From the Journals: DAY 62, April 26

Coach

David Lesser Memorial Shelter - Harpers Ferry, WV: 10mi

We made an easy hike into Harpers Ferry where we registered as Northbound thru-hikers at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC). At this point, the Professor and I are #18 and #19 for the 2011 Northbound Thru-Hiker season. Probably had the best cheeseburger of the hike in Harpers Ferry. It was $9.99, came with fries and will be the litmus test for all other cheeseburgers. We took it easy in preparation for tomorrow's Maryland Challenge. Harpers Ferry is a very historic town and I would like to come back when I could spend more time checking things out.

Professor

Hiked into Harpers Ferry, officially #'s 18 and 19. Stayed at the Town's Inn. A lot of Civil War history. So close to Washington.

From the Journals: DAY 61

Coach

Rod Hollow Shelter - David Lesser Memorial Shelter: 19.7 mi

The Roller Coaster, 13.5 miles of tightly packed ascents and descents combined with the SUN made for a tough day. Put on finishing touches for the presentation to convince the Professor to do the MARYLAND CHALLENGE (hiking the entire state of Maryland in one day- 41mi) Reached the 1000 mark today.

Professor

The Sun God punishes

Roller Coaster

Asleep on rock

1,000 mile sign

From the Journals: DAY 60

Coach

US 522 - Rod Hollow Shelter: 23.5 mi

Lindsay slackpacked us. Very happy with my boonie hat purchase. Still tired mainly because of the SUN! My old adversary, the SUN, is back and in full effect.

OLD CHUB beer is awesome and might have become my newest favorite, it's dark and exceptionally tasty (Note: OLD CHUB is 8% alcohol).

Professor

Slackpacking was a total dream. Lindsay was at every trailhead and road crossing. Something amazing to look forward to! I can't wait to have her back.

Old Chub! is my new favorite trail beer:
1. 8% so you don't need many (less weight)

2. Aluminum cans- so you can crush and put in trash bag (can even says Pack it in, Pack it out!)

3. Random quotes on can are funny ("It's like Sputnik").

From the Journals: DAY 59, April 23

Coach
Front Royal, VA: 0mi
Lindsay is awesome.
Shenandoah National Park Report: 107.5 miles hiked, 4 days (26.9 mi/day), 1 Zero Day banked.
Professor
Zero with my beautiful Trail Angel!

From Coach's Camera

From the Journals: DAY 58, April 22

Coach
Pass Mountain Hut - Front Royal, VA (US 522): 26.6 mi
After cowboy camping, we managed to pack up most of our things before the rain set in. The day was miserable and we got to hike all day in hypothermic weather, which basically means high 30s to low 40s with rain and strong winds. The push through the Shenandoah National Park really took its toll. The only thing that really got us through this day was knowing that Lindsay would be waiting with food and beer to whisk us to Zero Day land for much needed recovery time.

Professor
When we woke this morning we had just enough time to eat breakfast before it started to rain. After that, it really didn't stop and it got colder. It was the first time we had to put almost complete "weather armor" on in a while. As the second 25+ miler in a row it was quickly turning into a miserable day with this cold wet weather. This is hypothermia weather, perfect conditions. For lunch, we ran into another troop of boyscouts on Spring Break. They had a fire going which Coach and I immediately took to. We were hunched over the fire with our clothes steaming from wet. The boyscouts thought we were heroes. I felt like a beaten wet dog, but the enthusiasm and fire definitely helped morale! They took a picture of us in a group with them. My wife was the most perfect Trail Angel with beers and BBQ waiting for us at the end of this miserable finale of the Shenandoah 107.5 mile push.

From the Journals: DAY 57

Coach
Bear Fence Hut - Pass Mountain Hut: 26.8 mi
We were slow to get on the Trail and our bodies showed signs that we did a huge day yesterday. I felt like we were hiking slow all morning. However, it turns out we were maintained our usual pace. When we took a break at Noon, we look at the map and discovered that the Skyland Dining Room closed for lunch at 2pm. This was fact a was problem, since we were 4.6 miles away at 12:10pm. Although my body was very sore from yesterday, the fact that we had been talking about a cheeseburger from this place all morning gave me the motivation to trail run the 4.6 miles to get to the Dining Room before it closed. I made it before it closed and had a table waiting when the Professor got there 10mins. before they closed seating for lunch. The Professor was quite a sight coming into the Dining Room with pack and hiking poles still in hand. We caloried up and had a pleasant rest of the day with excellent view.

Professor
Skyland Dining Room: double bacon cheeseburger and fries for main course. Appetizer of sweet potato fries with maple butter gobbed over them like ketchup. House salad with blackberry vinaigrette (I thought Coach was going to eat the Vinaigrette like soup).
We saw a lot of the public today. Sometimes I feel like a part of the local wildlife:

"...look Honey, that's a thru-hiker, quick take a picture before it runs off; maybe if we hold out some food it will come over..."

An English girl on a family vacation snapped a quick shot of me hiking today, then showed it to her siblings and laughed. We must look a sight.

I'm glad the rain held off today and thus far this evening. We arrived to the shelter tonight and it is slammed with a pack of teenage boys on Spring Break. We are forced to "Cowboy Camp" - I like doing it on nice nights.

Slang List

Cowboy Camping = Sleep out under the stars

Brain = Top pocket section of pack

Food Baby = Food bag

Weather Armor = Rain gear

"The good stuff" = Bleach water