THANK YOU to everyone who has been following us on our Appalachian Trail adventure! Yesterday we finally reached the summit of Mt. Katahdin on a beautiful, crystal clear day. We couldn't have dreamed of better weather for our last day. It has meant so much to us to know of everyone who has been thinking of us and following our blog and our trip. Above are just a few pictures from the end of the journey. We will post more when we get home and have all of our friends pictures too. We'll see everyone soon!

Last post from Mom

We leave tomorrow to head towards Maine to pick up the girls. We will arrive Sunday and hope to be able to spend a couple of days hiking with them and taking some "good" food to them on the trail. They will summit Katahdin next Wednesday. They are excited to see us, and in some ways to be finishing the hike. In other ways it is sad and causes some anxiety.

Their group has expanded from five to fifteen. Apparently some of the people they have been leap frogging along the way all ended up in Monson together, and are planning to finish up the hike as a group. They seem happy about that, and warned us we will need food for more than five!

They asked me (and this is from Steve and me too) to thank everyone for their support, words of encouragement, goody boxes... All the messages I have passed along to them from all of you have meant so much to them. They feel like they couldn't have accomplished this without all of our support, and the kindness of remarkable trail angels along the way.

This will probably be the last posting from me. Hopefully when they get home they will add their own thoughts.

Oh, and I forgot to mention that they saw a moose last week!!

Kindness of Strangers

Jennifer and Sarah and friends were in Stratton, Maine this morning resupplying and picking up mail. Tuesday they will pick up their last care package from home and then be entering the "100 mile wilderness".

Throughout this endeavor they have been so blessed by the kindness of people who live and/or work near the trail, and also by the kindness of total strangers. This past Tuesday was just another example of the generosity the hikers have received. A couple from Oklahoma, on extended vacation in New England, saw Jennifer and Sarah sitting in front of the grocery store in Rangeley. They struck up a conversation and ended up taking all five of "the group" out for pizza, and then got a hotel room for them! After breakfast the next morning Amy and Steve drove the group back to the trail. Thank you so much Amy and Steve, from parents who have been so heartened by all the many kindnesses shown to these young folks. We appreciate it so much.

Nearing the End

Hello all! We actually have internet access for once. We are in Rangeley, Maine. That's right, Maine! the last state the trail goes through!! None of us can believe that we are actually here. We have spent the last five months telling people that we are heading to Maine. Now when people ask us where we are heading we have to specify and say Mt. Katahdin. The journey has continued to be amazing. It's amazing because of the people we meet, the sights we see, and the absolute freedom of the lifestyle out here. Complete strangers have been incredibly nice to us. In the White Mountains we met a couple and their 3 year old daughter at Galehead Hut and told them that we were trying to get Crawford Notch the next day. When we got down to the road they were waiting and shuttled 5 of us to the general store and then drove on into town to get groceries for us while we did showers and laundry. We also saw ice and snow in August on top of Franconia Ridge while going over Mt. Lafayette. We saw a moose just yesterday evening standing on top of a bald rocky mountain. We stop when we find something beautiful and interesting or just get hungry enough. We sleep whenever we find a good water source or a convenient lean-to. We get up when the sun comes up. It's completely different from the lifestyle we were living and it's going to be a shock to us in a few weeks when we come home. On the other hand, we miss our family and friends so much that we find ourselves getting jittery just thinking about coming home. Hopefully we'll have internet access again before the end of the trip but if not, we love everyone and thank everyone for supporting us so much.

In Maine!

Sarah asked me to update everyone. They haven't had access to a computer lately and may not have a chance again for the rest of the hike. They are in Maine now - the last state of the hike. They are all well, and feeling excited, but at the same time sad, that their hike is nearing the end. Squeegie left them last Wednesday. She hiked on ahead to a hostel where her Dad was going to meet her. They then drove north, skipping about 200 miles of the trail. Squeegie and her Dad are hiking the last 100 miles together this week and she will get to finish at Katahdin. She starts college in a couple of weeks. Greaser (remember he hiked with Squeegie and the group until Hot Springs) joined them for a week. Doc, who had been with the group quite a bit until the Roan Highlands, wants to meet them in Rangeley and hike the rest of the way with them. We talked to Sarah today and she thinks they will summit Katahdin on September 2. We'll keep you posted.

