With all our planning and preparation, one thing we couldn't completely control was whether our foot issues would stop us from continuing the hike. Our SHT hike was a good test and gave us confidence, but even with that, the AT took its toll on Kristin's Achilles and forced her to get off the trail last week after 200+ miles. We ended up at Pen Mar Park, NOBO mile 1067.2, right on the Maryland - Pennsylvania border

The decision was pretty easy to make after realizing that the pain and instability Kristin was experiencing greatly increased the likelihood that she might take a fall that could result in serious injury; the rocky trail presents a virtually nonstop series of hazards.

Prior to the hike we had laid out how we would handle this possibility. Whoever didn't drop had the option to continue. Though Kristin dropped, I wanted to continue, and so I have. Kristin has now flown back to the Twin Cities to stay with her folks and figure out next steps. We are thinking that she will make her way back out to the trail, but with our pickup truck (which we need to acquire) and the dog so that they can accompany me and support me while I hike. That sounds pretty attractive to me, so I hope it works out that way!

Thus, I have been hiking solo since Thursday May 2nd. I got right to work and put in 20-plus miles on Thursday and almost 25 miles on Friday. Thus far I have covered 127.4 miles since Kristin left the trail, and a total of 330 miles. There has been a fair amount of flat trail, unlike what we saw in Virginia, which made it easy for me to go fast. I also have had a couple days of rain and have been pretty wet - can you imagine toes marinating in wet socks for 10 hours?!? At the moment I am in a hotel, taking a "zero" - a day off.

The scenery in Pennsylvania is not quite as spectacular as it is in Virginia. In part this is because there’s not as much elevation difference, so grand views don't come along as often. It's also because the trees have enough leaves now that the forest usually blocks whatever views might be available. This is what is called the green tunnel, and although I like it quite a bit, apparently it's something that drives some people off the trail because they get so bored by it. To be honest, I do find it to be boring at times as well.

A good portion of the Pennsylvania hiking has been simply chugging through the woods, stepping on and around the rocks to avoid slipping or twisting an ankle. I call it rock picking. Rock picking is comprised of a constant weaving back and forth, with short-stepping, long-stepping, hopping between rocks and from rock-to-rock, and stepping up and down; the hiking poles are used to maintain balance and to help with steering. It can be tedious because it requires focus and concentration, but the miles flow fairly quickly even though it can feel like slow progress.

As I write this, I am without a tent, due to the fact that our 3-person tent went back with Kristin. Without a tent I am limited to hiking between shelters or to hostels. I could just sleep outside when the weather allows for it, but I haven't crossed that bridge yet (well, one night I did sleep in the open on a wood tent platform at a shelter that was full). I am working on getting a single-person tent, however, the tent acquisition process has been frustrating to say the least. I expected that it would be quick and efficient to order direct from a manufacturer and have it shipped to a post office along the trail, however it has been neither quick nor efficient. I won't say what the manufacturer is, even though I really feel like ragging on them right now!

With that, I think I'll close. Pictures below are in chronological order from 4/28 to 5/9. As before, no captions, just beauty and interest! If you want details on any pictures, just ask.