Date: 2011-06-08
From: Front Royal, VA

To: US 11, near Carlisle, PA
Miles today: 159.5

6/1: Zeroed due to the heat, plus forecasts of severe thunderstorms (which did not materialize).6/2: Front Royal to 'campsite, trail east to tower', 36.8 miles. Got a ride ($7) back to the trailhead from Mike who runs the Terrapin Hostel. Much better than the 1030 shuttle offered by the motel. Big wildlife day today, wild turkey and possibly a bear, right off. (Whoo without the hoo.) Today's hike featured the 'Roller Coaster'. A bunch of short steep ups and downs. Real feature of this bit is the rocky tread much of the time, that's what slows me down. Hit the Standing Bear Hostel and PATC Revenue Opportunity just after that, just before 9pm closing time, had some sodas and treats and pushed on, night hiking, because I was bored, no forecast of rain, no good tent sites, perky after a couple days off. Night hiking over rocks is complcated by the fact headlamp doesn't hit area below your feet unless you keep your head down, so lots of slow stumbling. Eventually quit around 2300, then not to sleep until a couple hours later.6/3: Hiked to 1.5 before first shelter north of Harpers Ferry (mile 1020), 22 miles. Today's feature is picking up package at ATC HQ in HF. I was #282 2011 thru hiker in their photo register. (Surely there is also a good percentage who do not get recorded.) Enjoyed the cigarette smoke of several other thru's outside the HQ while unpacking my box. Got a shower and did laundry at the HF Hostel on the way out of town, then pushed a bit farther and tented.6/4: Hiked to Raven Rocks shelter, 31 miles. Can't remember much about this day, end of it featured stiff climbe up to shelter, guidebook said water was .1 away, in reality is was signed '.3 and way the hell downhill in another direction.6/5: Hiked to Fayetteville, PA and Rite-Spot (Not Scottish Inn) Motel, 22.8 miles. Feeling worn, bad caffiene hangover from too many sodas over the last couple of days. Wanted a night in bed. When I reached the road to Fayetteville, walked the .8 to Henicles Market and had biggest sub I have ever seen for less than $5. (They had hot dogs, 2/$1.) Good prices at this place for what they have. Walked the remaining 1.6 to the motel. First they put me in a 'no smoking' room that stunk from smoke. Next room the phone and TV did not work. Got that sorted out. Did laundry in sink, no more walking. 6/6: Hiked to spring just before Tagg Run shelter, 27.2 miles. Supposedly $5 ride back to trailhead available from motel owner, but not on weekends, and then depends on when they want to get out of bed. Their offer was for 1030, screw it I walked the 2.6 back to trail. This day featured easy walking, low humidity and pleasant temps, plus good bit went through evergreen environment with little road noise (road noise ever-present lately). Passed the half-way point today ("they've" built a monument there). Visited over-priced Pine Grove State Park store, no half-gallon challenge for me, it's not a challenge. My weight is up a disgusting amount, no problem overeating with all this catered hiking.6/7: Hiked to Boiling Springs, PA, 12.2 miles. Feature is staying at the Allenberry Resort for $40. Want a zero, plus there are timing issues getting to Port Clinton PO for box, need to work out a strategy.6/8: Hiked to US 11/Super 8, Carlisle PA to west. Had $6 hiker breakfast at Allenberry, ate enough for 30 mile day but only going 7.8. Left BS at 0930, at the Super 8 at noon. Have to pay $4 extra to check in before 1400, so $45 +$4 + tax. They have computer, which I am using, $1/10 min. Anyway, call today a nero, this positions me better to get through rocks and into/through Duncannon tomorrow. Mid-90's and high humidity today, tomorrow, day after. Then back to frigid 80's. Two days of hiking, then into Lickdale on 06/11, hoping to get to mile 1200 or so on 6/12. That is last day of second month. With 1200 done and less than 1000 to go, reasonable to speculate finish in another two months.