Appalachian Trail – Page 6 – Trailblazing Next

Appalachian Trail Hiking Massachusetts

Day 2 – Hike #4 Slackpacking Massachusetts

Kim FordJune 9, 2024708

Day 2 - Appalachian Trail Massachusetts

Day 2 - Appalachian Trail - Dalton to Cheshire 8.2 Miles with a gain of 1,604 and loss of 1,798.

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Appalachian Trail Hiking Massachusetts

Day 1 – Hike #3 Slackpacking Massachusetts

Kim FordJune 9, 2024641

Trail bag

Day 1 - Slackpacking the Appalachian Trail from Sheffield Egremont Road and MA Route 23.

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Appalachian Trail Beginning Hiking Massachusetts

Day 0 – Slackpacking Massachusetts

Kim FordJune 9, 2024847

Slackpacking Massachusetts

Today was arrival day, the day I got to meet the 11 strangers I would be spending the next 8 days with

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Appalachian Trail Hiking Pennsylvania

Hike #2 | 8.71 miles | Pennsylvania | Bernheisel Bridge Road to Boiling Springs

Kim FordDecember 4, 2023982

Carl Hiking north of Boiling Springs PA

I didn’t dare ask my husband if he would hike the Appalachian Trail with me again, at least for a couple of days. When I saw the weather forecast for the weekend, I could no longer resist. “Why honey,…

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Appalachian Trail Hiking Pennsylvania

Hike #1 | 9.05 miles | Pennsylvania | Sheet Iron Roof Rd to Boiling Springs

Kim FordNovember 20, 2023856

Kim and Carl at the AT crossing at Sheet Iron Roof Road in Carlisle, PA

We were ready for our first hike on the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania, or were we?

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- Appalachian Trail, Hiking, Pennsylvania
- December 4, 2023
Hike #2 | 8.71 miles | Pennsylvania | Bernheisel Bridge Road to Boiling Springs

I didn’t dare ask my husband if he would hike the Appalachian Trail with me again, at least for a couple of days. When I saw the weather forecast for the weekend, I could no longer resist. “Why honey, the weather looks really good this weekend. It’s going to be 60 degrees in the Carlisle area,” I said. Trying to not make the same mistake as the last hike. I figured out how to create a custom route on the Far Out app, in the correct direction, and found a section with a lot fewer squiggly lines. I screenshot the route and sent it to him. He showed up with a bag of supplies the next day. Boom!!! Without saying yes, he said yes! This time, we thought it would be wise to buy some cool headlamps and to start our next hike with additional daylight. My husband tested the headlamp out around the neighborhood when he walked the dog. I’m sure our neighbors think we are complete dorks now (if they didn’t already). We checked in at The Carlise House, a beautifully restored 1826 Civil War House in Carlisle, PA then walked to dinner at 1794 Whiskey Rebellion. I’ve,...
- Appalachian Trail, Hiking, Maryland, West Virginia
- July 27, 2025
Hike #27 From Bike Tires to Hiking Boots: A Full-Circle Journey to Harpers Ferry

Day 4 Maryland COMPLETE | July 27, 2025 | Hiking with Katie |10.28 miles, 899 ft ascent, 1,614 ft descent | Gathland State Park, MD to Harpers Ferry, WV There are some moments in life where you pause, take a deep breath, and realize just how far you’ve come. Not just in miles, but in meaning. This weekend, Katie and I completed the entire Maryland section of the Appalachian Trail, ending in Harpers Ferry, WV. And while it was an incredible physical accomplishment, the story behind it goes deeper. We started Day 1 at the Pennsylvania border early in the morning, excited and ready to hike. Before we even hit the trail, we found zip lines tucked in the park and of course, we had to try them. (Wouldn’t you?) 😄 It was the perfect reminder to embrace the fun, the spontaneous, and the childlike joy in every journey. That set the tone for the next 40+ miles of hiking. The final stretch into Harpers Ferry was on the C&O Canal, a flat, peaceful path that felt worlds apart from the rocky climbs of earlier days. But here’s the full-circle moment: that very trail is the same one Katie and,...
- Appalachian Trail, Beginning, Hiking, Massachusetts
- June 9, 2024
Day 0 – Slackpacking Massachusetts

Today was arrival day, the day I got to meet the 11 strangers I would be spending the next 6 days with. I met Barb and her sister Linda in the driveway and instantly knew this group wouldn’t be strangers for long. Barb, whom I call water woman, is brilliant, and loves tech. Yep, loved her instantly. It was great to meet the other ladies throughout the evening as well as our 3 guides. I was impressed to learn how experienced each of the guides were with the Appalachian Trail and that they are all Woofers (see below) and one is an EMT. I certainly hope I don’t need to be carried off the trail. The home is quintessential New England, but happened to be built by the DuVal’s (a Pittsburgh family), in the early 1900’s. Pittsburgh always seems to find its routes in every small group anywhere I go in the country. After a delicious dinner, we sat down for our daily debriefing about the next day. I’m not going to lie, I felt a bit defeated as the guides talked about these hikes being a Level 5, the most challenging, Adventures in Company offers. I immediately started questioning,...