GainWithoutPain

Mail Drop for an AT Thru-hiker

Mail Drop for an AT Thru-hiker

Friday, April 20, 2012Leave a comment

My friend is currently thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail (AT). I volunteered to provide supplies for one of his upcoming mail drops and purchased items off of his list.

He does not eat meals like a regular person so he snacks throughout the day and only has one big meal at the end of the day. His dinner consists of chicken with either Ramen noodles/mashed potatoes/rice sides.

Apparently other people have been sending him supplies so he asked us not to send the following items on his list: Pringles, cookies, cheese & crackers.

Some of his odd requests were dehydrated pineapples (which I found at Bloom) and cheese sticks (which I hope will hold up well in the mail).

7 Day Resupply

7 Day Resupply

Training Hike: Snickers Gap to Crescent Rock

Training Hike: Snickers Gap to Crescent Rock

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Out and back hike along the Appalachian Trail
6.28 Miles
3 hour 30 mins

Elevation Profile from MapMyHIKE

Elevation Profile from MapMyHIKE

Welcome to West Virginia

Welcome to West Virginia

I tested the following items during the hike

1. Voltaren Gel
I applied this gel to both knees about 1 hour before the hike. No pain in my bad knee during the hike and slight ache at times in the good knee when descending. My good knee is starting to get arthritis after many years of compensating for the the bad knee.

My knees were stiff by the time I got home. I iced both knees.

2. ASICS GEL-Fuji Racer

These are a minimalist trail runner and they felt great! They are not waterproof so they will be a spring/summer hiking shoe.

Asics Gel Fuji Racer

Asics Gel Fuji Racer

3. Safe-T-Sport Patella Support Brace

Safe-T-Sport Patella Support Brace Model 37-300

Safe-T-Sport Patella Support Brace Model 37-300

I decided to try using a knee brace after talking with several hikers who said that braces help them minimize knee pain. This brace is small and light. It easily fit under my hiking pants and it was easy to take on/off. I barely noticed the brace once I started hiking.

Weekly Photo Challenge-GainWithoutPain

Weekly Photo Challenge: Together

Weekly Photo Challenge: Together

The Appalachian Trail (AT) is a foot path that stretches from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Mt. Katahdin, Maine. I have finished hiking the AT in 4 states and still have 10 states remaining.

I have been very lucky to have joined the following groups on their hikes in order to get more miles on the trail. By hiking together, we learn from each other, laugh at our mishaps, enjoy nature, and make new friends.

Allentown Hiking Club (PA)
Highlight: They hand out chocolate during breaks!!

Bake Oven Know Road to Lehigh Gap

 

Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club (PA)
Highlight: Monster basket of french fries at the Port Clinton Hotel after the hike

Sand Spring Trail to Port Clinton with BMECC

Sand Spring Trail to Port Clinton with BMECC

 

Appalachian Mountain Club – Delaware Valley Chapter
Highlight: They helped us down the tricky parts of Lehigh Gap

Before Little Gap with AMC Delaware Chapter

Before Little Gap with AMC Delaware Chapter

 

Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club (VA)
Highlight: They don’t leave their dead behind (Bruce knows what I am talking about)!

Elk Garden to VA 601 with NBATC

Elk Garden to VA 601 with NBATC

 

Rockbridge Community Hikers
Highlight: The group sticking together when one of the hikers doesn’t feel well

Long Mountain Wayside to Pedler Dam

Long Mountain Wayside to Pedler Dam

Keys Gap to the David Lesser Shelter

Keys Gap to the David Lesser Shelter

Sunday, February 3, 2013Leave a comment

David Lesser Shelter

Pavilion

Appalachian Trail

AT NY: 55 to 22

Sunday, October 7, 2012Leave a comment

7.2 miles

The train station in Pawling, NY.

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AT: Arden Valley Rd to 17 (NY)

5.5 miles

Dirigo going through the Lemon Squeezers

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AT: NY 17A to 17

Saturday, May 19, 2012Leave a comment

12 miles

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Training Hike: Keys Gap to David Lesser Shelter

Keys Gap to David Lesser Shelter

Keys Gap to David Lesser Shelter

Trail Dames Hike along the Appalachian Trail near Harpers Ferry, WV

Re-Posted from GainwithoutPain

I joined the Trail Dames for a “beginners” hike along the Appalachian Trail (AT). Trail Dames is a hiking club for women of a curvy nature but it has become a place where all women are welcome!

We took the blue blazed trail from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to the AT. Once we reached the AT, we turned left and headed north towards Maryland.

Trail Dames at Jefferson Rock

Trail Dames at Jefferson Rock

After you cross the Potomac River, you are in Maryland on the Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Canal towpath. This is the only section on the AT where horses are allowed.

Trail Dames on the AT and C&O Canal

Trail Dames on the AT and C&O Canal