Greetings from the Waynesboro public library in Waynesboro, VA! As of today, I’ve completed 1327 miles of the AT and have 858 miles left. I’m now over 60% done as reflected in graphical form below.

The blue square portrays the portion completed so far

Cold Weather

One of the biggest things on my mind these days has been the (increasing) cold weather. Most recent mornings I’m waking to temps in the 30s. While my sleeping bag keeps me plenty warm at night, getting out of it in the morning is getting harder by the day. I’ve recently swapped in some additional cold weather gear to help me enjoy the last 1-2 months of the hike rather than just ‘enduring’ the cold. Based on my daily mileage estimates I’m on track to complete the entire AT and be back home in Minnesota for Christmas!

Starting to embrace my inner caveman

My official halfway photo at the ATC in Harpers Ferry

MIsty morning leaving Harpers Ferry, WV

Amazing old stone house that is now the Bears Den hiker shelter

On on a peak in Shenandoah

Shenandoah
Over the past week or so I’ve had the pleasure of walking the 100 or so miles of the AT that pass through Shenandoah National Park. As luck would have it, I was in the park during the peak of “leafer” season, when people from all over flock to SNP to see the changing of the fall colors. While the mornings have been brisk, the scenery has been spectacular, as reflected in some of my pictures this time. You may also be able to tell that the trail (i.e., the footpath) has become much easier to walk. There are fewer roots and rocks than the New England sections and often times the path is dirt, which is a great relief to the feet.

Amazing Shenandoah 1

Amazing Shenandoah 2

Amazing Shenandoah 3

Park Ranger Sally stopped us on the trail and asked us to speak to her group about thru-hiking the AT

People
Over the past few weeks I’ve spent a lot of my hike time thinking about all those who have contributed to my hike in one form or another. It starts with my great wife who has been extremely supportive and understanding of my ‘structured midife crisis,’ as well as my kids, other family, friends, neighbors and colleagues cheering me on with every step, sending kind words, packages, etc. My sincere thanks to each of you! I’ve also made some great new acquaintances recently, said goodbye to dear trail friends and happened upon an assortment of hikers, trail angels and other kind souls. See below photos for more details. One recent example is ‘Stash,’ who I’m calling out here in text because I forgot to take a picture with him. Though we had never met, he left a note on my blog to seek him out in Virginia when we got near his town. He graciously picked us up on a moments notice on his day off and shuttled us a long distance to resupply, run errands and return us to the trailhead where we were still able to squeeze in 15 miles of hiking that day, something we could have never done without his help.

Hero’s last day of hiking

Hero touching his finish line…congrats on completing your thru-hike!

Hydro and Dirty Bird…a couple of amazingly strong, fast hikers

I met Gabe and his dad Greg on the trail one rainy day

Roger- a true trail angel!

..and Kayla, Roger’s daughter! Thanks Sweetie!

Appearances
I’ve also had a lot of time for reflection lately. One of the more interesting observations has to do with my appearance. Nowadays, I look (and unfortunately, smell) like a homeless person. In trail towns people usually recognize unshaven, gaunt, malodorous people with backpacks as AT thru-hikers since they deal with us so frequently. But when one ventures beyond such towns to places further off the trail, the first impression categories I fit into are ‘aging hippie’ or ‘homeless derelict.’ Having looked more ‘corporate’ for the past 25+ years, the contrast in how people react to my appearance has been truly entertaining. Hippie types and tatooed motorcycle dudes treat me like a ‘brother;’ shopkeepers and restauraunteurs look with suspicion when I approach; and somewhat inexplicably, old ladies smile sympathetically, as though to say “God bless you, wayward son- I’ll pray for your soul.” Another surprise has been how many people I meet on the trail who assume I’ve always looked this way. “I can’t imagine you without the hair and beard” is something I hear often. I’m not sure what I’ll look like when I return to ‘normal’ life, but regardless, looking this way on the trail is a rich source of personal entertainment. Thanks again for following along! Max