Ta-Ta Pennsylvania...Hola New Jersey

Greetings from Jersey! We just recently completed Pennsylvania (now 7 out of the 14 AT states hiked), and are happy to be done with the rocks. As expected, the terrain did a number on our shoes and feet.

We had some sun recently (even a couple days in a row). It was nice to be dry for a more extended time period. However, we were stuck in some thunderstorms. It is quite scary to be on the mountain when a storm rolls in. The storm that we were in a few days ago injured 4 hikers a bit north of where we were hiking. They were not hit directly but were rescued from the trail. We are very thankful that we escaped any injury.

For the past 3 days, we have taken a break from the trail. We spent the days at the Jersey Shore with some fellow hikers. The Caporale's were kind and generous to open their home to us. We were well fed, and clean. We will miss Clemencia (who we have hiked with for the past 6 weeks or so).


May is a popular month for hunting along the AT. Thank goodness "Dirty Mess" wore an orange bandana.

"Too Klean" contemplates hitching home to Chicago.

"Dirty Mess" poses on top of Washington Monument in Maryland.

A rock maze lets hikers know which direction they need to go to get to Maine or Georgia.

"Too Klean" on an overlook in PA.

We stayed at a shelter that had a resident porcupine. It would come throughout the night to chew on the wood. We were told they are typically sodium-deficient. They like to chew the wood where sweaty hikers sit. It kept "Dirty Mess" up all night with its frequent visits.

Checking out the elevation profile and figuring out mileage for the next day.

We stopped at a motel near the AT to get clean water. The nice owner gladly filled us up even though we didn't stay there. Every time we fill up, we have to unpack and repack our packs.

"Too Klean" and "Canada" cross the PA-NJ stateline. "Too Klean" gives her feet a break and wears Crocs. Yea!

Thru-hikers eating a delicious dinner at the Caporale's house. Good food...Good Company! It was a great visit and nice to be off the trail for 3 days.


Playing bocce ball.


"Too Klean" & Clemencia boating on the Jersey Shore.

"Too Klean" & Clemencia dodging balls on the boardwalk.

"Too Klean", Clemencia, and "Dirty Mess", on the Jersey Shore. How far is the Atlantic Ocean from the Appalachian Trail? We didn't hike there.


Our last night in Pennsylvania we decided to cowboy camp (sleeping under the stars without a tent). It was a cold, clear night...perfect sleeping weather.

"Whoot...whooot!!"


After a severe thunderstorm, we painfully set up camp. Everything was soaked, but we were glad to make it to camp safetly. Four hikers were splashed by lightening that night and had to be rescued. They were a bit north of where we were. Thunderstorms are always freaky.


"Canada", Clemencia & "Too Klean" have a meeting! They are planning the next few days.


"Dirty Mess" climbs out of Palmerton, PA. It was a tough rock climb.


All rocks and very steep. Our pace was definitely slow!

Grabbing a hitch back to the trail. On the way into town, we got a hitch from the Palmerton Fire Chief. We thought we were going to get busted for hitching when he pulled over. But it was pouring rain, and we think he felt sorry for us.

These types of signs of very common along AT trail towns. Because we only have 1 outfit, laundry is always an interesting situation.


The police in Palmerton, PA allow thru-hikers to crash in borough hall. We had to give them all our info and SSNs. I guess we don't have warrants out for our arrests because they didn't raid the place. We found tons of decorations which got us even more excited for our Jersey Shore stop.


We toured the Yuengling Brewery (Pottsville, PA) - America's Oldest Brewery. They don't distribute in Chicago, but it is our brand choice on the trail.

A Lady Slipper. We were excited to see a flower (but expected after the TONS of rain).

A former Anheuser-Busch motel located in Duncannon, PA. The Doyle Hotel is over 100 years and very hiker friendly.

"Too Klean" road walking in Pennsylvania.


A solar shower. A hose & holding tank heats up if there is sun. For us, it was CHILLY and a short shower. No complaints...we were clean!

