I had been warned about the rocky stretch of the AT in Pennsylvania before the hike.  The rocks themselves are nothing new; I have complained about walking over patches of rock since I started.  The thing about PA's rocks is that they never take a break.

From about Duncannon, PA to High Point, NJ is a ridge line consisting of nothing but rubble.  There is the occasional dirt road, but for most of the 200 miles you are carefully navigating rocky terrain.  It's like playing Tetris with your feet.  You constantly rotate your feet to fit in the spaces between the rocks as they come at you.  Sometimes there is no space, forcing you to step on the sharp edges or steep angles.  Averaging 2mph for the day is a challenge, even though you are not scaling any mountains.  There are also huge boulder fields where you hop from rock to rock, hoping you don't slip off over the side (I actually enjoy the boulder fields).  At the end of the day your feet hate you.

PA (and NJ) does try it's best to make up for the rocks, heat, and lack of water.  Trail-angels are everywhere (especially the Billville crew) offering food, water, rides, and encouragement to help you get through this tough section.  There are also many towns and places to get tap water.  I think I got stream/spring water only once, and only ate a few meals out of my pack.

I saw many hikers skip huge sections of the trail here or even the entire state.  It may not be the best part of the trail, but it is worth hiking through at least some of it.  There are actually some good views to be found.

When I passed High Point in New Jersey, we finally got off this ridgeline.  I don't expect the rocks to go away but hopefully they won't be quite as bad.

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Maryland and Pennsylvania (first half anyways) are probably the easiest sections of the Appalachian Trail.  The downside is that its at low altitude and currently in a record-setting heat wave.  Good thing there have been ways to deal with the heat this week:

Sunday : Dip hand-towel in cold spring water to lay on chest at night.
Monday:  Take 3 hour lunch break at http://www.freestatehiker.com
Hike into the not-so-cool of the night to meet a friend who takes you to a hotel (thanks Tyler!)
Tuesday:  Eat Chick-Fil-A Icedream before getting back on the trail.
Jump into the Caledonia State Park pool right before it closes.
Wednesday: Hike to Pine Grove Furnace State Park to eat a half-gallon of ice cream to celebrate completing half the AT.
(I finished a half gallon of Cherry Jubilee in under 25 minutes, all 2400 calories)
Spend the rest of the evening at the park's beach.
Thursday: Hike to Boiling Springs, PA and get in the mini water park or in the very cold spring water (it boils by looks, not temperature)
Friday (today): my plan was to do a short hike up to US 11 to spend the day in a hotel room... but they are all booked due to some auto show.
So plan B:  Hike 30 miles to the town of Duncannon for free food and a shower, or if I'm lucky, a night or two at The Doyle.

I know, 30 miles doesn't sound like a good idea in the heat, but the terrain is flat (walking through farm land), I can take a good long break every 10 miles, I'm starting really early in the morning, and this section sucks so I just want to get it over with.  Wish me luck and rain!

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Today I passed by the first Washington Monument, built July 4th, 1827 by the folks in Boonsboro, MD.  An interesting contrast to the many Civil War battlefields I saw yesterday.  One Declaration of Independence celebrated; one declaration of independence denied.

The Appalachian Trail continues the American quest for independence.  I have never felt more free than here in the woods.  Free from all the traps of society today: expectations, material possessions, and the need to perform.  I don't know if this will change things when I get home, but I know I have a different perspective on many things now.

I'm writing this from my tent on Annapolis Rock. I hope to see some fireworks from the great view up here.  Not a big deal if I don't, as its hard to beat this sunset.  Happy Independence Day!

Update: Didn't have a signal to post this last night.  Saw a ton of fireworks going up all over the valley, but couldn't see the ones close by, as Haggarstown was blocked by the mountain jutting out.  Blackrock Cliff would have been better, but I didn't want to walk a mile in the dark.

