Appalachian Trail

I'm finally getting around to a much needed post on my Ridgerunner job here on the Appalachian Trail in Virginia. I've had 3 run throughs of my section so far, each about 10 days. I've got some days off now and can catch up on the blog posts.

At a recent ridgerunner meeting we were asked how the job differs from what we expected before starting. So I'll share that with y'all.

It's good, most of the time. The first time on my section, the hiking kicked my butt. I've got a somewhat tougher section with the "rollercoaster." I'm still working on getting my trail legs, after 27 days on the trail and about 175 miles. Besides just the physical exhaustion of hiking, I then have to pick up trash, dismantle fire rings, and cover unestablished camping spots, leading to me moving very slowly. Not to mention talking to mostly everyone I see whether thru hikers, backpackers, or day hikers.

When I thru hiked I was able to gauge distance and time because on average I would hike 2.5 miles an hour. I can't do that as a ridgerunner. Sometimes I'm only doing 1 mile an hour, but it's okay because I'm not hiking as much, mostly hiking from shelter to shelter. I have to turn off the thru hiker brain who just wants to put miles in and keep moving to slowing down and looking around. I have started to remember favorite spots along my section and I always look forward to getting there. I also enjoy talking to the hikers and hearing their stories or where they're from. The not so great times involve me packing out gallons and gallons of trash for miles and picking up "unsightly" trash like used toilet paper, cigarette butts, or used band-aids.

Overall, I am enjoying spending time outside and camping. I am grateful to be able to give back and protect the trail that got me to Maine.

Here's some pictures from my time on the trail and just before...