{"id":355,"date":"2023-05-16T14:22:36","date_gmt":"2023-05-16T21:22:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/?p=355"},"modified":"2023-05-16T14:42:35","modified_gmt":"2023-05-16T21:42:35","slug":"mile-972","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/mile-972\/","title":{"rendered":"Mile 972"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230501_164238-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-313\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230501_164238-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230501_164238-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230501_164238-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230501_164238-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230501_164238-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Yesterday (the day after mother&#8217;s day) I hitched from the trail into <a href=\"https:\/\/www.discoverfrontroyal.com\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.discoverfrontroyal.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Front Royal, Virginia<\/a>, where I&#8217;m taking today off to rest my feet and legs. I&#8217;m not sure why, but with almost half of this hike completed it is easily the best hiking experience I&#8217;ve had to date. As with each of my long hikes there have been a dark day or two of bad weather, worries about various aches and pains developing into chronic problems and so on, but those moments aside the hiking itself has been tremendous and I feel physically and mentally as good as I&#8217;ve ever felt on a hike. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"56\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7Z_USbaZPfY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Wildlife 1: Run away bear<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"59\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Dcr8TG12r3o?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Wildlife 2: Deer in the woods<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"62\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/6wfaf_yBF8s?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Wildlife 3: Unimpressed snake that I had to move from the trail with a stick like a reptile handler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"69\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/r4bsUnSxLLQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Wildlife 4: Deer at the shelter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"71\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/m-LgxHJTphY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Wildlife 5: Low key bunny<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;ve been keeping a steady pace of long days and that has put me out in front of the crowds of northbound hikers, to the point where it almost feels like a southbound hike because I&#8217;m seeing very few hikers compared to the first weeks where it was difficult to even find tent sites due to the crowds. Not surprisingly, this hike has completely exceeded my expectations and though I&#8217;m not hiking with anyone consistently I&#8217;ve met a lot of great people along the way and assume I&#8217;ll see them again at some point, as happens frequently on long hikes when you slow down or stop for a few days for whatever reason. I&#8217;ve never thought of myself as a faster hiker before but thus far I&#8217;ve been outpacing nearly everyone I&#8217;ve met, which somewhat explains why I&#8217;ve not ended up in a consistent cohort of hikers yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230508_114435-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-336\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230508_114435-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230508_114435-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230508_114435-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230508_114435-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230508_114435-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Just another fantastic view<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230509_074506-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-337\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230509_074506-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230509_074506-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230509_074506-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230509_074506-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230509_074506-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The logbook in the shelter on The Priest is filled with eye-raising hiker confessions<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230509_102331-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-338\" width=\"366\" height=\"273\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Bridges make great subjects for photos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230510_071208-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-339\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230510_071208-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230510_071208-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230510_071208-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230510_071208-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230510_071208-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">I&#8217;m not a fan of mountaintop developments<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230510_113406-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-340\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230510_113406-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230510_113406-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230510_113406-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230510_113406-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230510_113406-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">I&#8217;m guessing this is not the W.J. Mayo of the clinic fame<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230510_183955-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-341\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230510_183955-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230510_183955-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230510_183955-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230510_183955-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230510_183955-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Found this storytime favorite of our kids at a hostel in Waynesboro<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In another few days of walking I&#8217;ll be in <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/wvtourism.com\/harpers-ferry\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/wvtourism.com\/harpers-ferry\/\" target=\"_blank\">Harper&#8217;s Ferry<\/a>, the unofficial halfway point where I&#8217;ll get my photo taken by the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/appalachiantrail.org\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/appalachiantrail.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">Appalachian Trail Conservancy<\/a> for the annual hiker album. The weather has turned warmer in recent days and though we&#8217;ve had a lot of recent rain, it&#8217;s much less problematic when not accompanied by cold and wind.<br>Just before arriving in Front Royal I completed the section through <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/shen\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/shen\/\" target=\"_blank\">Shenandoah National Park<\/a> which was both fun and interesting. After not seeing a lot of wildlife early in the hike I&#8217;ve recently made the acquaintance of a bear, many deer, a couple of large snakes, rabbits and some other creatures, most of which I managed to capture on video. Feel free to check out <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/youtube.com\/playlist?list=PLkESaXhVd1aOq6cJO57brlp6uV6ZH9Nal\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/youtube.com\/playlist?list=PLkESaXhVd1aOq6cJO57brlp6uV6ZH9Nal\" target=\"_blank\">my YouTube channel<\/a> from more details (videos 52 &#8211; 72 are new).