Another brush with Mother Nature

We just spoke with the girls. They are at the top of Mt. Washington this morning. Can't see a thing as it is all socked in. The usual weather whenever they hit a high peak! A couple of days ago they were going to be hiking along Franconia Ridge. As they started out the weather forecast was for a beautiful, sunny day. They were all in their shorts enjoying the great weather. As they hiked out onto the ridgeline it began to cloud up and get windy. The next thing they knew they were hiking in sleet and hail, and gale force winds. The wind was so strong it was knocking them over. It sleeted for about 15 to 20 minutes, then rain and wind. They were on an exposed ridgeline for a good ways, so it was quite frightening. Sarah said in some ways it was more scary than the blizzard in April, but she says "I guess we are tougher people now".

Their feet are feeling better. The camera has broken. Jennifer is going to try to save the photos off of it, so keep checking for a new photo update.

Less than 400 miles

I was hoping the girls would be able to post some of their photos, but apparently they haven't had access to a computer. So this posting is just to let everyone know they are fine (other than feet that are really hurting). They have less than 400 miles left to go, and are now in the White Mountains which they say are just beautiful. Sometimes the trail goes above treeline.

Their friend Greaser who started the hike with Squeegie and got off the trail at Hot Springs (had to go back to work) is hiking with them for a week. They were all really happy to see him. The group used to be called Greaser's Gang before he left and they became the Babes in Boots and Bubbas.

That's all for now. Keep checking for those photos (I know I am).

Update from Mom

We have spoken with the girls quite a bit this week. There seems to be good cell coverage where they are. "The group" has made it through Vermont and is now in New Hampshire. Some very generous friends of Samwise's Mom have let the hikers stay at their home for a couple of days and nights. Sam's Mom is there also, so they are having a little reunion. They toured around Hanover, New Hampshire, home of Dartmouth college, and enjoyed that town.

It is getting chilly again and I have mailed the long underwear back to them! Even some mittens for Jen. It looks as though they will make it to Katahdin at the end of this month or early September. We are looking forward to seeing them and bringing them home.

Miss Scarlett and Newt have some photos they hope to post soon, so please keep checking.

another update from Mom

The girls and their friends have made it to Vermont - Tuesday or Wednesday (don't remember which). It is raining, again. They are pretty bummed about that, but there seem to be a lot of places in this area that open their doors to thur hikers.
These include homes, churches, and, of course, hostels. Jennifer and Sarah are really enjoying the picturesque New England towns. Squeegie's family will hook up with them today and plans to backpack with the group for a couple of days. They are thinking they will reach Katahdin in five to six weeks. Hopefully they will be able to update this soon.

Pictures from New York Trip

Here are the pictures promised in previous post. Top to bottom: Jennifer, Squeegie, & Sarah get ready to hit the trail again; in Pawling with Samwise, Squeegie, Miss Scarlett, and Newt; Mom with Jennifer and Sarah; the Babes in Boots make a pose; Samwise, Miss Scarlett, Sunbeam, Squeegie, Newt, Halfmoon, and a trusting Mississippi.

-Mom and Barbara dropping us off at the trailhead after a "surprise" visit
-Train stop on the AT that goes into Grand Central Station
-Crossing the Hudson River, which is the lowest elevation point on the trail
-Birthday!!!
-NYC skyline in the distance, just squint your eyes...
-Right after crossing into NY state. We got caught in a lightning storm about 20 minutes after this picture
-Brooklyn Bridge
-Statue of Liberty
-Sunbeam and Miss Scarlett shopping for new handbags to carry on the AT in Macy's
-Newt in Times Square
-Meg Castner, friend from Oak Ridge, was on a roadtrip and stopped by for a visit
-Rattle on a five foot rattlesnake that was as thick as our arms (maybe thicker),that crossed the trail in front of us
-White Blaze
-Rock scramble after Lehigh Gap, PA

Update by Mom

I was lucky enough to get to visit the girls this past weekend thanks to a Continental Airlines special fare. My friend Barbara went with me. We were able to find the hikers and their friends at a road crossing near Pawling, NY. We got to have lunch with them there and then picked them up again later that afternoon near Poughag (sp?), NY. So we had two nights with them and they were still able to continue hiking during the day. When we left them yesterday they were in Connecticut, and they plan to be in Massachusetts this Thursday! As of tonight they will have about 700 miles left.

