Altitude Sickness

Posted on November 15, 2012 by

Reblogged from Megan Goes West:

Click to visit the original post

The view in town.

Sam and I made it to Telluride and got all settled in. It's really pretty here. There's views of the mountains almost everywhere you go, and the sun had been shining everyday.

The downside? Altitude sickness! I've been getting out of breath just from walking up the stairs, and I've been sleeping 10 or 11 hours every night.

Read more… 52 more words

I met Megan Maxwell (Hashbrown) on the Appalachian Trail this past spring and am proud to call her a fellow 2012 AT thru-hiker. It's great that she is continuing to live her dreams. You go girl and have a great life!
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October 9, 2012 Katahdin Summit – 2,184 Miles Behind Me

Posted on October 31, 2012 by

High Noon Summit on Mt Katahdin

This has been the most difficult post to sit down and write because it signifies the end of my 2,184 mile Appalachian Trail (AT) adventure (fundraising will continue to the end of the year.)   Hiking the AT was the hardest thing I ever did, but definitely one of the most gratifying. I pushed myself physically everyday for 10 – 12 hours of hiking with a backpack that weighed 40 – 45 pounds. Rock climbs and fast flowing stream crossings that I encountered while hiking alone gave me pause and sometimes the fear of injury, possibly fatal, had to be overcome before any attempt. This was never easy, but it had to be done since turning around and quitting was never an option.

So let me tell you a bit about the 100-Mile Wilderness. It was so much more than I had expected, as was Maine in general. Because of the annual snow fall and ice flows in Maine, the MATC does not build bridges to cross the streams as a rule. As a matter of fact, there were only four bridges on the AT, that I recall, in all of Maine. Two were proper wooden bridges and one of those two was in Baxter State Park, one was just a 30 inch or so wide piece of metal that was at a 35 degree angle, three-feet high, and the fourth one was really just two logs that were lopsided and dangerous looking that suspended four feet over the water (I opted to walk through the stream there.) This lack of bridges made fording sometimes multiple cold streams daily. The depth of the streams varied from mid-calf to waist high and the current always had fast and rushing areas, which sometime flowed over large slippery rocks that couldn’t be walked on, but around with difficulty. I was thankful that on a day I had five streams to ford that I wasn’t alone for the first one, the Little Wilson, as it was the widest though not the most dangerous ford of the day. It required that I borrow a hiking pole from one of my fellow hikers (thanks Stonedancer, Butch and Birdman for being there.)  The most dangerous ford of the day was at Long Pond Stream and I was totally alone. The water was over waist high and the current was flowing dangerously fast. There was a nylon rope strung across the stream, tree to tree, and had submerged stepping stones that I couldn’t see as I made my way across. I held tightly to the nylon rope and inched my way across until my feet slipped out from under me and my butt hit the water. Then as I repeated to myself, “don’t let go”, I moved my hands on the rope millimeter by millimeter until I reached the far side. I would have most likely been swept away and drowned if I let go. I videoed the stream, but incorrectly called it by another name.

The evening of the day I forded Long Pond Stream I was delighted to discover Tinkerbell, Bender, Shine and some other of my hiker buddies at the Barren Ledges cowboy camping. The sunset views were amazing and truly made my day. I got my tent set up just past the ledges as it was getting dark and enjoyed a hot meal under the stars.

On October 8th I reached Baxter State Park after a short 4.5 mile hike from Abol Bridge campground. I woke to a very cold morning and could see that Katahdin had gotten snow while I slept. Mike met me with a 20-ounce Sam Adams Oktoberfest beer and a picnic lunch that we enjoyed before heading to Millinocket for the night. We returned on the 9th for my long awaited Katahdin summit. I made the summit just as the sun was hitting the noon position. Life is good!

The Appalachian Trail was my home for six months, 3 weeks and 2 days. My fellow hikers were my family and will always hold a very special place in my heart. I am glad to be home again with my dear husband and loving cats, Kimba and Little Bit. And it’s something to realize that I spent part of winter, spring, summer and fall on the AT this year. My lovely flower garden was past its prime when I got home and the leaves were falling from the trees in our yard.

