Duncannon, PA to Port Clinton, PA

Howdy all!

I am going to keep this short, simple, and too the point.

Mileage roundup for this section is as follows: 11.3, 18, 17.5, 15.1, and 9 into Port Clinton.

Pennsylvania should be called Rocksylvania. My boots were in great condition and have taken a beating. I stopped at Port Clinton, which is apparently the start of the crappiest sections of rocks. I guess I will find out another time!

I walked most of the time with BMW and stayed at the shelters with him and Rocket Turtle. I met some other interesting thru hikers - Violet, B-Line, Code Walker, Why Not. Got to walk and chat with the Thru Project some more. Great guys for sure. I wish them the best of luck.

Two and a half days away from Port Clinton, I found out my 28 year old cousins Zack, an MD and anesthesiologist, passed away unexpectedly. The trail gods are against me, and I am calling it quits for my thru hike. I am starting a 161.5 mile section today. I am walking from Waynesboro, VA to Harpers Ferry. It will put me at 700 miles for the year (I think it is actually 697.4, but close enough).

I feel good about this decision. I feel like I have accomplished so much all ready and grown as a person in ways I wouldn't have dreamed. I do feel like I failed the people that donated to my charity. For that, I truly and deeply apologize. I just can't hike anymore. My Pop Pop is still sick and after my cousin died, I just floundered. I hope you can understand that I am not getting off the trail because I can't physically or mentally hike, I just need to be around family and stop acting like I am retired already and get a job (haha!).

I do miss BMW, my German friend. After Travis got off the trail, I had people to hike with that we had been hiking with for weeks. When I started up North, I didn't have that camaraderie. BMW had lost his hiker partner and we clicked. I wish him good luck and will have some beer with him in German when I go to visit!

Look forward to one more blog post of my little section in VA!

Thanks for reading!

Cheers!

Jupiter

Caledonia State Park, PA to Duncannon, PA

Ok, loyal bloggers. Another post for your enjoyment.

Started late on Sunday the 16th after dad and I grabbed some food at an Italian place we had ate at years ago when I was a kid after did a weekend hike in PA. I walked 2.6 quick miles to Quarry Gap Shelter. It had a gnome house, potted plants, and a deck of cards. I met Phoenix, MacGyver,  and Rocket Turtle. Played spades with Mac and Phoenix. It was a nice shelter.

Mileage round up for the next five days: 16.9, 19.6, 0, 21.6, 4.

First day was from Quarry Gap to Pine Grove Furnace and we stayed at the Ironmaster's Mansion. This is where I met BMW (Bavarian Man Walking). We have the same pace and same idea of walking (six or seven days and then a zero or nero) and we get along well. He is from Bavaria and a giant of a man. I'm fortunate to have his company. Rocket Turtle also stayed. He is a section hiker pushing into New England this year. Please reference the picture of myself, a giant man, and an older gentleman for face matching to names. At Pine Grove, though I have not done half the trail, I was granted permission to attempt the Half Gallon Challenge. I failed. Miserably. Overly ambitious, but rubbish,  as Top Gear would say. I ate 2/3 of the ice cream.

We set out for a 19.6 day. We made it to Boiling Springs and stayed at the Allenberry. We were forced into this, as there is a 17 mile stretch that yoy cannot camp at. We could have camped at a campground, but it was a wheat field with no water. Tick heaven. We had such a good time, we zeroed.... oops. Terry Hall, one of my fraternity brothers, came and talked with myself and BMW. Nick, my cousin Kristina's husband, brought my two beautiful nieces, Julianna and Grace, and we had a great day feeding ducks and eating pizza. BMW and I stayed up until 0100 drinking... good times, but our 21.6 day the next day started a little rough.

It was flat for 13 miles out of Boiling Springs. We had a fast morning, but small climbs and rocks destroyed our evening.  We got into Darlington Shelter around 1930. Rocket Turtle came up right behind BMW and me. We also met some nice hikers along the way: Hot Dog and Apple Butter (smart asses whom I rather enjoyed. Both of them let me have it for every one of my mistakes.  I will have my revenge), Headbones, Cruise and Corndog, and the Thru Project (three guys raising money for conservation of the trail named Still Don't, Mr. Dallas, and Muffins). All of them were great people and I'm glad I met them. I continue to meet almost exclusively amazing people on the trail.

