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08/26/2015

Trail Journal

I walked 44975 steps on the trail today.
I traveled about 17 miles today.
Just a guess at the miles because we're camped out in the forest rather than a shelter - just too far to the next one. It was a great day! Sunny and lower humidity so my underwear were actually dry at the end of the day. TMI Had lunch of a $$$ hamburger at Skyland lodge and then more reasonable drinks and snack at Big Meadow wayside. The trail had 3 long climbs today, but they went well. My legs are staying to feel worn so a zero or nero soon would be nice.

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Posted: 08/26/2015

08/25/2015

Trail Journal

Entered the shenandoah park. No bears yet, but saw a huge deer. Coverage is getting worse so I may not be able to get posts out. Met a scout and his dad doing their 50-miler hike. They might make it to the shelter I'm staying tonight.

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Posted: 08/25/2015

Trail Journal

Scored a couple of really great deals today. We stopped at elk wallow campground and they have a store so we got hot egg muffin type sandwiches. I just arrived at this wayside as big black clouds are forming so I got to wash with HOT water and drink cold water that I didn't have to filter - plus I missed the rain! Only 3 more miles to the shelter but it's a tough Rocky climb. I won't be sending pics for awhile due to poor coverage.

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Posted: 08/25/2015

Trail Journal

I walked 44015 steps on the trail today.
I traveled about 18 miles today.
I saw a bear this morning! Lots of UPs today and we're at a shelter on a ridge so I'm hoping for cool, dry air. Very little sleep last night due to warmth and humidity.

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Posted: 08/25/2015

08/24/2015

Trail Journal

I walked 45604 steps on the trail today.
I traveled about 18 miles today.
Great day through the park today. Chatted with a scout and dad on the trail. At the shelter tonight, I met this gang from MD. The boy is a scout! Had a great evening and they even shared their meal with me so I feel ready for tomorrow. Oh, They also made a campfire!

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Posted: 08/24/2015

08/22/2015

Trail Journal

I walked 43862 steps on the trail today.
I traveled about 19 miles today.
Made it to the shelter with lots of nice warm daylight left. Really felt nice to have some time to relax and chat with some new friends. These are the Fredericksburg Four that are out on a weekend jaunt - really friendly folks. There's also a mom and daughter staying here, heading south as long as they can keep going. And another young lady ending her hike tomorrow morning. I walked alone all day but it's great to have folks around in the evening. The GA guys are here too. Bonus - there's aCOLD shower here and it felt nice to rinse off. I found I have a few small blisters but nothing bad.

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Posted: 08/22/2015

Nice trail today

The trail is wonderful today. Such a change from yesterday's rollercoaster, but I'm sure the smooth, relatively flat miles will be short lived. Here's my buddies from GA - vanilla thunder and a-town. I've been hiking alone today but have seen a bunch of day and weekend hikers.

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Posted: 08/22/2015

08/21/2015

Rollercoaster

I walked 54589 steps on the trail today.
I traveled about 21 miles today.
Hey, less than 1000 miles to go! My two Georgia friends let me hike with them today, but they drove me hard. We completed the section called the Rollercoaster because it's up and down and ... I hope that means the trail is a bit easier going forward but I believe it is only Hard and Harder. Water at the end of the day was bad so we kept going to the next, then the next until we finally got to the shelter, Completely dry. The spring here is great so it was worth the wait.

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Posted: 08/21/2015

Trail Journal

Oops - here's the pic.

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Posted: 08/21/2015

Trail Journal

Check out my current location on the map. Here's a nice view for lunch! I'm at Bears Den rock and hope to go 10 more miles this afternoon.

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Posted: 08/21/2015

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Feb 13, 2020 - Jason Berklund

Hey hiking dude I have several questions planning my first north to south trip from 270 all the way down. I kind a know what to wear what to eat all that important jive. I am in relatively good shape definitely Not concerned about where in tear. 45 years old going with a 21-year-old nephew. My question is I have friends in Duluth that I don’t want to burden with driving me what’s the best way to get up to otter Lake Road that’s not gonna cost a crap ton. We were thinking 15 miles a day. We were also thinking hammocks. Let me know what you think please. I have read so much and look at so much and heard so many opinions but You seem to be very realistic on your comments. Thank you

Feb 13, 2020 - Hiking Dude

@Jason - Hammocks work fine - most campsites have lots of trees. 15MPD is realistic, and you'll probably do more than that many days.
Getting to the northern terminus is expensive (in my mind). If you can schedule correctly, Arrowhead Transit is cheapest to Grand Marais, but then Harriet Quarles is the only shuttle I know of. You might find a good ol' boy in Grand Marais willing to drive you the 35 miles to the end for a few $$$.
It's a 3 hour drive from Duluth - that's 6 hours and 300 miles round-trip. Maybe your friend would like to drive up the north shore for a day.

Feb 04, 2024 - John

Me and my fiance are going to Costa Rica for our honeymoon and we are so excited!

May 02, 2024 - Zeke Mead

Has anyone cycled this Camiño? Sounds like the trail is a road and if trucks are able to do it, maybe bikes too?

May 03, 2024 - Hiking Dude

@Zeke - Someone could certainly bike part of the Camino de Costa Rica, but other parts are simple trail that would not be passable by bike.

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