I can’t just pick up where I left off when I left Denver because I am not the same person I was before this adventure. Like most of my other AT hiker friends I am experiencing a re-entry phase, which isn’t always comfortable. I realize it just takes time to integrate the changes I’ve made into the life I returned to. I know it will be slow and I’m good with that and just trying to enjoy the process.

I will be posting more pictures on Facebook at AT Jann 2012 and videos on YouTube at FitJann. And as I said, the fundraising will continue until the end of the year. Thanks to all of you who have already made a donation to support my cause, building a new Fisher House in Denver. If you haven’t made a donation yet, please make a $21.84 donation today (or $218.84 or whatever you can.)

                                         Mt Katahdin from Abol Bridge Campground

And remember, Life is an adventure – Live it!

Posted in Appalachian Trail, Barren Ledges, Denver Fisher House Fundraising, Long Pond Stream, Maine, Mt Katahdin, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Monson Maine ~ the Last Outpost Before Katahdin

Posted on September 30, 2012 by

Well dear friends I’ve made it all the way to Monson, Maine. I’m 114 miles from the top of Mt Katahdin, and then I will joyfully return the 5.2 miles to the Katahdin Stream Campground to meet my dear husband who is meeting me to take me back home.  Only the 100 Mile Wilderness stands between me and the completion of my 25-year life dream.

Katahdin, the highest peak in Maine, the cente...

Katahdin, the highest peak in Maine, the centerpiece of Baxter State Park, and the Northern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Let me tell you about Maine. It’s beautiful! The leaves are changing color and falling from the trees. I am loving it all, except all of the river fording that I have had to do since I arrived in Maine. My boots have been wet more than dry since I crossed the NH and ME border so I am especially grateful that my husband sent my water shoes to Monson, along with a new filter cartridge for my Katadyn Hiker Pro water filter. It may take me a little longer to make each river fording in the Wilderness, but at least my boots will remain dry as long as it doesn’t rain (after yesterday and today’s rain the forecast is clear for at least 3 days).

I can’t tell you how much I have truly enjoyed this adventurous experience. It has been the most difficult thing I have ever done and sometimes it’s been downright painful, okay – a lot of times it has been painful. Scrapes, scratches, bumps and bruises ~ I have some of each, but I survived and actually I’ve thrived. But truth to tell, I am ready to go home and enjoy the comfort of my own bed every night and the company of my husband and two cats. I do hope they remember me when I get home.

Over the past 6.5 months I have spent most days hiking by myself for ten to twelve hours. It has been amazing to see what I’ve seen and to scale the obstacles and mountains along the way. If someone told me before I started all of the scary and some time dangerous parts of the trail I would have to manage, I might have just decided it was too much for me; thankfully that didn’t happen. And when I did get to a scary dangerous part, I just had to do it because I couldn’t go back. I just kept going forward for each and every one of my fellow veterans, all who gave some and some who gave all for me (us) and the freedom I (we) enjoy.

Every morning I say a special “Good Morning Richard” as I step onto the trail  for the day. And sometimes when it gets especially difficult I asked Richard for his strength. Richard and his wife were guests at the Denver Fisher House while I was the manager there. He was quiet and reserved while he went through his treatment; his wife was a blessing to the other guests. She was helpful to the other guests and always a pleasure to be around. Together they were an inspiration to me and I am sure to many others who knew them at the Fisher House and in their hometown. Richard passed on last year, but his spirit has been with me since I left home in March to start my adventure on the Appalachian Trail.

Donations

Donations (Photo credit: Matthew Burpee)

I am so grateful for all of the people who have already made a donation for my fundraising efforts for a new Denver Fisher House. If you have been thinking about making a donation, but haven’t done so yet, please make one today. Your donation is 100% tax deductible and goes directly to the Fisher House Foundation for the new 20-room Denver Fisher House. Please make a donation of $21.84, $218.40, or any amount that suits your fancy. Use this link and make the donation at the bottom of the page (don’t leave my Active donation page before making the donation or it won’t come through my account and I won’t know of your generosity.) If you have made a donation, and didn’t receive a personal thank you from me, this must have happened. Please let me know so I can notify the Foundation and get it straight; and of course more importantly I can thank you.