This morning, BMW and I had a good start and got a nice view from Hawk Rock. We went the wrong way and went down the old AT. BMW went on and I had to backtrack to keep up my white blaze purism (as convoluted as it has become.) We got into Duncannon and Headbones and Rocket Turtle we checking into the Doyle Hotel, as famous stop along the trail. BMW and I had planned on heading out after lunch and resupply and would take a zero in Port Clinton. We checked the prices, and it was amazing expensive on Port Clinton and Hamburg, so we decided to nero (Near Zero) here to save money and will walk seven days to Palmerton. We save money, keep the same timeline, AND we get to drink beer! So far, I have seen everyone previously mentioned in the blog, plus Bamboo and Morning Kid have come and gone! I had a cheeseburger to die for at the Doyle, a shower, and now we are drinking a Yuengling while doing laundry. Boom. Hell of a day.

I hope you have enjoyed the blog. Not too much going on really. Long days and short days. Starting tomorrow, I think our average will be over 16 or 17 for seven days straight. In the heat. Woot woot!

PS, Kenny and Kaitlyn's wedding was amazing! Had a blast. I even got to see Cushwa when I was home. I missed seeing Travis, as he was busy. I miss him on the trail. It's odd not having his companionship. Or him kicking me in the ribs in the morning because I want to sleep for another 30 minutes. Ok, I don't miss that. Missing my friends down south... That's what....

Enjoy my friends!

Cheers!

Jupiter

Hot Springs, NC to Erwin, TN AND Harpers Ferry, WV to Caledonia State Park, PA

OK!

Sorry it has been awhile since I blogged. My ambition to blog has been low. For the faithful readers out there, I apologize. I hope this blog post will be fun, exciting, and insightful. We shall see. Time will tell it's tale. So it goes. (I am reading Slaughterhouse Five).

Well, let's see here. Left Hot Springs after a wonderful time with Elmer at the Sunnybank Inn. Onward we marched. I was hiking with The Esteemed Stooge, Sir Charles Guilons (That's his full trail name), Strider, and Raven (who is now Rylu). I had a feeling Dreamcatcher and Fiddlehead were ahead of me, so I pushed a 21 mile day out and caught them. I met Choo Choo, Hog, and Crank, all who are speed demons. I believe they are probably half-way through Virginia now. Good guys, but they were averaging 21 mile days from Springer to Erwin. Ridiculous. The weather was nice, Big Bald was an amazing view, and the hike between Hot Springs and Erwin was a really nice section. Some tough climbs and descents, but that comes with the territory of hiking.

No Business Knob Shelter.... Anyone that has section hiked from Erwin towards Hot Springs, or who is a thru-hiker knows this shelter. I think it is distinctly in a class all it's own. Not only is there a peculiar smell (mostly mice droppings), but it is just a very dirty, not-very-welcoming shelter. So, I stayed the night there. I fought bravely against the mice throughout the night. My trekking poles were like the blade reforged from the Shards of Narsil as I did battle against the mice to stop them from chewing a Gatorade bottle. In the end, I claimed victory in the morning. I was exhausted, but I decided to get moving early and get into Erwin. This was Sunday, 2 June. It rained all day starting at 0845. I was at Uncle Jonny's (a hostel about fifteen feet off the trail) by 0930. Not bad. A little wet, but as the day progressed, my friends behind me caught up, as I was the first of my little group to get there, and they were all miserable and looked like wet cats.

Over the next two days, I was reunited with Fiddlehead, Dreamcatcher, The Premier Stooge, Sir Charles Guilons (his other full trail name), Let's Party and Bottom's Up, Pete, Jason (I like to call him Randalf the Gay, Gandalf's forgotten cousin), Strider, Rylu, Pockets (a retired Navy Master Chief), Rojo Baggins, and many more I would come to meet. I particularly enjoyed the brief time I had with the Jones brother and sister, who are in order, Etc. and Fats. They are from Florida and I had a grand time listening to them bicker like, well, brother and sister. I got to meet the trail legend Uncle Jonny himself. I met Sarge, Bear Bait, and Iron Phil who work at Uncle Jonny's. It was a grand time.

