Tim On The TrailFollow me on my hike

Jun 24th Six States Done, Eight to Go

To catch everyone up on the hike, I need to relate a recent experience.

I had stopped for the night at Ten Mile Shelter in Connecticut, near the Housatonic River.  A couple of local hikers came by and asked questions about thru-hiking.

The last question was: “What’s been your best experience so far on the Trail?”

My reply? Finding out there was a hiker community ready and willing to help if needed.

The questioner was surprised, as he thought hiking the AT was a solitary experience. I thought a moment and said: “It’s both.”

Each hiker chooses how far to go each day. In the last two weeks, I’ve hiked alone, for the most part. Leaving New Jersey and entering New York, I hiked the first 4 miles alone in the rain.

When I had to climb some massive boulders, magically (it seemed), other hikers were around to help — or at least witness my fall and dial 911 if needed.  New York’s welcome on the Trail was a bit harsh.

New York held to that pattern for the next 90-something miles.  When I needed it, help was available.

Along the way, I got to walk through a zoo;

stay on the grounds of a monastery, a landscaping business, and a clothing store; and climb what seems like a mountain (OK, some were big hills) each day.

Connecticut has been easier, but I have run into a core of hikers I first met in West Virginia and Pennsylvania.  It looks like we’ll overlap throughout Massachusetts, which we will enter tomorrow.

That will be six states done, eight to go.

That is, if my knees and bank account allow it.  Thanks for all the support — past, present, and future.

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Jun 22nd Happy Father’s Day Tim! Day 50 on the Trail

[From Maris reporting in for Tim.]

Well it’s day 50 on the trail.  Tim has covered more than 400 miles, 5 states and continues to lose weight (32 lbs. in about 5 weeks).  He also has a salt and pepper beard and mustache.  You can see how much thinner his face is now.

[Don’t worry Jo, (Tim’s mom) he eats well when he gets into towns!]

NJ had some interesting rock formations such as Stairway to Heaven and the Lemon Squeezer (see previous post).  New York was rockier than expected and had some challenges of its own.  Tim survived these challenges and made it to Pawling, New York where he was able to hike a raised boardwalk that led to the Appalachian Trail Railroad that takes people into New York City.

Tim did not make the trip as he has been to NYC before and was enjoying his country experience of watching fireflies light up the night and sitting around a campfire with a father and son out for a week’s hike on the trail.  Tim reported that at the Native Landscapes Garden Center they had a large Amazon parrot that whistled tunes.

Tim is currently headed towards Salisbury, Connecticut and probably has a few more days before he hits Massachusetts and the Berkshires.

Keep on trekking Tim we are with you.

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Jun 13th New York Welcomed Tim with Rocks

…and more rocks!

6/12/15:

This is Maris posting for Tim.  Tim mentioned in a recent post about taking a zero day due to a sore knee and ankle.  He had it checked out by a doctor and he did have a sprain.  He is now wearing a knee brace and wrapping his ankle with an ace bandage and he says it feels better.  He has not been able to hike as quickly and is frustrated by his slowed pace.  He continues to make friends and have incredible trail magic including being able to stay for free at a hotel in Fort Montgomery, NY courtesy of Johnny Gold.  Thanks!

Tim has hiked about 380 miles so far and has about 55 miles left to go in NY.

 

He survived the Lemon Squeezer in NY, an unusual rock formation in Harriman State Park approximately seven miles long.  At first, the trail passes under a giant boulder resting precariously on top of other rocks.  After passing this point the true nature of the Lemon Squeezer becomes apparent as the hiker suddenly gets “squeezed” through a path that is three feet high, one foot wide, and angled 15 degrees.  Beyond are still more interesting rock formations where pine trees grow on top of a thin rock ceiling above the path.

He is camping out tonight at the Graymoor Spiritual Center underneath rainy skies.  Hike on Time — we are with you.

 

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Jun 13th Rock Stairway

[From Maris]

6/7/15:

This is Tim not too happy to be starting his morning with a 2-mile climb up rock stairs called “Stairway to Heaven” outside Vernon NJ.  He is heading to Wawayanda Shelter about 5 miles away.

Said he saw a black bear this morning right at the start…that will get ya going!

6/10/15:

Tim reported in after a short day climbing up more rocks and a beautiful waterfall.

 

 

I am excited that he is now in NY and is headed

toward Bear Mtn. State park, which is where my family and I spent many summers camping — never knew the Appalachian Trail was there!

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Jun 5th Zero Days

Hi All. Every once in awhile, hikers need to take a break. For the most part, I’ve tried to do that by only hiking 5 or 6 miles and taking the afternoon off.

My ankle, however, has decided for me that today is a full day off.  I don’t know when — could have been in the Pennsylvania rocks, or the New Jersey rocks (with rain) — but my right ankle and knee have started hurting enough to slow my hiking to 10 miles a day.

Time to have a day with zero miles, get the leg some rest, and catch a shower. I’m in Vernon, NJ, at the St. Thomas Episcopal Church, which has a hiker hostel. They graciously offer part of their meeting room for us to sleep in, have a shower, and get out of bad weather. There’s even a Wi-Fi connection.

I should be past the New York border on Sunday, if the ankle cooperates. Thanks for following the adventure, and don’t be shy about commenting.

