21st June
19.6 miles
Bushcamp (1211.3) to Bushcamp (1230.9)
Warning – The following contains scenes that may disturb some readers, look away if you’re offended by very mild nudity. But if you found this post looking for lots of nudity you will be very disappointed. This is about my experience hiking naked on the Appalachian Trail.
A two hour hike in the morning and I arrived on the outskirts of a town called Hamburg. On the Appalachian Trail it was World Hike Naked Day. But I was hungry and looking forward to satisfying my craving for fresh fruit.
I walked into Walmart lathered in sweat and smelling like I’ve sleeping in a pile of trash. I feel like I’ve been constantly wet for weeks, either by the rain or my sweat. I combined my fruit crazed shopping spree with a resupply for the next couple of days.
I made the classic rookie resupply error. I went shopping when I was ravenously hungry. Not only did I buy 1 pound of fresh mixed fruit, an apple, a banana and yogurt for breakfast. I bought enough food to last a week. Mental note to self, eat before shopping for a resupply.
I sat outside Walmart where I found an electrical outlet to charge my phone. I devoured the fruit and it tasted so fresh. Several staff members came outside for their cigarette breaks. They asked why so many people with backpacks had been sitting in the same spot I was sitting in recent days. I told them about the Appalachian Trail. They had no idea what it was and why I would do such a crazy thing like that.
With my stomach full I browsed the interwebs on my phone and updated parts of my blog while my phone charged. After about an hour I wandered to nearby Pizza Hut to enjoy their lunchtime buffet salad bar. I was satisfied from all the fruit so I didn’t eat too much. With so much fibre in my body, I was lighter when I left Pizza Hut than when I entered. Before leaving town I purchased a Subway sub for dinner. So much fresh food in one day, a rarity for thru hikers.
Today is the summer solstice. The summer solstice means it’s World Hike Naked Day. Now that hike naked day on the Appalachian Trail is a thing. I’d forgotten about it until late in the day after a large thunderstorm soaked me from head to toe, even with the use of my umbrella. I got naked and went for a hike, even if it was only for a short time.
I camped next to the trail with a view down to a small stream. As it started to get dark I was joined by two other hikers, the first company of had in camp for a while.
Next : Day 68 – Too Much Amazing Food
All the best information on the Appalachian Trail:
Complete Guide to the Appalachian Trail
Appalachian Trail Gear List
Appalachian Trail Gear Review
I guess there is not a mosquito problem?
Only a few mosquitoes, I believe they get worse when I hit the lakes of Vermont.
Your lucky your not on the PCT this year…The horrendous winter snows we had this year has made the trail very dangerous..There is still 10-15 feet of snow in the Sierras and the creeks are raging torrents of water. I have fished/camped up there for over 50 years and I have never seen as much snow and raging creeks and rivers as what is going on right now.
When I went through in 2015 it was a very dry year, a part of me would love to see a different side of the Sierra this year. I hope all the hikers stay safe this year.
Aww man I came for some sausage and only saw some bum! ?
That comment is more naughty than the photo. :)
Yeh I have a naughty sensor of humor. Some would say warped too! Lol.
Thanks for observing Solstice, the only way to hike!!! Good for you.
Third year in a row.