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| My Appalachian Trail Section-hikes (click below for details) |
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MAINE
1980: JoMary Rd to Katahdin.....54.3 1996: JoMary Rd to Long Pond
Stream ...........................43.3
1996: Long Pond Stream to
Rt 15..............................14.4
1995: Moxie Pond to Rt 15.........24.0
>>>Rt 201 to moxie Pond<<<
1973: Rt 201 to Rt 27................40.1
1972: Rt 17 to Rt 27..................37.5
1975: Rt 26 to Rt 17..................33.3
1976: Rt 2 NH to Rt 26...............23.9
NEW HAMPSHIRE
1997: Rt 2 to Carter Notch.........15.2
1997: Carter Notch to Pinkham
Notch..............................5.9
1997: Pinkham Notch to
Crawford Notch...............26.0
1997: Dartmouth Skiway to
Crawford Notch...............79.3
1998: Dartmouth Skiway to
Etna Rd..........................11.4
2003: Etna Rd to Hanover .......... 6.0
VERMONT
1998: Hanover to Rt 12
........................................22.2
.......................................128.4
MASSACHUSETTS
.........................................14.0
MA/CT/NY
........................................194.6
NY/NJ/PA
2001 Arden NY to Boiling Springs PA ..........................................266.1
PA/MD
2003 Harpers Ferry WV to
Boiling Springs PA..................98.7
WV/VA
2002 Waynesboro to Harpers Ferry
.........................................147.4
VA/GA
1976: Springer Mtn to Waynesboro Va
.........................................833.9
TOTAL TO DATE.... 2113.9 miles
(more or less!)
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Vermont, 1999. Rt 12 to N Adams MA. 7 days, 128.4 miles
This was my first Ultralight backpacking trip. My pack weighed 23 pounds including 5 days of food and 20oz of fuel.
My base pack weight was 11.5 lbs
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Saturday, August 28. Route 2 to Gifford Woods State Park, 19.3 miles.
12:30, stopped for lunch at Stoney Brook. Mostly sunny day after morning drizzle. Have met 11 people hiking north so far today. All but 3 are thru-hiking. One guy is from New Zealand, flew over here to hike the AT.
Have made real good milage without really trying, hiked 13 miles since 6:50 AM. I think I'll push on to Kent Pond or Gifford Woods. Should be able to hike another 5-6 miles today.
5:45 PM, am cooking supper at Gifford Woods State Park. I splurged... $15.00 for a lean-to! Had a cold Pepsi too... Hiked 19.3 miles today, plus .2 on side trail to the Look-out, not bad... This afternoons hiking was slower. Ran out of gas... but feel fine as I write this. Cooking Lipton Creamy Garlic Noodles....ummm smells good.
My knee brace works well, no problem other than it bunching up behind my knee. Put a piece of moleskin there to prevent a blister, or, rubbing my skin raw... we'll see. My right knee told me it's there today, nothing serious though.
I am writing this on the picnic table in front of the lean-to when all of a sudden..."BONK". I'm sitting under an apple tree, and every once and a while an apple falls!
Passed a lot of north-bounders today. The woods are full of 'em.
I feel so good tonight. This ultralight hiking thing is sooooo cool! The last time I backpacked 19 miles in a day was 1976 when I was 19 years old. Let's see what tomorrow brings.
Sunday, August 29. Gifford Woods to Clarendon Shelter, 17.7 miles.
Left Gifford at 7AM. Slept well, nice quiet place. My lower back hurt bad this morning when I got up. First hour of hiking was tough. Thoughts of going home. Felt better by the time I started up Killington. Spent a long time talking with the caretaker at Cooper Lodge.
The woods remind me of Maine again, spruce and fir. I feel at home. Ate lunch at Governor Clement shelter. A large group of college kids from Tufts showed up for lunch too. They gave me an apple and some pita bread.
Started to tire around 2 PM, not as bad as yesterday though. Around 3PM the sky clouded up and that made up my mind that the next shelter would be home for the night. I had thoughts of camping out at Clarendon Gorge... but... tired and threat of rain...
Washed my socks and feet! Man these polypro socks stink like hell. I could hardly stand myself. Clean feet, clean socks, life is good.
Feel good tonight. Just think, this morning I was thinking of going home!