Posted in Appalachian Trail, Denver Fisher House Fundraising, Goals, Maine, rain | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Hampshire is Behind Me and so is Mahoosuc Notch – Thank Goodness

Posted on September 17, 2012 by

Long ago and far away when I was in Georgia, hiking the trail and talking to other experienced hikers, I was given the admonition about the White Mountains. Those who knew them told me to give myself extra time to get through them because they were tougher and of course too beautiful to rush through. So when I was in the Shenandoah National Park and was interviewed by Healed (a prior AT multi-time thru-hiker) I told him I wasn’t thinking about how I would feel when I reached Katahdin, but was a bit worried about making it through the White Mountains. I shouldn’t have given it a second thought.

 

Here is my reality: The White Mountains were beautiful; and I was

 

Mount Madison seen from Mount Adams' summit, W...

Mount Madison seen from Mount Adams’ summit, White Mountains, NH (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

lucky to hike up from Franconia Notch and over the ridge on a beautiful day before the rain started and fell for two days straight. Then I was even luckier to hike from Mizpah Hut to Madison Hut, over Mount Washington, on the best day of the year. The wind picked up the next day as I hiked up and over Mount Madison and across the ridge, and the rain didn’t really get hard until I got to the Joe Dodge Lodge. Thank goodness I had arranged a zero day at the White Mountain Lodge and Hostel and was picked up out of the torrential downpour. That day the winds were 40 – 50 mph on Mt. Madison and the ridge, and 80 mph on and around Mt. Washington.

 

There are some straight up and straight down rocky, boulder hopping  sections in the Whites, but for the most part it is all just long rocky hiking days. There are some great views and I was blessed with clear days for most of the days that I was on the trail.

 

I left Rutland, Vermont and hiked through to Hanover, NH to pick up my resupply package. I didn’t take a zero, but my first hike day was just over a mile since I had so much running (actually busing) around to get things squared away. I received 4 boxes at the post office and had 3 boxes to send out. I didn’t get my next zero until September 8, in Gorham, NH right before finishing the last 2 days in the Whites.

 

I arrived in Maine on the 13th and was greeted with a difficult day, then got up on the 14th and was slammed with the most difficult, dangerous and scary day I experienced on the Appalachian Trail. I am talking about the one-mile expanse of Mahoosuc Notch.

 

Rugged terrain of the trail.

Rugged terrain of the trail. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

OMG it took me 3 hours to make it through the notch and then I had to go straight up Mahoosuc Arm. When I arrived at the Old Speck Pond Shelter, some 5.1 miles in a 7-hr hiking day, I was exhausted, bruised, scratched and very sore. I was in for the night by 6:33pm and slept well.

 

So here I am in Andover, ME about 35 miles inside the border. I am taking a zero day at the Pine Ellis Hiker Lodge. It’s a modest old home that is so comfortable for tired hikers. Ilene and David are friendly and very helpful. I was so grateful to see David waiting for me at the South Arm Road when I got there. Thankfully the trail opened up yesterday and I was able to hike for 14.5 miles.

The image shows a sign on the Appalachian Trai...

The image shows a sign on the Appalachian Trail at the northern trailhead of the 100-Mile Wilderness giving the following warning: “CAUTION. IT IS 100 MILES SOUTH TO THE NEAREST TOWN AT MONSON. THERE ARE NO PLACES TO OBTAIN SUPPLIES OR HELP UNTIL MONSON. DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS SECTION UNLESS YOU HAVE A MINIMUM OF 10 DAYS SUPPLIES AND ARE FULLY EQUIPPED. THIS IS THE LONGEST WILDERNESS SECTION OF THE ENTIRE AT AND ITS DIFFICULTY SHOULD NOT BE UNDERESTIMATED. GOOD HIKING! MATC” (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Now I am looking forward to a 5-day hike to Stratton; 6-days to Monson; and then 8-days through the 100-Mile Wilderness and to the Birches Lean-to and Campground. Weather permitting I should summit on October 9, 2012.

