Journey completed....almost

Dear friends --

We are so sorry for leaving you hanging without a posting in so long. As I'm sure you've figured out by now, Billy Goat and I are now off the trail since our friend Aimee retrieved us from New Hampshire on August 20th. We're now in Wisconsin trying to set up shop for Smaglievsky Enterprises in Milwaukee. We've already found an apartment and have room for guests, so we hope to see you all in the future.

We'll be uploading new photos of the spectacular White Mountain / Presidential Range trek that we made as we wrapped up our journey as well as a description of that stunning part of the walk. As you may have figured out, we did not make it to Maine, nor did we make 1,000 miles -- but we did get through most of New Hampshire and summitted the highest mountain in the Northeast -- Mt. Washington (also 2nd deadliest in US with the highest recorded wind speed in the world -- 231 mph) and we are full of great memories. Our knees are maybe less than happy about our trek, but they too shall recover one day (I hope).

More to come...
Little Pony and Billy Goat from Manitowoc, WI

guest blogger/hiker: mad hatter (aka Jack)

I joined billy goat and little pony on the trail at north adams, ma - joined them with trepidation. I was tentative about inserting myself into the middle of their pilgrimage - worried that I would slow them down or break their stride or interrupt the delicate balance. To my delight and amazement hiking through vermont, sharing the trails, has been one of the most exhilirating experiences of my life. The rhythm of the trail has a sort of elemental, spiritual quality to it. One falls into a satisfying routine that rises almost to the level of ritual, rising early in the morning with the sunrise to prepare a simple meal - finding the trail with stiff muscles - falling into the dreamstate of prolonged rigorous exercise - brief joyous pauses throughout the day to rehydrate and refuel - the ecstasy of reaching shelter at the conclusion of the day every muscle in your body alive.

the gratification of being in such constant physical beauty literally scrubs your spirit clean. Everything on the trail is so real - it is a dramatic equalizer. The people you meet on the trail have all walked the same miles and mountains. I'm hooked on the appalachian trail. I'm coming back to section hike the whole thing. Billy goat and little pony are more vital on the trail than I have ever known them and I owe them a great debt of gratitude. - jack "mad hatter" cromie

Insult to injury

The AT's got plenty of places where you can really messv yourself up. But many injuries we've heard about come from seemingly innocuos things. One guy, alone in a shelter awoke for a nocturnal pee. He brushed against his hanging pack, startled, fell off the shelter platform and broke his hand. He's ok though. He did 29 miles overnight. Another guy finished the gnarliest climb in PA--only to slip on a pebble and cut his head to the skull. He took some time off, but is now walking southbound. I've had some silly injuries, too. After I switched from heavy climber's rope to cheap, light synthetic line, a tactical miscommunication left me with rope burn on the knuckles. And the one time I lit the stove, I neglected to prime it, instead opening the valve all the way and flicking the Bic. I didn't need that particular patch of leg hair, anyway. - billy goat

Attrition

By the time we started walking the AT from Harper's Ferry, about half of the 1200 or so who started at Springer Mountain, GA had already quit. About 20 percent historically make it all the way to Mt. Katadhin, the AT's northern terminus. Several hikers we've met in passing or got to know pretty well have left since then. The factors vary from Lyme's Disease to injury, to trail fatigue. They all fall under one umbrella--the Trail is just plain hard. We miss the hikers we've walked with and chatted with. And we're pulling for the ones remaining to make it all the way.
Billy Goat

green mountain state!!!!

we're sitting at the border of MA and vermont and in a few steps will begin walking the vt long trail that runs parallel with at. hikers call vermont "ver-mud" so it might be messy, but we're looking forward to it.

we've also been enjoying time with friends. aimee from boston joined us for a day at dalton. it was so wonderful to see a familiar face. and as of yesterday we were joined by jack from albany who will be hiking with us for a section of vermont. jack is setting a fierce pace for us so it looks like we're going to cover good ground. but we're also looking forward to enjoying and relaxing.

Heaven (part 3)

Typical of thru-hikers, no one "zeroed" at Upper Goose, even though it was paradise. The walk out looked easy on the map, but it turned out to be rocky, buggy, and we walked slower than expected. So rather than push further to the next shelter, 7 more miles, we stopped after 11 at the "Cookie Lady". A wonderful couple with a blueberry farm allows hikers to camp for chores. The fed us chocolate chip cookies and we bought soda and ordered pizza and hung out with a couple of hiker friends. Great eating, cameraderie and a sound sleep, before our heavenly streak was to end.
Billy Goat

Heaven (part 2)

We had a huge push after Tyringham--the usual long climb, big miles and long haul. But the effort was worth it. We limped into Upper Goose Pond, the most beautiful shelter on the trail. A beautiful cabin on a glacial pond up in the mountain. We ran into loads of hiker friends, took a swim, then a paddle in a canoe, then dinner and sleep on actual beds, rather than the usual wood platforms. We woke to the smell of coffee and pancakes, prepared by the volunteer caretaker. Then we left for the next paradise.
Billy Goat