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Sometimes you need to get off the trail... to resupply, eat a nice meal, call home, get new gear, etc.  In or near town, most hikers stay at a cheap hostel.  These usually consist of a room full of bunkbeds and a shower.  Often attached to the owner's home, they each have their own personality and charm and are one of my favorite parts of hiking the AT.  Here are the ones I've stayed at so far:

Standing Bear Farm - http://standingbearfarm.com/

(I already posted a bunch of photos here)

This is your first opportunity to get a shower and some snacks after a long trek through the Smokies.  It isn't near a town, but the owner, Curtis, will take you down to the gas station for a beer run.

Elmer's Sunnybank Inn - Hot Springs, NC

Elmer, the owner since 1978, cooks vegetarian meals for his guests at his 1875 victorian home.  It isn't really a hostel (the rooms are actually really nice) but it is priced like a hostel.  Elmer used to have Vizslas, so he was eager to meet Kooper.  Here he is eating his yummy breakfast with us:

Uncle Johnny's Nolichuky Hostel - http://www.unclejohnnys.net/

Uncle Johnny and his crew will shuttle you around Erwin, TN (or go pick you up some KFC) and sell some basic gear.  They also have free wifi, what else could you ask for?  I forgot to take a photo, but it's your standard bunk room fare.  Most everyone hangs out all day on the nice large deck.

Greasy Creek Friendly Hostel

I didn't stay here, but I felt is was worth a mention. I took a half-mile side trail to Connie's hostel in hopes to get some food for lunches/snacks.  No one was there, but there was a phone and a note that she would call (she was out shuttling people and getting supplies or something).  So I waited about 30 min on the porch as I watched Kooper play with the cat.  She did call and gave me the number for a restaurant a few miles away that would bring me a hot meal.  (I ordered chicken fingers & fries, which turns out is not the best thing to eat right before a hard day of hiking).

Mountain Harbour B&B/Hostel - http://www.mountainharbour.net/

I stopped here in hopes to get a ride into Roan Mountain, TN for lunch food.  I got the ride to the store, and then another ride to get a BBQ restaurant.  I decided to stay at the hostel (which is in the upper finished part of a barn, above the horse and goats) to experience the famous breakfast.  It was fantastic!

When I walked up the road to this hostel, I was greeted with a bowl of salad and blueberry muffins.  Enough said.

Ok, I'll say more.  This hostel has everything you need (except wifi)... bed, laundry, shower, food, phone, and a shuttle to town all for a suggested donation of $4.  Built on to the back of Bob People's home, Kincora is probably the most-loved hostel as evidenced by the walls and ceiling covered in hiker thank-you cards.  Bob is sort of a legend... the Chuck Norris of the AT (due to his generosity).  Here he is telling one of many stories to us guests:

Hikers Inn - http://www.hikersinndamascus.com

This is where I am right now, typing this post.  I initially decided to stay here because it was the only place with a TV I could use that wasn't an expensive B&B.  The owner, Suzanne, let me watch the Lost finale in her sunroom.  She also gave me a ride to the grociery store in her Mini Cooper and fed us strawberry shortcake with ice cream.  Doesn't get any better than that right?  It does.  The bunk beds are great with clean comfy linens, pillows, and access to a power outlet.  Did I mention... free wifi!  Perfect place to take a zero-day.

Also of note is that Suzanne is trying to sell the place.  A cute old house, right on the main street of a small town, making a few bucks giving hikers a great place to stay...  I think everyone who hikes the AT dreams of opening up a hostel.  If the Hikers Inn is still for sale when I finish, it will be something to consider...

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

This weekend was full of so much win, I decided to just cram it all into a single post. It all started with leaving the the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Smokies were great (the second half anyways) but I was feeling tired after multiple 18+ mile days.  I decided to spend Friday night at Standing Bear Farm hostel, right off the trail after you pass under I-40.

This place is like my dream home.  A creek runs through the middle, and it has a shack for everything.  A shack for eating, a shack for laundry (old school washboards), and a shack for internet.  They even have shack full of food, drink, and small hiking supplies.  You grab what you want whenever and tally it up on an envelope, then cash out when you leave.  A frozen pizza ($10) was what exactly what I needed.  Curtis, the owner(?), even drove us down to the gas station for a beer run.