 

Posted in Appalachian Trail, Denver Fisher House Fundraising, Maine, new Hampshire, rain, Vermont | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

I LoVermont

Posted on August 23, 2012 by
Rutland, Vermont

Rutland, Vermont (Photo credit: Dougtone)

I entered Vermont last week and was automatically on the Long Trail, which the Appalachian Trail follows for 105 miles. I will be leaving the Long Trail when I get back on the trail tomorrow, but I know I will return to finish the rest of the Long Trail within the next few years. If I am not mistaken the Vermont Long Trail is about 273 miles and goes up the length of Vermont, from the Massachusetts border to the Canadian border. There has been a bit of everything in Vermont and I am loving it all.

I stopped in Manchester Center for a post office pick-up and stayed the night at the Green Mountain House Hostel, which was absolutely fantastic. It was an entire house for hikers. It was so CLEAN and well cared for ~ thanks Jeff. Awaiting every hiker was a pint of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. I love me some Cherry Garcia ~ Yum! Thankfully I went to the grocery store before going to the hostel because my resupply box was not at the post office when I got there. I figured I had just enough food with me for three days, so I pushed myself the 50 miles to Rutland to buy 3 more days of food to get me the 46 miles to Hanover, NH.

I got to the Yellow Deli and Hiker Hostel at 23 Center Street in Rutland last night and was so wonderfully surprised by how nice and clean it was; and how fantastic the people are who run it as a labor of love. Dinner was a fantastic eggplant parmesan at Sal’s Italian Restaurant. Life is good!

I’m less than 10 miles from the 1700 mile mark and I am psyched. It is hard to believe that I have come this far on my own two leg, except my feet will attest to the fact with gusto.

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1516 miles and the Kindness of Strangers

Posted on August 8, 2012 by

This past week has been one of wonder, pain and great beauty. Coming over the Hudson River and through the rest of New York was challenging. I remember a difficult day where I was very tired and overcome with doubt. I sat down dejected on a rock for a break and a wonderful young woman named Purple Rain came by and asked how I was doing. As my emotions were right on the surface I just let all of the pain and frustration out in words and tears. Purple Rain sat down and listened to me; and when I had let it out and was ready to walk on, she was there with me for two days of female fellowship. The Universe heard my cries and answered my unspoken prayers – for this I am eternally grateful.

As I walked through Connecticut and into Massachusetts I was taken by its rugged beauty. It is really quite breath-taking and I am afraid my pictures won’t do it justice, but you should see them anyway.

I had the good fortune of spending a night at the Bearded Woods Hostel near Cornwall Bridge, CT. Hudson and Big Lu are fantastic hosts. They made every hiker feel special and cared for; and served a big Thanksgiving dinner in August. The hostel is all brand new, clean and very comfortable. I would recommend it to every thru-hiker, NOBO and SOBO alike.

Yesterday I hiked thirteen miles over Mt Race and Mt Everett. I was surprised at how rugged the terrain was and how sore and tired my feet were at the end of the day. A Facebook friend had given me the name and number of someone who might be able to assist me in Great Barrington, MA. I made a call a few days ago and was invited for a short stay. I was picked up just off the trail and taken to the home of the father of a past hiker who has a soft spot for our kind. It was my great good fortune that I arrived on the day of a farewell party and was able to enjoy the fellowship of some of his friends and family and some fantastic food. Life is good and full of surprises.

I will be back on the trail tomorrow morning. I have a four-day hike to my next resupply town. I’ve been warned that the terrain gets tougher as I get closer to New Hampshire. I do feel up to the challenge and believe I can make the next 668 miles to Mount Katahdin, Maine.

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1400 Miles in 18 Weeks

Posted on July 28, 2012 by

 The past 5 weeks have been wonderful, yet very difficult. I have not been able to post on my blog due to a lack of access to a computer, but there are lots of pictures posted on my Facebook page. The AT is so much more than I ever thought it would be. I am much stronger than I thought I was and miss my home and family more than I expected.

Since my last post I shared a week of hiking on the trail with my friend Jenny. It was a real treat to actually hike with someone for a change. It made the hard parts a bit easier and the beautiful scenes so much nicer because they were shared. I also had a wonderful anniversary visit with my husband; we went to the Gettysburg National Battlefield Park and Washington, DC for a couple of days. I was even able to share some trail magic when I got back on the trail on July 5th, in Mt Holly Springs, PA. The rocks on the trail  in Pennsylvania were over-abundant and painful.