Then the fiasco started.

My grandfather is sick and will pass within some time. When I arrived at Uncle Jonny's, the doctor's had given him through the weekend. I made the decision to come home and hike closer to home and to reconnect my sections later. Let me say this to clear any confusion - I am still thru hiking. I haven't stopped. I will just reconnect my sections. In the eyes of the ATC, I have on full year from my start date to finish the trail. I am not doing it the way I dreamed it, but 'tis is life.

To keep a long story short, Enterprise and their credit card/debit card policy is a horrible piece of work. And apparently, the office in Johnson City, TN (well I gotta get a move on, before the sun......) does not have enough cars to fill their rental reservations. So, after staying at Uncle Jonny's from 0930 on Sunday morning until 1930 on Thursday night, I was finally able to escape and get to a Greyhound Station. Annnnnnnnnnnnd, after 16 hours on a bus, I was in Hagerstown, MD, by way of Marion, VA, Charlottesville, VA, Richmond, DC, Baltimore, and Fredrick... -_-

Bringing you up to the moment..... I got to go see my grandfather with my dad on Saturday. He looks rough, but he has lived a great life and 80 years of it. I have had to explain this several times to people and I think that my thru hiking friends would agree... People have asked me why I got off the trail? Well, in the 400 miles I have hiked, I have been afforded a great deal of time to reflect on the past, present, and future. The trail will be here in 40 years when I am retired. There is no trophy at Mount Katahdin. The trail is a living, ever changing part of someone's life. Just like family and friends. My Pop Pop won't be here in 45 years. Some of my friends won't either, which is why I am going to two weddings while I am thru hiking. After Travis got hurt and had to get off the trail, and I was stuck in Gatlinburg resting my leg, I came to terms with the very likely outcome of me not making it all the way. I am at peace with it. I have already grown so much, resolved so many issues in my past, and have a plan for the future that I want and feels right in my heart. I already feel like I have won. On top of all this, I got to live in the present and see so many amazing places already! I have raised almost $1,300 for a charity. I have already succeeded. Every mile after this is just bonus miles to me. That being said.... I am making it to my Lonely Mountain and I am finishing this within a year. I'll be damned if I let walking beat me....... Hahaha, Christopher Walken. I won't let Walken beat me.... That's what... he said?

Harper's Ferry... I have hiked these trails at least once, some sections twice, and some I can't remember how many times. How many times have you been to Jeffersons Rock? Anyways, I started on the second step of the stairs coming down from St. Patrick's (which reminds me, I stopped at the fourth pole of the handrail on the bridge over the Nolichucky across from Uncle Jonny's. Still good on my White Blaze Purist!!!) and continued to Ed Garvey Shelter. I met Timber and his wife (her name eludes me), and Lucky Strike (a New Zealand fellow). I pushed on through Maryland. It took me two and a half days to get through. I think the week off and a few too many drinks the night before starting made for a rough Maryland. I stayed at Raven Rock Shelter my third night and met Jeremiah the next morning. Marine Corps hiker who had never done a hike before and just decided to keep walking. We walked together a little bit in the morning and ate lunch together. He encouraged me to push past my 19.8 mile day and go for a 25.4. I decided when I got to Rocky Mountain Shelter, I would see how i felt after 19.8 and go from there. I fell and twisted my knee early on, but it didn't bother me, so I kept pushing. Around mile 16, I was walking on flat ground. No roots. No rocks. Flat, effing, ground. Twisted my right ankle. I had climbed, literally climbed and jumped from stone to stone in at least three boulder fields already that day. And flat ground got me. I got to the shelter and was limping at 19.8 miles. I decided, because of today's weather reports, to push on so I would only have an 8 mile day the next day, then I twisted it again. Then I had to climb some rocks, and I twisted it again. As I knew this was starting to be trouble, I called my father to come pick me up two days earlier. I was only 20 miles from Pine Grove, which is a day and a half of walking now, but I wanted ot play it safe as I was already being picked up on Friday for a wedding Saturday. I still got 22.7 miles for the day, a new PR!

