Class of 2015 - Hiking Your Own Hike

Here is one more update before I hit my own trail for a week long Thru Hike of the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail (aka the L - Double H - T).

Today we will see how each hike evolves and morphs into a unique hike for each individual.  It has also been interesting to see how each hiker that I am following is updating their journey in cyber space and adjusting their hike to fit their circumstances. 

They are each finding out how challenging it can be to keep adding a regularly updated status.  When you are walking all day and the time comes to stop for the night, you have chores to do.  Shelter, water, food...  Rest...  Writing out a coherent and thoughtful journal entry become a burden that causes it to fall down on your to do list.  

So here is where I find each of our six hikers on the last day of April.

Where they all are on my AT map

Clifford:  On Clifford's Facebook Like Page, which is updated by his Mother, Deb.  The last entry mentioned that he was 1/4 of the way done.  Since then Deb has messaged me that he entered Pearisburg, VA about six days ago.  He should be getting close to McAfee Knob by now.  

Only 1641 to go.

Sling Shot: Sling Shot was still moving along nicely at his last update.  He appeared to be right behind Clifford as he left Pearisburg two days ago.  Hannah has posted her own version of a Hiking update on her blog.  Check it out.  

Sling Shot has found the challenge of updating the Trail Journals site hard, but it is a lesson we all learn as we dedicate the day to walking and there isn't much time for writing.  And most times there is no signal to transmit.  And updating TJ from the trail is a bitch.  

One important thing I want to point out is his realization that the hike isn't just a long continuous dog walk.  He has been pushing hard and The Hairy Missile has been moving along with him as any dog will do with its master, but as SS has pushed the days long, the dog is giving his clues that he needs to take the time to still have fun.  He is getting bored with the constant walking.  Rests and play times are important.  That is the ultimate challenge of hiking with a dog.  You have to hike the dogs hike, not your own.  Until dogs can talk, you have to see the clues and indications they give you as to their health and happiness.  

It looks like SS has figured this out and will slow down some to enjoy the trail and not concentrate so much on making the big miles.  

Treehugger:  Treehugger is heading to the Flip-Flop Kick Off this weekend and I will be seeing her there.  She now has a nice brace on her knee and figures that she might get a new trail name of The Bionic Woman.  I can tell she is ready to get back on the trail.  Once that things gets into your blood, there is no way to get it out, except to get on trail.  Most people don't realize that this is a terminal condition.  

Scoops and Iceberg:  Sometimes life in the "real world" pulls you off the trail temporarily. That is what happened to Scoops and Iceberg.  They are selling their house and it was time to get back, get their new place ready and close on the old place.  After 21 days of hiking, they left the trail at the NOC and headed back to Delaware to take care of business.  They will head back to the trail when things are taken care of and meet up with their hiker friends from their bubble who have continued on.  Once they reach the Big K, they will come back down and finish the section they skipped.  They are hiking their own hike.  

It is good to see that they left the trail for "bizness" and not injury or defeat.  They will be back and you can tell that the trail has taken hold and won't let them off that easily.

Iceberg has updated her Facebook Like page with a bunch of entries and you can read them here.

Scoops and Iceberg on Wesser Bald

Justin:  Justin, still waiting for that July start date is still doing his thing at home.  He has started spreading the word of these updates, so once he gets going and I can see where he is, his updates will be a little more fun.  Until then... He prepares...

lolz