent,but Ialways thought(Wrongly as it turns out ) that the Appalachians were vaguely in the same area as the movie Deliverance was set.
So thats one less thing you’ll have to worry about.
The AT runs the full length of the east coast of the US, from Georgia to Maine. The movie Deliverence was set in Georgia, but like “A Walk in the Woods”, it has little to do with life on the AT.
On the other hand, you probably will hear some good fiddle and banjo music at Trail Days.
Just posting here to check in. I’m in Waynesboro, VA, mile marker 850, and I’ll be here for a couple days at least. I had a run-in with a fire-pit the other day (I thought it was cold ash, and it turns out I was wrong), and Iwound up with second degree burns on the top of my foot. We cleaned it up, put on neosporin and bandages and I hiked 40 miles into town, but I feel like I need to rest it for a few days before going on.
Between the foot and the heat wave last week, it’s been rough lately. But I’m still plugging along.
ouch! Sorry to hear about your foot.
I’m waving from about 45 miles to your East!
Been hot enough lately? 
All right! Get yourself better and eat good food!
The part through the SNP is nice, if a little weird when you round a corner and see a car whiz by; I’ve hiked about 2/3 of it. You’ll be seeing more upsy-downsy stuff north of there, then Pennsylvania, where boots go to die, as they say.
Hey, You’re just down the road from me if you are in Waynesboro. I’m just south of Afton.
Did you see the ghost of Little Ottie in the Punchbowl Shelter?
Nope, but sadly I didn’t spend a night there, so I can’t offer an informed opinion. I did stay at the shelter (forget the name) where two people were murdered years ago. I know they relocated it a mile or two away, but it was still kinda creepy …
Ups and downs in Pennsy? Pshaw. At this point, those 2000 foot molehills scare me not. I think it’s mainly the rocky terrain that causes boots to die, but I just got a new pair, so I’m feeling hopeful. Plus I’m hopeful that having family near Hershey will enable me to do a lot of it in dayhikes.
No, the upsy downsys are north of the SNP in VA. Not sure about past Harper’s Ferry, though I’ve been on a short stretch near Burkittsvile (supposed location of The Blair Witch Trials), and it was mostly ridgetop. However, I heard that recent severe thunderstorms downed a lot of trees in that area of MD, so you might have some inconvenience.
As far as PA goes, yeah, I was referring to the rocks.
Keep on Truckin’!
Wow great stuff!
I understand your reluctance to carry a cell phone, and GPS, so I am sending (Via mutant carrier Pigeon) a system that will allow you to post to the dope more regularly!
The Lotusmatic 2000 Portable Dopeposter is a marvel of modern steam technology. A coal powered generator powered lap top and satelite uplink will help to ensure we hear about your facsinating progress on a day by day basis. At less than 300 lbs (not including coal sled) this handy marvel is mounted on sturdy wooden runners ( wheels are often impractical on the AP). Coal can be purchased in handy 75lb sacks at many points along your trail, and the handy sled hopper can hold 5 of those sacks (a two day supply!).
In all seriousness, I envy and support you my friend, may your steps be safe and easy, your strides long and sure, your days bright and sunny and your vistas beautiful and changing!
Stay warm, stay dry and don’t forget to stop at least once a day and make a mental note to remember this unique and special experience…
regards
FML
Just checking in from Kent, CT. 2/3 done.
You sir, I owe some sort of an apology or something.
MD was a breeze – along with SNP, the easiest (and best maintained – the PATC really does a great job) part of the whole trail so far. I wish for a thousand miles of Maryland. But that section you warned about north of SNP, especially “The Roller Coaster” – lord almighty did it kick my ass. Kicked everyone’s ass, actually, in 85-90 degrees and very high humidity.
Thankfully, I think I’m done with the heat – cool forecast for the next 10 days, and after that I’ll be in Vermont. Woo-hoo.
Lotus – your device was too heavy to carry, but the pigeon was delicious. Many thanks.
Don’t forget to let me know when you hit the Whites. Trail magic can be arranged.
For anyone who cares: summited Katahdin a couple of weeks ago; followed that with two solid weeks on the couch …
http://atblog08.blogspot.com/2008/10/september-30-1218-p.html
Thanks to all for the support.
That’s awesome! I salute you, sir!
I bet you have some strong legs after a summer of hiking.
Unconcealed jealously.
Sounds like you had an awesome trip! COngrats!
This is incredible! Congratulations! I really hope I get the chance to follow in your footsteps (er…literally!) someday.
Sorry we couldn’t meet up in NH, congrats on the journey!
Congratulations! That’s a hell of an accomplishment right there.