Walked into Daleville area yesterday, the day of June 23rd. That date marked two months on the trail, twenty-two zero days, and roughly 700 miles covered. It's a bit of a race against time at this point, so I think I've used up my zero day quota. It will be a balancing act of hiking enough miles to cover ground while maintaining good health and adequate rest. The terrain here is still pretty mountainous, but some of the climbs are beginning to mellow out a little. Virginia is about a quarter of the trail and many get tired of the monotonous landscape, but I'm still fresh from that time off. A little of the trail has gone through agriculture land and it is nice to have a little elbow room and open views. I have also perfected my technique of climbing over fences, though a pole vault would be nice. It's all about maximizing hiking time.

Good to hear you are going strong again Russell. Don't worry about lost time. Stay healthy, strong, and away from spiders and you will get it done.

Russell 700
Ryan 10.4

What mountain did you climb, Ryan? You could probably bolster your 2012 trail miles considerably if you counted some of the Thursday night mileages. I hope you can do a section in VT or NH when I get up there. I'm looking forward to hiking in the Whites, despite the elevation gains and losses. I just climbed the last 3000 foot gain until NH, here at mile 817.

Rusty, While I know you can be exact, throw out some approximate dates of your arrival in the whites and NH and bet we can get some hiking companions and a few awesome meals... I have a crew hiking the first section on Maine August 12th, but I doubt you will be up here that quick.... Keep up the great work...!


PJ

Russell, I am very much looking forward to hiking with you when you get up this way. It might be a day with you, 3 days to recover, a day with you, 5 days to recover... but I'm still looking forward to it.

I hiked Passaconaway in NH with Joan. Hike was about 3000 vertical rise in total the way we did it. I have several more hikes lined up with Joan in July. It is my hope on July 29, to start hitting some of the longer and more remote 4,000 footers and see how many of those I can get out of the way this summer. My hike report and pictures for Passaconaway and others can be found here: [url]http://www.functionalart.us/friends/index.php?query=base&gnav=36[/url]. Long ways to go but 18 out of 48 completed: [url]http://www.functionalart.us/friends/index.php?nav=22&list=3[/url]

PJ, Foot has a map of the whole AT at the Blacksmith shop. On it he is charting where all of Russell's food shipments are being sent and on what dates. This is a pretty good indication of Russell's progress but I am sure he will let us know when he gets up this way.

Looking forward to your next post.

Ryan

Just a quick note to say that we will post New England dates when Russell is closer so you will know approximately when and where you can join him on his trek!

:D

Russell - 1000+
Ryan - 16.2

[url]http://www.functionalart.us/friends/index.php?query=base&gnav=36[/url]

Hey PJ,
I plan on finishing around September 20th, and will probably hit Hanover, which is 600 miles from where I am now (Duncannon, PA) in 30 days, or August 15th. Maybe a day or two after that if I don't stick to 20 mile days.
-Russ