Date: 2014-06-07
From: Blackburn AT Center

To: Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Miles today: 11.9

Actual miles are 1019.RW Means: Roaring Wheels for the car noise in Harpers Ferry. Last night was great. I truly enjoyed the Blackburn AT Center and highly recommend it. We are now in West Virginia; Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia are done, 4 states. Once I start again, West Virginia and Maryland will go very fast.We got up early and left camp by 7:00. Our packs were light, no food and only one liter of water. We hiked fast and steady all morning. We didn't make as many miles per hour as we hoped because the trail was very rocky. Thank goodness for my new inserts, Doctor Scholls, which are the best I have used so far. Still, by noon we were in Harpers Ferry at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. I had my picture taken and joined the ATC. I was thru-hiker 507 when I left Springer Mountain, GA. I am thru-hiker 453 here, which means I am the 453rd thru-hiker to reach this point. According to the ATC, approximately 50% of thru-hikers make it this far. I am grateful to be one of the top 50%. As I looked at the journal at the ATC, I see many people that left weeks after me that have passed me, which is why I haven't moved up in the pack. I am not moving as fast as many of the younger hikers that left after me. The young hikers are so fast and strong - Oh to be young! This 59 year old body just can't compete with Youth on a physical basis. But the young still break down and fall victim to the trail, and they often don't have the resolve to continue hiking everyday. Their minds tire long before their bodies. Still it is frightening how many hikers the trail has broken. Everyday the trail feeds on someone. It is both generous and terrifying, it will take whom it pleases, when it wants, and however it wants. It rarely forgives mistakes and is quick to punish the careless and unlucky.This is almost the halfway point. I am amazed at myself and find it difficult to comprehend that I have backpacked 1,019 miles through some very rough mountains. I met so many other thru-hikers at the ATC that it felt like a class reunion. We were all celebrating and so happy. We shared our stories and remembered those that have left the trail. We all were confident that we would make it to the end and full of bravado, but mixed into the conversation was apprehension about what the trail had in store for us on the second half. I wondered if I will fall victim to the trail in the second half. The ATC predicts one-third to half of thru-hikers who make it to Harpers Ferry will not complete the trail. The trail is a hungry animal that uses every opportunity to take a thru-hiker, and spares few.The employees at the ATC are just the best people and so helpful. I feel like the other hikers are family.After the ATC we hiked into Harpers Ferry and had lunch, then to the outfitter. I wanted new camp shoes, trail soap, fuel, repairs for my trekking poles, and a rain cover for my pack. I left with nothing, they were out of rain covers, fuel, couldn't repair my poles, and didn't sell trail soap. Isn't Black purchased some clothing and got two mis-matched crocks for nearly free. Bear Bag got his poles repaired but no shoes. Baltimore Jack, a famous thru-hiker was working the register. He is a great guy. When I left Springer Mountain in March he was working at Neel Gap Outfitter. He moves up the trail as the hikers move north. He has thru-hiked 9 times.Just as we left the store, Buzz and Tandem pulled up with a free shuttle and we hopped in and went to Walmart. There I got my soap and shoes, but Walmart was sold out of everything else. Isn't Black purchased more clothing and will take back to the outfitter some clothing that he thought was too expensive. Before we left Walmart, we ran into Forester Gump and Spirit Hawk and gave them a ride. This little car had 8 people with their backpacks and food. It reminded me of high school when everyone crammed into one small car.We checked into the Econo-Lodge and had take-out then watched TV. Bear Bag's feet are very sore and he soaked them in ice for a long time. We are all very tired. My feet hurt and I hope this break reduces the pains in my feet, ankles, knees, hands, back, and other various joints. My muscles are also very stiff.I will take two zero days while here. The last time I took a day off was May 20th at mile 771, which means I have hiked 248 miles without a break. I am tired. We are now planning for the next stage of our adventure. Initially, our plan is to hike 4 days without break and make it into Pennsylvania. Maryland will only take 2 days to hike through.