I got a late start Saturday morning, but the trail was nice and smooth so I still went about 16 miles.  I crested a cleared hill and saw a rocketship looking thing, with a great view of the mountain range behind me.  It is an Air Traffic Control VOR station. Mom says these are how planes know their position, but GPS is quickly replacing the need for these stations.

I thought to myself that it would be a great spot to watch the sunset, but I continued on about two miles to the Roaring Fork shelter.  After cooking dinner and talking to a group of guys in a discipleship program (similar to YWAM I think) that has them living together for months in an wilderness environment (wish I could remember the name, started with an N), I settled down in my sleeping bag.  Then suddenly two of the guys I had been hiking with through the Smokies came running into camp, saying there were cute girls on the hill... giving masssages!  Everyone thought they were crazy, but I put on my warmer clothes and joined them since I wanted to see the sun set anyways.  I ran to the top just as the sun was setting and it was indeed spectaclar.

When I woke up, the Starburst wrappers in my pocket were my only proof that the night wasn't just a dream.  It was freezing in the morning so I stuffed my pack and quickly got moving.  Another pleasant hike all the way into the first true trail town of Hot Springs, NC (the trail goes right down the main street).

I stayed the night in Elmer Hall's Sunnybank Inn. Built in 1875, this victorian house full of antique furniture and decorations is overflowing with character.  Elmer, the owner since 1978, cooks vegetarian meals for his guests.  After having an amazing delicious (and healthy) dinner, I immediately signed up for breakfast too.  I would like to link to more info about Sunnybank, but Elmer apparently likes to keep things simple so it's difficult to find any info about it.  Here is a good article though: Room at the Inn.

So that concludes my awesome weekend on the AT.  I am currently sitting in the Hot Springs library, using their free wifi.  This is my first "zero-day" where I do no hiking at all.  My parents will be here in a few hours to return my dog Kooper (dogs are not allowed in the Smokies).  Can't wait to see them!  I think I hike better without Kooper, but hiking with him is a lot of fun even if it does complicate things.

Next weekend?  I hope to be at Trail Days

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

(I wrote this up way back in GA, but just now got around to posting it.  Since then I have moved about a day ahead of these fine folks)

The weather forcast showed a thunderstorm was coming, so I decided to stay in Hiawassee.  I didn't really want to since I just restocked and got clean a few days before.  I hiked a few miles to Dick's Creek Gap and got a shuttle to the Hiawassee Inn along with four other hikers: Mike, Krazy Fox, Bump, and Radar.

I split a room with Radar, who has hiked the AT for many years .  He also carries a netbook and a GPS for his photos and an occasional post.  His trailname is "Radar" because he knows what the weather will be thanks to his gadgets.  Check out his Trail Journal and photos.

It's been really great hanging out with these people.  Even though we are mostly strangers, we still seem to form some kind of bond through the trail.  Our ages and backgrounds are very different, but none of that seems to matter.  The trail really breaks things down to the core building blocks of community.  If our little group splits up, which it inevitably will, then new ones will form.

Each shelter usually has a notebook, so even if we part ways, I can always look forward to reading a note left by an old hiking partner (or leave one for them).

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Grass is hard to come by on the trail. Sure there is sporadic patch lining the path, but you may go weeks without seeing an open field.  It's a long brown tunnel, with no room to throw frisbee.

That's why when I came across Siler Bald, I was so amazed.  A huge meadow, with deep green grass that climbs a sloping hill to an amazing view.  Kooper and I looked at each other and I think we were both thinking "frisbee".  Finally, virtually unlimited space to run and fling a flying disc.  I hesitated, it was getting late and I still had many miles to go.  I decided to go for it.  I took off my bag, emptied my pockets, and started sprinting to the top singing "The Hills Are Alive".

