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 055

Day:  055
Date:  Thursday, 26 June 1986
Daily AT Miles:  24.2
Daily Other Miles:  0.2 (shelter)
Total AT Miles:  1073.1
Total All Miles:  1107.1
Weather:  Warm, sunny.
Nutrition:
  Breakfast:  Muesli, health drink.
  Lunch:  Two meat rolls, ½ gallon ice-cream.
  Dinner:  Macaroni cheese, corn chips, pop tarts.
Aches:  Bruised left heel.
Animals Seen:  Squirrels, turkeys, snake.
People Seen:  2 AT Thru-hikers, 6 overnight hikers, many others.

Journal:
Got up at 6am and left at 7:20am to reach Pine Grove Furnace State Park for lunch, 17 miles away.  As was the case yesterday, it looked like a good day for hiking – a little warmer perhaps – and the terrain was easy – undulating hills and mostly even trail though there were a few rocky bits.  I seem to have bruised my left heel a bit, though it wasn’t too bad – hope it doesn’t get worse.  I made good time through the wooded country and reached Toms Run Shelters at 13½ miles soon after noon. There I met two groups totalling six overnight hikers and Paul from three nights ago – the % of AT hitch-hikers increases!  He was looking for a friend who I hadn’t seen.  I talked for a while before setting off for the 3½ miles to Pine Grove Furnace State Park.  I arrived there at 1:30pm and found the General Store close to the historic youth hostel.  I went into the old store and was persuaded by the pretty and flirtatious manageress, Renee, to buy lunch there instead of the snack bar ¼ of a mile away.  I bought two “torpedoes” – large meat rolls – then she told me about the half gallon club.  AT hikers try to eat a ½ gallon of ice-cream as quickly as possible.  I promised to return, bought a few groceries, and she gave me yesterday’s newspaper.  I adjourned to the large verandah and ate lunch reading the paper at a table – very pleasant.  Two AT Thru-hikers, Sandy and Kent, were there too.  I got my half-gallon of ice-cream and ate it without any trouble.  Renee then made me climb the wall to stick my certificate in place.  I left soon after 3pm for the seven mile hike up to Tagg Run Shelters.  There were a few rocky bits and the country is drier.  I reached the Shelters at 5:45pm and crossed the HALF-WAY MARK just before turning off to them. Paul turned up an hour later, and Sandy and Kent a little after that.  Plenty of time to relax after a lot of miles but a comfortable day.
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