Trail Magic and Slack Packing

There are two posts within this post.  The first is mine, the second is Void's. I should have posted this yesterday but forgot.

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Monday I went out to the trail to do some magic, slack-pack Void and anyone around him, and hopefully meet up with some friends from the trail. Slacked Void from Slatington, PA to Port Clinton, PA over two days. Monday night I met up with Misery, Snickets, and Ken Doll before heading to Slatington to pick up Shambo. A little after Shambo and I got back to the group, Void joined us. Stealth camped just off the road that evening and in the morning they slacked 16 miles to the road where I was waiting for them.

Prior to their arrival, I met up with Anchor, Starfish, Sherpa, Shipwreck, and Zen and gave them some trail magic. Starfish wasn't doing too well and asked for a ride into Hamburg to wait for the rest of the group. After dropping her off I headed back to wait for Void and group where I met another SOBO, Floater. Floater and I talked for a bit and he joined me for lunch before heading back on the trail. About 1:30, Void and group arrived and they had some sodas, candy, snacks, and sandwiches. About 2:30 they got back on the trail to meet me in Port Clinton that night for a total of more than 30 miles. While waiting for them, I headed back to town and met up with Starfish, then the rest of her group as they arrived.

Around 8, I got a call from Void that they were in town and I met them in Port Clinton at a member's only bar that is hiker friendly. We sat around for a bit eating and drinking, then headed to the town pavilion where they allow hikers to sleep. The next morning, I drove the group to the trail head at the railroad tracks and waved goodbye.

Once they were on the trail, I headed back to Hamburg to meet up with Anchor, Starfish, Sherpa, Shipwreck, and Zen and drive them around so they could pick up supplies. Someone mentioned (I believe it was Starfish) that the oldest American Brewery, Yuengling, was nearby so we got in the car and drove out for a tour. It's actually quite interesting watching all the activities associated with brewing. After the tour, we went out to lunch and then I dropped the group off in Hamburg where they were zeroing for the day.

I still wish I was back on the trail, but at least by doing trail magic I can still experience the trail while I wait to hike again.

~Shadow Grimm

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Since my last update i have left New York. I then left New Jersey in a couple days and went into Pennsylvania. I've been making some pretty good distance days of over 20 miles too. Met up with a bunch of people I've known and have been hiking with them for a few days now. Made it to Port Clinton last night after Shadow slack packed me and 4 others for 32 miles. the day before that I did a 24 mile day and had lunch at a place in Slatington PA called Nicki and Lena's Amazin' Bites. They had an amazin' Hawaiian burger!

Last night after we finished we went to a bar in the basement of a firehouse. It was for members only but members are allowed to "invite" 2 hikers each so we were able to get in. they are very hiker friendly and the first drink was on the house. Let me tell you... frozen burgers are absolutely delicious after a day of hiking.

So far PA has been rocky. and its not the rocks that you can easily step on or anything, no, its the rocks that stick up with points about 2 inches above the ground and try to break your ankle every time you take a step. It was slower going for a while. but apparently the first 60ish miles are the hardest for SoBos and i am now about 75 miles in so it should hopefully get a bit easier! Lots of rock slides to climb over and there have been a couple of really nice views. probably going to take a decently easy day today and stealth camp somewhere. I'm also probably going to end up in Virginia hopefully by next Tuesday or so, i am probably going to take a Zero or 2 and if Olive Garden is still offering endless pasta then that is what i am going to do. I am also possibly getting my hair dyed... apparently it will be blue... haven't had my hair dyed for a really long time so i just might let Ken Doll or Snickets do it.
now for some funny quotes of the past couple days...!!!

"Lets pretend to be homeless and exercise like crazy!" - Ken Doll

"I Slept like a baby in a shower" - Shambo

"Awkward girls can enjoy art too" - Shambo

Well, that's about it for now, looking forward to getting to Duncannon in a couple days and staying at the Doyle Hotel (apparently it is a crappy really run down hotel and should be destroyed, but all hikers need to go to it just to say they did and have the experience)

That's it Folks! Signing off, this is Void Grimm

Leg Update

Met with the doctor on Tuesday about my leg. MRI was negative for fractures but there was severe swelling in the area and the doctor diagnosed me with severe shin splints. Treatment is more rest, heat, stretching, and ice after I've been walking on it. I'm allowed back on the trail when I don't feel any pain. I'm hoping next weekend (labor day) but I won't know till later.

In the meantime, I'm going to head out to the trail for a day to set up a trail magic camp and deliver some things to Void. Already picked up a bunch of food and drink to share with the hikers that pass by while I'm there, just need to get the cooler out and decide what day I'm going.

~Shadow Void

Stayed with an awesome couple last night... Trail angels they were and got us showers, pizza, beer, soda, beds, and breakfast! into NJ and town for resupply

Made it to the top of bear mountain after leaving fort montgomery today. About 850 stone steps to the top not including regular hill climbing. Nice views tho!