When I came back down, and began to pick up my stuff, I first noticed the Bible I put down when I emptied my pockets (The one given to me by Trail Angels earlier that day).  I felt a rush of joy overtake me.  I didn't have a relevation or an epiphany or anything, just pure joy, bringing me to tears.  Truly a spiritual moment.  One that provided the lift I needed and reminded me of why I am on this hike.  One known as "Trail Magic".

Where/what is your Siler Bald?  If you are stuck in a tunnel, try racing up the hill.  Forget your constraints for once.  Grab a frisbee and let it fly.

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Nice to get out of the wet fog.  Just went over Blood Mtn, with surprising ease... thanks to the hiking stick I found this morning!  Sadly there was no view from the top, since I was in a cloud.  I'm sure there will be plenty more opportunities for a good view.  There is a cool stone shelter up there, built in the 1920's I think.

Everyone loves Kooper.  I am tempted to make my trailname "kooper's dad" since that's how everyone knows me.  He loves the trail, I think because every bend is a chance to spot a squirrel.  (don't tell PETA, but sometimes I let him pull me a little when going up hill)

I'd post photos and notes more often, but my smartphone uses T-Mobile, so IF reception exists it tends to blow with the wind.  Thanks for all the comments and emails, they are very encouraging.  I can usually read them once a day, it's just hard to post anything when the connection is flaky.
I just checked the Hike for Abby's progress, $320!, wow!  I have some catching up to do!

Just overheard a trail runner (guy that walks along the trail picking up trash and checking shelters) say that the bear on Blood Mtn was shot and killed.  He and the employees here seemed really bummed about it.  The bears mean no harm, they just want the food bags.  I think the proper procedure is to capture the bear and move him elsewhere.

I'm probably going to be a day behind what I have on my itinerary.  My friend Gail has a cabin near the trail at Tray Mtn, so I'm looking forward to meeting my parents there on Thursday... and taking a shower.

The other thru hikers I was with are staying in a hotel/cabin near here, but I'm gonna push on to the next shelter.  So I'm going to buy a few items here and eat, then head back out on the trail.    Hopefully the weather is a little nicer when I step outside.

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

This Saturday I begin my Appalachian Trail thru-hike!  I've been working like crazy trying to get things done before I disappear into the woods for about 5 months.  Lemmie check my todo list:

• Build website - done
• Setup paypal for donations for Abby. - done
• Setup Facebook Page - done
• Put everything on auto-pay, cancel unused accounts - mostly done
• Buy clothing - mostly done
• Buy gear - mostly done
• Make an itinerary.
• Buy food.

Maybe my priorities were a little off, but I still have time.

When I'm on the trail, I will still be posting to various web services (like this posterous), which all gets aggregated to onahike.com  I'll be reading your comments, replies, and emails every few days or so (unless I drop my phone in a stream).

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Resolutions, goals, plans... whatever you want to call them, here are mine for two thousand ten.  My last year of being a twenty-something.

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Avatar evokes feelings similar to those aroused by the wonderment of Jurassic Park and the epicness (not a word, but should be) of Lord of the Rings.

Finally CGI that doesn't make you think "oh, that is CGI".  The world is believable... it sucks you in and never spits you back out.

The story drags a little at first and the plot is far from life changing, but it manages to hold your attention the entire 2 hours and 40 minutes.  It does this by bouncing between the two contrasting sides (and it helps that even the most trivial stuff is fascinating in 3D).

This was my first 3D movie, and although it was a great experience (this film is perfect for IMAX and 3D due to the sweeping landscape shots and sky-high locales), 3D technology still has a ways to go before it becomes ubiquitous.  It took about half the movie for me to adjust to it.

Great cinematography in the big action scenes.  Even with lots of stuff going, I never felt overwhelmed or lost.  Good use of slow-mo helped.

In conclusion, the plot is a little shallow but the experience is an amazing one worthy of all the hype.  9/10

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Google Wave was built for groups, but it can be used like IM or email to talk directly to someone too.  Google calls this a "ping", but it's really just a normal wave presented a little differently.

Protip: You can do a search for "dto:me" to see only messages between you and one other person.  Create a saved search so it's easy to see your DMs.