OK. That was long. And that brings you up to speed. I am not quitting. I will be back on the trail Sunday. I will be heading north from Caledonia further into PA. Ummm, and I finally got to watch parts of the first Lord of the Rings. We have been talking about that for the last month and a half. Now I just need to watch Jurassic Park.....

Unconventional White Blaze Purism. I love it. Still planning (in my head) a trip next summer before I go back to school and hike the John Muir Trail. Let me know if you're interested!

For those of you interested in why I am called Jupiter, check out the link below. It is "Jupiter, The Bringer of Jollity" by Gustav Holst. He was an English composer and composed "The Planets", a collection of symphonies about, *Gasp*, the PLANETS! If you listen from 2:54 in the video until 4:37, that is what I have been whistling for the past month and a half. I feel bad for those who have been hiking with me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nz0b4STz1lo

Ok. I'm done. So it goes.

Cheers!

Jupiter

Clingman's Dome to Hot Springs, NC

Reached Hot Springs, NC yesterday! Checkpoint. Saved game.

Doc told me to keep my mileage at ten a day to see how my leg feels. Mileage round up for the last five days of hiking were 10.7, 12.6, 18.4, 15.1, and 18. Oops. Leg is ok. Mostly annoying. It could still get bad, but it's holding up well at the moment. I have a thirteen day push to Damascus, VA from here with only one resupply. It's going to be long, hot, and hard.... *looks around mischieviously*

So, for people roundup: hiked quite a bit with Shaman and Let's Party. Good chats about ex's, our lives, and the future. We caught up with Pete and Jason (you might remember them from when Travis and I almost died of hypothermia) and had plenty of laughs with them. Rojo is along as well, always with a laugh and his boisterous snoring that wakes me up even with my ear plugs in. Met four new hikers that I have since spent a great deal of time with: Tangy (marketing wiz from Michigan with a great voice for singing and a love of quick wit and sarcasm), Sir Stooge (his actual trail name is much longer but I can never remember it. Awesome dude from South Jersey and a great conversationalist), Raven (duder from Meso, AZ who is quiet but hilarious and really smart), and Strider (a college guy heading to Harpers Ferry who has had terrible luck with finding a good book to read. I bought him a romance novel so we can have nightly readings).

After getting out of the Smokies, we stayed at Standing Bear Hostel and had some beers with Rocket,  the caretaker. It was a rough morning for some, but an awesome hostel for sure. Hand washed my clothes, which only made them smell worse. I decided to see how my leg would hold and push for Hot Springs in two days (not too bad, but decent climbs up and down on either end.) Raven, Strider, and I pushed past Max Patch, an amazing bald in NC, to Roaring Fork Shelter. Tangy and Sir Stooge stayed at the Patch for sunset and sunrise photos. Kind of wish I had done the same. Rojo, Shaman, and Party stayed longer at Standing Bear, but showed up today on our zero in Hot Springs.

When I got into Hot Springs, Dreamcatcher and Fiddlehead were here! Fiddlehead owed me some money, so instead of giving me the money, they bought me a plastic flask with Jameson in it. In a dry county. Needless to say, I have been generous with all our hiker trash friends and we have all enjoyed the beauty that is Jameson. We also went into the Hot Springs. Veeeeeeery relaxing.

We all stumbled into Smoky Mountain Diner and ate the Hungry Hiker,  a twelve ounce burger with any multitude of sides. I got wedges the size of my arm. After destroying the burger, we settled into the Sunnybank Inn which is run by 1975 thru hiker Elmer and two other thru hikers who help him out. It is an historic building, dating back to 1840. Amazing place, amazing food, and a gracious host. We had beers and pizza at the Spring Creek Tavern and watched the Red Wings game. Enjoyable. Breakfast this morning, prepared by Elmer himself, was a vegetarian delight. I took a photo for your viewing pleasure. Did laundry, still have to resupply, and have tried to relax as much as possible.

I have a wedding on June 15th. I am going to try to oush past mile 500 before then. Shouldn't be too bad, just not going to be as relaxing as it has been. Thirteen days without a zero and only one place to shower and laundry! Woot!

To those no longer with us on the trail, we miss you and love you. This includes, and is not limited to, Shamwow, my man Ellis, and Trav. I hope all of you are well and all those ahead or behind me are well.

