Month: October 2017

**Facebook Post 102717 at 3:38PM**

Post originally by Erin Prucha… “Hiker mentality: I will walk 20+ miles everyday but I refuse to go anything over 0.2 off trail for anything but a hotel”

**Facebook Post 102617 at 8:33AM**

The Appalachian Trail. Where being referred to as “goat-like” is considered a compliment.

**Facebook Post 102417 at 6:36AM**

As we got on trail yesterday, two bugs flew directly in my left ear. Erin said she saw the second fly out. She was looking because I was already spazzing from the first one flying in. Instinct had me stick my finger in my ear to get the bug out, but I squished it in the process. Lots of blood. I think it was a biting fly, like the ones that got me last year. The more south we go, the more of them I notice, as they begin taking chunks out of me. One got me on the leg a couple days ago and now I have a huge welt there. Anyway, I think I also may have cut my ear canal trying to get it out. Mixing biting fly blood with my own. At the time I was fully packed. So, my med kit was deep in my bag. So, I didn’t treat it. Wish I had. I woke up several times last night with my ear drum and canal on fire. Poured hydrogen peroxide in there and let it sit for ten. Then got an alcohol swab and a QTip to dry it out, but it’s still hurting bad. Worried it may have bitten inside my ear before I squished it. Also, worried I’m going to get some weird feral animal disease mixing blood with a biting fly. Either way, hoping this pain in my ear stops soon instead of continuing to get worse. Right now, the pain has woken me up several times. Not going to be fun hiking like this. Ow!!!

**Facebook Post 102417 at 2:54PM**

Boiling Springs by Halloween!!!!

 

4:45PM Start Day 66 (102417)

•4:45PM (Estimate) Stempa Spring
(Mile 920.5)
•6:10PM Power Lines (Mile 923.3)
•7:00PM Camp (Mile 925.3)
•4:15AM Wake up, pack
•6:00AM On Trail
•9:40AM Break (Mile 931.7)
•11:30AM George W. Outerbridge Shelter (Mile 933.0)
•1:30PM Break (Mile 938.5)
•3:30PM Break, View (Mile 942.4)
•4:45PM (Estimate) Knifes Edge
(Mile 942.8)

4:45PM End Of Day 66
APPROX 22.3 Miles

**Facebook Post 102317 at 10:15AM**

If you are as old as dirt, like I am, you will remember the good old days of record stores and flyers. I had picked up a flyer at Peaches Music which stated the band Kinetic Ritual needed a singer. I answered and ended up joining the group. As with most band situations, you spend an enormous amount of time jamming and hanging out with members of your group. I quickly became close friends with Scott Mitchell Putesky. Later we both left the band and started India Lovesou. (India Loves You) It was pretty much a duo act, and we gigged here and there, but didn’t remain active for long. Together we decided to join the Pukin’ Drunks, but Scott wasn’t all that into it. So, he left the group and we went our separate ways. The Pukin’ Drunks ended up changing the name to The Livid Kittens and Scott eventually started working with Brian Warner and started Marilyn Manson and the Spooky Kids. We continued to be friends for many years, and I watched Scott move into fame. He was a great man, talented, with a quiet demeanor when we were young, a true friend and talented musician. I’m still in shock, but he died after a long battle with cancer just the other day. No words can express how disappointing this is. Although, later in life we were not close like when we were kids, we did keep in touch from time to time. I knew he was struggling, but had no idea it had gotten to this point. It seems like the good always die young.

**Facebook Post 102317 at 11:52AM**

We entered Pennsylvania yesterday by crossing the Delaware River from New Jersey into the Delaware Water Gap. It’s a town. Who knew? It was evening, and Erin, one of the hikers I’m hiking with, wasn’t feeling so hot. We decided to take a chance and inquire about shelter at the Church of the Mountain Hikers Center. It was practically on trail. Taylor mentioned she was unsure whether or not they would take dogs, but the walk was shorter than we could even hope for, so we went to their location.

When we got there, it was dark and looked pretty much closed. Not surprising since we are way out of season to be part of the hiker bubble. Many of the hostels stop taking hikers as the season closes. There was a sign on the door asking hikers to first check in the back for the church secretary if the entrance to the hostel was locked. If she wasn’t there, there were numbers to call.