Monday August 30. Clarendon shelter to Lost Pond shelter. 18.6 miles.
Did not sleep well last night. Tossed and turned. I was cold too. Got up at 6:30 AM, The 4 other people in the shelter are sleeping. I'm trying to be quiet, but...
My back is sore again this morning. It's hard to bend over to pack-up. After an hour of hiking my back is fine... hummm? I really settled into a rhythm today. Time just passes by...
Someone left 2 gallons of "COLD" spring water at the Route 140 road crossing. Thank you for Trail Angels... I was thirsty.
There was no water at Greenwall shelter, so I decided to go to a spring located 1 mile down the trail. That was dry too. So then I decided to have lunch at the next spring at Little Rock Pond. Got there at 1PM and that spring was dry too! I drank lake water, warm but wet!. Nice pond...no camps...only 2 lean-to's and a tent site. All for $5.00 per night. I saw a sign that said G.M.C. (green mountain club) distorted into reading "gimme more cash"... oh well, the price we pay for not adhering to 'Leave No Trace'...
Passed thru a beautiful spruce / fir forest around the White Rocks area. So nice, kinda Walt Disney-ish...
Made steady progress today. Left this morning at 7:15, got to Lost Pond shelter at 4:10. It looks like I'll be in Manchester tomorrow to resupply. Massachusetts watch out, here I come.
Tuesday August 31. Lost Pond shelter to Spruce Peak shelter. 17 miles
Left the shelter at 7:10AM. Thought I was going to have the place to myself last night but 2 thru-hikers came in well after dark. Am heading into Manchester today to pick up 2 days worth of food. Not planning to stay to stay in town, The Hostel closed Sunday night. Monday was the first day of school and the hostel is at the church/school.
10:10AM, I am sitting on top of Styles Peak, beautiful crisp sunny horizon to horizon blue sky! Above me a hawk cries out as it soars back and forth without flapping a wing. It feels so good to be alive.
11:00AM, stopped at Mad Tom notch road to fix a blister on the ball of my left foot. "TURTLE" and family left 30 gallon jugs of water at the trail crossing! Someone broke the Forest Service hand water pump. Way to go Turtle!! Time to move on, Bromley peak here I come...
2:30PM, just finished a pint of Cherry Garcia! and I am drinking a Coke in the parking lot of a supermarket in Manchester. I reached Rt 30 at 1:30PM and hitched a ride into town. A young kid picked me up and drove me to the supermarket clear across town (now to find my way back to the trail!) I bought 2 days worth of food. I am going to shoot for Williamstown MA!
It feels funny to be in town after 3-1/2 days in the woods. Everything / everyone in town is so clean! I got some strange looks in the supermarket, oh-well. Off to the trail, hope it's as easy to catch a ride out of town.
Got back to the trail at 3PM! Had to walk about a mile to get out of town before a man and his son, both from MA, gave me a ride to the trail. They where not going that far but brought me there anyway!
Spruce Peak shelter is fantastic, Best shelter I've ever seen. It's actually a log cabin with a front porch, and sliding front door. Inside is a wood stove, table, windows, and 2 levels of bunks that will probably sleep 18 or so. Lot's of room. BUT NO WATER! The spring ran dry. I had to back track 1 mile down the trail to get water... oh well.
Did some major foot repairs tonight. I have 3 blisters, one is large on the ball of my left foot. Washed feet with soap. Dried them off, broke the blisters and drained them. I then put triple antiseptic on them, moleskin, and duct tape! Put on clean socks that I washed 2 days ago, and washed the dirty ones. All set to go I hope. If my feet don't hold out, I won't make it to MA! Lets wait and see...
Wednesday September 1. Spruce Peak shelter to Kid Gore shelter. 23 miles.
10:10AM, I am sitting on the shore of Stratton Pond. Another beautiful cloudless crisp dry day! Easy hiking this morning. Will move on and have lunch on top of Stratton Mountain. There's suppose to be a warming hut open to hikers up there, TV, phone, heat, electricity, stove, 'fridge,,, nawwwwww I'm staying away! Also, the Gondola ride down and back up the mountain is free and it takes you to Stratton village... hummmm, no, I'll stick to the trail!
I am no longer feeling like a visitor here, but a part of...