Oh yeah, all I saw in the Smokies were three turkeys, three deer, squirrels, and chipmunks. I could've stayed home. Stupid weather blocking every good view in the Smokies except one or two! I will reconquer you another time.

I hope everyone is having a beautiful day! Check out YouTube for videos soon

Cheers!

Jupiter

Fontana Dam to Clingman's Dome

We got a man down dude.

Updates... Travis has a muscle that tore off his bone. He is down and out. Called the medics. If he isn't healed in six weeks, he may have to get surgery. I can honestly say I have experienced a sense of deep sadness and depression about the lose of the other king. Life throws curves and ya just have to keep rolling, rolling, rolling.

Update on my leg.... came off the trail for three days and four nights. I had swelling in my right shin and ankle for seven days before getting off the trail. I made it to Urgent Care in Gatlinburg, TN, and the doctor says I have inflammation in a compartment in my leg. AKA, I have the beginnings of compartment syndrome. I knew two guys that were medically discharged from the Army for the same issue in their legs. Let's hope the doctor is wrong. I got a steroid shot in my tush, steroid pills, and a "take as much ibuprofen as you can handle" from the doctor. Starting tomorrow, so hopefully my leg hold's up.

Keep the Two Kings in your hopes and dreams.

From Fontana Dam, the mileage roll up is 16.7 from Fontana Dam to Spence Field Shelter, 6.3 from Spence to Derrick Knob Shelter, and 10.3 from Derrick to Clingman's Dome.

The first day into the Smokies was great. A loooong day with a looooong climb. I left Travis that day and it made it even harder. Fiddlehead and I walked together most of the day. There are pictures of a deer we got four feet from. We met our first southbounder. He started September 23 last year. Sherpa, I hope you finish this Saturday and havr your party with your friends and family. Carl, the first Ridgerunner we encountered, advised us of an easy hike to Spense Field, so we pushed through for a long day. Met The Texans (college buddies thag went to U of Texas out for a section hike), a Marine Vietnam Vet and his friend, and Crash (another thru hiker). The Texans shred food with us after a night of rain and crappy weather. Good luck to The Texans and their families!

I finally realized on day six I needed medical attention while climbing Derrick Knob. I stepped and got sharp pain shots up my shin and later that day my feet and toes went numb. Trey, a Ridgerunner (someone who stays along the trail to assist in the park and hikers) was an EMT and advised me to get off. Fiddlehead and Dreamcatcher left me behind and carried on. I already miss them dearly. A young man from Seattle, who shall remain nameless, almost had the Ridgerunner kick him out of the shelter. So far, everyone on the trail have been decent, kind folks, but this young man leaves a trail of disaster wherever he falls. I wish him good luck and that he makes it to Maine,  but I told him I hope our paths never cross again. He had some interesting comments on how he feels that the military is bullshit and he will sit in the US and let other people die so he can drink beer and smoke pot. Interesting cat.

The next morning, Trey and Seattle continued to argue and everyone at the shelter had enough of Seattle. The swelling had subsided, so I let Trey know I was pushing to Clingman's and getting a ride to Gatlinburg. I bid ado to my fellow hikers and begrudgingly said bye to Seattle, hoping I wouldn't see him again. I made it Clingman's with little incident. Pain of course, but manageable and nothing to write home about. Upon the Dome, which the pictures of the fog are of, paint a picture of the highest point on the AT without any visibility. A park volunteer named Dixie offered to give me a ride if I waited until her shift was done. I was perfectly fine with waiting. I climbed the Dome, ate some chocolate, and talked to other park employees. I shout out to Dixie for your trail magic! She even gave me an apple! Highlight of my day.

I made it into Gatlinburg and am staying at the Grand Prix Motel. Perfect for hikers. Just about as dirty as we are when we get off the trail, but the beds are amazing and showers.  Showers.

In an attempt to keep my Gatlinburg experiencr short.... I spent too much money, drank with my fellow thru hikers and my new friends Marianne and Mike (great people from outside of Chicago! Hope our paths cross again!). Thru hikers Bibs, Rojo Baggins, Shaman, and an assortment of others are all here. Seattle and I bumped into each other for a minute. He was not happy to see me. I smiled and wished him happy trails with earnest.... then cursed him under my breath. Not the best of manners, but I am only human.