When I arrived in Duncannon, PA it was 104 degrees and my brain was fried. It took over

Duncannon, Pennsylvania near where the Appalac...

Duncannon, Pennsylvania near where the Appalachian Trail crosses the Susquehanna River (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

an hour at the Doyle (one beer and one big glass of ice-cold water) before I could even think about getting something to eat. I was rewarded with a fantastic veggie burger and fries and then the Bash at Billville by the river was a great way to end the day and hang out with some other hikers and past thru-hikers. Thanks Trailangel Mary and all the rest!

Climbing over many rocks and boulders in PA was tricky and earned me more than one bruise, but I did it and made it through the state. Water was very scarce and I was surprised not to find more water magic on the trail near roadways.

The Church of the Mountain Hostel in Delaware Water Gap was a great respite for us weary thru-hikers and Guitarman was there to provide magic rides all over the town and beyond. The hostel at ST. Thomas Episcopal church in Vernon, NJ was a real treat and I was picked up by a limo driver and taken back to the trail on my way out-of-town.

I had to get off the trail in NJ to get to the VA for some medical treatment, but was able to make up the time off before getting off in NY due to severe weather. After getting back on in Greenwood Lake and hiking two days I was again forced off due to torrential rains. I found my way to a road and waved down a car. The driver didn’t see me, but one of the passengers did and they came back and picked me up. I was soaked to the skin and my clothes were dripping, but my fellow hikers (not thru-hikers) gave me a ride in to Mahwah, NJ and I am again trying to dry out and hope to find a ride back to the trail tomorrow weather permitting. Finding a hotel in the pouring rain in strange territory was not easy and I’ve ended up about 15 miles from the trail and not an easy place to hitch from. Cross your fingers that I will be able to get a ride that won’t break the bank.

I have ten weeks left to cover just a bit over 784 miles to get to Mt. Katahdin, ME and I know there is more tricky terrain to cover that will require my strength and courage. Completing the Appalachian Trail as a thru-hiker is not for the faint of heart or for sissies.

I can’t tell you how much I am looking forward to getting home to my husband and cats; and seeing my new grandson for the first time. This adventure has been way more than I ever expected and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Hiking the AT is a 25-year dream that requires a big commitment. One must really know why they are doing it, otherwise it could be given up along the way.

If you have not yet made a donation to the Denver Fisher House, please do so now. I can’t tell you how great it feels when I get an e-mail telling me that a donation has been made. Thanks so much for your generosity and care for our military families.

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Three Months Already?

Posted on June 17, 2012 by
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia.

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It is amazing and hard to believe that I’ve been on the Appalachian Trail for three months already. I know I hit the 962 mile mark at VA 522 in Front Royal, Va. yesterday and will hit the psychological half way point at Harper’s Ferry, WV in a mere 4 days. Every day just builds on the previous day and I’m content and happy to get up in the morning and hit the trail again.

I left the Shenandoah National Park yesterday and can tell you honestly I am glad to leave it. Even though the forest is thick and lush most of the way it seemed claustrophobic due to the close proximity of the Skyline Parkway that curves its way through the park and closely follows the AT. There is too much traffic noise, more day hikers, and fewer camping spots that aren’t close to the shelters.

I have several videos that I am uploading to YouTube* today. 360 degree views from the top of the mountains, bears running from the trail in the Shenandoah NP, deer in my camp and eating along the trail, and the dung beetle pushing a ball of dog doo on the trail (now that was a sight I never thought I would see).

I’ve uploaded lots of pictures to my AT Jann 2012 Facebook page. I get a kick out of the snails, millipedes, a bear butt, and other critters that also use the trail. I make a real point of not stepping on any of them even if it makes my walk a bit slower. It dawned on me that we must not have snails in Denver because it is so dry there.

Yesterday I met Healed, a former seven time thru-hiker, at a parking lot. In addition to providing wonderful trail magic, he was making a video documentary. I was honored to be asked to be interviewed and was brought to tears when asked about my thoughts on reaching Mt Katahdin. I realize it’s three months away, but the thought of being done with a life-long dream is bitter sweet.