Thursday September 2. Kid Gore shelter to Congdon Camp. 18.7 miles
What a beautiful sunrise I saw from Kid Gore shelter this morning. This shelter faces due east and has a view! Shared the shelter with a thru-hiker who is also backpacking ultralight. We had much to talk about...
Nice view from atop the tower on Glastenbury Mountain. The Goddard shelter 3 tenths of a mile away has a nice view too!
Met a family hiking down from Goddard shelter this morning. Mom, Dad, and 2 little kids. I spent time encouraging the kids. They looked tired, but where having a good time. I love to see families together outdoors, especially when the kids are little...
Reached City Stream hot and thirsty... have been thinking about a cold soda all morning long... and what do I find there? AHHHHHH thank God for Trail Angles!
I've been on the trail for over a hundred miles now, I guess it's o.k. to have a cold soda left in the stream for thru-hikers...
The climb up from Rt 9 was tough! Had to rest several times. Reached the top of Harmon Hill and enjoyed a fine view towards Bennington. The views in Vermont have been spotty, today has been a real treat!
Reached Congdon Camp to find 2 large groups of college freshman already camped out there. It is freshman orientation week I guess. I enjoyed their company, and their food!!
Spent the night in the shelter with 3 thru-hikers. 2 north bounders, and one heading south. They where amazed to find out I wasn't a "day hiker". My little pack and sneakers give the "wrong" impression I was told! Hummm, am I a stealth distance hiker? We where up late sharing stories and swapping gear info... a fitting way to spend my last night on the trail.
Friday September 3. Congdon Camp to Route 2, MA. 14.1 miles.
Reached the Vermont-Massachesetts border at noon. Spent a long time there reflecting on my trip. Another state finished, another piece of the puzzle in place. In a few more miles I'll be back in town...
Reached Rt 2 and walked into Williamstown MA. Spent the night under my tarp out in back of the Mountain Goat, the local outfitter. Nice place, hiker friendly. Their shop is on a stream with good swimming. There is a laundry next door too. I got all cleaned up, washed my clothes (the owner of the laundry gave me free soap, and he leaves the side door to the bathroom open for hikers), then had a nice meal in town. Although I was camped out that night in town, I went to sleep to the sound of the stream... what a fitting end to my trip.
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| Massachusetts, 2000. N Adams to Cheshire. 3 days, 14 miles On this section, I hiked with my friend Elaine. This was her first backpacking trip. My total pack weight was 21 pounds.
My base pack weight was 10.0 pounds.
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Friday March 31. N Adams to Wilbur Clearing Lean-to, 3.0 miles.
Spent last night sleeping in the car out behind the Greylock Community Club in N Adams. Asked permission, and was told it would be all right to leave the car there for the weekend.
Started hiking around 8 in the morning. Decided to hike out of town and into the woods before we stop and cook breakfast. This would be the first time that I use my Trangia to cook for more than just myself. Found it worked quite well. I used HEET gas line antifreeze for fuel (methyl alcohol). Was amazed at how fast it brought a quart of water to boil.
After breakfast, full and well hydrated, we continued on towards the Wilbur Clearing lean-to. The trail got steep and continued that way as it works it's way up and out of the valley heading to Greylock, the highest mountain in Massachusetts.
We reached the lean-to around noontime and decided to stay for the night. Spent the afternoon collecting firewood. The forest is predominately hardwood, and after the winter the forest floor is covered with plenty of fallen branches. We enjoyed a warm fire both that afternoon and evening. Elaine seems comfortable at the shelter, although I notice her reading the "Black Bear" warning poster a few times!
Saturday April 1. Wilbur Clearing to Mark Noepel Shelter, 6.6 miles
Woke up to frozen water in my Platypus this morning. The sleeping quilt we're using kept us warm. At 2.1 lbs a piece, this makes for a rather light, warm, and "affordable" sleeping system for two.
We continued our journey under bright blue skies. It warmed up quite well today. We reached snow at the higher elevations of Greylock and hiked in it for most of the day. My Trail Runners got soaked, but my feet remained warm.
The snow had turned to a wet slush by mid day.
Reached the Mark Noepel shelter around 3 in the afternoon. This is a nice shelter, with bunks for 8 on the main level, and a sleeping loft above the front overhang that will hold another 8 comfortably. Unique design. Once again we have the shelter to ourselves.
