Follow the AT Chaplain

If I had a dollar for every rock that I stepped on today, I would no longer need to take out loans for medical school next year.

Pennsylvania is legendary for being “Rocksylvania,” and until today I thought everyone was just whining about a few pebbles. My battered feet and legs tell me otherwise.

Nevertheless there are upsides to every day on the AT. Check out this shelter! It’s close enough to the road that you can even get pizza delivered!Today I also passed mile 1200 for my NOBO friends. The lingo for flip floppers like me is now BOBO, or “both bound.”Paul teaches in Philippians 2 not to complain about anything, but here’s what hikers look like at mile 17 on rocks. Thankfully, we did arrive at our shelter for the night where I’ve met a really interesting guy named Gnome. He is finishing a hike he started in 2015 that was cut short because of norovirus-a personal fear of mine as well.

Despite the storms of last night, today has been a very pleasant day weather-wise. Instead of via liquid, the misadventure began with a not only bear proof, but also Minta proof bear hang I did last night. I wish I had a picture, but getting my food down this morning took 4 people (thank goodness I’ve made friends-thanks J Beebs, Tripod, and Highlander!), some sitting on shoulders and eventually propping a branch against the tree to shimmy up. Nonetheless, my honey buns were rescued eventually!

The next shenanigan of the day involved a beaver dam that broke and flooded the whole trail for about 1/4 a mile with bog water-yuck!https://appalachiantrailchaplain.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/img_1940.movLunchtime thankfully brought some sunshine and the chance to dry out my gear-hikers frequently lay out all their earthly possessions on sunny days for this purpose.Altogether the walking wasn’t too bad today, but I should remind you that we are in Rocksylvania, rattlesnake USA. I haven’t seen one yet but have passed several southbound hikers warning of rattlers they’ve seen up the trail. Please pray for careful steps and early warning should I disrupt one. Oh, we crossed I-81 yet again today! Halfway through PA!

Today our zero day came to an end and it was time to get back on the trail. The first several miles of the day were a road walk…seems that I’m going well under the Appalachian Trail speed limit.We met Tripod’s dad at Clark’s Ferry and he joined us for a climb back up into the mountains.The end of our day was full of excitement between meeting Half Slow, a Vietnamese gentleman thru hiking the trail (he even gave us chocolate milk from his camper van!) and getting absolutely poured on by a thunderstorm that hit just 15 minutes before we got to camp.

Check out this view from Table Rock before the storm. The following picture is actually from the morning after day #10, but Dale Berry if you’re reading this you’ll be pleased to know that I was able to efficiently switch from A-frame tarp setup to a very roomy but secure cave at 2:12 am as the storms rolled in. Thanks for the lesson a few weeks ago! Friends it takes a village to make a thru hike.

Today was a well-deserved day off after pushing some pretty big miles for my first week on the trail.

I slept in, ate Pringles for breakfast, did some more laundry, made friends with Nancy (the local pretzel maker) across the street and took about 3 naps.The afternoon was spent wandering around the small town of Duncannon and hitting not one but both of the town pizza places. We’re packing out cold pizza for the trail!The rest has been great but it’s back to the trail early tomorrow morning.

Friends, today the rocks of Pennsylvania have officially entered my journey. The title of this entry speaks true to the path into Duncannon, PA…but hey, efficient descents are ok when they lead to town!So far we’re thoroughly enjoying our time in Duncannon to take showers, do laundry, and stay in one of the grossest hotels you’ll see: Hotel Doyle. The place is nasty but it sure does do the trick for some hiker tradition. Tomorrow is a zero day. Happy Trails!

I ran my first full marathon a little less than two months ago, and I’m here to report that walking one across Pennsylvania has many similar elements. Due to camping restrictions across PA’s farmland, we had to go big or go home today.

The morning started with the leftover raindrops from a night of rain. Here is what destitute hikers only 5 miles into a 26 mile day look like when it’s raining:Up next was a rock maze with some foreshadowing of what’s to come in New England. Thankfully the sun came out eventually and we entered Pennsylvania’s beautiful farmland and passed a pond with a species I haven’t seen on the AT before-geese!By the end of the day I was pretty fatigued, but snagged a view of the valley I walked across. We came from beyond the mountains in the distance this morning!

Today was another wet one with plenty of midday excitement. This morning I passed the AT halfway point and wasn’t quite sure how to react because I’m well…nowhere close to halfway.Nonetheless there was plenty of celebration for my new NOBO friends. While I struggled to finish 2 scoops, they withered away at a half gallon of ice cream-the famous Half Gallon Challenge!The excitement didn’t stop there as we also stumbled upon some Trail Magic-burgers and Gatorade! Thanks Blue Moon for cooking for us hikers!The rain has continued but check out this cool moth Daniel and I stumbled upon. Isn’t Father creative?

Today was my first high mileage day, but there was a hamburger stop at mile 9, so all was well. But first was a great view from Chimney Rocks!In the middle of the day, we decided to make the trek to Timbers Restaurant where we charged devices and dined on hamburgers.The afternoon brought beautiful mountain laurel and the nicest shelter I’ve ever seen-it even had board games!How many frogs do you see??More tomorrow as the rain rolls in.

Today was a lovely “nero” (near zero miles) day with our UMC trail angel. Honey Legz and I were both craving some piano, and Marie was kind enough to connect us with the grand at Grace UMC. Thanks Marie!From there it was back to lounging with the kitties and relaxing before my friends Daniel and Kyler arrived to hike a section with me.How many hikers can you fit in one truck? Six!

After being dropped off at the PA/MD border we crossed the Mason Dixon line and officially entered the North. After 8 miles of night hiking it was off to bed where the rain started. Some poor other hikers didn’t put up their rain flys and were awakened by a downpour at 4 am. Thankfully, our bunch was snug and dry in the shelter. More adventures to come in Pennsylvania!

Today was a march towards the Maryland/Pennsylvania border and my first UMC trail magic.

The beginning part of the day was a bit rough between the bugs coming out and the rocks of the mid-Atlantic beginning.However, as it goes on the Appalachian Trail, the sun came out and my day turned around. I got to walk with some new friends through some beautiful farmland and past the highest point in Maryland: High Rock.The hiker I’ve been hanging around the past few days and I are now enjoying showers, dinner, and laundry with an amazing UMC trail angel who rescued us from the trail today. Thank you for your hospitality! Ps-they have cats!