I was elected to go check it out. I walked to the back of the building and parking lot where a light was on, and a car parked. I checked the door and it was open. I shouted out a hello and a guy came out of a side room. I asked about the hiker hostel and he said he didn’t know anything about it, but there was a sign on the front door of the hostel, where the girls were waiting for me, with instructions. I thanked him and went back around front.

We called Dave, one of the numbers listed. Luckily the dog wasn’t an issue and they were willing to host us for the evening. Dave told me that he would be there in ten minutes and to wait where we were. So, we did. Not but maybe five minutes in, the guy who had given me help came past us in his vehicle. He seemed friendly enough at first. Then he started preaching the good word and things became very weird very fast. First, Taylor and Erin are a couple, and I’m Buddhist. Not that any of us are against the good word, but converting us would probably not be happening this evening.

We didn’t want to be rude though and figured we’d let him tell us what he had to, but like I said, things got weird fast. What seemed like innocent conversation started getting more and more argumentative and aggressive. Being that we were only agreeing with him by nodding and being generally nice to him, there was zero reason to start getting crazy. But seriously we didn’t know what to do.

He approached us initially while driving out of the parking lot. So he was in his car, with the window down when he began to speak to us. Within minutes he repositioned his car, moving it so he could be closer and corner us in. He never left his car, but that was coming I’m sure. We were saved when Dave showed up. Dave basically told he guy he wasn’t supposed to be there and to leave in no uncertain terms.

Turns out the guy wasn’t supposed to be on the property. They had had trouble with him creeping about on several occasions recently and had had to call the cops. They had basics stolen out of the hostel, like towels and blankets, etc., and figured it was this guy. As we learned, he didn’t work there, so he definitely wasn’t supposed to be in the building where I found him. I guess there was an AA meeting that was to begin in another hour so that’s why the building was open and he was helping himself to whatever he found when I stumbled on him. I didn’t know. I thought he worked there.

Luckily, the ordeal was over before it got ugly and Dave let us into the hostel with instructions to lock the door after he leaves. He also let the leader of the AA group know what had happened and to keep and eye out if the guy returned.

After showing us the ropes of the hostel, Dave left. Next up, Erin got a little down time, while Taylor and I went up the street to find food. We found a restaurant nearby that sold pizza. We ordered take out and went back to the hostel. On our way to pizza, we both thought, maybe paranoid like, we saw the guys car again parked just outside of the church parking. On our way back we phoned Erin to let us in quick, because again we though we saw the guy’s car, but now parked on the street instead. We got in fine though and there were no more incidences.

After a hearty meal, the girls settled into some mobile Netflix, and I took a shower and washed some laundry. This morning we resupplied, but had to at a gas station since the nearest grocer was clear on the other side of town. Expensive, but it will get us through another couple days hopefully.

In the morning Dave and the pastor, Sherry, came to check on us. They were super friendly and a lot of fun to chat with. The girls got a picture of us all together and they soon left us to continue packing. Turns out they were going to spend their morning checking out several locations around town where they thought they might find the unwelcome gentleman from last night. They were attempting to get his license plate number and perhaps have a word with him. Unfortunately, Dave dropped by one more time before we got back on trail and told us they were unsuccessful in locating him, but they are going to make a few changes to how they lock up at night and who has access. Hopefully, the guy has already gotten the message to stay away and won’t be back.

Turns out, lucky us, there is more rain predicted, in fact thunder storms. The dog doesn’t like hiking in storms and I have been warned he may refuse to walk in it. He gets freaked out by thunder. I most likely will have to part ways with my new Friends if that is the case, as I have few miles left until Boiling Springs, and am not fond of cold weather, which is encroaching on and off again quite often these days. In other words, I’m making a mad dash for Boiling Springs.

As I close in on my target, (Boiling Springs) I’m feeling pretty nostalgic. This year’s hike is almost over. Another year down. I’m so sad I didn’t get my goal, again, of world record, but I guess this is more of a process than just a quick thing one does. So, even though I didn’t get that or the 1800 miles, at least I’m close to being able to say I’ve walked the whole thing. I guess it’s sort of huge. (2,189 miles)

I’ve been on trail for just over 60 days now. Too long. Thank you New Hampshire and Maine! But also thank you MA, CT, NY, and NJ for being so short and much much easier to walk. Too bad PA is going to make up for it in rocks.