DRUMROLL LADIES & GENTLEMEN...

__________________________________________________________________________________Hi, this is Brittany and Kirstin's mom. They wanted me to tell you that they will be posting more pictures later as there was a problem downloading the pictures at the last computer they used. We are praying for nice weather and safety for them. Now onto what they posted:__________________________________________

We have two important announcements to make:
(1) We are the newest members of the 1/2 gallon ice cream club!!

A trail tradition is to eat a 1/2 gallon of ice cream once you hike 1/2 of the AT. We gladly (and excitedly) took on this challenge this past week. Heck, we have been preparing for this our entire life...right, Pops! Not only did we grow up drinking lots of milk daily, but ice cream is a constant in my parents' freezer. Our father would agree that we have been preparing for this challenge our entire lives. Granted, it's A LOT of ice cream. However, we had no issues finishing it nor keeping it down (unlike a lot of other thru-hikers). Our parents would be proud ;)

(2) Britt (aka "Hot Mess") has decided to do an official trail name change. Her new trail name is "Dirty Mess."

We need to thank Peyton, our cousin's son, for helping make her new trail name possible. One of the first things he said to Britt was "you're dirty." Presto, a change to her name. Thanks Peyton!

Other updates:
-After our visit Kara (our cousin), we were on the trail for 7 days and 6 nights after leaving Harpers Ferry, WV. For most of the week, especially the beginning, it was rainy. It was difficult for us to keep going. We discussed quitting the trail. However, we knew we would regret that decision. This journey is a once in a lifetime opportunity. We picked ourselves up (mentally and physically). Once we powered through the mental breakdown, not only did we enjoy our hike more, but we picked up our pace.
-WE HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED 1/2 OF THE A.T. We crossed the midpoint on Thursday, but have now trekked about 1,145 miles.
-We have finished 6 of the 14 states (Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland. We are now in Pennsylvania, which is known as "the place where you boots go to die" because of the rocks. It is supposed to be a nightmare of a hike...the rocks are jagged and "spear-like." Thank goodness our health insurance is in place!
-
BAM...NAILED IT (thanks, Kiara!).

"Hiking is ruining our trail experience" (fellow thru-hiker)

RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY!

We have never in our life experienced so much rain. I'm not sure if we have been dry for a period of 48 hours since we have been out here. Hiking in the pouring rain, putting on wet clothing and shoes in the morning, and climbing into a damp sleeping bag has become the norm. It has been physically grueling and emotionally taxing. We slowed down this week to find refuge from the rain which played out in us doing a few 1/2 mileage days. It's hard not to stick with our planned mileage but even harder to hike miles and miles in bad weather. Many thru-hikers went into town, stayed at shelters all day, and even called it quits to escape the rain.

Hiking is hard work, but hiking...
-9-11 hours
-day after day
-with a heavy pack
-in bad weather
-without a regular shower
-in dirty clothes
-with body aches/pains
IS EVEN HARDER.

The best way I can think to describe this experience is that it is 75% tedious, 15% okay, and 10% amazing. So why have we continued? The amazing parts are INCREDIBLE (generous, kind, supportive & fun people-both on and off the trail, spectacular sights, living simply, reflecting on life, a sense of accomplishment, etc.). Also, our desire to finish fuels us to continue hiking. Who knows how far we'll go? Maybe a day, maybe a week, maybe to the end. We don't know. We're proud that we have hiked over a 1,000 miles and endured so many elements thus far. Thru-hiking the AT is one of the, if not THE, most difficult thing we have ever done.

Thanks so much to Kara, Peyton, CJ, and Pam! We had a wonderful time visiting with you. We really appreciate it everything you did for us.


FLAT TRAIL...very rare on the AT. We definitely enjoyed it.


A fun warning of the "Roller Coaster" trail we were about to hike.


"Hot Mess" taking a picture as we cross the border from Virginia into West Virginia. We were in Virginia for the entire month of April.


We've hiked a 1,000 miles...YEA!!