Tim (Day 34 on the AT)

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Jun 1st Some Quick Stats

[May 31] This is Maris reporting in:
It’s been 4 weeks today since Tim started his hike.  He has covered more than 280 miles, lost 22 pounds and walked, fallen and cursed at more rocks, and boulders than he ever would have imagined.  He blew out one pair of hiking boots crossing the rocks of PA but has a new pair now that seem to be doing the trick.

He has hiked through West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and is headed into New Jersey and New York as the AT crosses back and forth in these two states.

Keep on going Tim…one rock at a time.

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Jun 1st Headed into Delaware Water Gap

Trail happenings..as reported to Maris:
On Thursday May 28th, Tim saw a deer quietly browsing alongside the trail.  It showed no fear and she and Tim shared a moment of quiet reflection and communion on the state of the world.  Friday morning after sharing his bananas and cream oatmeal with Monk,

Tim left the shelter and headed onto the trail and saw another deer.   He said this one also just stood and stared and did not run off.

So far he has seen: deer, snakes, chipmunks, squirrels, birds, and a porcupine.  We hear tales of bear in NJ and New York.  Stay tuned…

And as always if you’d like to help, Tim’s Indiegogo is still running.  Thanks for all the support!

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May 31st Friends In Deed

People who know me know I often do things my own way, often by myself.  It takes a lot for me to ask for help.

That’s a subject I have done some thinking about recently.  Hiking the AT, everyone needs help one time or another.

I’ve needed help more than others.  First came Blissful, who helped me see reality by trimming 15 pounds from my pack.  She also sold me a 2-pound tent that served me well in my first thunderstorm.

Bill and Spice Girl showed me how to wear my pack better, allowing me to hike farther each day.  Recently, I did my personal best — 17 miles.

Piston has helped me trim my pack load even more, and has offered encouragement when I needed it.

Treehugger and Bad Brad shared knowledge and equipment.  Tree gave me a hiking pole (I’d done the first 150 miles without one) that has saved me from serious falls.  Brad donated to my crowd sourcing efforts for better equipment.

There was the couple who shared a sandwich with me when I was hungry and low after a rough day on the PA rocks, and the man who gave me cash outside a candy store in Duncannon when there was no ATM around.

Tejas helped me cross the Knife’s Edge, a dangerous rock formation that I had to traverse with duct-taped boots.  He even provided the tape — and some super glue.

Another couple near Palmerton saw a poor, bedraggled hiker and fed me a lunch of cheeseburgers, potato salad and a cherry coke — just what I’d wanted (especially the potato salad) on Memorial day.

Yesterday was a long hike with few water sources.  A man who had through-hiked 2 years ago crossed my path, saying he knew about the hydration problem in that stretch of trail.  He then handed me a 32-ounce Powerade drink that helped me make it to the shelter.  Thanks, Shepherd.

Thanks to all who have contributed to this effort.  And thanks most of all to Maris and Barbara for logistics support and morale boosting.

For those reading this, please comment on the line between self-reliance and asking for help.

Posted in Uncategorized by Tim Liszewski with 1 comment.

May 27th Trials and Tribulations On the Trail

This is Maris reporting in for Tim. I’m supposed to stick to the facts with less narrative so here goes:

15 mile hike to Eckville shelter Sunday May 24th. After 7 miles on assorted rocks and boulders Monday, Tim’s left hiking boot bit the dust and fell apart from all the wear and tear.

His friend Piston duct taped it and they were able to hike 6 more miles to a camping site where Tim contacted Brenda, (a Trail Angel — good deed doer for hikers) and arranged for a ride to a K-Mart for a quick temporary pair.

Tim will Hike 12 miles on Tuesday into Walnut Port, PA where Brenda will pick him up. Tim and Piston will spend a night in town regrouping and then continue on the trail.

Thanks to all who are reading this and supporting our intrepid hiker both in spirit and in currency.

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May 27th Days 18 – 20 Doings [May 23]

[Report from Maris]:

Was happy to get to speak to Tim with uninterrupted cell service twice these past two days. He has been hiking up and down some pretty steep mountains including a one mile uphill hike to the 501 shelter in PA where he spent Thursday evening. He described some lovely fields of ferns he walked past

and was pleased that the hike leveled out as they got closer to Port Clinton. Only drawback was a very steep downhill on stone steps.

Tim stayed in Port Clinton Friday eve. Was glad to have a chance to take a shower and wash clothes at the Port Clinton Hotel where his trail friend ‘Pogoe’ (Will), had a room. Saturday night Tim will be sleeping under the shelter of the Pavilion in town with several other through hikers.

I was pleased that Tim was able to receive a mail drop package I sent with some goodies of mint tea bags, gear ties, an inflatable solar light and some snacks.

He’s hiked about 200 miles so far, still has a bad blister on his left foot and his right ankle is swollen. He met up with my best friend, Dr. Marci and her daughter Audrey on Saturday, who were meeting up with friends for a two day camp out at Locust Lake. She checked him out and confirmed it is swollen but no infection. She prescribed rest and staying off it but we both knew the patient would not heed that advice!  They brought Tim some wonderful trail magic — a wind breaker, apples and most delicious Snickers bars.  Thanks Marci!

Sunday (5/24) Tim, Pogoe and Piston will hit the trail by 8 am for a 15 mile slack pack to the Eckville Shelter with Pogoe’s wife transporting their packs. They will then hike about 17 miles to Bake Oven Knob shelter.

Fingers crossed for dry weather but plenty of springs for water.  Keep your eyes on the trail…..

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