Barbara and I got to meet Sunbeam's family, and Samwise's parents. Sunbeam's family had driven in from Ohio to visit her, and Sam lives about an hour away. We all had dinner together Saturday evening. It was like a family reunion. Really nice families - of course because they have such special young adults!

Samwise got back on the trail with them yesterday and the whole group was happy about that.

Newt and Miss Scarlett both looked healthy and seemed happy. A little tired mentally maybe - all the rain, thunderstorms, and bugs can get to you after while. They are happy with their trail family though and were ready to hike on.

Barbara and I both took some photos, so once we get those together I will post a couple of them.

DETOUR!

We had a slight detour from the trail on the 4th of July. We all went into NYC! So our friend Samwise that we've been hiking with lives about an hour north of the city by train. He was home because he's taking a few weeks off from the trail so he came and picked us up from High Point State Park in New Jersey on the 3rd and let us all crash at his house. Unfortunately he has the flu right now so he couldn't go into the city. We had an awesome time though and did more walking than a normal day on the trail. Back to the trail today! Pictures will follow in the next week or so :)

Miss Scarlett, Newt, Rapunzel, Squeegie, Sunbeam. The last photo of the Babes n Boots :(

With Brittany and Courtney in Boiling Springs, PA
Before and after shots of the 1/2 gallon challenge
The Babes n Boots somewhere really close to the halfway point
South vs North at the Mason Dixon Line (we were a little bit outnumbered but still represented well)

update from Mom

I apologize for not keeping everyone updated on the girl's progress. They asked me to do that for them and I have slacked on the job!! Last Monday they made it to the official halfway point of the trail - mile 1089.1. A couple of miles further at Pine Grove Furnace State Park, PA they enjoyed the half gallon challenge. Apparently the concessioner at this park keeps half gallons of ice cream for the thru hikers who have made it halfway. The challenge is to eat the whole thing! Up to that day only two females this year had been able to do the deed, but by Monday afternoon Newt, Miss Scarlett, Rapunzel, Squeegie, and I think Sunbeam had all joined the club.

So they started their journey on March 15 and on June 15 they made it halfway! There was also sadness this day because Rapunzel's Dad came to pick her up. They were all very sad to see her leave, but know she is off for another adventure visiting Japan.

Since then their good friends Courtney and Brittany drove up to visit with them and camp with them at night. Court and Brit rode bikes during the day until they could meet Jen and Sarah at some point along the trail. I know they had a good visit. They also got to stay at the Doyle Hotel which was built by Anheuser Busch over a hundred years ago. Apparently it is traditional for hikers to stay there and exchange stories at the bar.

Unfortunately it is still raining. Sam Wise has had enough and has left the trail for a while. Hammock is a week behind because he went home for his brother's wedding (he and his family hosted the whole crew at their house for a day and night-
feeding them and letting them crash at their home. Jen and Sarah were happy to see Hammock's Mom again and really enjoyed the visit and hospitality); Bison is still behind after being ill for a few days and will be getting off for a couple of weeks to spend time with his family; Colonel Mustard is in and out. They still have a core group consisting of Newt, Miss Scarlett, Squeegie, Sunbeam, and Half Moon aka. Babes in Boots and Bubba.

Remember, if you want to view their previous posts just scroll down to "older posts" at the bottom of this and click.