This is the first time I've used my Inline gravity filter on the trail. It works quite well. I walked down to the brook and filtered 2 liters of water, then drank directly from the filter using it like a Hydration System till I had my fill. I refilled the 2.5 liter 'dirty water' bag and returned to the shelter well hydrated and with enough water for the two of us for tonight and tomorrow morning. This is definitely a keeper. It's only 2.4 oz heavier than iodine & neutralizer, and so much more flexible.
Elaine was amazed this evening that I could stand to be in wet sneakers. Actually the combination of a light polypro liner sock and light breathable "sneakers" dry out rather quickly, my feet where never cold.
Had Lipton Creamy Garlic Noodles for supper. Into it we added dried seasoned croutons. Made a nice warm flavorful meal. Elaine hasn't mentioned pizza and coke yet, so I guess the trail food hasn't been too bad.
Sunday April 2. Mark Noepel Shelter to Cheshire, 4.4 miles.
Got an early start this morning, my favorite time of day to hike. Our pace is a bit faster today as we are out of the snow and heading generally downhill all the way to Cheshire. It's overcast this morning, but mild. It starts to rain lightly on and off. Not at all uncomfortable to hike in.
We reach MA Rt 8 in Cheshire and start walking down the road in search of a phone to call for our ride back to N Adams. A car stops and offers us a ride. We decline, and then he pulls out his cell phone and lets us use it! We find out our ride is not available, and head back toward the trail crossing to hitch hike. Within just a few minuets a car stops and gives us a ride all the way back to out car! I know the words Trail Magic are overused, but it's alive and well on the AT...
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MA/CT/NY, 2000.
Cheshire MA to NY Rt 301. 8 days, 157.6 miles
NY Rt 301 to Rt 17. 5 days, 37.0 miles
On this section hike, I broke my trip into two legs. The first 8 days solo, the next 5 with my friend Elaine. This was her first extended backpacking trip.
My base pack weight was 9.6 pounds.
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Saturday, Sept 2. Cheshire MA to October Mtn Lean-to. 21.1 miles.
Sunday, Sept 3. October Mtn Lean-to to Mt Wilcox N Lean-to. 22.8 miles.
Monday, Sept 4. Mt Wilcox N Lean-to to Glen Brook Shelter. 21.4 miles.
Tuesday, Sept 5. Glen Brook shelter to Rand's View. 17.6 miles.
Wednesday, Sept 6. Rand's View to Stewart Hollow Brook Lean-to. 22.6 miles.
Thursday, Sept 7. Stewart Hollow Brook Lean-to to Webatuck (Wiley) Shelter. 20.0 miles.
Friday, Sept 8. Webatuck (Wiley) Shelter to Morgan Stewart Shelter. 16.2 miles.
Saturday, Sept 9. Morgan Stewart Shelter to NY 301 Fahnestock State Park. 15.9 miles
Sunday, Sept 10. Fahnestock State Park. 00.0 miles.
Monday, Sept 11. Fahnestock State Park to Graymoor Christian Unity Ctr. 11.8 miles
Tuesday, Sept 12. Graymoor Christian Unity Ctr to .2 miles south of Bear Mountain. 9.2 miles
Wednesday, Sept 13. South of Bear Mountain to William Brien Memorial Shelter. 6.3 miles.
Thursday, Sept 14. William Brien Memorial Shelter to Fingerboard Shelter. 5.3 miles
Friday, Sept 15. Fingerboard Shelter to NY 17. 4.4 miles.
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NY/NJ/PA, 2001
Arden NY to Boiling Springs PA. 13 days, 266.1 miles
This was my longest extended hike since 1976. My plan was to cover this distance in 14 days averaging 19 miles a day. I finished the hike in 13 days. This was a good test of my Ultralight gear.
My base pack weight was 8.8 pounds
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Sunday April 29, Arden NY to Wawayanda Shelter, 21.9 miles.
