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  1. #1
    Registered User lyagooshka's Avatar
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    Default Maryland in October...

    Greetings all,

    I just wanted to see if there is any interest in knocking out the MD (and I guess WV) part of the AT in October.
    I plan to leave the car in Harpers Ferry (Drive down from Allentown, PA) and get a ride up to the Mason-Dixon line.
    It's about 45 miles, so I am shooting for 3-4 days.
    Not an experienced hiker (I somewhat resemble Katz from Bryson's tale), in fact just started, but hope to state-by-state section hike the AT.
    Was looking to knock out the shortest first (MD, NJ, CT, etc.) with the exception of ME.
    After some experience under my belt, I'd like to do the 100-mile-wilderness before I get too old.

    Any thoughts / ideas would be well appreciated.

    Tango Yankee!

    Alex

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    I just saw the movie for the first time, so resembling Katz is a wonderful image, lol!

    I'm not sure of exactly my timeline, but I believe I'll be making my way through about that time. I'll be starting at Springer in late August. Don't know if that's too ambitious to make it to Harper's Ferry by early October, but I had kind of planned on it. Whatever happens time wise happens, but if it lines up, I'd be willing to try and meet up.

    I'm a new hiker too, though I'm afraid I don't resemble Nolte, or Redford.

  3. #3
    Registered User lyagooshka's Avatar
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    lilgodwin,

    Sounds great.
    I think I am in the army the 8th and 9th.
    I was planning that week or the week of the 16th.
    I'm not sure what your commo will be in the trail, but if you're in the area around the same time, sounds great.
    Even though you're NOBO and I plan to go SOBO, still can high-five in passing.

    Out of curiosity, why starting so late (and HOT)?
    500 miles a month is (especially for me) a fast pace.
    I'm more a cold-blooded individual, so I would absolutely die in the GA heat in August.

    Good luck and be safe.

    Alex

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    Because I don't know any better, lol.

    I'm new to the game, and being from the Florida panhandle, I generally feel unbothered by most temperatures. If I got any real advice on changing my plans, I'd be flexible in doing so. But I see no problem with it at this point in time.

    As far as 'so late', it's just a point in time where I expect to have a couple months to go and enjoy as much as I comfortably can. I have plans to join the army shortly after if I can plan everything accordingly. I haven't really mapped it out, so I don't know the mileage, nor do I know my current hiking speeds/limitations. It's all just guesswork atm.

    Ah! I obviously wasn't paying attention, lol. You are SOBO. Well, I'll be looking for you and the most preplanned and epic high five ever.

  5. #5
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    Suggest going southbound starting at PenMar Park with convenient parking in the gravel lot outside the park gate. I believe the park (Washington County Parks) want you to notify them if parking long term now. Harpers Ferry is a PIA to find a place to park.

    Another benefit to going SOBO is going downhill 1,000' instead of up at Weaverton Cliffs.

    Also suggest (assuming a SOBO hike) picking up water at Gathland State Park for an overnight at Ed Garvey Shelter. This avoids the 1/2 mile steep downhill to the spring (the same downhill you'll do the next day off of Weaverton Cliffs).

    Have a great hike!
    "Chainsaw" GA-ME 2011

  6. #6
    Registered User lyagooshka's Avatar
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    Don,

    Thanks for the advice.
    I was planning to get a ride from a trail-ride service Hapers Ferry to Pen Mar.
    They said they need a week or so prior notice, so this way I would be there when I planned.
    If I hike to HF, I'd be under a time constraint.

    Still, I could just plan for 4 days and if I get it done in 3, I can explore HF and spend an extra night under the stars (or get a hotel).

    Great advice.
    Definitely SoBo for me.
    Then NJ and/or CT in April/May 2017.
    Probably SoBo as well and then the 100 mile wilderness in August 2017.

    Be well

    Alex

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    I did the stretch from the north end of SNP to Southern PA on year in late September/early October. Great hiking but water was a real PITA. We hit a couple of shelters with dry water supplies. If we had known we would have filled up and carried water

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    Yes, water sources can get scarce around here after a dry summer. However, in Maryland you can hit a municipal water source about every 10 miles. So with a little planning you won't even need to treat water.

    Public water sources SOBO from the MD/PA line:

    1226.3 Penman Park, MD/PA line, spigot at bath house
    1136.0 Wolfsville Rd, Ranger's house 0.3 miles down road
    1147.8 Washington Monument State Park, at bath house
    1149.7 Dahlgren Campground, rear of bath house
    1156.9 Gathland State Park, spigot near bath house (also soda machine)
    1166.9 Harpers Ferry

    (2013 AT Guide mileage)
    "Chainsaw" GA-ME 2011

  9. #9
    Registered User lyagooshka's Avatar
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    Awesome.

    Thanks!

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    Looks like you can park at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park visitors center for a fee.

    Check out this post:
    http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/show...-Harpers-Ferry

    I can't make Maryland but would be interested in hiking with you when you do the NY/NJ area.

  11. #11
    Registered User lyagooshka's Avatar
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    Marty T:

    Thanks for the info.
    I hope to get through NJ or CT in April / May of next year.
    I want to stay away from the heat.
    That's why I'm going to try MD in October.

    Thanks again for the info.

    Alex

  12. #12
    Registered User lyagooshka's Avatar
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    Greetings again all.

    Seems I may have a +1 for the MD hike in October.
    So for now it's a fit gentlemen with hiking experience, and me.
    If anyone interested, especially as a last-minute deal, drop me a line.
    As it stands, seems the trip will be October 17th through 20th.
    Planning about 10-12 mile days starting Pen-Mar and finishing in Harper's Ferry.
    Heck, might just knock out 2 states (just to get through the 4 miles of WV while I'm at it).
    Thinking I'll be leaving the car in HF and taking a shuttle up to Pen_Mar.

    Well, let me know.

    Tango Yankee!

    Alex

  13. #13
    Registered User Kaptainkriz's Avatar
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    It is 17.2 miles from Harpers Ferry to the last part of WV...if you want to complete WV.
    http://www.summitpost.org/appalachia...3282#chapter_8

    Quote Originally Posted by lyagooshka View Post
    Greetings again all.

    Seems I may have a +1 for the MD hike in October.
    So for now it's a fit gentlemen with hiking experience, and me.
    If anyone interested, especially as a last-minute deal, drop me a line.
    As it stands, seems the trip will be October 17th through 20th.
    Planning about 10-12 mile days starting Pen-Mar and finishing in Harper's Ferry.
    Heck, might just knock out 2 states (just to get through the 4 miles of WV while I'm at it).
    Thinking I'll be leaving the car in HF and taking a shuttle up to Pen_Mar.

    Well, let me know.

    Tango Yankee!

    Alex
    Plaid is fast! Ticks suck, literally... It’s ok, bologna hoses off…
    Follow my hiking adventures: https://www.youtube.com/user/KrizAkoni
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  14. #14
    Registered User lyagooshka's Avatar
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    According to the chart, I guess that's right.
    I was going by: http://appalachiantrail.org/home/exp.../West-Virginia
    Maybe it winds along the border?
    Anyway, thanks for the heads up.
    Depending on how the 40 miles through MD goes, will see if I will do WV while there.

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