My Journey on the Appalachian Trail
First I'll show a map of the Appalachian Trail
By the way the map was created by Ellen "Aprilmoon" Watson
Okay now here is the plan. I'll be starting this adventure at the Delaware Water Gap and hiking south to Springer Mountain. Then I'll arrange transportation back to the Jersey Shore spending a few days home and head back to Delaware Water Gap traveling north to Mount Katahdin. Sounds easy doesn't it? I mean in the space of 3 sentences I just explained what my goal is. The reason I chose this flip flop route is so my family,some relatives and some friends can be with me when I start the trail. I think that will be pretty nice to have them there for the start and restart of my hike.
So here are some facts about this adventure I'll be doing in 1999. I'll be walking through 14 states to accomplish this trek. Can you name them without looking at the map? Okay now look at the map and write them all down. Thats right there are 14 states the Appalachian Trail passes through.
The AT path is marked with 2"x6" painted white blazes marked on trees and rocks along the entire route. About every 1/8 of a mile you'll see a blaze. So if you go further than that and you haven't seen one look back where you just came and you may see a blaze for hikers going in the opposite direction you are going. If not go a little further and if you still don't see one your probably on another trail. Just hike back to the last blaze you saw and now head in the correct direction. At times you'll need to hike on trails that are shared by the AT and the blazes will be a different color or design. There are manuals,books and maps that explain the detailed route I'll be hiking. We'll talk about those later on.
The AT passes through 8 National Forests, 6 National Parks and numerous state and local parks. This is the 51 Anniversary of people thru-hiking the AT. Do you know who was the first person to complete an AT thru-hike? Earl Shaffer did it in 1948. He has since completed 2 additional thru-hikes. Once in 1965 and again in 1998. He was 79 years old when he did his 1998 AT thru-hike. I had the privilege of meeting Earl at the Ruck Fest this year. He is a very pleasant gentlman and is revered by the hiking community.
Along the entire route of the AT there are numerous shelter maintained by volunteers who are associated with varies hiking organizations. These dedicated people devote many hours of their time each year maintaining the shelters and trail all along the AT. A special thanks to all of you for your time and dedication. By the way has the Jacuzzi been repaired at Brink Road Shelter as yet?
So while I'm on the AT my friend Michael Connick will be posting my journal here. I'll be carrying a Sharp TelMail, which will enable me to communicate via e-mail from any phone I come to along my journey. My e-mail address during the hike will be athiker99@pocketmail.com
So now lets go over some wording commonly used by hikers.
AYCE - all you can eat. A favorite spot for any hiker.
Blowdown - any tree or shrub that has fallen across the trail.
Blue Blaze - A side trail that runs off the AT usually to get to shelters. The blazes are painted blue in color and are 2" x 6" painted on rocks and trees.
Cairn - a pile of stone used as a trail marker usually found above tree line.
Flip-Flooper - a term used to describes a hiker who hikes the trail not from beginning to end but from one area to another and then back to hike the other section. I'll be doing this during my hike.
Gear-Head - a hiker who talks about gear all the time and owns almost one of every piece of gear available. Or at least wishes they had one of each. Very common amongst hikers.
Lean-To - Usually a wooden, stone or combination of both type shelter used by hikers along the trail.
MUDS - Mindless ups and downs refers to repeated climbs up and downs in a short span of the trail. Usually said during a tough day of climbing a lot of ups and downs along the trail.
NPS - Natioanl Park Service
PUDS - Pointless ups and downs refers to a tough up and down on the trail. Used more often when tired after a long day of hiking.
Trail Register - Notebooks located along the trail usually in shelters for hikers to pass on messages to those behind them. Also just to pass on their thoughts at that time.
Stile -A ladder either made from wood or stone or both shaped like an "A" that allows you easier access over a fence or other types of obstacle.
Thru-Hiker - A hiker who is walking the entire AT.
Trail Angel - A truly wonderful person who preforms a good deed for a hiker. Examples would be shuttling hiker from trail to town or back to trail, providing a cold soda or food along the trail and many more wonderful deeds.
Trail Magic - An unexpected enjoyable event that occurs along the trail. Things like this can make the sun shine on a rainy day for a hiker or at least make it seem that it did.
Trail Name - A nickname acquired by a hiker during their journey.
USFS - United States Forest Service
White Blaze - A 2" x 6" painted marker on trees and rocks showing the AT trail route.
Yogi-ing - The art of having food given to you by others on the trail. A great assest to fill the void in a hungry hikers stomach. Its panhandling by hikers.
So those are some of the terms used by hikers.
I'll be adding additional information shortly.
Have a good one.
John O