Pete, "Hot Mess", and "Too Klean" find refuge from the thunderstorms at Blackburn Trail Center.

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) headquarters is located in Harpers Ferry, WV. We went there to check in and get our picture taken. It used to be the halfway point, but the trail has become longer. We still have 80 miles to go before reaching the midpoint.

Our picture in the ATC "Class of 2009" thru-hiker binder. It's fun to check out the hikers ahead of us and put a picture with the registry entries.


Our cousin, Kara, and her son, Peyton, playing with balloons. Happy 2nd Birthday Peyton! They were kind enough to take us in. A wonderful time off the trail with great company. Thanks for everything!!

Peyton...so cute and sweet!

"Look mom, REAL hikers!"

The majority of the past 1 1/2 weeks, we spent hiking the Shenandoah National Park. The Shenandoahs were different in that it was not as isolated as the Smokies. There is a road that runs through it and waysides to eat at. But similar to our Smokies experience, we were stuck in miserable weather and had limited to no views. What is it with our hikes in the National Parks? A fellow hiker explained it best.


"If you want to know what is was like hiking in the Shenandoahs is like...put on your rain gear, put a pillow case over your head, get under a cold shower, and open a window for a constant, cold wind gust."


The TRAIL MAGIC that helped us get through:
-As we passed a campground, we were offered beer (what fun trail magic!) from a New Jersey couple, Brian and Amy. Beyond a refreshing, cold one, they also gave us trail mix bars and water! Some Canadian ladies also stopped by to chat and gave us an orange. Fun treats, great conversation, and sweet company! They will never know how much this lifted our spirits.
-We ran into section hikers, Gavel (who we met before) and his buddy, Caribou. These guys rescued us from a complete breakdown. They provided us rides to and from the trail to get out of the weather, slackpacked us, and treated us to a pizza dinner. We are so grateful for their generousity!


We also got a good chuckle from some of the tourists we passed. They would often take our pictures and make a comment such as "are you REAL hikers?"

As we left (okay, ran from) the Shenandoahs, we gave a "woot, woot" and glad it was over.


Cold and rainy day in the Shenandoahs.


Wow, look at the views in the Shenandoahs!

"Too Klean" crossing rocks - very hard on the feet. Our feet are extremely swollen and sore. We are definitely nervous for Pennsylvania which has a bad reputation for its rockiness.


We finally got our Starbucks. Better yet, it was free. The barista took pity on us. It made our day and felt like home for a moment!

Getting ready to head out in the morning...it was raining, OF COURSE!

"Hot Mess" hanging our food bags to keep the bears away from the shelter.


Too bad we couldn't keep the mice away. We woke up to mice poop in our food cups...YUM! Read: Unhealthy, but we think we are in the clear unless consuming too much bleach is dangerous.

Celebrating "Hot Mess's" birthday on the trail. Frosting and chocolate graham crackers. "Too Klean" thought the combo would be a good replacement for birthday cake.

BREAKING POINT #1: The dilemma - whether or not to aqua blaze through the Shenandoahs (aka raft instead of hike). "Caveman" and "Burns" trying to figure out the logistics . "Too Klean" is across the street trying to get cell service. We decided against because we weren't willing to give up our thru-hiker title.


BREAKING POINT #2: The dilemma - whether or not to go get out of the rain and head into town for the night. It was cold and we needed a break. Even chips and beer weren't lifting "Too Klean's" spirit. We gave in and went into town for an unplanned visit.


Five hikers crammed into a motel in Front Royal.


One of two tics "Too Klean" found burrowed into her.

"Too Klean's" shoes died in the Shenandoahs. She was hoping they would make it halfway, but the rain and rocks did them in.


NEW SHOES:) There was not an outfitters open so "Too Klean" settled for a cheap pair of New Balance running shoes. We think they should last a couple hundred miles which is just a few weeks.


"Gavel" and "Caribou" (retired judges from Maine and AT section hikers) took us out for pizza. They also shuttled us to and from the trail. They were extremely sweet and generous to us.