When I started to hang around with hikers, I realized pretty quickly that they have their own language. Language has always been interesting to me. Not an obsession like lots of other stuff, but interesting. Word origins especally, I guess. Anyway, here is a short list of hiker talk… TRAIL SLANG 2000 Miler – a […]

This is George Lightcap.  He’s been running hikers up and down the Trail from NJ for 20 years. He’s a 2,000 Miler. He thru hiked the AT some years ago and hikes large sections even now from time to time, when he’s not teaching a class at the local Community College. He’s a retired teacher […]

It’s not my usual M.O. to start this way.  It’s rare when I have a realization that has a sinking sensation associated with it. Mostly, I am up beat, optimistic. This photo was taken at the exact spot where I realized that I may never finish the Trail. No way I will ever finish was […]

What a great morning! Scott, John, and John’s 12 year old friend, Bo. 9 miles in 3 hrs and good conversation the entire hike! How often does that happen. Lots lately! First of all, 9 miles was, once upon a time, more than I thought was possible for me. Now it’s not  even a challenge […]

I will pass 200 miles on Sunday! I have less than 2000 miles to go.  I will finish the Appalachian Trail.  If I’m still breathing, I will finish.  Here to fore, I am stealing Birthday Girl’s idea. MVP – LVP or something like that. The best thing about the hike and the worst. What shall […]

Looks great doesn’t it. I mean the location. The history. There’s really no place quite like this in the Poconos. If I turn the camera around he would see the Delaware river just in front of us. A championship golf course. It’s actually much better in a tent up on the trail. Maybe my expectations […]

I stopped and joined the ATC today and had a lovely conversation with the woman volunteer in the office, who is currently section hiking and had completed a Thru-Hike some years ago. She asked how I was and I launched into a teary eyed explanation of how the Trail has changed my life. Her face […]

Look what I came upon on the Trail in NJ today at the base of Rattlesnake Mountain! I’m hiking in the 4th Season with my three Season gear! That means WINTER.  I climbed out of Culver Gap to find 5 inches of snow on the Kittatinny Ridge! It was beautiful, easy, and hard. Easy on […]

I’ve never seen the lake this calm.