More from Harpers Ferry

These descriptions start with the bottom picture and move up.
Brittany with her guitar and harmonica at trail days in Damascus
Miss Scarlett and Newt in Shenandoah National Park
The bear was posing for us before it got off of the trail
At the ATC headquarters in Harper's Ferry, WV

Harper's Ferry

We've made it to Harper's Ferry, WV. It's at mile 1,013 and in less than a week we'll be at the halfway point at mile 1,089! Mom and Dad and Grandma have come up to visit us for the last time before Maine. Since the last update we have hiked through Shenandoah National Park where we saw our first bears of the trip. The weather is still crazy; sometimes hot, sometimes cold, often rainy and more frequent thunderstorms. We are having a good time and the trail feels like home now. We are no longer in a state that borders TN so it really does feel like we have hiked a long way (plus it even looks far on a map:). The restaurants no longer serve sweet tea which is a dead giveaway that we are entering new territory. The Mason Dixon line is in site!
On another note I want to keep everyone updated with the group we've been hiking with. Rapunzel, who we've been hiking with since day 4, is getting off the trail on the 15th of June, just days away. Her original plan was to get off at Harper's Ferry because she is going to Japan in July. We've convinced her to go a few more days to the actual halfway point. Squeegie, Sunbeam, Halfmoon, and Samwise are still with us. Hammock got ahead when we all went to trail days but we're hoping to catch up to him in Pennsylvania. Colonel Mustard is a few days behind us but he'll catch up. Since Trail Days we have also been hiking with a guy named Mississippi. The past few weeks we've also been hiking with three guys named Bison, Mr. Buffalo Man, and Goof. We've actually known them since the Smokies but our groups are usually a few days apart. Longhaul, who we had been hiking with previous to Damascus, lives around the D.C. area and has been doing some amazing trail magic for us. He had to get off the trail because of an infection in his toe which got into the bone. We keep meeting more and more amazing people out here. We're just a big trail family!

Slackpacking

Slackpacking is when some king hearted person agrees to drive your 30-40 lb pack to where you are planning on stopping for the day so that you don't have to carry it. Newt and I slackpacked for the first time the whole trip yesterday, the 26th, and it was AMAZING! We went 20 miles in 7 hours and were skipping on the downhills since we didn't have an extra 30 pounds on our backs trying to break our knees. The kind hearted person was Earl from the Dutch Haus B&B in Montebello. We stayed at Rusty's Hard Time Hollow last night and he is another very kind hearted person who has been letting hikers and bikers stay at his farm since 1982. Today we also hiked 20 miles, with our packs, and almost as fast as we went yesterday. The reason we did this was because we got a late start but we wanted to get to Waynesboro where there is a church hostel that you have to check into by 8pm. We made it, hence the reason I have internet access:) Anyway, our feet hurt really bad but we feel like bad-asses:) Hope to be in Harper's Ferry in a week and a half.

Update

This is an update from Mom and Dad. Yesterday the girls were in Montebello, VA staying at a B&B that had a special hiker rate. They were very excited that the tables turned and it was raining while they have a zero day instead of being beautiful on their zero. They said they have been hiking in gray weather, but not in the rain yet. Harper's Ferry, which is halfway, is still coming up in about 10 days or so. Their group is still together and they are all in good spirits. Thanks for everyone's continued support and good wishes for them.

Trail Days

We got off the trail in Daleville, VA to head back to Damascus for trail days. Trail days is basically a chance for anyone who likes being outdoors and/or has hiked the AT to get together and have a good time for a few days. It's cool for current hikers because we get to see friends that we've made along the trail and maybe haven't seen for awhile. It's also been amazing because the sun has been out for about 5 days straight now! The only rain we've had for awhile was thursday night when we got into Damascus. Thursday was a weird day because we got up extremely early to hike the 9 miles into Daleville so we could be the first people at the pizza hut all you can eat buffet. None of us had slept very well because the shelter was infested with no see ums. We got into Daleville at 10:30am and when pizza hut opened it turned out they didn't have a buffet, a fake pizza hut! We went to the Mexican Restaurant instead and we all had several margaritas before noon so it worked out well in the end. We met some really cool guys doing a section hike and they bought our lunch for us, yay for trail angels! The rest of the day was spent loitering around the interstate interchange area waiting for our ride to show up, which he eventually did around 9pm.
Trail days has been a lot of fun but we're not used to so many people so it will be nice to get back on the trail on Sunday. We're about a week and a half from the Shenandoah's and about 3 weeks to Harper's Ferry.
Hope everyone else is getting to enjoy the nice weather too!

