In 1986, a few days after running the Boston Marathon, and following a year of touring the US and Canada in a campervan, I set off by train to realise a dream to walk the Appalachian Trail. I first heard about the Trail from the American wife of a work colleague in Melbourne a few years earlier and had since read widely about the trail. The Trail follows the crest of the Appalachian Mountains for more than 2,200 miles along the eastern side of the US. Starting in mid-spring, I followed the trail northwards from Springer Mountain in Georgia to its northern terminus at Mount Katahdin in Maine, finishing in the late summer. It remains one of the most meaningful experiences of my life, fostering an ambition for more such experiences and inspiring me to retire from work early enough follow through on that ambition. In 1986, only about 80 people each year completed the whole trail, but during that year National Geographic did a feature article on the Trail and its popularity increased dramatically.

Appalachian Trail - Day 041

Day:  041
Date:  Thursday, 12 June 1986
Daily AT Miles:  23.8
Daily Other Miles:  0.2 (to Shelter)
Total AT Miles:  789.7
Total All Miles:  815.5
Weather:  Very warm, humid, mostly sunny.
Nutrition:
  Breakfast:  Muesli, health drink.
  Lunch:  Biscuits and peanut butter, health bar.
  Dinner:  Macaroni pudding, instant pudding.
Aches:  Blisters on toes and both heels.
Animals Seen:  Snake, tortoise, turkeys and chicks, two deer.
People Seen:  Three AT Thru-Hikers, some others.

Journal:
Got up at 6am after a bad night, broke out in sweat and bitten by insects.  Left at 7:25am after wishing and singing Happy Birthday to Ole.  The Trail was very nice, passing through an old conifer forest in some parts with little undergrowth.  It was a warm sunny day, but more pleasant down in the dark forest which was still wet from the previous night’s rain. The Trail also followed the edge of an attractive reservoir and a lovely stream before reaching Brown Mountain Creek Lean-To where I had my morning break, part of it with Stu and Pete.  There followed a long (4½ mile) climb to the top of Bald Knob, from which you couldn’t see anything.  Very sweaty.  Later on, however, the Trail crossed some open fields on the crest of the ridge and there were some good views in all directions.  I had a late lunch in a sunny spot by the Trail before covering the last 7½ miles to Seeley-Woodworth Memorial Shelter through medium forest.  My blisters were bothering me again.  At the Shelter I met OldRidgerunner, Peter, Ruben (Czech-born Australian) and Weka, who moved on another few miles.  Stu arrived later.  Another pleasant evening chatting.
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