Appalachian Trail Hike

Next on the list of sumer activities was the the Appalachian Trail Hike. We had originally planned on going 100 miles over the course of 8 days but soon after the first day we realized that this goal was unrealistic. Our packs (Kifaru Gear) were filled with supplies and MREs for the hike. When we weighed them they were, on average, 45 pounds.

Kifaru Pack

We started from Sky Meadow Sate Park in Virginia and headed north. 

Us with our Packs on 

Trail Head

The first day was loooong. 15 miles of hiking. We stopped for lunch at Rod Hollow Shelter and eventually for dinner at Sam Moore Shelter. At Rod Hollow we met a troop of boy scouts that were, to put it nicely, out of shape and struggling. Both shelters were great and surprisingly clean. 

Sam Moore Shelter

Day 2 was pretty short. We only hiked 3 miles to Bears Den Hostel. This shelter had all of the conveniences of home: laundry, beds, hot food. It was really a saving grace after the first day. 

Room at Bears Den

Day 3 was another long one. 11 miles to the next shelter. Starting on the first day, we entered the section that was called the Roller Coaster. It is an 18 mile section of straight mountains. The trail goes up and down the whole time (and trust me the down was not easy). On the 3rd day we finally exited the Roller Coaster and walked on a ridge line until we reached David Lesser Memorial Shelter. 

 View from the ridge

David Lesser Shelter

The final day to Harpers Ferry was a little shorter. Only 8.5 miles left. In the morning we continued on the trail to where we had breakfast in Keys Gap, West Virginia.

Breakfast

Restaurant

Later that day we finished the hike. We went shorter than we planned, but there were a number of things that contributed to the decision. My dad had killer blisters and I was starting to get one. Up ahead on the trail there wouldn't be too many places to re-stock on food and water, and there wouldn't be a good definite ending point. Finishing in Harpers Ferry allowed us to complete the trip with a 40 mile total. 40 miles in 4 days isn't bad.

Nearing Harpers Ferry

Posing for the Camera

Crossing the Shenandoah into Harpers Ferry

It was a good long Hike. The weight really didn't get to me. Rather, it was the rash created on my lower back and shoulders because of the sweat and the rubbing. I feel confident in my rucking abilities. I's ready to take on a GORUCK heavy. 

HOOYAH

Steve