Tinker Cliffs

This picture was taken from McAfee Knob looking over to Tinker Cliffs. We hiked along the ridgeline that you can see

McAfee Knob

back row; Squeegie, Miss Scarlett, Sunbeam, Rapunzel, Recess, Halfmoon
front row; Snorkel, Newt

Dragon's tooth

Rapunzel, Squeegie, Miss Scarlett, Newt, Sunbeam, and Halfmoon

don't do it!

Newt on the Dragon's Tooth

proof of sunshine

I forgot I'm supposed to be updating this for Newt and Miss Scarlett! They had an interesting night Friday night. The weather brought them one thunderstorm after another all night long along with torrential rain. The next morning the trail was a stream - quite handy for filling your water bottle! Luckily Jennifer and Sarah were in a shelter that night. They were behind the rest of their group because they had taken that time out to visit Courtney. I'm not sure how much safer a shelter might be, but the rest of their friends were about five miles ahead in their tents. Everyone made it through the night safe and sound, but sleepless.

Yesterday they had some great trail magic again. A welcome sight after hiking in the rain all day (again). Three very generous ladies built a campfire and cooked lasagna, quesadillas, desserts, etc. The hikers really enjoyed the fire and having some real food. Plus the sun came out while they were visiting with these ladies. Thank you so much to the trail magic angels.

Jennifer called today. She said the mountains have had so much rain that yesterday there was water bubbling up out of the ground at the top of a mountain. Once again a handy place to fill your water bottle.

Okay - that's all the latest news. They will be going back to Damascus, VA this weekend for Trail Days. Hopefully they will be able to update a post while there.

To find their post

Hi everyone,

We just thought it might not be obvious how to find what the girls wrote most recently, or how to find their older postings. As you look through the photos they most recently posted just look at the bottom and click on Older Posts. They have a nice, long update there (Zero day with Courtney) plus you can still see all their previous posts.

sweet shelter

Courtney lives really close to the Greenbrier Inn so we went over for 4 o'clock tea :)

Greenbrier Pool

not what we usually encounter on the trail

Squeegie!

Squeegie being squeegied by Sunbeam :)

how cute!

awwww

We saw several baby ponies in around Grayson Highlands State Park but this one came up and started licking the salt off Jen's leg. yumyum

Ponies in the shelter

new shoes!

Zero day with Courtney

Hello all! Jen and I are taking an off day with our awesome friend Courtney. She came and picked us up from a hostel outside of Pearisburg, VA even though she's at the end of her first year of medical school and had to drive an hour and a half to get there. Yay for friends :) Anyway, we are at mile 615 so we've gone over a quarter of the way. When we look at the entire map of the AT now it's actually a sizeable chunk that we have done. We've been on the trail for almost two months at this point and it still doesn't seem real that we are actually out here getting to live this dream.
We got new shoes in Damascus which have helped our feet immensely! Barbara also took home quite a bit of stuff for us so our packs aren't as heavy anymore. Thanks Barbara :) We've started doing bigger mile days now because of this. A 10 mile day is now easy and 17 to 22 miles is more the norm. David Beams also let us use their house in Damascus for showers and resting our feet. It was the cleanest and most refreshing shower we'd had since we started. He also made us some pretty awesome brownies and took us out for a magnificent lunch.
We had some great weather coming into Damascus and a couple of days out of Damascus. It has started raining again since then but at least it's not as cold now. We're definitely not in a drought anymore! Our sleeping bags that everyone was so skeptical about are keeping us warm and we've sent the liner bags home. They are the envy of the other thru hikers and one girl we're hiking with is even going to get her mom to make her one and have it sent to her on the trail.
All of the amazing people and trail magic that we have encountered have balanced out the rainy days. Just yesterday we met a couple on the trail who were on vacation from New York and they were passing out tootsie rolls and gummies to all the thru hikers. A few days ago a church shuttled about 15 of us hikers to an all you can eat homemade breakfast and they also had a basket of cards so we could write mother's day cards and then they mailed them for us. There is a 65 year old grandmother out here who we have all dubbed Madeline from Maine. She has run a marathon on every continent, including Antartica, and all since she turned 55. The group of healthy early 20 year olds that we're hiking with all started within a few days of March 15 with Jen and I; Madeline from Maine started March 26. Needless to say she was only with us for a few days before she moved on.
Whew, this is such a long post because it's the first time we've had unlimited internet access and there's not a line of hikers waiting to use the computer. We miss everyone and are tired of the rain but we have made a lot of good friends out here and, like I said, the awesomeness that we encounter on the trail outweighs the rain. Next weekend we're hitching back to Damascus for trail days and then we'll probably focus on hiking for awhile ;)
peace