(Pictures below are what the rocks in NJ will do to your feet if you decide to night hike on rocks wearing no sock liners and have no foot glide on… Whoops. Unprepared… Situation fixed, a little too late, but at least it won’t get worse.)

 

4:45PM Start Day 65 (102317)

•4:45PM PA Rte 191 (Mile 903.2)
•6:10PM Camping (Mile 906.0)
•1:15PM Hahn’s Lookout (Mile 912.6)
•3:00PM Powerlines (Mile 916.0)
•4:45PM (Estimate) Stempa Spring
(Mile 920.5)

4:45PM End Of Day 65
APPROX 17.3 Miles

4:45PM Start Day 64 (102217)

•4:45PM Small stream (Mile 892.8)
•5:30PM Break, Dunnfield Creek
trail head (Mile 894.4)
•6:00PM Delaware Water Gap
(Mile 896.2) spend night at church hostel
•6:00AM Wake up, pack, resupply, breakfast
•1:15PM On trail (Mile 896.2)
•4:45PM PA Rte 191 (Mile 903.2)

4:45PM End Of Day 64
APPROX 10.4 Miles

**Facebook Post 102117 at 7:48AM**

Pennsylvania by tomorrow!

 

4:45PM Start Day 63 (102117)

•4:45PM (Estimate) View (Mile 869.0)
•5:20PM Brink Road Shelter, pass
(Mile 871.4)
•7:30PM Tentsite (Mile 875.3)
•5:30AM Wake up, pack
•7:00AM On Trail
•7:40AM (Mile 876.7)
•8:30AM Break (Mile 878.2)
•9:15AM (Mile 880.1)
•10:15AM View (Mile 881.4)
•11:15AM Catfish Fire Tower (Mile 883.3)
•12:40PM Camp Road Parking
(Mile 885.4)
•2:15PM Raccoon Ridge (Mile 887.9)
•4:30PM Break (Mile 892.0)
•4:45PM Small stream (Mile 892.8)

4:45PM End Of Day 63
APPROX 23.8 Miles

4:45PM Start Day 62 (102017)

•4:45PM (Estimate) County Rd 519
(Mile 850.5)
•6:00PM Observation Tower (Mile 852.4)
•8:00PM Camp (Mile 855.8)
•6:30AM Wake up, pack
•8:30AM On trail
•9:30AM Deckertown Turnpike
(Mile 858.8)
•10:20AM Break (Mile 860.8)
•12:30PM Culver Fire Tower (Mile 865.9)
•1:30PM Culver’s Gap (Mile 867.8)
(Add .25 Walk to tavern for lunch)
(Add .25 Walk back to trail head)
•4:45PM (Estimate) View (Mile 869.0)

4:45PM End Of Day 62
APPROX 18.5 Miles
(Add .5 Walk to and back from lunch)

**Facebook Post 101917 at 11:18AM**

Day 54

Day 54 has come and gone and I am still on trail. The big goal was to potentially beat the world record, still held by Heather Anderson at 54 days, 7 hours, 48 minutes, unless someone else had beaten that self-supported record while I have been on trail and I wasn’t made aware of it. Well, it didn’t happen for me (this year), not even close. In fact, I think I’m still a bit shocked at how difficult Maine and New Hampshire were, keeping me on trail over a month alone. Reality is though, I was well aware before I left for this trip that I had not been through the northern part, which is commonly spoken of as difficult, and it could potentially hold me back this year, which it did. Surprises happen on the trail even when you are familiar with a section, so it was no surprise Maine and New Hampshire held obstacles for me. I had prepared mentally not to kill myself over it. Also, I prepared three years of my life to pursue this goal, not two. I figured if the northern part was more difficult and cost me time, that at least I would now know the entire trail from top to bottom, having had walked it in it’s entirety at least once. My third year would be based on experience, which is something I would need to accomplish something so rigorous anyway, I think. If I had completed the world record this year, I would have assumed it was luck.

