June 17, 2009

Hi blog readers!

Jack called to report that they left Wise Shelter in Grayson Highlands State Park a few days ago and hiked 30.6 miles (a marathon day!) to Partnership Shelter near Sugar Grove, Va, aka "Pizza Shelter" with a hefty chow-down of one large pizza a piece. The hills are smaller now, still up and down, but less arduous. Rolling countryside in view.

The following day they finished 25.6 miles, with a stop along the way into the town of Marion.

They are now at least 89 miles from Damascus, Virginia and a total of 550.3 miles from their starting point of Springer Mountain, Georgia, 25% of the total AT trail distance of 2176.2 miles. They have averaged about 20.38 miles per day. They are now on day 28 of the hike. They had planned to average about 24 miles per day. This is taking into account that the end and beginning of the trail will have lower daily averages due to slower mountain pacing. They now have 76 days left to August 31, 1625.9 miles left to hike.

This will require a daily average of 21.39 miles....just about their current average daily rate. With an increasing daily mileage rate through Virginia, Maryland, and Pennyslvania, and barring any difficulties, they are well on their way to accomplishing their goal, with perhaps a few days to spare at the end of the hike.

Signing off for now!