Jennifer called earlier this evening. They are near Bland, VA and still with their core group of fellow hikers. Their feet are feeling much better now in their new boots - especially after eliminating their DownUnders insoles. Not a good recommendation. Super Feet work much better. They are still looking forward to seeing their friend Courtney this week. They will update the blog themselves while at Courtney's.

They had some great trail magic this morning. After hiking about 5 miles from the shelter where they spent Sunday night the hikers came to a road crossing where there were 3 gentlemen waiting with their trucks to shuttle hikers to their church for a hot cooked breakfast (there was a note in the shelter saying this happened on Monday mornings - so they knew it was safe). The kind people at New Hope Union church (Bastian, VA) piled their plates full, shuttled some into town to resupply, and shuttled the rest back to the trailhead. Thanks so much to the folks of this church. Trail magic really fills the bellies and lifts the spirits of the hikers.

I just want to make a quick comment. It was so nice to read the note from Jerry & Judy. It's so neat that you are enjoying the girl's blog, and we appreciate your interest in and prayers for them. I knew that it is a whole community of hikers on the trail, but never thought about the community of parents as well!

April 30, 2009

Hi everyone,

The girls have asked us to keep everyone a little bit updated since they don't have access to a computer all that often. We spoke to them (or attempted to - bad signal) today. They arrived at Partnership Shelter this afternoon. This shelter is right next to the Mt. Rogers NRA headquarters and about 6 miles from Marion, VA. The big excitement about this shelter is that you can call and have pizza delivered to the shelter!!!

So, all is well. Jennnifer and Sarah both bought new hiking shoes versus boots while in Damascus over the weekend. Their boots were really causing their feet to hurt, and the new ones seem to be working out better.

They also got to see a couple of good family friends while in Damascus. David, who along with his wife has a vacation house there, was up mowing and doing chores. He baked brownies for Jennifer and Sarah and let them take showers at the newly remodeled house. Brave man. Our friend Barbara stopped to see them on her way home from visiting her daughter in Roanoke. She had taken the resupply box we keep on hand for the girls (bulk food items, batteries, etc.) and then she "got" to bring home their old boots, smelly winter clothes, etc. Jennifer and Sarah were really happy to get to see both David and Barbara. Thanks to both of you.

Next week they are looking forward to seeing one of their very good friends who is going to pick them up in Pearisburg, take them to her apartment for their favorite chicken casserole, and just have girl time. Hopefully they will be able to update their blog while at Courtney's.

The new photo is Barbara with Jennifer and Sarah.

Damascus, VA!

Writing from Damascus, VA at mile 463... Virginia is the longest state on the trail with 500 something miles of trail - something to look forward to. The weather has warmed up since our last update and we have also had several days of sunshine:) Mom hiked with us from Erwin, TN to road crossing 19E and it was very nice to have her with us. She climbed over Roan Mountain with us which is one of the more difficult sections of the trail. Way to go Mom!!!
We are still having a great time and it has been really awesome to have walked through an entire season. It's now warm and sunny and the flowers are out and everything is green! We have had all types of weather and feel like we could handle anything now (not that we want more snow ;-) We've still got the same group of people that we met in Georgia and we've met more amazing people along the way, some of whom are also hiking with us now. Whoever thought you could find solitude on the AT was crazy, it's just a social scene out here:)
We gave back to the trail a couple of days ago by doing some trail work with the Tennessee Eastman Hiking Club who maintains the trail between Erwin and the state line.
The following pictures are; entering Damascus, the friendliest trail town!
Laurel Falls, TN
Newt and Bob Peoples (he runs the Kincora hostel, which is the coolest one on the trail and gets hikers to do trail work)
Newt, Miss Scarlett, and Trailmom in the Roan Highlands
Digging ramps for dinner, yumyum! onion and garlic