Elaine dropped me off at the AT @ 7:15 AM, 40 degrees out. We saw a coyote crossing the road 100 yds before we got to the AT. Reached Little Dam Lake at 8:15, sunny, 45 degrees, blue sky! Signed the trail register. Jazzman passed thru 04-27, NY to GA. My Montrails feel too big!, feet sliding around in them. My running shoes might have been a better choice. I'm stopping to rest every hour, taking off my shoes and socks. This will help with blister prevention, and increase my days endurance. Have come across 2 groups camped out along the trail so far, and it's only 9:15 AM. Saw NYC from atop Mombasha High Point. Hiked with the AT Overseer of the Bear Mtn to Arden section of the trail. He and his friend where out for a day hike up Mombasha. 70 degrees at 11:15 AM, even a few bugs out. My right knee is sore on the downhill. Had a hard hike up from Fitzgerald Falls. Lots of day hikers there, popular scenic place. Had lunch at wildcat shelter. A family of 5 was there. Met lots of people on the trail to NY 17A. My right knee is really acting up. Feeling beat. It's 1:30, HOT, even a few black flies are out! Didn't eat much at lunch, haven't so far all day. Crossed into NY at 4 PM, another state complete! Hard hiking across Prospect Rock with many steep rocky outcroppings, and the trail goes right over the top of each one. Both of my knees are so sore. I brought a blister with me to this hike! And now it is bothering me. Reached Wawayanda Shelter at 6:30. No water, went to get some at the Ranger Station 0.4 miles away. Couldn't find any. They where closed. Backtracked down the trail to a beaver pond for water... can you say Giardia? Forced myself to eat. Pop-tarts and Lipton. Radar (Harpers Ferry, north) and Jazzman (NY, south) are already at the shelter. It's cooling off. I need to get a good nights sleep.
Monday April 30, Wawayanda Shelter to Secret Hostel, 20.2 miles.
39 degrees this morning. Left shelter at 7:30. Blister is bad. Drained it, put on antiseptic, and covered it. My knees are so sore! On the slightest downhill they pain so bad. I'm heading into Vernon NJ today to buy knee braces and heavy socks. Without either I don't think I'll make it to DWG, let alone Boiling Springs. Caught up with Jazzman at 9 AM just past the top of Wawayanda Mtn. He's heading into Vernon too. Saw a deer this morning, and a Turkey yesterday. Reached RT 94 @ 9:45. Walked most of the way into town until a nice 80 year old woman picked me up. She brought me to the drug store where I bought 2 knee braces. I'm sitting now in a Bagel shop @ 10:45 waiting for her to finish her groceries at the A&P next door. Then she will give me a rice back to the trail. Lillian dropped me off at the trail at 11:25. What a real nice person! Put on my knee braces, next step is to get across a field full of cows!.......mooooooooooooo. Reached Lott road at 4:30, I think I'll push onto the "secret" hostel, just a few more miles. Jumped 4 deer just N of NJ 284. A lot of road walking since Vernon, about half of it is nice. Walked around the perimeter of a "swamp". It's actually a National Wildlife Refuge, a huge 'flooded field'. The trail follows around it for a mile or more. No shade, thank God no bugs! This and the NJ Swamp are between Wallkill Rd and Wallkill River, kinda interesting. Found the Secret Hostel. What a little piece of hikers heaven!! Two bunk houses in a secluded meadow, site of an old abandoned farm homestead. Pump water, electricity, lights, shower, clothes dryer, wash tub, stove... all in a beautiful secluded setting. Owner Jim Murrey stopped by in the evening. A fascinating person. We shot the breeze till 8 PM.
Tuesday May 1, Secret Hostel to Gren Anderson Shelter, 18.1 miles.