<br>Lastly, I wanted to comment that in addition to meeting a number of other thru-hikers, I&#8217;ve also met a bunch of trail angels, section hikers (hikers walking a subsection of the trail) and day hikers who&#8217;ve provided me variously with rides to town and resupply, food and drinks and many other kindnesses.<br>I can hope for nothing better for the second half of this hike than that the momentum that&#8217;s been established continues and my body holds out as well as it has so far. With love and thoughts of springtime cheer to you all! Maxheap<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230511_092220-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-342\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230511_092220-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230511_092220-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230511_092220-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230511_092220-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230511_092220-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Not every step on the trail is in the wilderness<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230511_190849-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-343\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230511_190849-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230511_190849-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230511_190849-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230511_190849-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230511_190849-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sharing the national park trail with a four footed neighboor<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230512_100726-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-344\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230512_100726-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230512_100726-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230512_100726-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230512_100726-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230512_100726-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Walking a wall along Skyline Drive in Shenandoah <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230512_104127-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-345\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230512_104127-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230512_104127-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230512_104127-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230512_104127-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230512_104127-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Green for miles after all the recent rain <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230512_122519-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-346\" width=\"368\" height=\"276\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230512_122519-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230512_122519-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230512_122519-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230512_122519-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230512_122519-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 368px) 100vw, 368px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Closing in on the first 1000 miles<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230513_110646-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-347\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230513_110646-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230513_110646-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230513_110646-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230513_110646-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230513_110646-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Waiting out the rain at one of the many &#8220;Wayside&#8221; locations in the park<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230513_145428-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-349\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230513_145428-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230513_145428-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230513_145428-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230513_145428-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230513_145428-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Roadside in the fog<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230514_103818-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-350\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230514_103818-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230514_103818-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230514_103818-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230514_103818-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230514_103818-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">I never tire of cliff views<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230514_103838-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-351\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230514_103838-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230514_103838-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230514_103838-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230514_103838-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230514_103838-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">&#8230;especially when they look at villages and farms from above<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230514_130805-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-353\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230514_130805-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230514_130805-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230514_130805-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230514_130805-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230514_130805-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">&#8230;or lush forests<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230514_124906-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-352\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230514_124906-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230514_124906-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230514_124906-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230514_124906-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230514_124906-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Stopping for lunch and water at a shelter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230515_125405-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-354\" srcset=\"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230515_125405-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230515_125405-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230515_125405-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230515_125405-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20230515_125405-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">I recall sleeping on that porch as a SOBO<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Yesterday (the day after mother&#8217;s day) I hitched from the trail into Front Royal, Virginia, where I&#8217;m taking today off to rest my feet and legs. I&#8217;m not sure why, but with almost half of this hike completed it is easily the best hiking experience I&#8217;ve had to date. As with each of my long<br \/><a class=\"moretag\" href=\"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/mile-972\/\">+ Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-355","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-virginia"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Mile 972 - 2023 AT Nobo<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/maxheap.net\/at2023\/mile-972\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Mile 972 - 2023 AT Nobo\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Yesterday (the day after mother&#8217;s day) I hitched from the trail into Front Royal, Virginia, where I&#8217;m taking today off to rest my feet and legs. I&#8217;m not sure why, but with almost half of this hike completed it is easily the best hiking experience I&#8217;ve had to date. 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