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.”
‘Fire — Good!”
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.
Near West Point, NY
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;
Notice the AT blazes in the foreground.
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.
Odd to go from the woods to civilization to hiking up a mountain again.
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.
Posted in Uncategorized by Tim Liszewski with 1 comment.
Leave a Reply