Goals

Appalachian Trail Goals Hiking

Dreams Begin & The Appalachian Trail

Kim FordNovember 19, 2023553

Yesterday, I set out on a perilous and ambitious endeavor: to start hiking the Appalachian Trail.

- Appalachian Trail, Hiking, Virginia
- September 8, 2024
Day 5 – Slackpacking Virginia – Grandma Gatewood & Zero Day – AT Hike #20

Day 5 Virginia – Bear Tree Gap to Saunders Shelter to Downtown Damascus (house) 11.2 Gain 3,149 Loss 2,072 I’m thrilled to share that today, I’ve logged 213.35 miles on the AT. With a goal of 150+ miles per year, I’m ahead of schedule. Wahoo! Today was another incredible day. The weather was perfect, we had lunch along a small stream and met a couple wearing yellow (my favorite color) who were heading into Damascus for a zero day. A “zero day” refers to a day when a hiker doesn’t cover any miles on the trail. It’s essentially a rest day, allowing a hiker to recover physically and mentally. Zero days can be spent in towns, hostels, or even at a scenic spot along the trail. These days are crucial for preventing injuries, avoiding mental fatigue, and recovering from illnesses. Taking zero days is known to help increase a hiker’s overall pace by keeping them fresh and excited about the trail. Most thru-hikers take a zero day every 7 to 10 days on average. Let’s be honest, we all need zero days in our lives. Whether it’s binge-watching our favorite shows, indulging in a spa day, or simply lounging in,...
- Appalachian Trail, Hiking, Pennsylvania
- November 20, 2023
Hike #1 | 9.05 miles | Pennsylvania | Sheet Iron Roof Rd to Boiling Springs

We were ready for our first hike on the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania, or were we? I joined multiple Facebook groups, bought the AT trail guide, and even bought the map bundle for the entire trail on the highly recommended Far Out app. I used the app to try to figure out the mileage and came up with a route around the 8 to 9-mile range. I thought that was the perfect distance for first-timers and our previous hiking experience. My husband took a peak at the route and mentioned that the elevation changes looked pretty challenging. I brushed off his comment thinking the squiggly lines were just little ups and downs and we would be okay. To be honest, I had tried about 10 other routes and the squiggly lines were even taller. We had hiked together many times over the years, including training for the Rachel Carson Challenge so I figured this would be just another walk in the park. We drove from Pittsburgh and parked in downtown Boiling Springs PA just across from the TCO Fly Shop. Then we took an Uber to the AT trailhead on Sheet Iron Roof Road. So far my plan was executed,...
- 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,...

Day 5 – Slackpacking Maine – AT Hike #15

Day 3 – Hike #5 Slackpacking Massachusetts

Dreams Begin & The Appalachian Trail

Hike #10 – Adventure and Shadows: A Hike Through Duncannon’s Dark Past

Dreams Begin & The Appalachian Trail

Day 5 – Slackpacking Virginia – Grandma Gatewood & Zero Day – AT Hike #20

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

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

Day 5 – Slackpacking Virginia – Grandma Gatewood & Zero Day – AT Hike #20

Day 4 – Slackpacking Virginia – Why? – AT Hike #19

Day 3 – Slackpacking Virginia – Beauty in the Struggle – AT Hike #18