Appalachian Trail - My Latest Hike
The Franconia Ridge, one of the more spectacular sections of the AT in the White Mountains
I just finished my latest section of the Appalachian Trail: Glencliff, NH to Grafton Notch, Maine; a total of 130 miles through the entirety of the White Mountains. I completed this hike in 11 days, and it was the most continously physically demanding thing I have ever done in my life. The hike included an ascent of Mount Washington (worst weather in the world — the wind was gusting up to 60 mph when I summited), several miles of the Franconia Ridge, most of which were above tree line, and a trek through the Mahoosuc Notch, reputed to be the most difficult mile of the AT (it took me 2 1/2 hours to negotiate 1.1 miles of house-sized boulders).
I would rate this hike as not only the most physically difficult, but also the most dangerous or frightening piece of the AT so far. I was often descending very steep rock slabs with no steps to speak of. Several times I did so in the rain, and a couple times in fading light. Once or twice I found myself on an exposed ridge with a thunderstorm rolling in. Often on my AT hikes, I am able to pray pretty effectively over the course of each day for a short list of family and church needs. On this trip, I found that i spent a fair amount of time praying for God’s protection (from the weather) and direction (on those steep, slick slabs where one misstep could have resulted in serious injury or worse.
Notwithstanding the challenges and downright scariness of pieces of my hike, I enjoyed this trip as much or more than any other other. The views were spectacular (when the weather was cooperative), I saw alpine wildflowers and other plants that grow only on the high peaks of the New England mountains, and I saw wildlife that I had rarely (if ever) seen in the wild — porcupines, foxes, snowshoe hares, spruce grouse, and others. It was a time of giving thanks to God for having created such things as these in His world.
September 2nd, 2008 at 3:45 pm
That sounds like a very exciting and trying time. Nothing too controversial I can add. I love spending time out in the woods, but I can’t see myself hiking as far as you do.
Have you heard of the NJ greenways project? It is meant to connect many parks and paths through NJ and even through NYC. Once you are finished with the AT you could try that one :)
September 2nd, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Yeah, I’m aware of it. A number of the parks in northern NJ are already connected by one trail or another — the Long Path goes up the Hudson River following the Palisades, heading into NY and ultimately ending somewhere near the Finger Lakes. And since it starts at the NJ side of the GW Bridge, it could easily be extended into Fort Tryon Park in Manhattan. The Highlands Trail connects the NJ Highlands with the Catskills in NY. And of course the AT connects a whole chain of parks and national/state forests from Maine to Georgia, but including NJ , NY, and PA. I’m pretty sure there are some similar efforts in the southern part of the state as well.
September 9th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
if god meant for us to walk he wouldnt have given us cars you dillsnip!!!!
September 9th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
What’s a dillsnip?