Date: 2014-05-28
To: Day 4 Home
Miles today: 0.0

Hiking - During the DayMost of my hiking was done solo. Even during the first several weeks when buddying up with Paul Bunion, we mostly hiked at our own pace and met up at the end of the day at an agreed to site. Frequently we also met for breaks and/or lunches with whomever was in front stopping at a nice place and the straggler (usually me) catching up. Although it happened occasionally, it was very unusual to go for long stretches without seeing anyone else. I was slow on uphills and was passed often by younger and/or stronger hikers. Then I'd leapfrog some of them later as they took a break. I'd estimate that on average about 10 to 15 other hikers were seen hiking during the day with more accumulating at shelters. It was noticeably more crowded early in the AT and thinned out progressively as hikers dropped out and went home.Most days I stopped for water replenishment about 2 times and again at the shelter or campsite, most of which were located near water sources.As I've mentioned in posts along the way, hiking the AT with a backpack averaging 35-37 pounds is hard work.....sometimes very hard. One of the perks after a long or strenuous climb was the resulting views. There were truly magnificent vistas most of which cannot be acquired by automobile. Frequently the views were 360 degrees of nothing but mountain ranges for as far as you could see. In the near-ground were sometimes towns, farms, lakes, roads, etc. Such locations were always stopping areas for hikers to enjoy the fruits of ones labors. Likewise, it was agony to have a long climb to reach what should be a terrific view only to find it socked in with clouds/fog. Sometimes it was clear on top; but, looking down onto the tops of clouds which blocked views. I've been asked what the trail itself was like. A wide variety is the answer. Most pictures people see are a flat, wide (3-4 foot) and smooth trail. Yes, there is some of that everyday. However that is not the predominant situation. Much of the AT, whether flat, uphill or downhill is a mess of tree roots and/or imbedded rocks. And once in awhile out of nowhere you come across a very rocky (large rocks/boulders) that had to be negotiated quite carefully. At times also the trail was literally no more than a foot wide. Often in these cases it was also like a trench about a foot deep too. And then sometimes the trail was an old forest road up to 6-8 feet wide. Planning daily mileage ( including how many days were needed until the next resupply) were a guessing game. The AT Guide that most hikers carry will show mileage between points and the elevation changes along the way. These are important factors to guesstimate your day. But, it does not tell the surface type of trail. A smooth trail is much faster covered than rocky or tree root covered areas. A rough trail can beat up your body as well as play havoc with your eta's.As for breaks during the day it varied upon the trail situations. For example, on a cool, smooth and flat or downhill trail I could go hours without stopping. Throw in uphills and/or hot days and I may stop several times per hour. And on steep uphills I sometimes stopped every 75 to 100 paces to catch my breath. The AT is often called the Green Tunnel. Most of the trail is under tree cover. And Rhodidendrums add to this feeling where they often are quite thick and literally form tunnels. But there are also pasture lands and the bald mountains where you're in wide open spaces.So, over-all, there is a wide variety. You have to be flexible and take whatever the AT decides to throw at you. And you hope that most of the time you get to handle it in nice weather. In any event, learn to go with the flow.