Up at 6:30, 60 degrees. Was warm last night, too warm to be comfortable in my sleeping bag. Overheated a lot. Had the hostel to myself. Even with the braces my knees are in pain again. Walked backwards down one hill to avoid the pain. Saw 2 trucks and a group of surveyors on the trail next to the woods in a farm field this morning. They weren't too talkative, only said "the dam state just bought another piece of land for the trail"... It's 8:30 and already HOT in the sun, 74 degrees in the shade. Took 2 vitamin I for the knees. My pack weighed 16 lbs without water this AM at the hostel. Just think if my knees where carrying a "traditional" backpacking load! Hurts just thinking about it!! Stopped at High Point shelter to get water, nice place. Saw the High Point Monument, looks like the Washington Monument. Stopped in at the State Park headquarters at 10:30. The parking lot was deserted, except for a van that said NJDOC on it's side. Inside where a dozen or so men wearing orange tee shirts, odd I thought for the NJ Department Of Conservation to be wearing orange. When I left, as I walked past the van again, I saw it was from the dept. of Corrections!! Those guys in orange where 'inmates'! The trail from High Point began to get very rocky. It follows a ridge top with lots of scrub oak. The trees haven't 'leafed' yet. Man is it hot walking. Must be in the 80's. No breeze, no shade. My arms are getting red. Someone left water jugs at the Deckertown Road, Thank You! Sitting in the shade of the Mashipacong Shelter it's 82 degrees at 1 PM. Gonna eat lunch and rest up for an hour here. It's cooler than "outside". Arrived at Gren Anderson shelter at 4pm. Decided to stay. Fossle and Turtle showed up a few minutes later. They are staying too. They both are section hiking / yellow blazing from Shenandoah, north. They skipped the PA rocks. Nice cold spring at this shelter, ahhhhhhhh, followed the water downstream till it crossed a paved road. Soaked my feet, took a sponge bath.
Wednesday May 2, Gren Anderson Shelter to AMC Mohican camp, 21.5 miles.
Up at 6:25 to another beautiful morning. Seems a bit cooler than yesterday. At 6:30 I spotted a large black object about 100 yards into the open woods. It moved! BEAR! The black bear circled the shelter, keeping it's distance, then disappeared. It was completely silent as it "floated" thru the woods. No noise at all. I left the shelter at 7:00 with the intention of having breakfast at Worthington's Bakery. Got there at 8:00 to find them closed for the day! Bought a cold lemonade from an outside coin machine, filled a water bottle, and moved on. Will stop at Brink Road Shelter and eat breakfast there. Gnats are out in full force this morning, lets see, add bug dope to shopping list for DWG. Reached Brink Road shelter at 9:30. Cold clear rushing spring located behind the shelter, ahhhhhhhhhhhhh. Many many overturned rocks in the area. Looks like bears are looking for grubs and such. The sun is out and it 's hot again. No relief in the woods, no leaves, no breeze. I left the shelter this morning without wearing the knee braces. My knees felt good, no morning pain. I took 2 vitamin I and off I went. Stopped to climb the Culvers fire tower. Coming down the knees acted up. On went the braces. Ate lunch at Flatbrookville Road water pump. Cold water but has a 'metal' taste to it. A kid drove up and asked if I saw his mountain biking buddy in the woods. He broke down, and now is lost. Today was one long ridge after another. Jumped 2 deer on the way down to Camp road. Saw a Black snake with yellow belly on the trail up to Catfish tower. It wouldn't move, I couldn't get around it. Finally it let me pass! Rattlesnake spring was COLD!, again I drank my fill without filtering. That should hold me for the final 3 miles to Mohican. I carried no water, took 2 more Vitamin I, feeling fatigued, my knees are again real sore. My mind drifted in and out of thoughts of going home. Then a cool breeze and shady spot appear. I rest and feel alive again! Reached Mohican and rented a bunk in a cabin. The caretaker couldn't give me the Thru-hiker rate, instead charged me the AMC member rate and gave me a large plate of Lasagna! Bought a cold Coke, ahhhhhhh life is good! Took a long shower, washed socks, and ate like a pig!
Not finished posting Journal, please check back again.
Thursday May 3, AMC Mohican Camp to Delaware Water Gap, 10.5 miles
Friday May 4, Delaware Water Gap to Leroy Smith Shelter, 19.7 miles
Saturday May 5, Leroy Smith Shelter to Bake Oven Knob Shelter, 24.4 miles
Sunday May 6, Bake Oven Knob Shelter to Eckville Shelter, 18.7 miles
Monday May 7, Eckville Shelter to Port Clinton,15.7 miles
Tuesday May 8, Port Clinton to 501 shelter, 23.0 miles
Wednesday May 9, 501 Shelter to Stealth Camp past Yellow Springs, 23.3 miles
Thursday May 10, Stealth Camp to Clarks Ferry Shelter, 19.3 miles
Friday May 11, Clarks Fery Shelter to Boiling Springs, 30.3 miles
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