Here are the other advanced search queries

Now what I need is a way to get notifications of new waves, so I don't have to keep checking it all the time.

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Next month, Netflix Instant Watch officially comes to the Playstation 3 at no additional cost on either end.  I say "officially" because like I mentioned before, I've been using PlayOn to stream Netflix to my PS3 for a while now.

I did find it odd that it requires them to send you a (free) Blu-ray disc.  It apparently uses BD-Live features found in the latest Blu Ray players instead of being special integrated software like it is on the Xbox 360.  So I assume that this ability is eventually coming to ALL Blu-Ray players in the future?

Anyways, props to Netflix for not making exclusive deals with any one console, and props to Sony for building such a great versatile machine.

You can go ahead and order your PS3 disc here.

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

via myapokalips.com

Google just bought RECAPTCHA... mostly to help scan their huge digital archive of books (and to train their robot army), but I think they need to find some other way rather than encourage use of a CAPTCHA.  CAPTCHA sucks.  It is a huge barrier between your users and what they want to do and 99%* of the time it is unnecessary.  This should be the last resort for the most bot-targeted of websites, so your wedding site's guestbook does not need a CAPTCHA.  Commenting on your blog does not need a CAPTCHA.   Signing up for your new web app does not need a CAPTCHA.  In 10 years I think we will look back on these methods and think to ourselves "How was that ever acceptable?".

There are some ways to check if someone is human without using any CAPTCHA:

1. Check the time it takes between loading the page and submitting the form. If it's too quick, it's a bot. 
2. Put the form on a separate page and then check for a valid referring page. A bot will usually not navigate to the form, it will try to submit the form directly. 
3. If your site requires javascript, use javascript to build your form.
4. Bots target mass websites built on generic platforms... like wordpress and phpbb.   Change up your form template a little bit, you will probably stop most bots.
5. Use something like OpenID, Facebook, and/or Twitter for authorization.  Making it a little harder (for now) to automate.

If you do use a CAPTCHA, try something simple.  Have them answer a simple question or select a photo of a cat.  On my phpbb forum, I simply asked the user to type in a specific word and that stopped all bot registrations (and insures your users can read).

These alternatives are not unstoppable.  A dedicated bot-builder could get around them, but they would have to target your site specifically and then maintain it as you make changes.  Chances are no one wants to spam your Contact Us form that bad.

*81% of all statistics are made up on the spot

http://xkcd.com/233/

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

I do admit, it did get my attention.

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Brightkite is a location-based social network that I've been using for a while now.  I use it to keep a log of where I've been and to leave notes & photos that future visitors can see, sort of like when you rent a vacation house and you sign the guestbook.  It's really easy to use thanks to the great mobile site & apps (especially the Android app) and I like that posts are at a specific business/address (if it exists in Google's directory) instead of at just lat/long coordinates.  Plus it's fun to see a map of all the places I've been:

Brightkite isn't the only service though.  Lately more and more geo-centric sites and apps are popping up:

• Foursquare is a similar service that is fun to use, but at this point it needs a lot of work before it can dethrone Brightkite.  For example it only really works within the city limits, else you have to type in all the address details yourself... no thanks.  Their achievements system is great though and really encourages you to use the service.
• Google Latitude takes a different approach.  Instead of "checking-in" to a location, it uses your phone's GPS to share your location on a map in real-time with friends.
• Glympse, like Latitude, tracks you in real-time but it lets you to send a temporary view to anyone you want.  I used this to share a live view of me running the Peachtree Road Race this year.
• GPS logging apps like My Tracks aren't social in of themselves, but it lets you share your hiking/biking/jogging results with others.

All these services have one thing in common... they are much more useful if your *real-life* friends use them (for example Brightkite will alert you when friends check-in nearby).  Very few of mine do because there is not enough benefit to justify the effort and expensive technology required to use them.  So for now I will be a lonely check-in, signing a lot of blank guestbooks.

Permalink | Leave a comment  »