Tag: appalachian trials

When the Trail is a Sea of Rocks Forever: An Ode to Pennsylvania

October 1, 2015

Pennsylvania is not as bad as they say. “Worst state on the entire Appalachian Trail.” “Pennsylvania sucked.” “The rocks! They kill your feet, your spirit. Ruin everything. They’ll eat you alive.” And what they say isn’t entirely untrue. The trail is rocks for hundreds of miles: sharp rocks, flat rocks, grapefruit sized rocks, rocks like … More When the Trail is a Sea of Rocks Forever: An Ode to Pennsylvania

Ten Important Lessons I Learned On The Appalachian Trail

September 16, 2015

Lists are fun, don’t you think? The following is a list of ten things I learned (or already knew but hadn’t realized how super-duper mega important they were) on my thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. 1. Cinnamon roll is the best pop-tart flavor, hands down. Sadly, its limited edition status has run its course. R.I.P. cinnamon roll … More Ten Important Lessons I Learned On The Appalachian Trail

Oh, Days Like These 

July 2, 2015

It’s late afternoon when the trail spits me out of the woods and winds its way through yellow-green fields. Silos and red barn roofs and pastures spread flat across the horizon. When the wind whooshes, the tall grass bends and sways and tickles my calves, and thank goodness for the Deet I sprayed on earlier … More Oh, Days Like These 

Lightning Hangover: A Zero Day in Pearisburg

May 21, 2015

It’s an easy eight miles into town from the shelter. I’m on the trail before seven, hiking fast across the ridgeline as the sun tries to burst forth from behind the slate-colored clouds. Thousands of feet below, an explosion of green. Roads snake through pastures and trees. Tiny doll houses dot the landscape. Everything big … More Lightning Hangover: A Zero Day in Pearisburg