Let's Party showed up tonight! We are all heading back to the trail tomorrow. It's weird to see Party without Easy, her dog, but it is always good for the heart to see her smiling face and have her awesome sense of humor back in the mix.

Shout outs to my home skillets Dreamcatcher and Fiddlehead. Hope you left us some nice notes in the registers. Ellis, my man, you are missed! Shamwow, I hope you are well and had a nice time with the family!

If you could, please keep my grandfather, my dad's dad, in your thoughts. He is not doing very well.

Ok, the post is too long. Also, I don't know how to end this anymore. And I ate three 16 ounce sirloins while I was in town. And did the free moonshine tasting. Twice.

Cheers!

Jupiter... Two Kings.... I dunno....

Rock Gap to Fontana Dam

Ok. Going to give the miles per day break down. Rock Gap to Wayah Bald Shelter 14.8. Wayah Bald to A. Rufus Morgan Shelter 15.5. Rufus Morgan to Nantahala Outdoor Center and a stay in The Cabin In The Woods 1 single mile. Nantahala to Brown Fork Gap Shelter 15.8. Brown Fork to Fontana 11.5 plus a 1.1 mile hike to the Fontana Hilton later today.

So, people we have met so far.... Trav and I are hiking with Let's Party and Bottom's Up,  Fiddlehead (Liz), and Dteamcatcher (Kieran). We have met Sam and Ron (who gave us guava and green tea on top of Silver Bald) Rabbit, John from Alabama, Loon (a four time thru hiker on his fifth attempt this year), Uncle Nasty, Bibs (NC guy who wear Carhartt overalls), Fuel and Eric (two young guys on break from college), Mosey, Mapman and Spark Plug's Auntie, and the Frat Guys. All unique and interesting people to meet.

A sidenote, the Frat Guys and Loon were favorites of mine. Loon was such an inspiration to see him on his fifth thru hike. The Frat Guys are so named because of their demeanor and their propensity to laugh at my stupid jokes. Their names were Burgess, Drew, and Reid. Reid is a thru hiker named "Cliffnote". Burgess and Drew were accompanying him to Fontana Dam for moral support. Because I have a terrible time with names, I called Burgess "City Boy" because he was wearing jeans. Drew I named "Hair" because of his almost, but not quite,  Justin Bieber hair cut. It is a shame they jumped ahead. I gave them so much shit, and they took it with laughs all around. Great guys. I wish the best of luck to everyone, but especially Loon, Sam and Ron, and the Frat Guys.

It has been nice spending time with Party, Fiddlehead, and Dreamcatcher. Good company. We stayed at The Cabin In The Woods near Stecoah Gap. Amazing cabins run by a lovely woman named Donna. Check it out! Cheap prices and an amazing place to stay! We even watched two movies!

The immensity of the trail hit me today. Interesting thoughts during todays hike. Dreamcatcher is losing his mind. Fiddlehead is like a leech, sucking money from me every time we go into town. Party is nowhere to be seen. Ellis has died apparently.  He is sorely missed. Shamwow is all washed up.

In all seriousness, Trav's right shin and ankle is messed up. Bad. I dunno what we are going to do yet. Should be starting the Smokies tomorrow.

As far as the trail is concerned, it has been hard. Long climbs and long descents. It kicked all of our asses.

Time to resupply and head to the shelter. Miss ya'll! Please donate to my cause and keep it real home dawgs.

Cheers!

Two Kings

Dick's Creek Gap to Rock Gap (Franklin, NC)

Short blog post.

Finishing day ten. Travis has an infected toe. Took a zero today. Nantahala Outdoor Center in two or three days and the Smokies in five hopefully.

Got some trail magic yesterday. Free ride into Franklin and a free steak dinner! Michael Jordan and Turtle were most gracious and we truly appreciate their kindness. We will have to pay it forward. I hope that happy trails find their way for their immrnse kindness to Travis and I!

Besides that, North Carolina is much better then Georgia. Amazing views, better trail, and better weather. Looking forward to getting back on the trail.

Check out the pictures and my videod on YouTube. 

Cheers!

Two Kings