My next big adventure on the trail is hiking from Harper’s Ferry with my dear friend Jenny. She’s coming out for her first week-long section hike on the AT. She may think she’s just coming for a week on the trail, but I know she’ll get hooked and want to return every year until she too has the 2,184 mile AT completed. We’ve spent hours on the phone over the past couple of months going over her preparation questions and concerns. It will be a new experience for me to hike with someone everyday since I am so used to hiking alone. But we’ve spent many wonderful hours running and walking on paths around Denver, this will be so comfortable for me to continue our conversation.

Jenny will be with me when I hit the physical half way point on the AT. I feel the second half of this adventure is going to be different from the first half. My friend Kokopelli will be a week ahead of me when I get back on the trail and the number of thru-hikers will dip a bit more as I hike through the northern mid-Atlantic states, heading for New England.

* You Tube is not cooperating today, I will add the videos as I can. If you subscribe to the channel you will be notified when new videos are uploaded.

 

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Memorial Day and Week Eleven

Posted on May 29, 2012 by

I observed Memorial Day as a day of rest after a 92-mile week on the trail. It rained the first 4 days out of Pearisburg, but the sun shone brightly the last three days. I was fortunate that it was dry and sunny as I crossed the Dragons Tooth, a large rock formation that took some real maneuvering to descend. I reached the 700 mile mark shortly before hitting McAfee Knob, which was another larger rock formation with a great long-range view of Roanoke, VA. I spent some time at the knob – see the pictures on my AT Jann 2012 Facebook page. The sun was starting to descend as I arrived at Tinker’s Cliff. I grabbed a few pictures before making my way down to my last tenting site for the week just past 7:00pm. Some days are longer than others, but they are all filled with wonder.

Yesterday, as I enjoyed my zero day in Daleville, VA I did some planning ahead to ensure it was possible to get to Harper’s Ferry by June 20th, where I am planning on meeting a friend who is going to join me for a week on the trail for her first “section” on the AT. I also got the time set aside to celebrate my eleventh anniversary with my dear husband. I will be near the half-way mark when I start back on the trail after our time together in Pennsylvania. To say I am looking forward to our reunion is quite the understatement.

I counted the weeks on the trail yesterday and was surprised to find that I had been out for just over 10 weeks. We will hit the 800 mile mark about the time we hit the end of week 11 on the AT. This week we will hit 95 miles this week.

 Taking a break on a holiday only messed up the post office pick-up. Daleville is a “trail” town and the outfitters opened for a few hours yesterday and I was able to get my new tent shipped from REI. The UPS store was also open for a short day and I could send my old tent back. This morning the sun is shining and I am just waiting for the post office to open so I can pick up my re-supply box for the week. Life is good and I am hoping to be back on the trail by 9am.

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Still Going Strong

Posted on May 21, 2012 by

I’m tired this morning after my zero day and two nights in a real bed. My left knee is a bit sore and I’m hoping I don’t get yet another crazy and painful charlie horse in my left calf today as I head out of Pearisburg this morning. Backpacking is hard work; and ten to twelve-hour days are more the rule than the exception. It has rained more than 10 percent of the time on the trail and I really prefer dry boots to wet and soggy one.

Okay, so now that all of the painful facts are out there I have to admit I really am still going strong on the Appalachian Trail. I’ve completed 630 miles in two months and have 1554 more mile to hike before this dedicated thru-hiker reaches Mount Katahdin and is done with a dream of a life time.

It’s amazing how every day is both different and the same. Beautiful ups and downs. Multiple shades of green and flowers that reappear as I head north. Following the spring as I head north.

Some of my fellow hikers are starting back on the trail with me after having taken a few days off trail to enjoy the festivities of Trail Days in Damascus, Va. I decided to push through this year and return to enjoy it next year after I have completed my quest and reached Katahdin before the snow closes the mountain. I may be slow, but I am determined and have endurance beyond my own belief. More importantly I believe in the mission of the Denver Fisher House and my fellow veterans and their families who rely on the Fisher House when they come to Denver for medical care.

Alrighty now! I’m off for another 92 miles this week before my next zero day on Monday in Daleville, Va. Have a great week and please consider supporting my cause by making a donation to the Denver Fisher House.

Posted in Appalachian Trail, Denver Fisher House Fundraising, Goals, rain | Tagged , , | Leave a comment