Anyway, the next goal I had set for myself, if I was unable to beat the world record, was to at least finish 1,800 miles in the two months I would be out here. Well, that didn’t happen either. I told myself that if I didn’t complete the 1,800, vastly improving my number from last year, I would have to consider not pursuing the third year, and let this goal go. Hard to do. The thing is though, this isn’t just the two months I’m out here. It’s about the training, early mornings out at the butt crack of dawn walking with a heavy pack, sweating balls. It’s the weekends where I have to travel to trail heads and walk, again with a large pack on. It’s the nights at the gym, the blog, the Facebook posts, the raising funds for the cause, the gear research, the everything that dominates my normal life in preparation for this. It’s a constant. It’s not being able to travel to visit family because I’m obligated to a three year endeavor. It’s obsession. It’s putting regular goals that pertain to my life off in order to pursue a dream. Ugh. Reality bites. So, this year because neither the world record or my goal of 1,800 miles was achieved, I am going to have to think long and hard about going for it a third year. Problem??? I finally have the whole trail under my belt, meaning mistakes can now be thwarted due to my knowledge of the terrain and the ability to not make the same mistakes twice. Experience (again) could make all the difference in a third attempt. I’ll have to think hard.

So, all hope is not lost though. I did have a third goal for this year, which was to complete the last of my miles on the AT. Which I’m so close to doing now, I can taste it. I’m in New Jersey. My next and last state is Pennsylvania, and I don’t even have to complete the whole thing, I just have to get to Boiling Springs which is closing in on 200 miles away at this point. Thank goodness. Problem? I’m way overdue to be back home. Way overdue! I didn’t leave a rent check for my landlord for November because I had no idea I would be this delayed. I need to get back to work as soon as possible because season is about to start. (October 30th is unofficial start of season.) I have bills to pay and I’m running low on funds or even a way to get them into my bank account. Got to get to steppin’ and fast.

The original goal was to be done by the 8th, get to Baltimore, MD, see my brother and the family, get to Danville, VA, see my bio-mom and my grandfather, stop at the few locations where my remaining bounce boxes are on my way south, then hit my parents up in Lake Worth, FL, then over to Fort Myers. I wanted to have a couple days off to reorganize my apartment. My boyfriend, Jason, and my friend, Stephen (subleasing my pad) had basically moved all my stuff out and around to secure things because of the hurricane. Figured it might be nice to get my home back in order before returning to work. Now none of that is going to happen. I will be hustling to just get home and I will have to jump right back into life, no transition period what so ever. Such is life though. Isn’t it?

I have to say this year was brutal. And I’m not so sure of myself any more. I worked pretty hard at getting myself up here and I got my butt handed to me. Not so much so as I quit, which I didn’t, but I had no idea what I was in for with all the scrambling and rock climbing, being sucked in by bogs, night hikes and rain, cold weather and carrying extra gear. Racing to beat the snow. Challenging was just the beginning. Am I even capable of getting my crap together enough to legitimately beat a world record??? If so, it would take more training than I’m doing, and way way way more strategic planning. I’d say, as usual, it was less my physical ability and more about fear of loosing teeth, being soft when it came to showers and laundry, to spite the motivation it builds, stopping for breaks when I should have been flying, not recognizing opportunity, getting caught up in unforeseen obstacles, and just general lack of talent for proper decision making. I mean, can these even be things I could weed out with better planning and familiarity?

I’ve decided while I think these next coming months about whether or not I’m willing to do this one more time, to access the people I have in my life who are more knowledgable about the AT and see what they suggest and say. Maybe they have the gems I need to perfect my strategy. Maybe they can see something I am not. Maybe they can give me better performance mechanisms. Maybe they can guide me when it comes to the things that sidetrack me on trail. Maybe all hope is not lost, or maybe it is. Time will tell. For now, I just need to get my butt home ASAP and get back to life. I’m pretty sure my friends and my boyfriend are missing me and I am so much missing all of them. Home is great! Florida is pretty bad ass as well. I love the south! No threat of snow!

PS… There’s always the Triple Crown! 😉

 

4:45PM Start Day 61 (101917)

•4:45PM (Estimate) Barrett Road
(Mile 829.9)
•8:30PM Camp (Mile 837.0)
•6:30AM Wake up, Pack
•8:30AM On Trail
•11:30AM Break (Mile 843.2)
•12:15PM Lott Road (Mile 844.7)
(Walk .4 into Unionville, NY, get pizza)
(Walk .4 back to trail head)
•1:15PM Walk back to trail head
at Lott Road (Mile 844.7)
•3:45PM Break (Mile 848.3)
•4:45PM (Estimate) County Rd 519
(Mile 850.5)

4:45PM End Of Day 61
APPROX 20.6 Miles