Quick update on my leg ...

Second set of x-rays were negative so the doctor gave me an anti-inflammatory to see if that made any difference. I didn't notice any difference during or after the meds so the doctor sent me to get an MRI. My next appointment is on Tuesday to review the results of the MRI.

I can't decide if I want there to be anything in the MRI or not. If something shows up then I'll probably be off for another few weeks. On the other hand, if nothing shows up I won't know why my leg is still hurting. Guess we'll wait and see.

~Shadow Void

Dinner is served!
CB#: 703-963-0641

So the whole 16 miles today became 20 miles because i wanted real food and it was too early to stop... Done for the day and gonna get me some pizza!

Im in New York! this morning i saw 2 white tailed deer, a black squirrel, & a rabbit! goal today is 16 mi... made it 8 so far in 3.25 hrs, so a good & fast time

For anyones information... Cliff bar wrappers burn for a pretty long time considering its almost like paper... At least 2 minutes of burn time!

Kent connecticut is very hiker friendly.. Lots of hiker discounts... And even the rednecks were interested in tails of the trail!

Heading to Kent CT tomorrow to stop in and grab a bite and slingshot (theyre fun) gonna be going 10 miles a day till fort montgomery... foot gets a rest!

A couple of things...
First of all, I am taking a Zero day tomorrow, my legs hurt a fair amount from the mountains we climbed today (Lion's Head, Bear, and Everett). We (Lightbrite, Listen, and I) slacked 21 miles from Salisbury to Great Barrington (yes, this is a northerly route, but the hostel owner here makes it easier by allowing us to hike back to where our stuff is).
Secondly, My brother's cell phone keeps track of where we are on the trail using Google Latitude. Thus saying, since my brother is no longer on the trail and I do not have his cell phone, the map will not be very accurate. Therefor, if the map says we are in Virginia or some such ridiculous place, then do not trust it.
Third and last, Pizza at Manhattan Pizza in Great Barrington MA is absolutely wonderful.

Off trail for a few days, maybe more

As some of you know and others have probably figured out from the photos I just posted (link on the right side of the page), I'm off the trail for a few days. Whatever I did to my shin was more serious than I wanted so I came home to see a doctor about it. The 60+ miles I hiked while it was sore probably had something to do with that. Nothing conclusive yet so it's either severe shin splints (really hoping this is it) or a stress fracture (can take 4-6 weeks before x-rays show conclusive). I'm still resting it and heeding the doctor's advice to "let pain be my guide." As long as I feel pain I'm not getting back on the trail. It's more frustrating that I thought possible but at least I'm able to do it at home. I'm hoping I can get back on the trail next weekend at the latest but only time will tell. I'd rather take 2 weeks now to rest it than be off the trail permanently because I pushed it too hard again.

In the meantime, Void and I have swapped places and he's hiking the trail. It's not such a bad thing for him to have some solo days anyway, I know I enjoyed mine. Hopefully we won't be tag-teaming the AT anymore.

Getting Around

Since being back on the trail, I have logged a 10 mile day, 11 mile, and two 14 mile days. taking a break at a place owned by 2 former thru hikers (Buttons and Bearwalker). it was pretty tough getting a ride into town i wont lie (if you see a hiker trying to get into town, please help them out... hikers are wonderful (and yes smelly which is negative) and great people to talk to). Scrum, Listen, and Anchor are here and so is Lightbrite. Going to be doing a 21 mile day by slackpacking tomorrow. i'll be able to drop a whole day off my time to get to salisbury by doing that hopefully. well logging off for right now, ill be back on at some point

Stopped for the night at goose pond today... panca...

Stopped for the night at goose pond today... pancakes in the morning :) stayed at the cookie ladies house last night for cookies!

And I, Void, am back on the trail!!

And I, Void, am back on the trail!!

Pushed too hard

Same night I had dinner on Bromley I saw the rainbow in the attached image.

Last few days I've been meeting up with the NOBO bubble. Nice talking with them & getting advice about the trail ahead.

I've been pushing miles the last few days to make Dalton, MA before Void joins me again. Pulled a couple 20s and was doing well but was having issues with my shins that just wouldn't go away. Managed to get to Bennington yesterday amd got a ride to the North Adams Regional Hospital for x-rays. Nothing there but the doctor said to take some time and rest the leg. Zeroing until Saturday and will see how I feel then. Better to rest a few days now than many days later.

I did manage to catch up to Listen just after Manchester and we hiked together for two days till I pulled off yesterday. She pulled a 28.5 mile day and is taking a zero with me. It's always good to catch up to old friends from the trail and see how they're doing.

Trooper may join us tonight if she can get a ride from Manchester.