AT Day 85 – The call to move northward 

Updated:

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.


Download the Ultralight Hiking Gear List

Add your name and email to download the Ultralight Hiking Gear List

Invalid email address
We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Sharing is caring!

9th July

22 miles

Bushcamp (1413.2) to Bushcamp (1435.2)

The hiking today lacked in scenic highlights. No grand views, no amazing wildlife encounters and with the exception of late in the day I was completely alone on the trail.

Being alone on the trail brings its own rewards. The type of benefits that group hikers miss. The peace and tranquility of nature and the self reliance and peace of mind that can only be gained with alone time. We humans are social creatures but time alone resets body and mind.

One of the great things about hiking a long trail is living a life without any influence from the media. In town I could switch on the television and get my news from whatever source suited my views.

I could watch the Fox News propaganda channel for my right wing views or the MSNBC propaganda channel for my left wing views. Time spent hiking long distances removes me and most other hikers from other people’s opinions of the world. Now I only have my own opinions.

And I think a lot about my own views on life, living and the world around me. Days alone with not much scenery give me time for reflection. Switch off the news channels for a couple of days. Enough of my rambling.

The Appalachian Trail might be the oldest long distance hiking trail in USA but it’s constantly evolving. New trail replaces old trail over time. There was a section of trail that was closed today, I’m not sure why. As a result I was rerouted onto a section of road. Something that is rare on the Appalachian Trail.

As the afternoon progressed I approached a road with yet another nearby shop promising food for the hiker. A 5 minute walk bought me to a pizza shop and small grocery store. A pizza, two beers and many conversations later I said goodbye to the couple of other hikers I met there.

It was possible to camp nearby for free, drink more beer and return for breakfast in the morning. The trail was calling me northward. I have a strong desire to be back in the mountains. The further north I go, the more my desire will be fulfilled. Northward I must go to the mountains.

appalachian trail views
appalachian trail late afternoon

Next : Day 86 – Into Connecticut

All the best information on the Appalachian Trail:
Complete Guide to the Appalachian Trail
Appalachian Trail Gear List
Appalachian Trail Gear Review

Sharing is caring!

Photo of author
About the Author:
Brad is an Australian who has completed the hiking Triple Crown after he hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail and Appalachian Trail. He has hiked on every continent (except Antarctica) and has cycled from Alaska to Ecuador. He is an expert on outdoor gear currently living in Chile.

Download the Ultralight Hiking Gear List

Add your name and email to download the Ultralight Hiking Gear List

Invalid email address
We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.

4 thoughts on “AT Day 85 – The call to move northward ”

  1. Hi Shepherd
    Here is what the ATC website said about your closed section:
    “In preparation of replacing steps, the A.T. has been detoured between the RPH Shelter and the Taconic State Parkway underpass. Signs direct hikers to use the roughly 0.35 mile detour via Hortontown and Miller Hill roads to bypass the work site. This detour will extend until July 17, 2017. Demolition of the deteriorating steps began June 17th.”
    This web-page also informs hikers about trail related issues. For example, they warn of fairly recent bear activity around three shelters northbound from you through Massachusetts and Vermont. Probably not a problem for you as you like to bush-camp, but maybe nice to know in advance of you getting there… Canada Goose

    Reply

Leave a Reply to John Wilson Cancel reply